Keswick Pencils
From Graces Guide
of Keswick, Cumbria
Pencils have been made in Keswick since graphite deposits were discovered in the sixteenth century.
- Prior to 1832 pencils were made in cottages. But according to records factories were set up in the town from that date.
- 1851 Four pencil factories in existence in the town.
- Ann Banks was one of the early pencil manufacturers in the town, running the Keswick Pencil Works.
- 1877 J. D. Wivell registered trademarks on behalf of the Keswick Pencil Works.
- The company no longer exists but pencils are still produced at the Cumberland Pencil Co, under the Derwent brand.
Sources of Information
- Trademarked. A History of Well-Known Brands - from Aertex to Wright's Coal Tar by David Newton. Pub: Sutton Publishing 2008 ISBN 978-0-7509-4590-5