IMPROVEMENTS ON PENCIL HOLDERS OR PORT CRAYONS, AND ON PENS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACILITATING WRITING AND DRAWING, BY RENDERING THE FREQUENT CUTTING OR MENDING OF THE POINTS OR NIBS UNNECESSARY
Year: 1822

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS. SHALL COME, we, JoHN
ISAAC HAWKINS, of Pentonville, Civil Engineer, and SAMPSON MORDON, of
Union Street, City Road, Portable Pen Maker, send greeting..
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth, did, by
His Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of His United Kingdom, bearing
date at Westminster, the Twentieth day of December, 1822, in the third year
of His reign, give and grant unto us, the said John Isaac Hawkins and
Sampson Mordan, our exors, adiñors, and assigns, His especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority; that we, the said John Isaac Hawkins and
Sampson Mordan, our exors, admňors, and assigns, during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS ON PENCIL HOLDERS OR PORT CRAYONS, AND ON PENS, FOR THE
PURPOSE OF FACILITATING WRITING AND DRAWING, BY RENDERING THE FREQUENT
CUTTING OR MENDING OF THE POINTS OR NIBS UNNECESSARY;" in which said Letters
Patent there is contained a proviso, that if we, the said John Isaac Hawkins
and Sampson Mordan, or one of us, shall not particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under
the hands and seal of one of us, and cause the same to be inrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery, within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent, that then the said Letters
Patent, and all liberties and advantages whatsoever thereby granted, shall

page_text: utterly cease, determine and become void, as in and by the same, relation being
thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with. the aforesaid proviso, we, the
said John Isaac Hawkins and Sampson Mordan, do hereby declare that our
said Invention of improvements on pencil holders or port crayons, and on pens,
for the purpose of facilitating writing and drawing, by rendering the frequent
cutting or mending of the points or nibs unnecessary, is fully set forth and
ascertained in the following description; illustrated by the Drawings hereunto
annexed, as explained by the references herein contained, (that is to say):-
Our Invention of improvements on pencil holders or port crayons consists in
the gradual protruding, by the means hercin-after described, of pencils or
crayons from a tube as they wear away by use, which means are shewn by
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the said Drawings.
Fig. 1, A represents one of our pencil holders or port crayons, as seen in a.
state fit for use; B, longitudinal section through the axis of the holder and
pencil together; C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and K, represent respectively the
various parts of B seperately. It is to be noted, that the small letters refer in
all cases to the same articles in the different parts of the Drawings, and that
where a part is too minute to admit of a letter being put upon it, or so near
as to indicate clearly the place intended, a dot is made, and in the nearest
vacant space two converging lines are drawn pointing towards the dot, and the
letter referring to the place of the dot is put between these converging lines.
(a), the pencil or crayon; (b), a tube of gold, silver, or other metal or metallic
compound, into which the pencil or crayon is fitted so tight as not to fall out by
its own weight, but loose enough to be easily protruded at pleasure. This tube
we denominate the nozzle; on one end of the nozzle is a male screw and two
milled rims, to enable the nozzle to be held firmly between the finger and
thumb,. in order to screw it tightly into its place. (c), a tube, a little longer
than the nozzle, which tube may be called the nut piece, having a female screw
at one end to receive the male screw of the nozzle, and another female screw
or nut at the other end to receive the screw of the driver, herein-after described.
The visible parts of the nut piece we usually make of gold or silver, and those
parts not exposed to view of brass; there are also near the nozzle end of this
tube or nut piece, two milled rims, by which it may be firmly held. (d), the
driver, made of steel, one end of which is cylindrical, fitting into and nearly
filling up the nozzle. The middle part of the driver is formed into a screw to
work.in the nut piece; the length of this screw part of the driver is some-
what more than the cylindrical part. The other end of the driver is made
semi-cylindrical, of about the same. length as the screw, with a small part at

page_text: the end quite cylindrical. (e), a short tube of brass, put upon the semi-cylin-
drical part of the driver, having a steel pin through one side to prevent the
tube turning round upon the driver, but to allow it to slide the whole
length of the semi-cylindrical part; the outer diameter of this tube is the
same as the outer diameter of the nut piece. (f), a long brass tube fitting
upon the nut piece (c) and short tube (e), having a pin (9) to work in the
circular groove (h) of the nut piece, and allow the tube to be turned upon the
nut piece without coming off, and also a pin (k) going through its side and
through the side of the short tube (e), so that when the long tube is turned
around it shall carry the short tube around with it. (l), a groove, around near
the middle of the nut piece, to receive a lapping of silk or other elastic sub-
stance, for the purpose of occasioning a small degree of friction and thus of
preventing the tube (f) from turning too easily. (m), an outer tube of gold,
silver, tortoiseshell, ivory, or other substance, fastened upon the brass tube (ƒ)
to form an ornamental handle to the pencil holder or port crayon; the whole
of these parts being put together in their respective places, as described and as
seen in the section B, and the point of the pencil or crayon being worn away
close to the end of the nozzle, if the milled rims are then held in one hand and
the handle (m) turned around with the other hand, it will carry around with
it the tubes (f) & (e) and the driver (d), which, working in the screw of the
nut piece (c), will be moved longitudinally, and drive or force the pencil or
crayon out of the nozzle to whatever distance may be required for use. When
it is desired to make the holder draw in the pencil or crayon as well as drive
it out, we cut a female screw in the end of the driver and screw the pencil or
crayon into it, or we form for a short distance the end of the driver into a
hollow cylinder having thin sides, and cut three or more longitudinal slits in
the sides, so as to render them elastic and capable of embracing the end of the
pencil or crayon. (n), the end of the driver, made hollow, with slits in the
sides to embrace the end of the pencil or crayon; when the pencil or crayon is
worn out and the holder requires to be recharged, hold two of the milled rims
in each hand and unscrew the nozzle, then put a new pencil or crayon into the
screw end of the nozzle, the opening of the tube at that end being made conical
to facilitate the entrance; before the nozzle is returned to its place, hold the two
milled rims remaining attached to the handle, and turn the handle the reverse
way to that which protrudes, and the driver will be drawn in, after which the
nozzle may be returned into its place, and the pencil or crayon is ready for
use. In describing this our most favorite pencil holder or port crayon, we
have given no dimensions, because these must ever depend upon the size and
length of the pencils or crayons to be used, which may vary from a quarter of

page_text: an inch or more to one-fiftieth of an inch or less in diameter, according as the
artist may require a bold line, a fine line, or an extremely delicate line, and
from three inches or more to half an inch or less in length. But we sometimes
make five or more nozzles, of different dimentions, to fix into the same handle,
by forming the driver as shewn in Fig. 2, and having a seperate cylindrical
piece L, M, N, O, to put upon the driver, to fit each of the four larger nozzles
respectively.
Fig. 3, section of a simple form of making the pencil holder or port crayon
in cases where the varying in length of the handle is no objection. (p), the
pencil or crayon; (9), the nozzle united with the nut piece; (r), the driver,
like the driver of Fig. 1, except that instead of the semi-cylindrical end it has
a short cylinder at the end of the screw fitting into the outer tube. (s), an
outer tube, fitting tightly on and pinned to the larger end of the driver, and
sliding freely over the nut piece. This tube (s) projects far enough beyond
the end of the driver to form a socket for a handle (t), of wood, ivory, or other
. substance.
Fig. 4, section of a pencil holder or port crayon, differing from Fig. 3, in
having the male screw outside of the tube, which corresponds to the nut piece and
the female screw within the outer tube, and in having the driver an equal-sized
cylinder throughout its length, except a short part at the handle end larger to
fix it in the outer tube; this arrangement is adopted, and the diameters of the
tubes increased to make room for a reserve of six pencils or crayons ready
to be pushed into the nozzle as it may be emptied by use. P shews the
appearance of the end of the tube which corresponds to the nut piece, when
charged with the six pencils or crayons. (u) six short thin brass tubes of the
same diameters inside as the pencils or crayons are outside; these tubes are
slit on one side to make them elastic, and soldered around inside the orifice of
the tube, which corresponds to the nuts piece.
Fig. 5, a holder for holding pencils or crayons nearly as long as itself. Q
another view of part of the same; R, transverse section from (v) to (v), with
end view of (2); S, perspective view of the driver; (w), a tube, having a slit
nearly the whole length, and the outside of the tube cut into a screw, with a
seal or cap screwed on at the end opposite to the writing end; (a), the pencil
or crayon; (y), a short cylinder or driver sliding against the pencil, and
having a stud sliding in and projecting through the slit; (), a milled nut,
turning upon the screw of the tube, and pressing against the stud of the
driver to drive out the pencil or crayon at pleasure. To charge this holder,
take off the seal or cap, then the milled nut, and take out the driver, after
which put the pencil or crayon into the tube, which is made a little conical at

page_text: the cap end, and then return the driver to its place, against which screw the
milled nut and put on the cap; the whole is then ready for use.
For the sake of rendering our description less intricate, and for avoiding
circumlocution, we have stated peculiar metals, metallic compounds, and
materials for various parts of our pencil holders or port crayons; but it is
obvious that our said Invention is not restricted to the use of those respective
metals or materials only, since in order to suit the taste of many persons ivory,
tortoiseshell, or other substances may be used, instead of metal or the ma-
terials described, without altering the principles of our said improvements.
And we do further declare that our said improvements on pens do consist,
first, in making the pens of tortoiseshell or horn, and in impressing into the
nibs or wearing parts of the said pens, when they are softened with water at
nearly the boiling heat, small particles of diamond, ruby, or other very hard
substances, by which means we combine great durability with pleasant
elasticity.
Secondly, in affixing to the wearing parts of tortoiseshell pens larger pieces
of diamond, ruby, gold, or other hard substances than could be used in the
first plan, and securing the same in their places by soldering or cementing
according to well-known methods pieces of tortoiseshell over them, taking care
that theso pieces do not extend far enough backwards from the nibs to injure
the elasticity of the pen.
Thirdly, in lapping a small piece of thin sheet gold over the end of a piece
of tortoiseshell intended to be made into a pen, and pressing the gold into the
tortoiseshell while it is in a soft state, and afterwards forming the pen by
cutting away the superfluous gold and tortoiseshell together.
Fourthly, in applying to the nibs of pens, whether made of tortoiseshell,
horn, or quills, small particles of diamond, ruby, or other very hard substances,
and causing the same to adhere by means of any tough and hard varnish or
cement that is not corroded by ink, as copal dissolved in oil, shelllack dissolved
in alcohol, sealing wax, the trough resins, and resinous compounds soluble by
heat, which are used by lapidaries for cementing their precious stones to sticks,
for the purpose of holding them to be cut and polished, taking care that the
composition be such as not to require heat enough to burn or scorch the
tortoiseshell, horn, or quill.
And, fifthly, in placing against the back of a pen two springs, or a forked
spring of tortoiseshell, horn, quill, or metal, to be slided towards or from the
nibs at pleasure, in order to increase or diminish the stiffness of the pen, to
suit various kinds of handwritings.
In order to effect our first plan, we cut an indentation in a steal die fitting.

page_text: the nibs of the pen, and place the particles of diamond or other hard sub-
stances in the bottom of the indentation; we then soften the nibs of the pen in
water nearly boiling hot, and lay them in the indentation, and immediately put
on a piece of steel fitting the back of the pen, and apply a moderate degree
of pressure, which we continue until the tortoiseshell or horn is nearly
cold.
Fig. 6 exhibits different views of pens, with bits of diamonds, ruby, or other
substances secured into the nibs by soldering or cementing pieces of tortoise-
shell over them according to our second plan. T represents a bit of diamond
laid on each nib of a tortoiseshell pen, either on the back or inside of the peu;
U shews the back of a pen, with pieces of tortoiseshell soldered or cemented
over the bits of diamond; V, the inside of the same pen; W, profile of the
same; X, section in profile; Y, the inside of a pen, with pieces of tortoise-
shell soldered or cemented to the inside of the nibs; Z, the back of the same
pen; (o
profile of the same; section in profile; (5), the body of the
pen; (7), the bits of diamond; (8), the tortoiseshell, cemented to the nibs,
and enclosing the diamonds, except at their writing parts.
Fig. 7 represents five successive stages of a pen manufactured according to
our third plan: section, in profile, of the tortoiseshell, prepared for the
perspective view of the thin piece of gold, turned up into the form
profile of the staple, lapped over the end and pressed into the
pen;
of a staple;
tortoiseshell;
back;
view of the same, as seen either at the inside or at the
view of the pen as it appears on both sides when finished; (), the
gold; (3), the tortoiseshell.
In carrying our fourth plan into effect, we sometimes take two bits of
diamond or other hard substances, formed to a proper figure, and dip them in
the varnish or melted sealing wax or cement, and immediately adjust them in
their places in the inside of the nibs; and sometimes we mix a quantity of
diamond or other hard substances in grains not exceeding the two-hundreth
part of an inch in diameter, with about an equal quantity of varnish, sealing
wax, or cement, and dip the nibs of the pens in the composition while fluid.
Fig. 8 shews the manner of placing a spring on the back of a pen, to
encrease or diminish the stiffness of the nibs, according to our fifth plan.
view of the back of the pen 3B view of the inside; ☐ section in
profile; (n) the pen; (9) a forked spring, one fork of which presses on
each nib of the pen; (x), two rivets and four washers, the rivets passing

page_text: through two holes in the pen, and through two slits or mortices in the body
of the spring; (*) a knob by which the spring may be slided.
In the case of portable or fragment pens, we sometimes affix the forked
spring to the back of the holder, in the same manner as just described for the
back of a pen; and sometimes we make the forked spring a mere prolonga-
tion of the back or upper jaw of the penholder, and adjust the degrees of
stiffness of the pen by putting it a greater or less depth into the holder.
Fig. 9 shews a common portable penholder, with the back or upper jaw
prolonged into a forked spring. S view of the back of the holder, spring, and
pen together: & profile of the same; (1), the penholder, usually extending
no farther over the pen than the dotted line; (v), the pen; (e), the spring;
(o), the handle.
Fig. 10 another common portable penholder, with which the forked spring
is united by a prolongation of the ferrule. ✓ view of the back of the
holder, spring, and pen together; I profile of the same; (~), the penholder,
usually extended to the dotted line; (2), the spring; (b), the handle.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Isaac Hawkins, have hereunto set
⚫ my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of June, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty-three.