Yeah, yeah, it's an ad pencil, but I have things to write about it. :p
Before I get into that, yes the subject is Astro Jetson from Hanna-Barbera's 'The Jetsons' animated series. And, yes, there is a very loose connection between 'The Jetsons' and Phillips 66 (the brand on this pencil).
What's the connection? A single piece of ad merchandise discovered on eBay (but it was sufficient enough to justify featuring this pencil and subject together): https://sta.sh/023ecee65jhz
Anyway, I drew Astro via my Wallace Zephyr pencil and delineated him with my Twenty Grand pencil (I'd have used the featured pencil, but it is unsharpened).
Anyway, why am I showing an ad pencil---didn't I apologize for the last one (Red Gold Ketchup)?
Yes, but this one's different---its not the ad, but the Ad-Tip (ferrule) of this pencil that gives it distinction. :3
The ferrule (ie, the part the eraser attaches to) on the pencil shown here is an example of an Ad-Tip (and, yes, the 'tip' of the pencil is the eraser end, not the drawing end). Ad-Tips were ...fairly simple: just smooth, metal ferrules with long-lasting stickers rolled onto them, advertising a product or business. The idea behind them (in part) was the owner of the pencil would always be able to see the ad no matter how much the pencil was sharpened ...it strikes me as really desperate, but these Ad-Tips were popular for a short while, and 'innovative' and unique enough to justify a 'pat-pending' designation on every Ad-Tip.
The most well-remembered examples of Ad-Tips by collectors weren't ads at all, but instead featured cartoon characters from newspaper strips, the most well-known examples being characters from Popeye and Blondie (respectively). The 'Popeye' and 'Blondie' pencils were made by Linton Pencil Co. in the 1940's.
Ad-Tip ferrules are sometimes mistaken for the paper/plastic WWII ferrules, given their smoothness and bright colors. However, Ad-Tip ferrules are made of metal (which was rationed during WWII), suggesting they were made post-WWII. Moreover, I have a Pepsi-Cola pencil with an Ad-Tip for Mason's Rootbeer; Mason's Rootbeer was released in 1947, a few years after WWII. I've not found, seen, or read of any Ad-Tips made before or during WWII (though I won't say they don't exist---pencil history is sketchy, if you pardon the pun). ^^
I'm unsure when Ad-Tips were discontinued, but it would seem Ad-Tips didn't survive through the 1950's.
Tbh, I could picture one of the old animators doing something just like what you've done if Astro saw a lovely girl dog. You did a good job on that old heartthrob. As I said, wasn't really that big on the character... but nevertheless, he was still a great character for the series.
Tbh, I could picture one of the old animators doing something just like what you've done if Astro sa
