above: The U.S. Koh-I-Noor Pencil Company set no. O2600 of 24 various colored leads and a no. 48 leadholder. (1/2 scale) left: The label from the No. O2600 lead set.

This model is a bit of an anomaly in the "48" series. It accepts 1/4" dia. erasers as well as the smaller 5.6 mm leads. It also has an 8 jawed collet, which was unique in the Leadholder collection until this Renta showed up.


Erasers distributed for use with the Italian made 48.

This pencil and those that follow, regardless of brand, are manufactured by Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth A.S. of the Czech Republic. More information about this company and its leadholders can be found on the Czech Koh-I-Noor Versatil Gallery page. This pencil appears to be the compulsory cheap plastic successor to this one. They both use an identical clutch mechanism except these have 4 jawed collets and the metal barreled models have 6 jawed collets.