Historical information

This pencil was found in 1946 by Mr Jim Pelling when an old wall was being pulled down in Warrnambool. This type of pen would have been used in the 19th century and apparently produced good legible writing and the lead point never wore out. No information is available on Jim Pelling or the location of the wall.

Significance

Although this pencil has no known provenance it is of considerable interest because of its finding in an old wall in Warrnambool and because of its antiquarian value. It is a good example of a writing tool of the past and the ivory handle is of particular interest.

Physical description

This is a pencil with a handle made of ivory with a sharpened point of metallic lead screwed on the end of it. The end of the handle has an ornamental column shape. The lead at the end is slightly bent. Accompanying the pencil is an extract from a 1946 Warrnambool Standard detailing the finding of the pencil and some handwriting from a later date. The newspaper extract is pasted on to a piece of cardboard (a piece of a Rice Bubbles packet).

Inscriptions & markings

In blue handwriting: ‘Extract from 1946 Warrnambool Standard’ and ‘Given to Warrnambool Historical Society by Mr J. Pelling 1970’