W.S. Hicks – Ryne Patent – 1867

The barrel has the patent date of Dec. 24, 1867 embossed on it, which is the Richard Ryne patent date for a combo pencil/pen even though this was listed for sale as a pencil. It appears that the hidden dip pen aspect of this combo was unknown to its various owners for most of its life, as once I was able to extract the inner barrel, it revealed an as new gold, Mabie Todd #4 nib. Ryne had assigned his patent to W. S. Hicks and so the item was likely made by Hicks. Excellent condition and virtually no plate loss.