In 1791, the HMS Pandora ran aground and became wrecked on the outer great barrier reef. The Porcupine-class ship of the Royal Navy and her crew of 134 men, lead by captain Edward Edwards had been sent out to capture the mutineers of the HMS Bounty. Many of the mutineers on the Bounty had fled to Tahiti, specifically Pitcairn Island, where they scuttled the HMS Bounty by burning her and burying her at sea. But, the persistent Captain Edwards pursued his quarry in and around the islands, capturing most who had survived. It wasn’t until after the good captain had captured as many men as possible that he decided to make the return trip back to England. But, bad luck and poor navigation led the Pandora into the gigantic ocean reef, leaving her crew and the prisoners stranded.
It took many months of voyage in open boats for the remaining survivors to make it back to land and eventually back to England. When they did, the prisoners were tried. Many were found guilty of mutiny. Captain Edwards and his crew were court martialed for the loss of the HMS Pandora, but eventually found not negligent. Those in charge decided not to recover the remains of the HMS Pandora or the HMS Bounty and for nearly 200 years they both lay at the bottom of the waters, preserving history and time.
But, in 1997, the Queensland Museum began the arduous work to appropriately extract the ship and its contents from the Coral Sea. The work still continues on to this day, but already a great many treasures have been uncovered from the wreckage. Most of the items found reflect the daily lives of the sailor at sea, including items that describe to us the professional and personal lives of the crew. But, one item in particular sticks out among the many finds. And, that treasure is the earliest example of a mechanical pencil.
It’s amazing to think that mechanical pencils existed as early as 1791 for as complicated a writing instrument as they are. Even so, the first patent for a mechanical pencil didn’t come about until 1822, when Sampson Mordon and John Issac Hawkins in Britian received one. They ended up producing a wide range of metal mechanical pencils over the next many years until their factory was bombed in World War II, which as you might guess, put an end to their production. But, over the next 50 years over 160 additional patents would come about improving on the idea of refillable pencils.
One of the premier companies producing mechanical pencils today is Yard-O-Led, a company out of London, England. Harkening back to their predecessors, Yard-O-Led uses hallmarked sterling silver for barrels and casings of their pencils. This innovative and extraordinary company crafts some of the most well balanced and weighty writing instruments of the non-ink kind. Here at Executive Essentials we have a wide variety of some of their best pieces, which are worth taking a look at.
Yard-O-Led Viceroy Pencil Plain
Yard-O-Led Deco 34
Yard-O-Led Viceroy Pencil Plain
It’s a bold move to use the adjective ‘plain’ in the name of this pen. It is anything but. As with all Yard-O-Led pencils the Viceroy must be tested by an Assay Office to make sure the silver is up to British Standards. Beyond that, each barrel is hand-hammered over two thousand times to create a unique finish that shimmers and catches the eye, leaving the user with the feel of a fine crafted writing instrument. And, true to their name, like all Yard-O-Led pencils, this one holds one yard of led per fill.
Yard-O-Led Corinthian Fluted Pencil
The Corinthian Fluted Pencil has a unique style that is reminiscent of a fluted crown. Opposite of the plain, this pencil stands out in a crowd with its ridged hallmarked silver barrel. The clips on these pencils are individually numbered and the top has a hat like button that gives the pen a regal termination point, which also serves to keep the pencil well balanced and easy to use. All together, it’s a sleek reminder of the craftsmanship that goes into each pencil that comes from the skilled artisans at Yard-O-Led.
Yard-O-Led Deco 34 Square Pencil Barley
This Deco 34 takes its inspiration from the Art Deco Style of the 1930’s. Everything about this pencil screams originality, from its square barrel, to its click-advance mechanism at the top. Hand-hammered sterling silver is coerced into a shape that lend the imagination to an era of towering skyscrapers and fantastic architectural designs, fitting for a pencil type that is preferred among architects, engineers and drafters. The barrel has a plain of patterned etching to provide a comfortable grip, while adding an extra dimension to the overall look. A favorite by far.
There are many more Yard-O-Led mechanical pencils waiting for you in the Executive Essentials catalog. So take the time to browse the charmed heritage of these great mechanical inventions for yourself.
