1800s Gold Victorian Pencil made to be an end to a pocket watch chain ... with bloodstone end

1800s Victorian Pencil for a end to a pocket watch chain ... with bloodstone end.

This could either be used for a pocket watch fob, or the end of the chain itself to go through the button hole.

THE STORY
I found my first Victorian writing instrument about 20 years ago at a Tulsa Oklahoma Estate Sale. I already collected Fountain Pens (having paid the hospital's bill for my daughters birth by selling two pens but that is another story). When I saw this I asked the people who held the area estate sales what exactly it was and they said they didn't have any idea. They had never seen anything like it.

I figured out it was a dip pen, minus the nib, and bought it.

Years went by until the 1997 or 1998 when they began showing up on eBay. Without exception, all of the ones I bought on eBay came from the northeastern part of the United States. I found I was bidding against the same people time and time again. As eBay changed so did the availabilities of the Victorian Pen and Pencil availability. The sellers went away as did the other bidders. What few did show up started at much higher prices and they sell for higher prices, when they sell. The old bidders names don't show up any more. I still have penciled on the laminate surface near my desk the bidding names of the buyers that were my competition and friends.

From a find at Estate sale, grew my collection. I haven't made a count in some time but I guess I have more that 1oo of these gems.

I have posted many more Victorian 1850s to 1900 pens and pencils. You can find them all by clicking on my name above this post.