Anitique rare Huge Mosley London large Silver and Porcupine Quill Dip Pen

A FINE ANTIQUE MOSLEY LONDON SOLID SILVER LONG DIP PEN AND PENCIL CLEARLY MARKED. . This is a very rare model as it doesn’t even appear in reference books,this is the first example I have seen in all my years. This design is really rare and considered very highly desirable by serious collectors as it feels beautiful in the hand. Description • Antique rare late Victorian C1860 solid Silver dip pen tapered Cylindrical shaped body which has a huge perfect porcupine quill handle, It is in great antique condition, as pictured it has a pack of original nibs as well as 10 spares with it and is ready to go. As is often the case with these small items of silver of this design & from this period it is not hallmarked but It has been tested to confirm it has a high Silver content. • dip pen Measures 27.8 cm long with nib and 25.4 cm empty • Weighs 6.86 g Condition this item is perfectly usable as it would have been over 164 years ago. It does have a small slit in the silver as shown in the pictures and a couple of small indents, the porcupine quill is in great condition, it has a beautiful patina. lovely collectors item, a must for the serious collector. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item. Please view all my photographs carefully as these are as much part of the description as the writing. If you wish me to send you any other picture or details feel free to ask. MARKS - HALLMARKS - HISTORY Sampson Mordan (1770-1843), apprentice and assistant of the mechanic John Bramah, established his own business in 1815. The first patent for a "metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite 'lead' shaft forward during use" was obtained in 1822 (his co-inventor was John Isaac Hawkins). In 1823 Mordan bought out the rights of Hawkins, entering his first mark as "smallworker" in London Assay Office on 9 June 1823 (SM oblong). In 1824 he entered in partnership with Gabriel Riddle, registering a new mark (SM.GR) in London Assay Office. The partnership with Riddle was dissolved in 1836 and he continued the business as S. Mordan & Co. Sampson Mordan died in 1843 and the business was taken over by his sons Sampson (Jr) and Augustus. They were later joined by Edmund George Johnson and Zachariah Watkins who retired in 1879. After the death of Sampson Mordan (Jr) his share of the business passed to his brother Augustus, joined as partner in 1890 by Harry Lambert Symonds. In 1898 the company was converted to a limited liability company under the name of S. Mordan & Co Ltd. In 1933 the distribution rights on the propelling pencil business were given to L. G. Sloan Ltd, and in 1941, following the destruction of the factory by enemy bombing, the patents were sold to Edward Baker. The firm went into voluntary liquidation in 1952. Between the 1820s and 1870s the firm obtained more of 160 patents for various mechanical pencils. The first spring-loaded mechanical pencil was patented in 1877 and a twist-feed mechanism was developed in 1895. In addition to pencils the firm had a large production line of small silver and gold items, most of them belonging to the type of "novelties" so popular at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century. They were supplied to many retailers, including Asprey & Sons and the Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co. Ltd. Sampson Mordan & Co was present at the 1851 London Great Exhibition and at the 1922 and 1929 British Industries.