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Antique Small Pencil Sharpeners
1837-1915

Cartoon by Thomas Nast, Harper's Weekly, Dec. 2, 1876

This exhibit covers all small pencil sharpeners that we know were marketed between 1837 and 1915.  Patents exist for many additional small pencil sharpeners, but we are not aware of surviving examples or advertisements that demonstrate that these additional models were produced.

Most of these devices are small enough to be considered portable or pocket pencil sharpeners, and most have no parts that move while the pencil is being sharpened.  In virtually all, if not all, cases, the sharpening is done by a blade, an abrasive medium (a file, sandpaper, or emery paper), or both.  Most of of these devices were marketed to sharpen lead pencils. However, a number were marketed to sharpen both lead and slate pencils, and a number of others were marketed to sharpen only slate pencils.  Sharpeners marketed only for slate pencils are shown against a green background.

Available evidence indicates that throughout the 19th century and the very early 20th century the vast majority of lead pencils were sharpened by whittling with a knife. By the 1880s, small knives were advertised specifically for sharpening pencils.  A leading supplier of these knives was the Eagle Pencil Co. of New York, NY.  Some of its products are illustrated below.  

According to one discussion, "It is usually held that the correct way to sharpen a pencil is to hold the point against the right thumb and cut away the surplus wood and lead by drawing the blade of the knife toward the thumb.  This method is open to the objection that it is apt to soil the thumb and fingers.  On the other hand, the more cleanly method of sharpening a pencil by cutting outward, that is, away from the body, is apt to result in too deep a cut and the consequent breaking of the pencil point."

Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
1830s-1850s
Styloxynon Cooper and Eckstein	.	1837 ad "It consists of two sharp files neatly and firmly set together at right angles in a small block of rosewood." Also advertised in 1838 by S. Mordan & Co., London. (Feeling's Grand Junction Railway Companion, London, 1838, p. 8 of advertising section)	.
Pencil Cutter and Sharpener Papeterie Marion, Paris, France Messrs. Marion, London, England The device was made in France.		This image appeared in publications during 1853-1870 On Dec. 12, 1853, and again on Jan. 21, 1854, the New York City municipal government purchased a pencil sharpeners for $1.50.  (Documents of the Board of Aldermen of the City of New York, Vol. 21, Part II, New York, 1854, pp. 1109, 1121)  It seems likely that the device in question was a Marion pencil sharpener.	Registered Sep. 5, 1851, in U.K. NY Weekly
Pencil Sharpener	"We have bought for a single franc, in Paris, a still simpler form of cutter [compared to the Marion pencil sharpener, above], consisting merely of a small brass holder with a conical hole for the pencil and a little cutter screwed on outside."  (The Practical Draughtsman's Book of Industrial Design, 2nd. ed., London, 1860, p. 9)
Pencil Sharpener W. K. Foster Bangor, ME	Labeled with Apr. 27, 1858, patent date. Unmarked pencil sharpener similar to the  Apr. 27, 1858 patent illustration to the far right and the 1860 image to the immediate right.	In 1855-56, W. K. Foster sold pencil sharpeners at $10 per gross.   (Receipts, Warshaw Collection, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.) According to an 1857 report, W. K. Foster "has hitherto kept forty hands constantly employed, and turned out fifty gross of the sharpeners per day... Vast quantities are used in this country, and the demand for export to Europe is increasing every day." (Journal of Mining, Manufacturers, and Art, 1857, p. 634) On Feb. 6, 1857, the U.S. War Department purchased 6 pencil sharpeners for a total of $1. (The Executive Documents, Washington, DC, 1858, p. 60)  These were probably Foster's, or possibly Strange's, pencil sharpeners. According to an 1858 report, "the pencil sharpener resembles an ordinary candle extinguisher, being a hollow cone."  (Journal of Mining, Manufacturers, and Art, 1858) This was described as follows in 1860: "Now, however, the Americans supply us with something simpler and cheaper still [compared to the French device described immediately above.]"  (The Practical Draughtsman's Book of Industrial Design, 2nd. ed., London, 1860, p. 9)	Walter Kittredge Foster Patents for Molds for Pencil Sharpeners No. 12,722, Apr. 17, 1855 Reissue No. 528, Feb. 23, 1858 Patents for Pencil Sharpeners No. 20,056, Apr. 27, 1858 No. 20,262, May 18, 1858
Strange's Pencil Sharpener J. W. Strange Bangor, ME	Marked 1857 Possibly Strange's Pencil Sharpener	A December 1857 press reported stated that J. W. Strange manufactured a pencil sharpener patented Sep. 22, 1857.  Strange's Pencil Sharpener was advertised in 1858 by Cook, Merritt & Brown, New York, NY, without an illustration.	Joseph W.  Strange and Samuel Darling No. 18,265, Sep. 22, 1857
Burnet's Patent Slate Pencil Sharpener	.	Burnet's Patent Slate Pencil Sharpener was advertised in 1858 by Cook, Merritt & Brown, New York, NY, without an illustration.	William Burnet No. 21,649, Oct. 5, 1858
1860s
Shaver's Patent Eraser and Burnisher, Pencil Sharpener, &c. A. G. Shaver New Haven, CT	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin, The Pioneer Pencil Sharpener Historian	Advertised 1860 and 1861 in Harper's Weekly without an illustration  Exhibited in 1860. (Ninth Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, Boston, 1860, p. 124) A burnisher was used to lay down the fibers raised by the erasing blade.	Archibald  G. Shaver No. 23,196, Mar. 8, 1859 Reissue No. 805, Aug. 30, 1859 Reissue No. 1660, Apr. 26, 1864
Funston's Pencil Sharpener A. C. Funston Philadelphia, PA	.	1862 ad	A. C. Funston No. 32,940, Jul. 30, 1861
Shaver's Patent Pencil Sharpener A. G. Shaver New Haven, CT	Designed  to sharpen lead and slate pencils.	1866 ad Shaver exhibited pencil sharpeners in Paris in 1867.  (Reports of the Commissions to the Paris Universal Exposition, 1867, Vol. I, Washington, DC, 1870, p. 266)	.
Pencil Sharpener	.	"Hubert Burgess...has placed before us a new patent pencil sharpener...It consists of a small tin box, one and one-quarter inches long by three quarters wide, in the bottom of which is fastened a small file." (The California Teacher, Aug. 1867, p. 63, no illustration.	Hubert Burgess No. 65,165, May 28, 1867
Morse Eraser Pencil Sharpener Combination Morse Eraser Co. Philadelphia, PA	.	1867-69 ad. "Burnisher, Pencil-Sharpener, and Pen-Holder combined."	William A Morse No. 87,583, Mar. 9, 1869
Eureka Pencil Sharpener E. W. Weeden New York, NY		1870 ad Eureka pencil sharpeners were also advertised in 1876.	William N. Weeden No. 96,748, Nov. 9, 1869 For further information on Weeden,  click here.
1870s
Ink Eraser and Pencil Sharpener	P	I, D	.
Copp & McClure's Adjustable Knife Pencil Sharpener Nashua, NH	.	Copp's Pencil Sharpeners were advertised in 1876. 1880s broadside	Jacob McClure No. 99,335, Feb. 1, 1870
Batchelder Pencil Sharpener	This device has a file for finishing the point.	Batchelder's pencil sharpeners were purchased by the Minnesota government in 1874. (Executive Documents of the State of Minnesota for the Year 1874, Vol. I, St. Paul, MN, 1875, p. 67) Undated (probably 1890s) German ad for A. W. Faber pencil sharpener, which is for a somewhat different design than the patent illustration..	Asahel G. Batchelder No. 109,100, Nov. 8, 1870
Pencil Pointer	.	c. 1905 ad Similar devices were advertised through 1941 and probably longer.	John Soumeillan No. 131,977, Oct. 8, 1872
.	.	"The best pencil-sharpener is a fine file, on which pencils can be sharpened to an edge, which will last longer than a point.  Sand-paper is sometimes used for the same purpose; also a little hollow, conical instrument, with a cutter acting--though with a circular motion--on the principle of a carpenter's plane." (S. Edward Warren, A Manuel of Drafting Instruments and Operations, New York, 1873, p. 32)	.
Pencil Sharpener	.	A. Fuller of Waltham, MA, is reported to have exhibited a patent pencil sharpener in 1874.  (Twelfth Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, Boston, 1874, p. 194, no illustration.)	We have not found a patent issued to an A. Fuller.
Hall's Patent Lead Pencil Sharpener	.	Advertised 1874 in Overland Monthly and Outwest Magazine without an illustration.	John S. Hall No. 154,982, Sep. 15, 1874
Pencil Sharpener W. A. Young Jacksonville, FL	.	Exhibited in Philadelphia in 1876.   (U. S. Centennial Commission, International Exhibition. 1876 Office Catalogue, Part I, p. 130)	William A. Young No. 156,625, Nov. 3, 1874
Hall's Patent Slate Pencil Sharpener	.	Advertised 1874 in Overland Monthly and Outwest Magazine without an illustration.	John S. Hall No. 170,083, Nov. 16, 1875
Pocket Jack-Plane Pencil Sharpener Alvan L. Lovejoy Boston, MA	Early 20th century Jack Plane pencil sharpener similar to the one advertised in 1876	1876 ad "Fisher's Jack Plane Pencil Sharpener" was advertised without an illustration in 1891.	.
Excelsior Pencil Sharpener	.	Advertised 1876 without an illustration.	.
Patent Cone Pencil Sharpener	.	Advertised 1876 without an illustration.	.
Rotary Slate Pencil Sharpener Sold by John D. Emack 174 William St. Philadelphia, PA John D. Emack was reported to be in the slate business at 114 William St., Philadelphia, PA, in 1877 (New York Times, Oct. 30, 1877)	.	c. 1876 ad "The interior is heavily coated with emery, making a hard durable surface.  By placing the pencil in the brass holder, and turning rapidly, it is sharpened quickly and perfectly.".	.
Gents' Combination Writing and Toilet Instrument David C. Cook Chicago, IL	.	1877 ad	.
Downs Pencil Sharpener and Point Protector Downs Pencil Sharpener Co. Hartford, CT	.	1882 ad "This sharpener remains on and forms part of pencil.  It is the only sharpener ever made with spiral knife."	Herman G. Downs No. 207,402, Aug. 27, 1878
Stone's Pencil Sharpener and Pencil Point Protector	.		Marvin C. Stone No. 219,127, Sept. 2, 1879
B. S. Cohen Pencil Sharpener Barnet Solomon Cohen London, England		.	This device lists the immediately preceding Stone patent
1880s
Pencil Sharpener Joseph Dixon Crucible Co. Jersey City, NJ	.	"A new pencil sharpener is offered...by the Joseph Dixon Crucible Co.  Instead of a knife blade sharpening the pencil, a small file is used..., making a finer and more durable point,..." (The American Bookseller, Jan. 1880, p. 16)	.
Pencil Sharpener A. W. Faber New York, NY	A. W. Faber Pencil Sharpener Dixon Pencil Sharpener Some sharpeners like these are labeled Tower Cutter.	1881 ad. Advertised 1881-1891.  An 1881 exhibition catalog reports that W. K. Foster exhibited "pencil sharpeners made of metal and recently improved." (Fourteen Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, Boston, 1881, p. 71.   Similar E. Faber pencil sharpener advertised 1913-14  (ad displayed below).	William Kittredge Foster Patent for Mold for Pencil Sharpeners No. 235,626, Dec. 21, 1880 This mold patent date appears on the Dixon pencil sharpener to the far left.  Patent for Pencil Sharpener No. 290,564, Dec. 18, 1883 Patent for Pencil Sharpener Holder No. 292,162, Jan 22, 1884
Burgess Lead Pencil Sharpener		.	Hubert Burgess No. 264,236, Sept. 12, 1882
Magic Knife Eagle Pencil Company New York, NY	Patented 1883	Left:  Trade card showing 1879 and 1883 patent dates Right: 1891 ad showing knife in closed and open positions. Also advertised in 1902	The trade card to the left shows two patent dates.  The first is for a lead holder, not a knife: Joseph Hoffman No. 215,521, May 20, 1879 The second is for a knife similar to the ones to the left: Claes W. Boman Reissued Patent No. 10,335, June 5, 1883
B. S. Cohen's Pencil Sharpener B. S. Cohen London, England	"New Patent Point"	.	Barnet Solomon Cohen German Patent No. 26,108, Feb. 9, 1884 (illustration to be added)
Perfect Pencil Sharpener Sold by A. W. Smith Brooklyn, NY	This sharpener has a file  to finish the point.	1884 ad	Albert M. Smith No. 295,296, Mar. 18, 1884 The 1884 trade press article containing the illustration to the left states incorrectly that the patent was awarded to A. W. Smith on Mar. 4, 1884.
Hill's Pencil Sharpener Sold by Baker, Pratt & Co. New York, NY	This sharpener had a file  to finish the point.	1884 ad "In sharpening the pencil the knife is not intended to be used upon the lead at all.  Take the sharpener in the left hand and apply the pencil to the file, giving it the desired point."	.
Pencil Pointer and Paper-Weight Keuffel & Esser New York, NY	.	1885 ad	Henry G. Schramm No. 295,680, Mar. 25, 1884
Pencil Pointer and Paper-Weight Keuffel & Esser New York, NY		1912-15 ad	William  L. E. Keuffel No. 547,925, Oct. 15, 1895
Stowell's Excellent Ink and Lead Eraser and Pencil Sharpener (a.k.a. Excelsior Ink and Lead Eraser with Pencil Sharpener) Sold by John S. Hulin New York, NY	This sharpener has a file to finish the point.	1886 ad Also advertised in The Magazine of American History, Jan. 1887, p. 35 of advertising section.  The latter ad claimed that thousands had been sold for $1 each and stated that the price was being reduced to $0.60.	Frank L Stowell No. 322,991, Jul. 28, 1885
Convenient Pencil Sharpener Sold by Keuffel & Esser New York, NY	.	1885 ad	.
Perfect Long Bevel Pencil Sharpener		.	William H. Lamson No. 334,242, Jan. 12, 1886
Perfect Long Bevel Pencil Sharpener A. W. Faber	P	In 1886, a Pennsylvania state agency purchased "Faber's perfect long bevel lead pencil sharpeners with handles." (Second Annual Report of the State Board of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA, 1887, p. 16) 1891 ad shows A. W. Faber pencil sharpener	William H. Lamson No. 334,242, Jan. 12, 1886 This patent is for a pencil sharpener that can be made without or with a wood handle.  The sharpener without the wood handle is shown immediately above.  The sharpener to the immediate left may or may not be based on the patent; it is at least similar.
President Pencil Sharpener		"Push the pencil into the box under the blade as far as it will go.  Then pull the pencil gently back against the edge of the blade."	James Langton Clarke No. 346,356, Jul. 27, 1886
Slate Pencil Holder and Sharpener	.	1887 ad	Willis H. Ostrander No. 366,791, July 19, 1887
Cohen Pencil Sharpener B. S. Cohen London, England The photo, ad, and patent to the right are all for B.S. Cohen pencil sharpeners.  However, they may not be for the same model.		"Cohen's Lead-Pencil Sharpener" was advertised in September 1887 1888 ad B. S. Cohen exhibited pencil sharpeners in 1888 in Australia.  (The Official Catalogue of the Exhibits, Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, 1888-89, Vol. I, Melbourne, 1888)	Barnet Solomon Cohen No. 370,182, Sep. 20, 1887  This appears to be Cohen's only US patent for a pencil sharpener
Dixon's Slate-Pencil Sharpener Joseph Dixon Crucible Co. Jersey City, NJ	.	1889 ad	Warren H. Lamson No. 411,526, Sept. 24, 1889
1890s
Monarch Pencil Knife Sold by E. G. Soltmann New York, NY	.	1890 ad	.
Baumgarten's Patent Pencil Sharpener and Pencil Pointer UK		.	H. Baumgarten No. 454,623, Jun. 23, 1891
Slate Pencil Sharpener A. W. Faber	.	1891 ad.  Also advertised 1894.	.
Penknife Pencil Wickland Mfg Co. Fremont, OH		1894 ad	Appears to be Rhodolph H. Franklin No. 448,182, Mar. 10, 1891 An earlier patent for a similar device is: Mortimer McCall No. 164,575, Jun. 15, 1875
Bartlett's Peerless Pencil Pointer Henry Bainbridge & Co. New York, NY	.	1891 ad	.
Condon's Pencil Sharpener	.	Advertised without illustration in 1891.	.
K & F Pencil Sharpener	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	Luther Hall Bellamy No. 469,036, Feb 16, 1892
Slot Pencil Sharpener Able and Willing Mfg. Co. Philadelphia, PA	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	1896 & 1898 ads "The pencil is laid flat on desk or table, with the end to be sharpened projecting, the device is drawn across it."	Thomas Foy No. 471,216, Mar. 22, 1892
Pencil Sharpener Metad Perforating Co. Waterbury, CT		.	William G. Price No. 479,303, Jul. 19, 1892
Pencil Sharpener Johann Faber Germany		1899 ad This was advertised during 1895-1919 under many names,  including Faber Pencil Sharpener (1895), Double Edge Pencil Sharpener (1899), Unique Pencil Sharpener (1901), New Acme Pencil Sharpener (1902), Acme Pencil Sharpener (1910, 1912), Johann Faber New Pencil Sharpener (1913), and Simplicity Pencil Sharpener (1919).	Carl Faber No. 482,826, Sept. 20, 1892
American Cartridge Pencil Sharpener Eberhard Faber	This is an example of the many unmarked pencil sharpeners found in the US and Europe that are similar to the American Cartridge Pencil Sharpener	1892 ad, which stated that it was made from brass and "was first made in Europe, but Mr. Faber has made an improvement upon it, which he has patented, and he is now manufacturing them in the United States."  Also advertised c. 1905, 1933.  Indistinguishable device advertised as the Peerless Long Bevel Lead Pencil Sharpener in 1894.	.
Government Duplex Pencil Sharpener		Advertised 1909 or 1910 "consists of a steel knife and emery-lined cup"	William G. Price No. 479,303, Jul. 19, 1892 No. 492,336, Feb. 21, 1893 No. 510,518, Dec. 12, 1893
Pencil Sharpener No. 557 Eagle Pencil Co. New York, NY	No. 557	1894 ad Also advertised 1910 & 1922	Ernst Norell No. 502,632, Aug. 1, 1893
Pencil Sharpener No. 556 Eagle Pencil Co. New York, NY There are a number of very similar if not identical pencil sharpeners: The Belle Pencil Sharpener; Dixon's Pencil Sharpener No. 465; and  the Dandy Pencil Sharpener, which was marketed in the U.K.	Eagle Pencil Sharpener No. 556 Dandy Pencil Sharpener The Belle Pencil Sharpener Dixon's Pencil Sharpener No. 465	The Belle Pencil Sharpener, 1908 ad in U.S.	The Belle and the Dandy both have a patent date of Aug. 1, 1893.  This may be the patent immediately above.  It may alternatively  be a British patent. There is no patent date on the  Eagle No. 556 or the Dixon's No. 465.
Columbian Pencil Sharpener Automatic Machine Co. Elgin, IL	.	1893 ad  May be the same as the American Cartridge Pencil Sharpener (1892) above and the Columbus Lead Pencil Sharpener (1897) below.	.
Champion Slate Pencil Sharpener	.	1894 ad "Has corrugated groove in which end of pencil may be reduced to a nicely tapered point."	.
Pencil Sharpener Holder No. 558 Eagle Pencil Co. New York, NY	This is the No. 557 pencil sharpener listed above with the addition of a removable No. 558 holder	.	Frank McIntyre No. 518,853, Apr. 24, 1894
Silver Pencil and Sharpener S. Mordan London, England		.	1895
Improved Long Bevel Lead Pencil Sharpener E. Faber New York, NY Columbus Lead Pencil Sharpener E. Faber New York, NY Ever Ready Self-Adjusting Pencil Sharpener	.	1897 ad Each of these three devices may appear above under other names.	.
1900s
Letter Opener and Pencil Sharpener Able and Willing Mfg. Co. Philadelphia, PA	.	1901 ad This is the Slot Pencil Sharpener (see above) combined with a letter opener.	.
Cortis Patent Pencil Sharpener Ruler Cortis Manufacturing Co. Meriden, CT		1901 ad	Frank A. Cortis No. 705,322, Jul. 22, 1902
Kosmos Pencil Sharpener Marketed by the American News Co. New York, NY	P	1906 ad. Also advertised 1902-15.	.
Eureka Pencil Sharpener	.	1902 ad. Also advertised 1903. Similar if not identical to the Eagle Pencil Sharpener No. 640 immediately below.	.
Pencil Sharpener No. 640 Eagle Pencil Co. New York, NY	P	Advertised 1903, 1910, 1915.  Similar if not identical to the Eureka Pencil Sharpener immediately above.	.
Excelsior Pencil Sharpener	.	1905 ad	.
Pencil Sharpener		.	Solomon W. Bates &  Andrew F. Sanborn, Jr. No. 761,191, May 31, 1904
Pocket Pencil Sharpener	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	Frank H. Chase No. 761,944, Apr. 12, 1904 Apr. 12, 1904 June 7, 1904
American Pencil Sharpener	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	F. C. Melchior No. 762,077, June 7, 1904
Pencil Sharpener Goldsmith Co. Philadelphia, PA		.	Edwin M. Goldsmith No. 755,480, Mar. 22, 1904
Dandy Pencil Sharpener	.	1906 ad Also advertised 1907-15	.
Simplex Pencil Sharpener No. 650 Eagle Pencil Co. New York, NY		1914 ad Also advertised 1907-19.	George Oberbeck No. 838,508, Dec. 11, 1906
Pencil Sharpener		.	Arne T. Peterson No. 873,079, Dec. 10, 1907 No. 898,502, Sept 15, 1908
Steel Pencil Pointer, File and Tack Lifter		1915 ad This device was advertised 1907-19.	.
Tower's Multiplex Pencil Sharpener Tower Cutter	.	1908 ad. Appears to be the same as the Simplex Pencil Sharpener No. 650 marketed by the Eagle Pencil Co. (see above)	.
Duplex Pencil Sharpener	.	1908 ad	.
Spiro Pencil Sharpener Spiro Mfg. Co. New York, NY		1908 ad.  Also advertised 1919. "...the only sharpener that does not break the lead, as it sharpens the wood first and then cares for the lead."  "The circular blade has ten cutting edges and when one is dull another can be instantly substituted.  No adjustments are needed, a screw regulating the movement of the blade."	Charles Spiro No. 876,744, Jan. 14, 1908
1910s
Pencil Knife Sold in Prague, now Czech Republic	.	1910 ad	.
Pencil Sharpener		.	Frederick Brostrom No. 958,904, May 24, 1910
Pencil Sharpener Eberhard Faber New York, NY	Photos show front and back	1913 ad. Also advertised 1914. Similar but not identical device was advertised 1922.	.
Pencil Sharpener No. 560 Eagle Pencil Co. New York, NY		.	Gustav K. H. Klose No. 1,077,723, Nov. 4, 1913
Deposit Safety Pencil Pointer (a.k.a. See-Rite Pencil Pointer) Searight Mfg. Co. Detroit, MI	Devices labeled "Deposit Safety Pencil Pointer" say "Patent Pending."  Later devices labeled "See-Rite Pencil Pointer" give the 1914 patent date. Instructions for See-Rite Pencil Pointer Instructions courtesy of Howard Levin	1914 ad.  Also advertised c. 1910.  "All chips are deposited within the receptacle."	John R. Searight No. 1,108,478, Aug. 25, 1914
Pencil Sharpener Ludwig Doll Heidelsheim, Baden Germany		.	Ludwig Doll German Patent No. 290,516, Mar. 3, 1916
Dates Not Presently Known
Pencil Sharpener France		.	.
Pencil Sharpener		.	.
Pencil Sharpener Germany (left) France (right)		.	.
Pratica Pencil Sharpener France		.	.
Slate Pencil Sharpener Continental Europe		.	For a patent for a device of this type, see: William E. Simonds No. 573,364, Dec. 15, 1896
Slate Pencil Sharpener No. 151/1 A. W. Faber Germany	Relatively modern	.	.

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