SAMPSON MORDAN 18 carat GOLD BULLET PENCIL LONDON 1939 Start Price GBP 250.00 Current Price GBP 250.00 Time Left - Bid Count 1 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 16, 2008 End Time Wednesday, November 26, 2008 Location Flamborough, Yorkshire See more about 'SAMPSON MORDAN 18 carat GOLD BULLET PENCIL LONDON 1939' Description HTML clipboard       This is an 18 carat gold   Sampson Mordan & Company   telescoping propelling “bullet” pencil   Hallmarked “SM&Co.” London 1939   Registered Design Number 459681     The photographs below were taken without using flash, and are shown greatly enlarged for detail     The pencil measures 2.9 inches (7.2 cm) to the end of the ring         The casing is scuffed and rubbed and there are a few very small dings           The weight of the outer case and pencil is approximately 14 gr.               View showing the pencil removed from the sheath and in its unexpanded state   Close-up of the hallmarks     The images below were taken using flash, which has reflected off the gold         Shown above fully retracted and with the pencil in the outer bullet-shaped sheaf           Shown with the pencil removed but unexpanded               Shown with the pencil expanded to the first position             Shown with the pencil fully expanded     The inner gold tubes are all heavily scuffed and rubbed as a result of expansion and retraction over the years       Shown with the pencil fully expanded   The fully expanded pencil measures 4.4 inches (11.1 cm)       History and Condition When I sold my writing equipment collection some years ago on eBay I held a few items back, of which this was one. As with all Mordan products it is beautifully engineered and crafted and consists of an outer bullet-shaped 18ct gold sheaf holding a telescoping pencil (lead grade: "VS") also in 18ct hallmarked gold. The sheaf itself measures 2.9 inches from tip to tip (including the ring) while the telescoping pencil is 4.4 inches in length when fully extended. The total weight is approximately 14 grams. The outer sheath is scuffed and rubbed and with a few minor dings while the inner gold tubes are all heavily scuffed and rubbed as a result of expansion and retraction over the years. There is a faint number (which appears to be “017728”) lightly scratched on the surface just above the main hallmark. I assume that this is either an identification device or a jeweller’s or pawnbroker’s number; however, it cannot be seen with the naked eye and is only visible under strong magnification. This item is fully hallmarked on the sheaf while the pencil itself is marked in four separate locations and also has a Registered Design Number: 459681. This would indicate that the design was first registered about 1905. There is no reserve on this item. I have described this pencil as honestly as possible but please feel free to contact me for further information     IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS   U.K. Bidders: To estimate the "packed weight" each item is first weighed and then an additional amount of 150 grams is added to allow for the packaging material (all item are securely wrapped). The weight of the item and packaging is then rounded up to the nearest hundred grams to arrive at the postage figures below. I make no charge for packaging materials and make no profit on postage and packaging. Shipping can be combined for multiple purchases.   Packed weight: approximately 350gr   Postage options: Special Delivery, which is fully insured and guarantees next-day delivery, is £5.00 Payment options: Payment can be made by: debit card, credit card (Visa or MasterCard, but not Amex), cheque or money order (payable to "G Miller", please), or PayPal. Please contact me with name and address and payment details within seven days of the end of the auction; otherwise I reserve the right to cancel the auction and re-list the item.     International Bidders: To estimate the "packed weight" each item is first weighed and then an additional amount of 150 grams is added to allow for the packaging material (all item are securely wrapped). The weight of the item and packaging is then rounded up to the nearest hundred grams to arrive at the postage figures below. I make no charge for packaging materials and make no profit on postage and packaging. Shipping can be combined for multiple purchases (but please note that the maximum which can be sent in any one parcel to Canada is 2000gr).   Packed weight: approximately 350gr   International Shipping options:   Air Mail + Signed For + Insurance  = (£250 - £500 insurance depending on destination) “Insured + Signed For” Air Mail delivery to Europe (including Turkey) £8.19 “Insured + Signed For” delivery to America, Canada, Australasia £10.17 “Insured + Signed For” delivery to most other countries £10.17     For other destinations, or if unsure, please inquire before bidding   Payment options for international bidders: Payment can be made by: all major credit cards (Visa or MasterCard, but not Amex) or PayPal. I can also accept a cheque in GBP [British Pounds Sterling] but only if drawn on a major British bank. Regretfully, due to extremely high conversion charges, I CANNOT accept foreign currency : all payments must be made in GBP [British Pounds Sterling]. This can be accomplished easily using a credit card, which I am able to accept as I have a separate, well-established business. Please contact me with your name and address and payment details within seven days of the end of the auction; otherwise I reserve the right to cancel the auction and re-list the item Prospective international bidders should ensure that they are able to provide credit card details or pay by PayPal within 7 days of the end of the auction (or inform me that they will be sending a cheque in GBP drawn on a major British bank). I am afraid that Bank Transfers and Money Orders are not acceptable due to the conversion charges. If this is a problem, or you wish to confirm my bona fides, please contact me before bidding. Thank you.   Please also view my other auctions for a range of interesting books and feel free to contact me if you require any additional information Design and content © 2008 Geoffrey Miller     Place a Bid!