NORMA mechanical pencil

[lost in time]

lookin

g for any info on this pencils origin.

[lallin]

You might want to check Roger Russell's NORMA pencil webpage; it is the best source I have found for info on them.Norma Pencil page

[zenshrink]

I owned one of those when I was a kid.

[jhmclearly]

I've actually got a Norma fountain pen and I'm sure I asked a similar question on another thread many moons ago. Remembrance suggests a German connection ...... with 'FEND' I think but I can't be sure.

[Univer]

Hi there,

 

Well, I think German provenance is a fairly safe bet, for this pencil at least...by virtue of the engraving, if nothing else, which says (I believe) "Bought on board the airship Hindenburg." The Hindenburg, of course, was the German Zeppelin that crashed, horrifyingly, at Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1937.

 

The "Patent 900" engraving suggests, to my mind, that the pencil is made of so-called coin silver: .900 (90%) silver content. (Sterling is .925, and often so marked.)

 

The Hindenburg connection, I reckon, would enhance collector value; although I readily admit that I have no idea what that value might be. If I could afford it, I'd love to have one of these; I've visited the Lakehurst site a few times (including the "Cathedral of the Air," which features amazing stained-glass windows depicting airships).

 

Not much help, I know - sorry!

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

Edited July 24, 2008 by Univer