S. MORDAN Cie - Lot 75

S. MORDAN Cie Lead pencil in 14-carat yellow gold (585/1000) Engine-turned decoration with raised scrolls on rings Head adorned with a black hard stone with red spots Gross weight: 17.76 grams (Scratches from use) NOTICE S. Mordan Co is a British company founded in 1823 by Samson Mordan, famous for having invented and patented the first mechanical pencil, a milestone in the history of writing instruments. Mordan's mechanical pencil used an innovative mechanism to refill and retract the lead, offering a practical and elegant alternative to traditional pencils. This revolutionary concept enabled S. Mordan Co to become a key player in the manufacture of high-end pens and mechanical pencils throughout the 19th century. S. Mordan Co mechanical pencils are distinguished by their refined designs, crafted in silver, brass or gold, with sophisticated engravings and motifs inspired by the Victorian era. Some whimsical models, in the shape of animals or everyday objects, demonstrate the brand's diversity and creativity. These instruments were not only functional, but also objets d'art prized by lovers of fine writing and refined design. Brands contemporary and similar to S. Mordan Co include manufacturers such as Eversharp, which also revolutionized the mechanical pen market with its own refill system in the late 19th century, or Yard-O-Led, another British house specializing in silver writing instruments, with comparable craftsmanship. Cross, an American brand founded in 1846, is also renowned for the quality of its luxury mechanical pencils and pens. These brands, like S. Mordan Co, have contributed to the evolution of writing instruments with innovations and elegant designs, solidifying the appeal of these objects in the world of quality writing. Today, S. Mordan Co mechanical pencils are an enduring testament to nineteenth-century innovation in watchmaking and craftsmanship, sharing a special place among the creations of the era's greatest houses.