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Author	Topic: Silver Whatzit
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 08-31-2010 09:21 AM [01-2859] I received this item from a dealer friend who got it in a box lot and thought I might have fun figuring out what it is. The tube measures 5 1/2 inches in length and the bands around it slide; in the photo I have posted you will see one up and one down. When the bands are pushed up, a threaded interior appears, which indicates something screwed in to each end. I have tried to photograph the threading as well. The diameter of each end is 1/2 inch. The piece has no hallmarking that I can find, but it does test for silver. It has an engraved date of Mai 17, which indicates possible French origin. Any ideas? IP: Logged
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 Registered: Apr 93	posted 08-31-2010 10:31 AM Crayon/Chalk holder is my first suspicion. Retracting it might keep teacher's pocket clean. IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 08-31-2010 12:53 PM That makes perfect sense! And a date of May on the inscription could mean that it was an end of the year gift to a teacher! Or perhaps a graduation gift to someone about to become a teacher. IP: Logged
Ulysses Dietz Moderator Posts: 1265 Registered: May 99	posted 08-31-2010 02:47 PM Slim Jim holder? IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 08-31-2010 03:28 PM Looks like a retractable combination pen and pencil from which someone removed the nib-holder and pencil mechanism. Here's an 1882 illustration from a British wholesaler's catalog showing a similar piece. Would expect to see marks if French or British silver..... ~Cheryl IP: Logged
Postnikov Posts: 133 Registered: Nov 2009	posted 08-31-2010 04:24 PM Hi - This kind of pencil holders have been very popular in Europe until the 50´s. Single types are even today quite often seen on flea markets, the 2 pencil type (mostly used for black and red colored pencils)is not so often seen. The mechanical pencil (4 colors and more) later took the place of the pencil holder. Brass, steel, silver and gold were common. Regards Postnikov IP: Logged
dragonflywink Posts: 993 Registered: Dec 2002	posted 08-31-2010 06:08 PM Believe the threaded interiors would indicate the attachment of metal parts rather than the insertion of chalk, wooden pencils, etc. There would have been a mechanical (propelling) pencil at one end and a dip pen nib holder with nib at the other. ~Cheryl IP: Logged
ahwt Posts: 2334 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 08-31-2010 10:02 PM Above are some pens similar to the one shown by doc. The one on the left in the first picture is silver and is engraved "Compliments of F Debary and Co". As shown in the second picture a pencil extends out one end when the opposite end is pulled out. The second from the left is gold filled and has a nib that comes out when a slide is pushed towards one end. A black cylinder extends the opposite direction for comfort in writing. The nib is engraved “A William S Hicks New York No 7”. The next object is silver and appears to be Chinese. As shown in the second picture it holds a flat pencil similar to one that carpenters use today. The last one is both a pen and pencil. The slide produces the pen nib while the extending the opposite end, twisting and pushing produces a pencil as shown in the third picture. The nib is engraved “E Edarl T*LD & Co. New York 4” . I think all of these should be considered gadgets of their time, similar to some of the electronic gadgets we have today. IP: Logged
doc Posts: 728 Registered: Jul 2003	posted 09-01-2010 07:14 AM Thanks to all who posted. I struggled with a pen/pencil concept because the diameter of the ends was so large, but now that I see the attachments (thanks for the photo, ahwt, it makes more sense. IP: Logged

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