Jacob J. Lownds
JJ Lownds - Pencil & Pen Maker
Lownds was first a pencil maker and later was awarded a patent that resulted in scant production of pen / pencil combinations, constructed primarily by Wilmarth & Brothers from Massachusetts.
The depicted example was created in gold and is a similar design to typical smaller silver examples (see below) but larger. This example is 8.5cm or approximately 3.25 inches closed and 4.25 inches extended.
The 1st Lownds Patent
The Lownds patent number 32 for a unique extension / retraction mechanism was one of the first post-1799 such technology patents filed with the United States Patent & Trademark Office.
Lownds Pencil Tops
The Lownds typical pencil top was a stylized acanthus design.
Lownds 1854 Pencil & Pen Extension Case
Lownds was first a pencil maker and later was awarded another patent that resulted in a scant production of pen / pencil combinations, constructed primarily by Wilmarth & Brothers from Massachusetts.
The 2nd Lownds Patent of 1854
The Lownds patent number 11,752 for a unique extension / retraction mechanism in a pen / pencil combination and was novel technology.
The 3rd Lownds Patent of 1863
Lownds was awarded another extension mechanism patent, no. 40,845 in 1863.
Lownds Mechanism
The Lownds patent mechanism depicted was produced by Wilmarth & Brothers. Acquired from the Loring Collection.
Wilmarth Pen/Pencil Combos
The Lownds 2nd patent mechanism depicted was produced in 18k gold and are rare.
Wilmarth Pen/Pencil Combos
The pen holders are marked W.M. Wilmarth, Lownds Patent, and Oct 3, 1854 for the patent award date.
The Wilmarth Pen /Pencil combo was advertised by Wilmarth. Note the former association as Eaton, Griffiths & Co. and formerly Addison, Wilmarth & Co. Note that the example above (left) is from the John Loring collection and is the realization of the instrument depicted in the advertising copy. Production numbers of this combo were very low, involving many steps for completion without the Bagley patent extrusion technology.
The depicted pen holder is a Bagley patent extension mechanism produced in 18k gold and is marked Eaton, Griffiths, and Co.. The Gold Pen nib is stamped with the Wilmarth & Brothers, Boston, rare marking.
The Gold Pen nib is marked Wilmarth & Brothers Boston A.D. 1850
Eaton, Griffiths & Co. - Gale, Eaton & Snow
Eaton, Griffiths, & Co.
Depicted is a mid-1840s gold pen holder with faceted Amethyst capstone. A Gold Pen nib marked Eaton, Griffiths & Co. New York is mounted.
Gale, Eaton & Snow
Depicted is a gold pen holder marked H.M. Smith 4, with an ebony extension mounted with a Gold Pen nib of interest.
The Gold Pen nib is marked Gale, Eaton & Snow Boston 4.
