Author Archives: Sean

Copying Pencils, Indelible Pencils, and the Excluded Middle

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Sean

Sometime around 1923, the Eberhard Faber Company wanted everyone to know the difference between indelible pencils and copying pencils. To that end, they offered this explanation to the stationery trade: Perhaps I’ve misinterpreted the description, but I’m left with the … Continue reading →

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“Behold the Woof Woof”

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Sean

The Eberhard Faber “Woof Woof” was issued in 1923, something that The American Stationer and Office Manager saw fit to note: There was even some poetry written by an ‘admirer’ of the Woof Woof: It’s hard to say how many Woof … Continue reading →

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Eberhard Faber 1911: The Cost of Display Boxes

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Sean

While we might come across contemporaneous price points for pencils and pens in vintage advertisements, information about dealer cost is less forthcoming. In December of 1911, the Eberhard Faber Co. brought out three new display boxes: “Luna Park”, “Fortress” (Ein … Continue reading →

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Mongol Musings

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Sean
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Jeff Andrews

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Sean

Bassist Jeff Andrews has died, aged 58. I remember, decades ago, hearing the word “swunk” (a combination of “swing” and “funk”) for the first time. It was from Jeff Andrews who was describing the feel of Jaco’s playing on The Dry … Continue reading →

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A New Draft

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Sean

A new cover idea: Several Eberhards Faber: A general timeline: The early years: The mills of Cedar Keys, Florida: Origins of the “Diamond Star” logo: The occasional nib and leadholder: An extraordinary pencil: The History of the Lead Pencil by … Continue reading →

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About that Eberhard Faber factory fire in 1872…

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Sean

In a previous post titled Beware The Dry House, I noted several fires that occurred at two Eberhard Faber Company factories. But the most well-known fire occurred at the first factory, which opened in 1861 and burned to the ground … Continue reading →

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Theory and Practice (4)

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Sean

 

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Eberhard Faber: Rough Draft

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Sean

“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 … Continue reading →

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The Paper Seahorse

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Sean

Tucked away in Tampa’s SoHo district is the city’s only independent stationery store, The Paper Seahorse. I went for my first visit today. The store bills itself as a ‘Paperie and Makerie.’ There was a large selection of items, arranged … Continue reading →

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