Instruments Extraordinaire

Instruments ExtraordinaireInstruments ExtraordinaireInstruments ExtraordinaireInstruments Extraordinaire
  • Introduction
  • Asia / Islam
  • Europe & Britain
  • French Origins
  • Stylus-Quill-Penner
  • Early Fountain Pens
  • Hawkins-Mordan Patent
  • Virginia Roots
  • Jefferson Pen Analysis
  • American Pencil Makers
  • American Gold Pen Makers
  • Gold Pen Advertising
  • Philip Poole ‘HIS NIBS’
  • Inkwells
  • Inkwells & Writing Sets
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  • Cyphers

Instruments Extraordinaire

Instruments ExtraordinaireInstruments ExtraordinaireInstruments Extraordinaire
  • Introduction
  • Asia / Islam
  • Europe & Britain
  • French Origins
  • Stylus-Quill-Penner
  • Early Fountain Pens
  • Hawkins-Mordan Patent
  • Virginia Roots
  • Jefferson Pen Analysis
  • American Pencil Makers
  • American Gold Pen Makers
  • Gold Pen Advertising
  • Philip Poole ‘HIS NIBS’
  • Inkwells
  • Inkwells & Writing Sets
  • Writing Sets
  • Cyphers

Other Pencil Makers

Turtle Pencil

The Turtle Pencil has no maker mark. Although the variety of Aiken Lambert and Mordan animal pencils is sizable, this does not appear to be either. 

Magic Pencil

Painted scene on porcelain.

Patent Silver Magic Pencil

William S. Hicks magic pencil in silver.

The mechanism a novel patent improvement.

Edward Todd & Co. Pencil

Abalone and Mother of Pearl gold pencil. Hallmarked with Edward Todd & Co. N.Y. and Patent December 5, 1871, this pencil is based upon E.S. Johnson's patent.

Hicks Gravity Drop Pencil


Hicks sterling silver gravity drop pencil with acorn hallmark.


Patent 377194 is the only other identifier on this solid silver, well-made pencil. the patent award was to Costi de Meyer in 1887, thanks to Jonathan Veley for ferreting out the patent. This item was acquired years ago in the Cape Fear, NC area. 


Jonathan Veley writes about gravity drop pencils including the Meyer patent and posts the patent drawing in his fun blog:   The Leadhead's Pencil Blog: That's Heavy, Man (leadheadpencils.blogspot.com) 


A.T. Cross

The Cross company of Rhode Island is well-known by Americans for stylish ballpoint pen and pencil sets.


The A.T. Cross company was established in 1846 in Providence, Rhode Island.

William S. Hicks

As the Mabie, Todd & Co. operation gathered steam to become the dominant fountain pen maker in the last quarter of the 19th century, Hicks items  were sometimes sold by the firm..

Josh Baker

English Birmingham pencil maker Josh Baker created musket  rifle pencils which he typically dated 1842. Included was normally a propelling pencil and toothpick.


Depicted on the left is an unmarked Josh Baker equipped with pencil, toothpick, and an additional quill mount. 


On the right is a typical Josh Baker rifle pencil, marked “Josh Baker No 1186 4 April 1842” 


The stock on both versions unscrews for lead storage.

Champagne Bottles

Champagne is always a joy, particularly when held in hand to compose a note to Mon Chéri!

Egyptian Pharaoh

The  intrigue of the orientalist discoveries of Egypt’s ancient past resulted in demand for writing instrument souvenirs.


Depicted is a Pharaoh pencil with enamel work.

Telescopic Measuring Rule Pencil

George W. Watts & James B. Smith Invented a combination pencil with measuring rule with a priority date of 1895.


The example depicted is marked PAT.JANY 19.1897 and embellished with Edward Todd’s hallmark.

Telescopic Measuring Rule Pencil

The  ingenious patent design resulted in a sturdy 12-inch ruler with propelling pencil.

The Snake Clip

Snake Clip

Pocket clips for pencils added function and utility. Perhaps related to the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th century, snakes varied in meaning and style.

Thick Lead

The thick lead was useful to artist or draftsman. 

Patent Design?

As Jonathan Veley points out in his blog, controversy prevailed over the design origination. See https://leadheadpencils.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-one-that-kept-me-awake-at-night.html .

Revolver Pencil

Whimsical pencil modeled after a revolver.

Marked

Stamped  GESETZL GESCHÜTZT  / PROTECTED BY LAW. 

Lead Storage in the Cylinder

A covered chamber in the cylinder stores space leads.

Joseph Monaghan / Edward Todd

Edward Todd & Co

In the progression of Bagley successors, Edward Todd & Co.  was the final company until 1932. Joseph Monaghan was also an inventor focused on pencil designs. Monaghans‘ patent date related to the translucent agate pencil body is memorialized on this Edward Todd & Co. Pencil, created in 18k gold.

Learn more about Edward Todd & Co.
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