Mother of Pearl.. or The Mother of All Pearls?

When I chase after a Victorian pencil, I'm normally like a dog chasing after a car:  I wouldn't know what to do with it if I caught it.  Such was the case with my acquisition of an example of the "Pearl":

NOTE:  This article is now included in the print version of The Leadhead's Pencil Blog, available anywhere you buy books, or also from The Legendary Lead Company.

To order, here's the link:  Volume 1 at Legendary Lead Company