Much Older Japanese Mechanical Pencils!

[Pencilking]

Hello, fellow enthusiasts of Japanese mechanical pencils,

I’ve noticed that many collectors of Japanese mechanical pencils have a particular aversion to the older models from the 1930s and 1940s, which typically used standard leads of 1.18mm. During that era, 0.9mm leads emerged as a more convenient option for drafting, likely contributing to the popularity of thinner leads in drafting pencils throughout the 1980s. Pentel famously marketed 0.3mm and 0.5mm leads as ideal for drafting, while promoting the 0.9mm thickness as suitable for both general use and beginners.

This is precisely why these vintage 1930s and 1940s Japanese pencils are highly sought after. You can barely find one for sale on eBay, such as this listing:

(Best Maid red purple pre WWII larger Japanese made mechanical pencil (S797) | eBay)

(The seller is delightful, and I’ve purchased numerous pencils from him.)

Question: Any guess for how much this eBay listing will sell for?

I’ve expressed my admiration for this particular pencil, and it’s fascinating to observe two buyers currently engaged in a bidding war, with the price reaching as high as $80-so far. This competitive bidding reflects a shared appreciation among collectors for certain rare pencils. I initially placed my bid, hoping to acquire it for around $7 or $9, but despite my unsuccessful attempt this time, I’m glad to see that others recognize the value of such a unique find.

Interestingly, a company named New York Merchandise Co., Inc. registered the “BESTMAID” brand between the 1920s and 1940s, which was used for various products imported from Japan, although mechanical pencils were rarely included.

This particular pencil is indeed from the WWII era. The inexpensive plastic construction and minimal use of metal are telltale signs of its time. It features the “Front-Action Mechanism,” a design popular among promotional pencil manufacturers like Ritepoint and Jos. Lipic during the 1930s and 1940s.

[lsd300]

Here’s a Japanese oldie…the original “sliding sleeve” ??

[Pencilking]

Nice!

[drifand]

I think a lot of this behavior is simply due to each person’s starting point? For myself, early exposure to Sheaffer and Parker pens became a gateway to checking out other American writing tools, and eventually to lead holders and the pre-0.9 variety.

The majority of my attention is still focused on “what I could have seen back then if I’d lived in Japan”. For Japanese pencils in 1.18, I think I only have 3-4 items from Newman and Vanco…

[nimrodd]

My Japanese pencil collecting is limited to Pentel, who started doing mechanical pencils in 1960.

[Pencilking]

I hear you

[superite]

Recently a combination “FOUNTAIN PENCIL” was acquired. My best guess it is from the early 1950s. Can anyone identify the maker? The maker probably did mechanical pencils. Please not the chasing and how the nose drive is inside of the pen/pencil barrel. Any ideas? My first thought was Newman as they may have had the machinery but in the 1950s they focused more on celluloid models.

It has the brand “Neo” on the push bar for filling the pen and is inscribed UTILITY MODEL on the cap. Pen/Pencil appears to be chrome plated steel as it is heavy. I’ve not checked the lead size yet.

Some images are attached. The cap is removed to reveal the nib.

[Pencilking]

Unscrew the front tip and check if it has two plungers for advancing two colored leads. If the tip doesn’t unscrew easily, twist it in both directions and see if two different leads come out.

[superite]

Nope. One direction only. When I changed the sac the back of the top of the lead holding mechanism could be seen inside the barrel. It holds only one lead. What were you thinking?

[Pencilking]

It may be helpful if you can share the number imprinted on the pencil.
I was thinking in many directions. But all lead to Japanese pencils. Here is what I am thinking of (in order):

1. Jonathan Veley’s suggestion of the ‘“Neo” Duplex U.T.M.’ (I think that U.T.M. may refer to Utility Model)
   (The Leadhead's Pencil Blog: I Guess I Didn't Read It Closely Enough)
   (Leadhead's Pencil Blog Volume 1 - ebook)
   (Jon Veley’s eBook - VOL.I - has some interesting info about a similar pencil. I reccomend you purchase it)
2. Sharp:
   (https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/45/10/f0/2d9bdccb1e005b/US1578515.pdf)
   (Tokuji Hayakawa, Sharp Founder | A Sharp Journey | Sharp Corporation | Sharp Global)
3. Late Ever-Ready
4. Late Readyrite

[superite]

The patent numbers on the push bar and pencil are:
PAT. APPL.17472 on the push bar. PATENTS 84140 and 97451 on the cap.

Written on the cap is UTILITY MODEL.

1. I have Jonathan’s book and there is no reference to the pencil.
2. It’s quite different from the Sharp/Hayakawa pencil.
3. Not an Ever-Ready.
4. Not a Readyrite.

PAT. APPL. dates for this number place the push bar in the early 1950s. This is exactly when push bars begin to appear on Japanese pens. The chasing could be from a number of firms that made metal pencils - Newman, Hoshiesu, VANCO, Greatman, Colleen. Maybe even Morison. All they needed was an adjustable chasing machine. The pattern is not distinctively any maker. The clip is similar to that used in the 1920s.

[perpetuallypencil]

I have Jonathan’s book and there is no reference to the pencil.

I think he meant the Neo Duplex which he mentioned, not another similar pencil. I guess the message is a bit ambiguos.

[Pencilking]

@perpetuallypencil

e Neo Duplex which he mentioned, not another similar pencil. I guess the message is a bit ambiguos.

Yes, the Neo Duplex two-color pencil. That’s why I asked whether the pencil is one color or two. On Page 386, Jon Veley mentioned that the blog replies had some interesting info.

[Pencilking]

The Japanese patent system included a category called “Utility Model Registration” (UMR). One UMR close to the number you provided (i.e., No. 17472) is the UMR No. 174470 (on October 7, 1925) for a Readyrite mechanical pencil. I am guessing there might be a connection here. Jon Veley talked in his blog about this patent:
(The Leadhead's Pencil Blog: An Unusual Suspect)

I am looking into the other patent numbers, and I hope to find any info soon…

[superite]

My guess was the 17472 was for the push bar design as it is stamped on the push bar. One of the other two may be for the clip. The Readyrite has a similar clip as did many pens in the 1920s. There were a number of metal pencil manufacturers in Japan in the 1920s. Who had the same clip?

[Pencilking]

I am still looking everywhere. New possibilities are emerging, such as the “MECO” set of fountain pen and pencil, but nothing is yet confirmed…

[superite]

Thanks. It is a tough one.