In My Clutches

One of the reasons I was really excited about the Hutcheon glass-plate negative from yesterday's article was a picture of a particularly rare pencil shown second from right.

This is the "Hutch Clutch" pencil, a leadholder that works much like an Aikin Lambert or other rear-drive leadholder:  unscrewing the top counterclockwise just half a turn or so releases the lead, and screwing it back in place locks it.   These are easy to spot due to their interesting shape -- but only if you can find one, and finding one is no small task!

I finally located one at the Chicago show . . .

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