Gold Propelling Pencil 1870?

[ow9654]

Hello All!
I have a Propelling pencil the person I bought it from says its 1870 but I`m not sure it also has some small repairs
 What would you value it at?

[mart]

It says Registered on the side,, is it from the UK ?? Can you tell what it is made of ?? Is it marked anywhere possibly hallmarked !! Is the metal portion extending down a Key   When you extend the lead does it turn or do you push the slide ??  Cant really tell how it works from pics !!  Spome of these can get pretty pricey !! You need to really look at it closely !!

[ow9654]

Sorry for too little info, I`m not sure where its made but a guy at a car boot sale says registered means the design is registered and that this is in the UK (I don`t know how true that is), there is no hallmark on it but it is gold (scratch it LIGHTLY against a bit of bare ceramic black its not gold, gold it is gold and this was gold) I`m not sure what karat it is but its some form of gold. A guy who made an offer for this says it isn`t Victorian because it isn`t worn enough clearly he knows nothing.
The worn golden band on the pencil pushes the led down.
Thanks

[mart]

Is the extension a key ?? The part with the loop at the end appears to slide down as the graphite is used !! This could have come from a ladies chatelaine which would explain the key but this would not have been cheap thats why I asked about a hallmark !! I would disagree with that person,,it looks very Victorian to me !!

[ow9654]

I don`t think it would have been used as a key but I`m definitely no expert, another man who I asked said this would have been worn by a lady in the Victorian period, I forget exactly what he said though.The loop at the end doesnt slide down though
Thanks

[ow9654]

Sorry I just found out what chatelaine was yes I think thats what he said.

[ow9654]

What would you value it at bearing in mind the repairs?

Thank you

[talesofthesevenseas]

A chatelaine piece was exactly what I was thinking too. I don't see any problems with an 1870's or 1880's date. Nice!!

[mart]

Values can vary greatly !! What can add to the value is that key like extension and the karat of gold it is plated with !! If it has more than two functions it will be worth more that a simple pencil no matter if its from a chatelaine or not !! Most jewelers can tell the karat !! I will look for a combination pencil maybe see the value range !!

[ow9654]

I wouldn`t think its gold plated, I can`t see any parts where the plating has worn away.How would a jeweller tell the Karat is it by testing it?If so jewellers here (Ireland) are useless and have to send things away to be checked/watches serviced/valued and costs a lot of money too.
Thanks

[mart]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280824211572    This is on the same order as your pencil just different styling !!  There is a simple in house test that jewelers use to test for karat of gold items people want to sell !! Just an acid test that all jewelers usually have  !! Should not be expensive at all !! I would watch the ebay link I gave you and see what it sells for !!  Its in the UK so should be about the same !! This person had hers tested and it tested 15 karat or better !!

[ow9654]

Thank you so much for your help!!
I`m going to hold onto it for a while as I like it very much and understand it more now
Once again thank you.

[mart]

I think its a nice pencil !! I would probably keep it too !! Its very unique !!

[ow9654]

Sorry to revive the old thread, but for anyone who is interested in buying it, it is on eBay
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Victorian-GOLD-Propelling-pencil-Key-shape-Unique-Chatelaine-piece-Beautiful-/200741538857?pt=UK_Antiques_DecorativeAntiques_Collectables_EH&hash=item2ebd20cc29

Use the link above I do really like it but I prefer coin collecting as it is easier to date and value than antiques but I still love antiques and but antique writing equipment very often!
Thank you