Tuesday, June 27, 2017

This One Is Important: Withers' Patent

This article has been edited and included in The Leadhead's Pencil Blog Volume 5; copies are available print on demand through Amazon here, and I offer an ebook version in pdf format at the Legendary Lead Company here.

If you don't want the book but you enjoy this article, please consider supporting the Blog project here.

David Nishimura has turned up an example of one of the earliest American mechanical pencils - earlier even than a Lownds.  Henry Withers received a patent for his pen and pencil combination on March 19, 1834 - the fourth patent issued in the United States for a pencil.

David has also run down some of the history concerning the Withers patent pencil.  For those who are interested in early American writing instruments, his article is a must-read.

The link to David’s article:  http://vintagepensblog.blogspot.com/2017/06/withers-patent-x-patent-discovery.html.  He’s allowed me to repost a few of his pictures here:





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1 comment:

  1. Theresa - teabaker@earthlink.netJune 28, 2017 at 8:29 AM

    Is it possible for me to submit photos of a telescoping pencil for your comments? It looks old, found in a box from a relatives estate from many years ago. It is a dog head pendant, that turns into a propelling pencil. It appears to be made of silver with rubies for the eyes. I cannot find a makers mark on it. I apologize for making a post not directly related to the pencil at hand. Thank you!

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