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	"HHHHHH" variant courtesy Anonymous "No. 2" variant courtesy Allan Macdonald collection

Artists’ Pencil

A.W. Faber, Nürnberg, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm twist lock clutch wooden barrel, ivory cap, metal clutch degree imprints: H, HH, HHH, HHHH, HHHHH, HHHHHH, No. 2, ? 1861-1890s Germany

see also	US Patent 33,034 "Pencil," 1861 F. Weber & Co. catalog, 1890s, p 149 A.W. Faber Pencils ad, circa 1899 A.W. Faber Pencils ad, circa 1900

This pencil is similar to, if not the first drafting leadholder. The long-lead leadholder was introduced by A.W. Faber in 1861. See the History section.


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The imprint reads: "A.W. Faber Germany HH." (reverse) The imprint reads: "Graphite De Siberie De La Mine Alibert No. 4."

A.W. Faber Siberian Lead Artists’ Pencil

A.W. Faber, Nürnberg, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm twist lock clutch wooden barrel, ivory cap, metal clutch degree imprints: (1870)–1910 Germany

see also	A.W. Faber Siberian Lead A.W. Faber Siberian Polygrade Pencils Gurly Manual catalog, 1874, p 211 F. Weber & Co. catalog, 1890s, p 149 Frost & Adams Co. catalog, 1905, p 181 Tower Manufacturing Co., 1908, p 308 Wadsworth Howland & Co. catalog, 1909, p 117

A double ended A.W. Faber Siberian Graphite Artists' Pencil.
The imprint reads: “F No. 3 A.W. FABER Made in Germany No. 4 HH.”

The imprint on the reverse of the single ended pencil refers to the Siberian graphite deposits discovered and mined by Jean-Pierre Alibert in 1847. A.W. Faber secured an exclusive deal with Alibert becoming the only pencil manufacturer to have access to the Siberian graphite, which was said to be as good as the original graphite deposits found in Cumberland, England, but by 1847 the English mines were nearly exhausted.

Curiously, in place of graphite lead the single ended holder had a metal blade of sorts when found. It was apparently used for engraving. I have no idea if this use follows A.W. Faber's officially sanctioned leadholder usage specifications, but it’s a history that is certainly unique among the pencils in my collection.


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