Slick was somewhat evil---he was the merchant of Jumanji, always looking to make a deal (esp. of the dishonest sort).
Jumanji... I recall seeing trailers for the 1995 movie on TV, but (as of writing) I've not yet seen the movie, though I'd intended to (on VHS, of course). Of course, I never got around to it---other films and so forth just seemed more worth my while. And now, that 'Jumanji' has been remade, watching either movie would only make feel older than I already do. :p
Pencil...
The featured pencil is a miracle---yes, InkBunny, miracles really do happen, and one is taking place within the wooden barrel of this miraculous pencil!
So what's the gimmick behind this pencil?
...Nothing, really, but there are things to say about it.
First, this is a long-ferruled pencil, meaning it was made in the early part of the 20th century. Second, this pencil (despite not being marked as such) was made by The American Lead Pencil Co ...so this (technically) is a 'Venus' pencil. This particular specimen boasts an ad for J.H. Teasdale Commission Co. Next, this specimen is a salesman's sample (why I chose to feature this one with J.H. Slick should now be obvious). This pencil was advertising a real business, but would have been used by an APC representative as a sample for clients (which explains the 'Miracle Pencil' and the 'Chroma Bonded' stamping).
Last, this pencil is a 'miracle' ...read on. :3
As mentioned, the point end of this pencil has a stamp in gold paint that reads,
"Harold Grossman, Caldwell, N. J., assignor to American Lead Pencil Company, Hoboken, N, J., a corporation of New York Application July 3, 1933, Serial No. 678,993 11 Claims. (CL. 120-83)"
The rest is a BIG wall of text that may be read here: https://sta.sh/01c463lzxndq (seems they misspelled the man's name) :p
SUMMARY: "Abstract: 433,995. Pencils. VENUS PENCIL CO., Ltd., 173, Lower Clapton Road, London.- (American Lead Pencil Co. ; 500, Willow Avenue, Hoboken, New Jersey, U.S.A.) Nov. 30, 1934, No. 34501. Drawings to Specification. [Class 146 (iii)] Pencil leads containing greasy organic substance are treated to remove adhering grease from the surface, and then cemented to the wooden or like sheaths by glue or other adhesive applied directly to the degreased surface. The surface may be degreased by oxidizing, for example, by immersion in a bath of chromic acid formed by dissolving sodium bichromate or other chromate in sulphuric acid. The degreased leads are washed in water and afterwards, if desired, in an alkaline bath, to remove all traces of acid, before applying the adhesive"
So basically, the patent regards the treatment of the lead inside this pencil---it probably writes smooth as butter (but I will never know)! D: Actually, maybe this pencil writes like a rock---degreasing? That somehow reads like they've taken all the fun out of it. :p
The odd thing to me is the patent written on this long-ferruled pencil was published in 1935, which is several years or more after long-ferruled pencils supposedly went out of fashion.
HYPOTHETICALWATCHER: "You don't know a damn thing about pencils"
To paraphrase the apostle Paul, "I give to you what I was given".
That is, I read and I repeat---I've 'added nothing to' my research. :3
Fact is, I've been through some PDFs of 1930s pencil catalogs, and there are no long-ferruled pencils to be found therein---wide ferrules and Blackwings, yes, but no long ones.
I've also read a great deal from other sources (esp. Bob Truby, the people of Pencillarium, CW Pencil, etc). I do admit, however, there exist contradictions in pencil research (pencils are very mysterious!). :P
As for the 'J.H. Teasdale Commission Co' this pencil advertises, I found nothing about it written past the late 1920s.
Anyway ...I have not (and will likely never) experience the miracle of this pencil firsthand. However, I did experience the wonders of a WWII-era 'Swift' pencil from Wallace Pencil Co. (much better than its more modern version), as that was the pencil used to draw this abomination. :3
You're research of these pencils (which are indeed mysterious and secretive creatures to be sure) is a joy to read and wonder over. I hope you find another one of these at some point *snert* that has been sharpened so you may try it out and give me/us an appropriate critique of it's usability.
As for the character he does indeed look exactly his namesake though for the life of me I don't remember this cartoon. I DO remember the original movie but if the cartoon doesn't have Robin Williams (and sadly never will) it's just interesting character design's and decent stories but nothing more.
You're research of these pencils (which are indeed mysterious and secretive creatures to be sure) is
This pencil came in a lot. It was only recently that I noticed what was written on it. Intrigued, I thought to do a bit of digging and found what I found. :3
I'm fairly certain it's a salesman sample---its stamp looks like many of the others I have. Moreover, 'The Miracle Pencil' just comes out of nowhere. The pencil reads (each line is one side of the barrel),
"Frank J. Sommer With J.H. Teasdale Commission Co. Est. 1848 Merchants Exchange The Miracle Pencil - and for Better Service" (the 'Chroma Bonded' stamp is on this panel)
What I can do is dig around to see if I have any other 'Chroma Bonded' pencils---they'd be the same as this one. Only problem with that is these stamps are right on the point end, so if it's been sharpened, the stamp wouldn't be there to read. :p
This pencil came in a lot. It was only recently that I noticed what was written on it. Intrigued, I
Interesting. The actually used all sides of the pencil. That must have been kind of expensive to do cause that would require 6 separate passes through the press. Also ya finding on in 'mint' condition would be a challenge. I hope you're lucky. :)
Interesting. The actually used all sides of the pencil. That must have been kind of expensive to do
