Accompanying a pencil tribute to London’s buses – the Underground’s map serves as inspiration for this set.
Update
I hope you like the blog’s updated appearance! Please let me know if you discover any problems.
There are a few changes behind the scenes as well. The categories and indexing have been neglected for too long, making the content less accessible than it should be. I’ve gone through the first two years of the blog, and have attempted to accurately categorize each post. I’ll keep working on this.
As a small celebration, here’s a contest: The blog’s “banner” is the rectangular photo at the top of each page. Until yesterday, that banner showed green erasers from the FSC Canada pencil. Can you identify the pencil that was shown on the first banner used by this blog?
The prize:
A Pilot Foam eraser, a Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Super-DX pencil, and an Ito-ya pencil extender in white.
Just leave a comment with the answer. The first correct answer wins. (The winner can send me their postal address via email, and the prize will be sent via Canada Post.) The contest runs until midnight on June 23, EDT.
Five pencil information sites
Here are five great pencil information websites. If you’re seeking to identify an old pencil, or information about a defunct brand, these are the places to start:
1. Pencil Pages has an extensive assortment of pencils from American manufacturers. If you want to see a Providence Narragansett or a Mallard Vita-Tone, this is the place!
2. Brand Name Pencils is a great reference for worldwide brands. Often cited for the appealing graphic design and easy navigation, it showcases a vast array of pencils.
3. Leadholder.com has more than leadholders! The “Wood Cased Drafting Pencil Gallery” has photos with knowledgeable commentary, production dates, and many cross references to scanned historical catalogues.
4. KUR?UN KALEM / BLEISTIFT, in Turkish and German, has an amazing array of pencil history on display. Even if you don’t understand the text, be sure to navigate around the site. It has many old catalogues, advertising, and pencil displays that won’t be seen elsewhere.
5. Georg Büttner’s Bleistiftseiten, in German, has comprehensive information about German manufacturers, past and present.
Tsu Ku Shi pencil
From Tsu Ku Shi, we have a very interesting pencil – oversize, round, using an interesting colour scheme, and with a slice missing!
The idea seems to be to create the best of both worlds – the round grip favoured by artists combined with roll-resistance. It is a two-sided pencil!
The “missing” slice’s edge has been painted white, with the rest of the pencil in a natural finish.
The diameter is 9mm and the length 160mm, with the lead graded 4B.
The pencil was designed by Drill Design in Tokyo, and I hope to encounter more of their creations in the future.
The great design builds up hope – and there is no disappointment – this a fantastic pencil that delivers deep, rich, smooth lines. Highly recommended.
Classic American pencils
My thanks to Barrel of a Pencil for sending me some classic American pencils.
I’m not sure how Barrel acquired them. Though some must be several years old, they are all extremely well preserved.
The pencils are:
Penguin Pencils
I’m sure I’m not alone in having many fond memories of reading Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, and VS Naipaul novels in Penguin paperback editions. The penguin or puffin on the spine of a paperback usually augured well. Finding a Penguin on the shelf of a used bookstore promised a great read for just fifty cents.
In a delightful tribute to a classic version of Penguin’s covers, Art Meets Matter has issued a Penguin-inspired pencil.
The clever packaging and pencil designs convey the design and spirit of the paperbacks.
“Completely Unsharpened”.