Eagle Pencil Co. Cast Metal Lead Pointer, Patent 354,320, c. 1890–1915
Viridian Eclection
The Piece
A cast metal lead pointer made by the Eagle Pencil Company in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, protected under United States Patent number 354,320 of 1886.
The body is heavy cast metal with a screw off top and a central thumb dome. Inside, a replaceable abrasive liner sits in a metal cup, and the design is built for controlled tapering of the lead rather than for speed.
It does not sharpen wooden pencils. It sharpens the solid graphite leads used in drafting pencils and mechanical lead holders. The original paper instruction insert is present, worn but legible enough to remain part of the object.
History & Provenance
The Eagle Pencil Company was one of the most influential American writing instrument manufacturers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and this pointer is a professional tool from its catalog rather than a domestic one.
Tools of this kind were standard equipment for engineers, architects, draftsmen, surveyors and accountants, and for artists working with lead holders, during the height of American industrial and architectural expansion.
The dating rests on the patent and on the manufacturer. The patent of 1886 establishes the earliest possible date, and the form and construction place this example at approximately 1890 to 1915.
Product Details
| Era | c. 1890 to 1915 |
| Maker | Eagle Pencil Company |
| Origin | United States |
| Form | Lead pointer with screw off top, central thumb dome and replaceable abrasive liner in a metal cup |
| Materials | Cast metal |
| Marks | United States Patent number 354,320, 1886 |
| Included | Original paper instruction insert, worn but present |
| Condition | Authentic vintage condition with visible wear consistent with age and use. Paper insert shows tearing and surface wear. Mechanism functions as intended |
| Dimensions | To be confirmed |
Why It Belongs in Your Home
The pointer is equally compelling as a working drafting tool and as an object of industrial design, and it still does the job it was patented to do.
On a desk, a shelf or a studio bench it reads as a small piece of engineering, dense in the hand and honest about its purpose. The surviving instruction insert adds the documentary layer that collectors of drafting equipment look for.
For a dealer or designer it is a compact, legible artifact of the drafting trade, easy to place beside books, instruments or early photographic objects, and specific enough to hold a viewer's attention at close range.
Every piece is packed with professional-grade materials: multiple foam layers, double-boxing, directional and fragile handling labels. For large furniture we use custom timber crating. We photograph packing before dispatch and can provide images on request.
White-glove delivery is complimentary within 100 miles of Reno, NV. National shipping quotes provided at checkout. All shipments are photographed and documented. Damage claims must be filed with the carrier; we provide all documentation needed to support your claim.
Local pickup is available at Viridian HQ (Reno, NV) with 2–4 days notice. Contact us to arrange. Visit the Eclection on Tuesdays, 10 am to 4 pm.
All antique and vintage items are sold as described and all sales are final. Each listing includes detailed condition notes and photographs so you can make a fully informed decision. We encourage buyers to ask questions — about condition, dimensions, finish, provenance — before purchasing.
Antiques are irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind. Carrier handling is outside our control once a piece has left our facility, and major carriers including FedEx do not insure antiques. We do everything within our power to ensure safe transit, but cannot accept liability for carrier damage. If damage occurs in transit, we will provide full documentation to support your carrier claim.
Have a question? — we're happy to provide additional photos, condition detail, or discuss the piece directly.
