
“Rough draft” might be too generous. It’s more like a “rough compilation”—396 pages so far, with at least as many to go. This copy is a one-off.
Toward the beginning is the Faber family tree I’ve cobbled together, though it’s still a work-in-progress. (My claim is that the tree is accurate to within one Lothar, ± an Eberhard.)

An engraving of the first Eberhard Faber Company storefront, and a scan of an agreement from 1882 between Lothar von Faber and Eberhard Faber for the use of “A.W.F.”

The original patent for attaching an eraser by means of a ferrule.

A couple of Fabers: Lothar Washington and Eberhard III.

Some advertising: I wish I could find an original print of this particular ad.

Scans of a monograph written by Eberhard Faber II in 1917, “The History of the Lead Pencil.”

Some reproductions from the 1923 company catalog.

Some patent drawings are included, along with photos I’ve taken of the actual objects.

Some examples of company graphic design, after many hours of restoration and touch-up.

Some of my Blackwing-related photos.


The cover art is going to change at some point, but I’m warming up to this design.

Nice, super nice!
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Thanks!
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I collect Mongol pencils and look forward to this book. May I be notified when it is available for purchase?
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Really great research. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Susan!
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OMG, Let us know if you ever finalize it and put them up for sale.
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Will do, Michael.
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I’d like a copy. How do I get one?
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It will be a while before it’s finished, but by that time I should have an answer for your question.
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Amazing accomplishment. I hope a publisher knocks on your door.
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From your lips to their ears!
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Looks Amazing. I know you will publish sometime and I am looking forward to that!
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Thanks Rachel, and for your help!
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Accurate to within one Lothar, ± an Eberhard 😂😂😂
The book looks amazing and with the meticulous research you normally do on a subject it will be fantastic! Thank you for all the hard work you do for the pencil fandom.
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There are so many of them. As someone might have said in the 1940s, “That family tree is lousy with Eberhards.” 🙂
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Sean, this is incredible!
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Thanks, Gunther!
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Whoa, this is amazing!
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I’m having a flashback of when I first saw Pencil Talk, all those years ago, searching online for any No. 1 pencils I could find. My recollection is that I shrugged a little in disbelief, and said to myself something like: “People have blogs about…pencils?”
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Amazing, simply amazing. If you ever put copies out, and I hope you do, I would definitely be interested in owning one.
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Thanks, GraphiteGuy. I’ve been considering whether Print On Demand might be an option.
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Time for a Kickstarte !
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Coincidentally, the office location for Kickstarter is in the old Eberhard Faber factory in Greenpoint, New York.
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I’m VERY interested in reading this book. I love the graphics that appear on this site!
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