A jewel-tipped Mordan

Jewel-tipped nibs are rare, so this Mordan pen and pencil combination is something special. It is fully hallmarked for 1832/33, with maker's mark of Sampson Mordan and Gabriel Riddle. Both pencil nozzle and jewel-tipped nib retract in the usual manner.

The nib is lightly marked "MORDAN" on top of its shank. The tipping is intact on both sides, though its surfaces are a bit rough. Jewels were certainly hard, but not as resistant to chipping as iridium or osmium.

A project that needs doing is compiling a list of surviving jeweled nibs, as the numbers appear to be small indeed. If you have such a nib -- even if in very damaged condition -- please get in touch so we can make a start on this census.