1880 Sampson Mordan & Co London Glass Inkwell With Rare Hinged Crown Cap ENGLAND
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:19803506 | Featured Refinements: Glass Inkwell |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom | Maker: Sampson Mordan & Co. |
| Material: Brass and Glass | Modified Item: No |
| Vintage: Yes |
1880s Sampson Mordan & Co.GLASS INKWELLHinged Brass Cap withRare Crown Casting Excellent Condition / No Damage
This is a "BUY IT NOW" Listing
from my personal collection:
Sampson Mordan (1790 - 1843) was a celebrated British silversmith who patented the world's first true mechanical pencil in 1823. Sterling silver pencils of excellent quality continued to be the mainstay of the company well after the founder's death, until the factory was bombed by... the Nazis during World War II. Other products, however, included menu holders, parfum bottles, dip pens, World War 1 British Army compasses, postal scales, and inkwells. Of course Mordan inkwells are much more difficult to find now than Mordan's all-metal pencils, partly because they have always been primarily a pencil maker, and also likely because of the breakable nature of glass.
This inkwell is a rare departure for Sampson Mordan & Co. It is fitted with a hinged cap made of brass instead of silver, with the inscription "S. Mordan & Co. London" encircling the infrequently seen crown emblem. With silver currently priced at $13 an ounce, this doesn't much affect the value of the materials of which it is made, and makes it exceptionally interesting as a Mordan collectible item, in much the same way that Mordan pencils made of other materials, such as bone, amber, and early plastics are prized for their rarity.
The inkwell measures 85 mm in diameter, aprox. 77 mm tall, and the cap is 53 mm wide. The opening is 33 mm in diameter and the inside is just under 50 mm deep. Weight: 1 lb. 6.3 oz. / 630 gm.
In superb vintage condition with no chips, nibbles, scratches, or other damage of any kind, and a hinge that is also undamaged and works exactly as it did originally. There is light wear from abrasion underneath the rim of the base, where it cannot be seen when the inkwell is standing upright. Tiny, self-adhesive rubber or felt feet could be added to prevent additional abrasion of this sort to the rim in future centuries.
So, here's an opportunity to own or make a gift of a true piece of British carriage trade craftsmanship and history. Naturally, it will be of particular interest to Mordan connoisseurs, as well as those who like writing instruments, stationery and desk accessories.
Of course I will miss it, but I have made a firm decision to rationalize my collections. In short, I just can't keep them all!
Returns in the same condition as when shipped cheerfully accepted for 30 days. Buyer pays the postage unless the item is not as described. Please enlarge and review the accompanying photos, as they constitute an important part of the description.
Thank you for your interest in my items. Please check out my other listings, which include Japanese and European mechanical watches, fountain pens, smoking and cigar accessories, antique English mechanical pencils by Sampson Mordan, Edward Baker and others, as well as a variety of other luxury goods.
Yes, we sell such items on consignment. To inquire, just use the "Contact Seller" link in the "Seller Information" box at the top right-hand corner of this webpage. Please try to describe what you have and/or include photographs if possible.
This is a "BUY IT NOW" Listing
from my personal collection:
Sampson Mordan (1790 - 1843) was a celebrated British silversmith who patented the world's first true mechanical pencil in 1823. Sterling silver pencils of excellent quality continued to be the mainstay of the company well after the founder's death, until the factory was bombed by... the Nazis during World War II. Other products, however, included menu holders, parfum bottles, dip pens, World War 1 British Army compasses, postal scales, and inkwells. Of course Mordan inkwells are much more difficult to find now than Mordan's all-metal pencils, partly because they have always been primarily a pencil maker, and also likely because of the breakable nature of glass.
This inkwell is a rare departure for Sampson Mordan & Co. It is fitted with a hinged cap made of brass instead of silver, with the inscription "S. Mordan & Co. London" encircling the infrequently seen crown emblem. With silver currently priced at $13 an ounce, this doesn't much affect the value of the materials of which it is made, and makes it exceptionally interesting as a Mordan collectible item, in much the same way that Mordan pencils made of other materials, such as bone, amber, and early plastics are prized for their rarity.
The inkwell measures 85 mm in diameter, aprox. 77 mm tall, and the cap is 53 mm wide. The opening is 33 mm in diameter and the inside is just under 50 mm deep. Weight: 1 lb. 6.3 oz. / 630 gm.
In superb vintage condition with no chips, nibbles, scratches, or other damage of any kind, and a hinge that is also undamaged and works exactly as it did originally. There is light wear from abrasion underneath the rim of the base, where it cannot be seen when the inkwell is standing upright. Tiny, self-adhesive rubber or felt feet could be added to prevent additional abrasion of this sort to the rim in future centuries.
So, here's an opportunity to own or make a gift of a true piece of British carriage trade craftsmanship and history. Naturally, it will be of particular interest to Mordan connoisseurs, as well as those who like writing instruments, stationery and desk accessories.
Of course I will miss it, but I have made a firm decision to rationalize my collections. In short, I just can't keep them all!
Returns in the same condition as when shipped cheerfully accepted for 30 days. Buyer pays the postage unless the item is not as described. Please enlarge and review the accompanying photos, as they constitute an important part of the description.
Thank you for your interest in my items. Please check out my other listings, which include Japanese and European mechanical watches, fountain pens, smoking and cigar accessories, antique English mechanical pencils by Sampson Mordan, Edward Baker and others, as well as a variety of other luxury goods.
Yes, we sell such items on consignment. To inquire, just use the "Contact Seller" link in the "Seller Information" box at the top right-hand corner of this webpage. Please try to describe what you have and/or include photographs if possible.
