The design for this piece was registered December 28, 1882, by Walter Thornhill & Co., of 144-45 New Bond Street, London.
The mark on the piece is that of Sampson Mordan & Co. The firm was supposedly founded in 1815, and was registering a patent for a propelling pencil by 1822. In 1838 they were listed as manufacturers of "Cooper's patent smelling bottles, inkstands, new fountain inkstands, toilets, etc." The manufactory was on City Road, and a retail premises was on Cheapside. John Culme notes that they "produced a large range of wares, particularly of a novelty character," and Walter Thornhill was one of a number of retailers whom they supplied.
