Rare ‘gavel’ set to go under the hammer

IT’S a first for top Midlands auctioneers Hansons – what appears to be a rare gavel is to go under the... gavel.

But looks can be deceptive. The lot, which will go on sale in August, is actually a cleverly disguised propelling pencil. It is so sought after that Hansons, based in Etwall, Derbyshire, believe it will sell for around £800.

Uncovered during a valuation day in Knowle, the faux gavel was crafted in the late 19th century.

The head is made from ivory, the shaft from gold and the device bears the name “S Mordan and Co”. That has considerably cranked up the value. Sampson Morden (1790 to 1843) was a silversmith famed for inventing the first propelling pencil in 1822.

From then on, he manufactured a wide range of propelling pencils in silver and gold. The novelty gavel was created by his sons, who inherited the family business after his death in 1843.

Adrian Rathbone, Hansons’ associate director, was amazed to discover the rare and valuable object during the May 1 valuation day, staged at The Royal British Legion.

He said: “I could not believe my eyes when I opened a tatty old cardboard box to find this gleaming rarity. In my many years in this business, I have handled numerous Mordan objects, but never before have I seen an auctioneer gavel propelling pencil.

“The market for anything vintage and novelty is hot at the moment, with high prices being paid by collectors to acquire objects by key makers such as Mordan and Asprey. We recently sold a Victorian Asprey dressing case for £7,900.”

Estimated to fetch between £600 and £800, the Mordan gavel pencil is being offered in Hansons’ Fine Art Auction on June 29.