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Antique Small Pencil Sharpeners
1837-1921

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

This exhibit covers all small pencil sharpeners marketed between 1837 and 1921 for which we have (a) an advertisement or product announcement with an illustration or product description, (b) a patent, or (c) a photograph of a surviving device. We have not included a number of devices for which we have only an advertisement without an illustration or product description. 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
1820s-1850s
Lassimone Pencil Sharpener	.	Advertised in Le Constitutionnel, Paris, Dec. 24, 1829.	French patent awarded to Bernard Lassimone, Oct. 20, 1828. (Office national de la propriété industrielle, Description des machines et procédés consignés dans les brevets, Paris, v. 27, p. 81, Issue 2444)
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)	.
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	Exhibited in 1850 and 1860. (Sixth and Ninth Exhibitions of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, Boston, 1850, 1860, listed without an illustration).  Advertised 1860 and 1861 in Harper's Weekly and elsewhere without an illustration According to an 1860 advertisement, "The blade is curved upwards, with sharp oval edge for erasing blots, marks, &c., from paper.  Convexed on the lower side, to give a fine polish and finish to the erased parts. The curve between the blade and the shank has a keen edge for cutting away the wood of the pencil, and the small serrated groove in the blade gives a neatly finished point to the lead.  Some three or four different sizes and styles are manufactured, some of them with ornamental handles of ivory and mother-of-pearl." (Vanity Fair, Oct. 20, 1860) 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
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 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) 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 (a.k.a. Strange's Double Cone Pencil Sharpener) J. W. Strange & Co. Bangor, ME	Marked 1857 Possibly Strange's Pencil Sharpener	A December 1857 press report stated that "J. W. Strange & Co. manufacture a pencil sharpener with an orifice in the handle for sharpening the point of the lead.  It was patented September 22, 1857."  Strange's Pencil Sharpener was advertised in 1858-59 by Cook, Merritt & Brown, New York, NY, and in 1866 by John J. Merritt, New York, NY, in both cases 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
Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
1860s
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 "The file groove is finely cut at its small end for pointing lead pencils after the wood has been cut away, or more particularly adapted to pointing the leads of any of propelling pencils.  The wide end of the groove is coarser cut, which is intended for sharpening slate pencils." 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)	.
McMullen Pencil Sharpener Schermerhorn, Bancroft & Co. New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, and Chicago, IL	For slate pencils and for lead pencil with slender wood cases. "Consists simply of a file isolated in a box."	1866 ad	It seems possible that the McMullen pencil sharpener was based on the Burgess patent in the following row.
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
Noiseless Slate Pencil Sharpener (1866) Spencer's New Slate Pencil Sharpener  (1867) J. W. Schermerhorn & Co. (agent) New York, NY	.	1866 ad 1867 ad "The new sharpener is made of a single piece of superior steel, skilfully bent.  It has four sharp edges."	Edward Spencer No. 67,922, Aug. 20, 1867
Morse Eraser Pencil Sharpener Combination Morse Eraser Co. (1867-69) Morse Fountain Pen Co. (1870) Philadelphia, PA	.	1867-69 ad. "Burnisher, Pencil-Sharpener, and Pen-Holder combined."  Also advertised in 1870.	William A Morse No. 87,583, Mar. 9, 1869
Eureka Pencil Sharpener E. W. Weeden (Alternatively, W. E. Weeden) New York, NY		1870 ad "Pencil Sharpener, Knife Blade, and Nail Cleaner Combined." Eureka pencil sharpeners were also advertised in 1871 and 1876.	William N. Weeden No. 96,748, Nov. 9, 1869 For further information on Weeden,  click here.
Combination Tool Combination Tool Co. New York, NY	.	1869 ad "Twelve tools combined in one, to be carried in the vest pocket:--Pocket Rule, Ruler, Square, Bevel, Screw Driver, Chisel, Compasses, Scissors, Buttonhole Cutter, Paper Knife, Eraser, and Pencil Sharpener."  (Scientific American, Dec., 18, 1869).  Also advertised in 1872.	Nov. 23, 1869 We found a US patent (No. 97,154, issued to Francis H Barnard & Walter L Brace) for a combination tool issued on this date, but the tool in the patent diagram is not similar to the one in this advertisement.
Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
1870s
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
Ladies' Gem John B. Alden & Co. Chicago, IL	.	No illustration available. "A combination of Scissor Sharpener, Ripper and Button Hole Cutter, and also convenient as a Pencil Sharpener and Nail Cleaner." (Prairie Farmer, Apr. 16, 1870)	.
Batchelder Pencil Sharpener Dixon Crucible Co. (as of 1879) Jersey City, NJ Acme Pencil Sharpener	This device has a file for finishing the point.	Batchelder's pencil sharpeners were purchased by the Minnesota government in 1874 (Exec. Doc's of the State of Minn. for the Year 1874, v. 1, St. Paul, MN, 1875, p. 67). Batchelder pencil sharpeners made by the Dixon Crucible Co. with the design of the device to the left were advertised in 1879. This was probably the device announced in 1880 without an illustration: "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) A device similar to the device in photo to the left and similar to the device in the illustration below, but not identical to either, was advertised as the Acme Pencil Sharpener in 1879. (Christian Union, Nov. 19, 1879) Undated (probably 1890s) German ad for A. W. Faber pencil sharpener, which is for a somewhat different design than the illustration in the patent listed to the right.	Asahel G. Batchelder No. 109,100, Nov. 8, 1870
Pencil Sharpener	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	Henry L. De Zeng No. 123,462, Feb. 6, 1872
Pencil Pointer	Similar Benjamin Pencil Pointer, Benjamin Electric Mfg. Co., New York, Chicago, San Francisco. Photo courtesy of Howard Levin	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)	.
Everpointed Slate Pencil and Sharpener Perry & Co. London, England	Box dated 1873 Photo courtesy of Howard Levin	.	.
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 (1876) Boston, MA Fisher's Jack-Plane Pencil Sharpener E. G. Shelchow (1876-77) Excelsior Pencil Sharpener Perry & Co. (1876, 1882) London, U.K.	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin Early 20th century Jack Plane pencil sharpener  similar to the one advertised in 1876	1876 ad "Jack Plane Pencil Sharpener" advertised without an illustration in 1877.  "Fisher's Jack Plane Pencil Sharpener" advertised without an illustration in 1891. Advertisement courtesy of Howard Levin	.
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	.
Miller's Noiseless Slate Pencil Sharpener Edward D. Miller Bloomington, IL	.	1878 Advertisement	Edward D. Miller No. 202,183, April 9, 1878
Downs Pencil Sharpener and Point Protector Downs Pencil Sharpener Co. Hartford, CT	.	1883 ad "Made from a solid bar of steel with a spiral knife." "This sharpener remains on and forms part of the pencil." The sharpener serves as a point protector "as it can be pushed forward sufficiently to cover the lead when the pencil is carried in the pocket." Also advertised 1882.	Herman G. Downs No. 207,402, Aug. 27, 1878 Also, C.O. Plaisted, March 16, 1869.
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
Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
1880s
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
Patent Slate Pencil Sharpener Perry & Co. London, U.K.	.	1882 Advertisement	.	.
Burgess Lead Pencil Sharpener		.	Hubert Burgess No. 264,236, Sept. 12, 1882
Magic Knife and other pencil knives Eagle Pencil Company New York, NY	Patented 1883 Eagle pencil knife Photo courtesy of Howard Levin Eagle Magic Knife, Pat. May 20, 1879, June 5, 1883 Photo courtesy of Howard Levin	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
Perfect Lead Pencil Sharpener George Frost & Co. Boston, MA	.	1883 ad	"Foster's Patent" (See Foster's Dec. 18, 1883, and Jan. 22, 1884,  patents above)
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 Albert M. 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.
Hills' 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 (a.k.a. Convenient Pencil Pointer and Paper Weight) Keuffel & Esser New York, NY	.	1884-85 ad This used fine sand or emery paper wound around two rollers. This was advertised in 1890-92 as the Convenient Pencil Pointer and Paper Weight	Henry G. Schramm No. 295,680, Mar. 25, 1884
Combination Pencil and Knife	Conceptually similar to the 1884 Gerrish patent Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	George F. Gerrish No. 305,173, Sept.16, 1884
Weeks' Champion Slate Pencil Sharpener A.A. Weeks New York, NY	.	1885 ad "Has corrugated groove in which end of pencil may be reduced to a nicely tapered point." Also advertised 1884, 1894	.
Convenient Pencil Sharpener Sold by Keuffel & Esser New York, NY	.	1885 ad	.
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
Putnam's Common-Sense Slate Pencil Sharpener John Putnam Philadelphia, PA	.	Advertised 1885 without an illustration. The ad incorrectly states that the patent date is Aug. 8 rather than Aug. 18, 1885.	John Putnam No. 324,787, Aug. 18, 1885
Perfect Long Bevel Pencil Sharpener		.	William H. Lamson No. 334,242, Jan. 12, 1886
Perfect Long Bevel Pencil Sharpener A. W. Faber	Photo courtesy of Howard Levin	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 in the row immediately above.  The sharpener to the immediate left in the present row may or may not be based on the patent; it is at least similar.
President Pencil Sharpener U.K.		"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
Duplex Pencil Pointer Kolesch & Co. New York, NY	.	1888 Advertisement "...a pencil pointer designed for accountants' and artists' use....It is intended for sharpening the lead of a pencil to a very fine point, either round or knife edged. It is made of brass, handsomely nickel-plated, so arranged as to hold a piece of fine emergy cloth" 1889 Product Description	.
Lovett's Pencil Pointer Central News Co. Philadelphia, PA	.	According to an 1888 product announcement, "It is simply a rubber shaped like a razor strop, the covering, upon which the slate pencil is to be ground to a point, being composed of a very sharp sand firmly glued to the surface."	.
Dixon's Slate-Pencil Sharpener Joseph Dixon Crucible Co. Jersey City, NJ	.	1889 ad	Warren H. Lamson No. 411,526, Sept. 24, 1889
Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
1890s
Modern Pencil Sharpener	Photo courtesy of Howard Levin	1911 ad	Adelbert Ames No. 422,485 Mar. 4, 1890
Fancourt's Pencil Sharpener and Holder	.	1890 ad A "device especially designed for connection with school slates, to hold the pencil when not in use and afford ready means for sharpening it."	Henry Fancourt No. 423,678, Mar. 18, 1890
Combined Ruler and Pencil Sharpener	.	1890 ad	.
Pencil Sharpener and Paper Weight Combined Meader & Jordan Saylesville, RI	.	1890 Illustration	.
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 (a.k.a. Universal Pencil Pointer) Henry Bainbridge & Co. New York, NY	.	1891 ad The identical device was advertised as the Universal Pencil Pointer in 1891.	.
Combination Ink Eraser and Pencil Sharpener Germany	Dated Oct. 6, 1891 Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	.
Knife and File Pencil Sharpener (a.k.a. K & F Pencil Sharpener Foster Mfg. Co. Watertown, CT	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	1893 Advertisement	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 & 1897-98 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
Champion Slate Pencil Sharpener Worn & Co. Philadelphia, PA	.	1892 ad	Mary E. Worn No. 472,420, Apr. 5, 1892
Pencil Sharpener Metal 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), Johann Faber New Pencil Sharpener (1905-13), Acme Pencil Sharpener (1910-12), 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 One 1892 ad stated that this sharpener 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, 1911, 1933.  Also in 1892, a product review with a similar illustration promoted the Standard Pencil Sharpener made by the Connecticut Mfg. Co., Hartford, CT. This review stated "The manufacturers claim that although similar to the imported ones, which have been on the market for a short time, it is better made and more satisfactory in every way." An indistinguishable device was advertised as the Peerless Long Bevel Lead Pencil Sharpener in 1894.	.
Government Duplex Self-sharpening Pencil Sharpener The J. W. Burke Co. Macon, GA New York News Co. (1894) New York, NY Cutter-Tower Co. (1896) Boston, MA		1894 Advertisement. Click on image to see instructions. Also advertised 1896, 1899, 1909 1899 Price 25 cents "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 This illustration shows that when not in use the sharpener could be stored on the end of the pencil that was not sharpened. Also advertised 1910-11 & 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 Also advertised 1894. May be the same as American Cartridge Pencil Sharpener (1892) above and Columbus Lead Pencil Sharpener (1897) below.	.
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
Bushnell's Practical Pencil Sharpener Alvah Bushnell Phildelphia, PA	.	1895 Product Review Also reviewed 1896.	1895-96 product reviews indicate that a patent application had been submitted.
Silver Pencil and Sharpener S. Mordan London, England		.	1895
Eureka Pencil Sharpener	Photo courtesy of Howard Levin	.	Josef Deutschbein No. 545,350 Aug. 27, 1895
Pencil Pointer and Paper-Weight Keuffel & Esser New York, NY	Photo on left courtesy of Howard Levin	1912-15 ad	William  L. E. Keuffel No. 547,925, Oct. 15, 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.	.
Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
1900-1909
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.	.
Artistic Pencil Pointer E. L. McDivitt Belvidere, IL	.	1903 ad  Advertised 1901-04.	Edward L. McDivitt No. 700,071, May 13, 1902
Cortis Patent Pencil Sharpener Ruler Cortis Manufacturing Co. Meriden, CT		1901 ad	Frank A. Cortis No. 705,322, Jul. 22, 1902
Kosmos Pencil Sharpener Germany Marketed by the American News Co. New York, NY		1906 ad Advertised 1902-15.	.
Eureka Pencil Sharpener	.	1902 ad. Also advertised 1903. Similar if not identical to the Eagle Pencil Sharpener No. 640 immediately below.	.
Ideal Safety Pocket Pencil Sharpener Howard, Chase & Co. Chicago, IL	.	1903 ad	.
Pencil Sharpener No. 640 Eagle Pencil Co. New York, NY		Advertised 1903, 1910, 1915.  Similar if not identical to the Eureka Pencil Sharpener two rows above.	.
Duplex Pencil Pointer Kolesch & Co. (K. & Co.) New York, NY	.	Click first on image above, then on image below. 1904 ad	.
Pencil Sharpener		.	Solomon W. Bates &  Andrew F. Sanborn, Jr. No. 761,191, May 31, 1904
C& K Pocket Pencil Sharpener The H. C. Cook Co. Ansonia, CT		.	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
Excelsior Pencil Sharpener	.	1905 ad	.
Plane Pencil Sharpener Advertising Results Co. Chicago, IL Compare to similar device advertised in 1876 (see above)		1906 Ad	.
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, 1930.	George Oberbeck No. 838,508, Dec. 11, 1906
Twentieth Century Pencil Pointer A. A. Weeks Mfg. Co.	.	1907 ad	Ad claimed the device was protected by a patent.
Arne Pencil Sharpener Arne Manufacturing Co. Racine, WI		Advertised 1911. "One disk has 22 cutting points and when all are dull,a new disc,which costs five cents each, can be substituted. It cuts as a knife does."	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 1910 (US), 1913 (France) and 1919 (US) "...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
Alrich Pencil Pointer Wm. M. Alrich Co. Pittsburg, PA	.	1909 ad	.
Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
1910-1921
Pencil Knife	.	1910 ad (Prague, now Czech Republic) Also advertised in 1913 (France)	.
Pencil Sharpener		.	Frederick Brostrom No. 958,904, May 24, 1910
Ideal Pencil Sharpener U.K.	Photos above courtesy of Howard Levin 1914		.
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
Pencil Sharpener Sold in France	.	1913 ad	.
Pencil Sharpener Sold in France	.	1913 ad	.
Deposit Safety Pencil Pointer (1913-14) (a.k.a. Unique Pencil Sharpener) (1913) (a.k.a. See-Rite Pencil Pointer) (1914-15) 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 Advertised as Unique Pencil Sharpener in 1913, as Deposit Pencil Pointer or Sharpener in 1913-14, and as See Right Pencil Pointer during 1914-15. "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
Pencil Sharpener	Photo on right shows underside with lid of shavings compartment removed. Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	Jan. 13, 1921
Descriptions	Photos, etc.	Advertisements	Patents
Dates Not Presently Known
Pencil Sharpener France		.	.
Pencil Sharpener		.	.
Pencil Sharpener Germany (left) France (center) SIRT pencil sharpener, made by Schuler Jozsef, Hungary (right)		.	.
Combination Letter Opener, Pencil Sharpener, and Pen Knife General Agency Germany	Photos courtesy of Howard Levin	.	Marked: DRGM (patented in German Reich)
Pratica Pencil Sharpener France		.	.
Pencil Sharpener Pat. 92208		.	.
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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