Wise & Nash – “Butler & Co. London” – Silver

Wise & Nash pencil with interesting set of markings. The barrel includes the nam “Butler & Co. London”, along with the maker’s initials, “TW & EN”, and a set of hallmarks for London, 1840. The hallmarks are rubbed but the remaining parts of the letter looks like it was a “C”. Thomas Wise was a partner of Joshua Butler starting in 1835. In 1836 Butler retired and Wise went into partnership with Eliezer Nash. They continued to manufacture “Butler & Co” everpointed pencils and at some point must have produced them under their own brand as well, since another pencil in the collection is simply marked “W & N London”. Their partnership ended in 1849. This pencil is in excellent condition, no damage; imprints are good; undamaged amethyst seal. Removal of seal reveals 8 inner tubes for storing spare lead, some with lead in them. Mechanism is fully functional.