About Fred’s Pencils
Welcome to FRED’S PENCILS
A site for pencil enthusiasts, all collectors, and anyone who likes to see cool old stuff
I have collected pencils as a hobby for more than 30 years. Now my pencil collection is very large and diverse, and I’ve pretty much stopped acquiring new items. It’s high time I started sharing what I have with the world! Rather than showing things en masse, this site will display bits of my collection grouped in interesting ways, accompanied by lighthearted commentary.
Brand-name wooden pencils are the heart of my collection and the primary focus of this blog. But purists may at first be shocked and appalled that I sometimes include used pencils (wimp!*), advertising pencils (phht!), mechanical pencils (whatever), and maybe even a ball-point pen (nooooo!!!). In time, you will see the method to my madness.
I plan to add posts to this blog at least once a week, so visit often.
You are welcome to contribute comments. General comments can go on this page.
I hope you enjoy my blog!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Blog Log
May 3, 2011 FRED’S PENCILS goes public!
June 1 Collection Pages started
Please do not leave comments about selling things or about other personal business.
October 7, 2011 at 8:36 am
Hi Fred,
I was just given a collectible coca-cola pencil as a gift. It’s the one with the plastic eraser holder that you have a picture of on your website and I was just looking for some information and history of the pencil. Thanks.
November 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm
All I can say is that the plastic ferrule (eraser holder) marks it as WWII-vintage. At that time, metals were prioritized for the war effort.
November 14, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Hi there, great blog, lots of interesting pencils.
I find it very difficult to find vintage pencils, rarely see anything interesting on ebay, and virtually never at yard sales. Where on earth do you find them? Very frustrating for a pencil freak like me.
November 22, 2011 at 4:52 pm
I don’t actively seek pencils anymore. But I did obtain many vintage pencils through eBay (originally called Auction Web), especially in the early years when there was little competition for brand-name pencils and ephemera. I also got vintage pencils, over many years, from old office-supply stores, other pencil collectors, collectors of various things in different countries, the Paris flea markets, and my grandmother’s house. I found very little at garage sales, antique stores, and U.S. swap meets.
November 22, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Hello, thank goodness I stumbled over your site. I have a Venus Pencil Co Ltd #6156 but it’s a pen! I bought it because my business life started in the 1950′s using pen & ink. It also has 1-1/2″ cork piece which holds the nib & parts in place. There is I think a part which would hold ink which fits under the nib. The entire pen measures 8″ and tapers at the far end. Really a mystery. Wondered if you would have any thoughts. Thank you in advance.
May 6, 2012 at 7:45 pm
What you have is a dip pen holder (the pointy metal piece that tucks in there being the dip pen or nib). Most of the major pencil companies made them. Eventually I may show my collection of them here.
May 7, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Thank you very much, no longer have to scratch my head!
May 11, 2012 at 12:15 pm