Pencil, Mechanical

Object Name:

Pencil, Mechanical

Object ID:

1985.051.03 a-b

Date:

1871

Description:

Mechanical pencil, in box with hinged lid. Pencil (A) is black and gold. Turning stem makes pencil rise, but not now. Knob at end of pencil has fanciful floral decorations. Sliding collar on pencil body with repetitive geometric decorations on it. Collar has two small holes near each other on a side. At center of pencil barrel is a very narrow gold band around its perimeter. Narrow slot in side of barrel in front half of pencil. Some repetitive small decorative abstract design marks on side of barrel from front to back. Pencil inscription on lining of lid: "A / Christmass (sic) / Present / from my / Husband / 1871". Gift from Edward Hill to his wife.
Box (B): Unknown wood. Brass, textile, and paper. Long, rectangular with brass eye on side of cover and pivoting brass clasp on side of bottom that passes through brass loop. Exterior has smooth grained surface. Cover slightly domed in cross-section. Ends beveled. Bottom edges of box beveled. Decorative incised lines that run horizontally on top and bottom sides. Inside, incised lines around top edge of box. Hinge heavy flexible paper with similar appearance to upper sides of box and makes a continuous hinge. Inside of box has similar grain, but smooth dark surface. Tan silk-like material inserted into cover of box; padded. Bottom has off-white stiff paper collar fastened around inside surface. It extends slightly above edge. Concave, curved, purple velvet in bottom of box.

Material:

Metal
Velvet
Brass
Textile
Paper

Dimensions:

L-3.6 Dia-0.3 inches Weight-0.35 oz

Provenance:

Gift from Edward Hill to his wife.
Donor is grand-daughter-in-law of Edward Hill. Gift included correspondence with Edward Hill, given to mss. dept.

Credit Line:

Gift of Katherine Hill

People:

Hill, Edward (1843-1923), Hill, Katherine