There’s a guy who has been set up every month I’ve attended the Springfield Antique Show. In the busy months, like the Extravaganza weekends, he’s in the same place as he is during the off months, when he looks like he’s been stranded aground ‘way out there after the tide went out. He has display cases out in the direct sunlight, and only recently – after many of his pencils had warped into writing instruments suitable for a Salvador Dali painting thanks to the heat – did he think to keep the lids propped open a bit to prevent his wares from cooking.
Don’t get me wrong. He’s a really nice guy and I have bought some things off of him over the years. This summer I found something on his table that I just haven’t been able to explain. Here’s the pencil part . . .
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3 comments:
Jon, it reminds me of the gadgets used for making tubular laces, or "French knitting." Is the body hollow all the way through?
Mike Hungerford
Hi, Jon. I think you have part of a figural pencil designed to look like a closed umbrella (the nails simulate the ribs of the umbrella. The examples I have seen have a handle which holds a dip pen.
Dale Yessler
Folks, we have a winner! Good eye, Dale, that example you directed me to over at Pendemonium answers the question!
Jon Veley
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