But that’s the people sort of kids. Yesterday I wrote about my “Fairchildren,” four examples of pencils made by Leroy W. Fairchild that I’ve picked up recently. At the DC show, I saw quite a few examples of other people’s Fairchildren, and they don’t annoy me at all (I even secretly wished they were mine).
Here’s one that Dave Glass had on his table at the DC show:
On the one side, “L.W.F. & Co.”:
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The wire loop looks like the filament of a lightbulb--I think that was invented by Edison in about 1880. Shot in the dark. . .
ReplyDeleteAnd the "dude in the robe" looks like he is carrying the Torah, or some kind of scroll.
ReplyDeleteJon, the loop would be a glove, or less likely due to size, shoe button hook.
ReplyDeleteChris - Michigan Button Society
http://books.google.com/books?id=sXIoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA372&lpg=PA372&dq=leroy+fairchild+button+hook&source=bl&ots=SyrQKvyT2D&sig=3_wbdzsdW-pnXy3x7464sFDHT2E&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Ue0sUv6iKdLaqQHPx4Bo&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=leroy%20fairchild%20button%20hook&f=false
ReplyDeletehope this registers the link, it's jewelers trade journal with description of Leroy Fairchild retractable button hook.
Chris, also try Button Country see other fasteners, and buttonhook society of UK
Hi Martha, thanks for the input -
ReplyDeleteChris, I think you nailed the looped Fairchild. I'll let Joe know, too. I'll bet there's a separate patent out there for the mechanical aspect, and it should be easier to find now that I know what it is!
A buttonhook! I never saw one that shape.
ReplyDeleteCool.
For what it's worth, here's a direct link to some button hooks, including looped examples like the Fairchild:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.buttoncountry.com/Div4Hooks1.html
Some have patent dates on them - probably designs.
Late comment on the acorn pencil:
ReplyDeleteI've seen a number of them unmarked or marked as Hicks. This was the first I'd seen with a Fairchild mark.
Note that the English mark isn't a hallmark, but a registry mark. Basically denotes the UK equivalent of a US design patent.
Hello David,
DeleteI have an acorn pencil exactly like the one pictured above by Hicks. Could you help identify what size lead will fit it? 1.05 mm is too small & 1.5 mm is too big. Thanks. Jennifer
Looking for an acorn propelling pencil, maybe marked Pat. Sep. 25 77, W.S. Hicks, metal, not wood.Anyone?
ReplyDelete