PIONERO rubber eraser (grade no. 202)

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

"PIONERO" rubber eraser (grade no. 202)

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.152

Description

Two small rectangular rubber erasers with rounded edges, the surface aged to a soiled tan/brown with darker staining at one corner and a worn, finely pitted texture. One face is marked in black: "BATABANO / Cuba" at upper left, a seahorse (caballito de mar) device at upper right, the brand "PIONERO" across the center in mixed boxed/ransom-style capitals, and "202/30" at lower right. The markings identify a Cuban-made school/office eraser; the discoloration and surface wear are consistent with an aged, used rubber eraser (Cuban erasers of this type were known to harden with age).

Use

With the office supplies of Leopoldo Arús Gálvez

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Notes

Some duplicates were received as gifts

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Fábrica Cubana de Lápices José A. Fernández

Place

City

Batabanó

State/Province

Mayabeque

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Edition

Pionero

Notes

Maker: Fábrica Cubana de Lápices "José A. Fernández," Batabanó, Cuba (later the Empresa de Muebles y Artículos Varios "Signo," Dujo group). The factory was founded 30 March 1961 and produced pencils, erasers, and related items; "PIONERO" is one of its eraser brands. Per the Cuba Material project's research; specific plant attribution firm, brand-to-line detail as published there. Date: circa 1960s–1980s (the José A. Fernández factory was founded in 1961, placing Pionero production post-1959; in range).

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

"BATABANO / Cuba"; seahorse device; "PIONERO" (brand); "202/30" — where "202" is a hardness/grade figure under an international eraser classification (bands 1–249, 250–499, 500–999, 1000+; "202" falls in the lowest band), with "/30" a further designation (not interpreted).

Materials

Material Notes

Materials: Rubber eraser compound (specific composition undetermined); printing ink for the markings. Technique: Molded rubber eraser; brand, place, device, and grade applied by ink stamp/printing.

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Leopoldo Arús Gálvez

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

use

Place

City

Batabanó

State/Province

Mayabeque

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

production

Research Notes

Notes

The "202/30" stamp is a grade indicator: per the same source, an international hardness classification (1–249, 250–499, 500–999, 1000+) printed near the brand, used among Cuban erasers only by Pionero and Dual. "202" sits in the lowest (softest) band; "/30" recorded but not interpreted.

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

April 2, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

September 11, 2026