Name/Title
Sheaffer's Mechanical Pencil of the Martin family, c. 1938Entry/Object ID
2021.128.51Description
Acc. No. 21.128.51
Subject Category: Citizens of Alameda
Date or Period: c. 1938
Object: mechanical pencil
Description: Mechanical celluloid pencil, grey pearl and black marbled, with chrome plated tip, narrow decorative metal band, and clip emblazoned with 'Sheaffer's'. Below band is engraved: 'Sheaffer's, Made in U.S.A., Pat'd 78,777'. Inside is a metal container for extra lead, ending with a stub of red eraser. Back of pen is showing multiple tiny indentations, suggesting the previous owner had a habit of chewing on the object. Point and clip have a number of blemishes.
Size: L 5 1/4".
History of Objects: Sheaffer's Balance pencil, once owned by a member of the Martin family of 1419 Mound Street. Sheaffer's was founded by Walter A. Sheaffer, son of a jewelry store owner, who started his own jewelry store in Fort Madison, Iowa. He invented a lever-filling fountain pen, and used his jeweler expertise to create high-end fountain pens and mechanical pencils.
Acquired from: Estate of Nancy Martin
Donation Date: 2016
Catalog Date: 12/13/2021
