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L&C Hardtmuth “Koh-I-Noor” 1511

(for US market)

L&C Hardtmuth, Budweiss, Czechoslovakia

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm; 2.5 mm for soft leads twist lock clutch wood barrel, metal clutch, and ivory endcap (missing) 17 degree imprints: 6B–B, HB, F, H–9H circa 1910 to (1920) Czechoslovakia

see also	L&C Hardtmuth Everpointed Artists' Pencils Frost & Adams Co. catalog, 1905, p 178 Wadsworth Howland & Co. catalog, 1909, p 116 Eugene Dietzgen & Co. catalog, 1928, p 257 New York Blue Print Paper Co. catalog, 1921, p 256 Keuffel & Esser & Co. catalog, 1936, p 297 Eugene Dietzgen & Co. catalog, 1939, p 83

According to the Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph, Inc. catalog of 1976, the 1511 was introduced in 1895. The earliest versions looked very similar to the A.W. Faber Artist's Pencil which appeared in 1861. The 1976 Koh-I-Noor catalog further states that the 1511 was the "first drafting lead holder." Clearly, the form of such pencils long preceded the appearance of the 1511, but it is possible that the Koh-I-Noor 1511 was the first such pencil to be marketed specifically to draftsmen. I think this scenario is unlikely, however, and continue to credit A.W. Faber with the creation of the first drafting leadholder. The details of pencil history are poorly documented so claims such as the one in question here from manufacturer's literature are often erroneous or misleading.

Another specious claim from a manufacturer regarding the historical significance of one of its products was that of Caran d’Ache and a claim found on their website that the Fixpencil of 1929 was the "world's first mechanical pencil." This ridiculous claim was probably the fault of a copy editor's truncating of this statement: "world's first all metal mechanical clutch pencil," which appeared in documentation sent to me by Caran d’Ache. This claim, however, was also incorrect. In fact, metal clutch pencils had been available since the late 19th century. In follow-up correspondence with the company, the claim was revised to "world's first all-metal hexagonal barreled mechanical clutch pencil," which does seem to be the case.

Imprinting individual leadholders with a specific lead degree, just as a disposable wood-cased pencil would be, was standard practice among early leadholder makers. Although, generally, a very inefficient practice, there was some sense to it, as in the case of the "4B" leadholder below which has a thicker 2.5 mm diameter lead than the "6H" further below which accepts only the standard 2 mm diameter lead.


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reverse

L&C Hardtmuth “Koh-I-Noor” 1511

(for European market)

L&C Hardtmuth, Austria

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm; 2.5 mm for soft leads twist lock clutch wood barrel, metal clutch, and ivory endcap (missing) 17 degree imprints: 6B–B, HB, F, H–9H circa 1910 to (1930s) Austria


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Imprint reads: Czechoslovakia - L.& C. Hardtmuth "Koh-I-Noor" * 1511* 2H

Koh-I-Noor 1511

L&C Hardtmuth, Czechoslovakia

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm; 2.5 mm for soft leads twist lock clutch wood barrel, metal clutch, and celluloid endcap 17 degree imprints: 6B–B, HB, F, H–9H circa 1930s Czechoslovakia

see also	Charles Bruning Co. catalog, 1936, p. 216 Koh-I-Noor Pencil Co. catalog, 1937, p 4 B.K. Elliot catalog, 1938, page 259


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Koh-I-Noor 1511

L&C Hardtmuth, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm; 2.5 mm for soft leads twist lock clutch wood barrel, metal clutch, and plastic endcap 17 degree imprints: 6B–B, HB, F, H–9H circa 1940s–1950s USA

see also	Keuffel & Esser Co. catalog, 1943, p 188 Gordon Draftsmen's Supply Co. catalog, 1948, p 51 Dietzgen Drafting Equipment and Supplies Catalog 22D, 1950, p 106 Charles Bruning General Catalog, 1952, p 225 Weil & Co. Catalog, 1953, p 213 Charles Bruning General Catalog, 1957, p 204 Alfred Mossner Co. Catalog, 1959, p 57


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imprint reads: Made in USA - L.&C. Hardtmuth * Koh-I-Noor * 1511 (reverse) Imprint reads: Model No. 2 - 2B to 9H.

L&C Hardtmuth “Koh-I-Noor” 1511 Model No. 2

L&C Hardtmuth, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm reverse twist lock clutch wood barrel, metal clutch, and metal cap unknown 1960s USA

see also	Defiance Sales Corp. catalog, 1955, p 248

This newer style, USA-made model has a reverse threaded clamp similar to the Eagle Turquoise 3375. In a reverse twist lock clutch, when rotating the clamp sleeve to grip the lead, the sleeve moves forward (in the direction of the lead point). Refer to the patent 2,262,649, which is an Eagle Pencil Co. patent, for more detail about this type of clutch.


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L&C Hardtmuth “Koh-I-Noor” 1511

L&C Hardtmuth, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm; 2.5 mm for soft leads reverse twist lock clutch wood barrel, metal clutch, and plastic cap 17 degree imprints: 6B–B, HB, F, H–9H 1960s USA

Packaging for 1/2 dozen of the 1950s vintage 1511s. One side of the box has "Artist Pencils" printed on it, the other "L.&C. Hardtmuth Inc., Bloomsbury, N.J. U.S.A."


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	obverse imprint reads: “Koh-I-Noor” * Made by L&C Hardtmuth, Austria
	reverse imprint reads: HB * British Graphite * Compressed Lead

Koh-I-Noor Propelling Pocket Pencil

(5 in. model)

L&C Hardtmuth, Austria

purpose lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	general use 2 mm twist nose advance wooden barrel, metal mechanism barrel length: 3 1/2 in., 5 in. circa 1900 Austria

see also	Frost & Adams Co. catalog, 1905, p 175 Wadsworth, Howland & Co. catalog, 1909, p 116

Despite the implication of the availability of various degrees suggested by the HB imprint, the Pocket Pencil was available in only the one degree.


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