Historical information

Slate pencils were used extensively in primary schools throughout The Netherlands.

Significance

These pencils may have belonged to a child who attended school either towards the end of or post WWII when there was a scarcity of paper and books.

Physical description

Rectangular light green cardboard container which slides open to reveal 7 slate pencils.
The lid is busily illustrated with scenes of English Victories on Sea and Land including Trafalgar and Waterloo.
The upper halves of the slate pencils are covered in paper decorated with various designs.

Inscriptions & markings

In the left margin of the picture are the words: "Designed in England". Underneath the Trafalgar scene is the quotation: "England expects that every man this day will do his duty." Under the Waterloo scene is the quotation: "Up Guards and at them!" In the right margin are the words: Copyright ENT * STAT HALL. GES.GESCHUTZT. In the centre are the words The Box enclose a crown surmounting a coat of arms which in its turn surmounts crossed slate pencils, then the words SLATE PENCILS and Made in Germany.
In pale ink the name Harold is written above the picture.