Lot 1011
BUTLER & CO.: Gold Propelling Pencil Presented by Queen Victoria, 1840s
15 December 2014, 10:00 PST
San FranciscoSold for US$2,500 inc. premium
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BUTLER & CO.: Gold Propelling Pencil Presented by Queen Victoria, 1840s
Gold pencil given by Queen Victoria, first half of 19th c., measuring 190mm, with dual action propelling pencil and scraper, hallmarked "Butler & Co., London", machined diamond pattern, imperial crown emblem engraved on bloodstone cabochon, elaborately foliated rose-motif levers. Gold content not marked, but tests at 14K solid gold. In original presentation box, brown leather with royal crown emblem in crimson sealing wax, lined with red velvet and cream silk, with original ownership note in French pinned to lining.
Provenance: The pencil was given to Mr. Chenue, of the famous French fine art shipping company André Chenue S.A.(continuously in operation since 1760). Mr. Chenue was tasked by Louis Phillipe I, King of France, with delivering a large portrait of Queen Victoria painted on a Sèvres porcelain plaque to Her Majesty, and in gratitude for his service, she presented him with this pencil. The pencil remained in the Chenue family ever since, and has been consigned by a descendent of Mr. Chenue.
Translation of the ownership note:
"This gold penholder with the crown of England was given to me by Her Majesty the Queen Victoria as a souvenir and a token of her satisfaction with the mission I had been given on the orders of the King: ship to London the portrait of Her British Majesty painted on a Sèvres porcelain plaque of extraordinary dimension, 23rd July 1846, Mr Chenue."
Provenance: The pencil was given to Mr. Chenue, of the famous French fine art shipping company André Chenue S.A.(continuously in operation since 1760). Mr. Chenue was tasked by Louis Phillipe I, King of France, with delivering a large portrait of Queen Victoria painted on a Sèvres porcelain plaque to Her Majesty, and in gratitude for his service, she presented him with this pencil. The pencil remained in the Chenue family ever since, and has been consigned by a descendent of Mr. Chenue.
Translation of the ownership note:
"This gold penholder with the crown of England was given to me by Her Majesty the Queen Victoria as a souvenir and a token of her satisfaction with the mission I had been given on the orders of the King: ship to London the portrait of Her British Majesty painted on a Sèvres porcelain plaque of extraordinary dimension, 23rd July 1846, Mr Chenue."