Cumberland Pencil Co
From Graces Guide
of Keswick. London Office: Lovell's Court, 13 Paternoster Row, EC4.
(Branch of British Pens Limited)
Legend has it that in the early 1500s, a violent storm in the Borrowdale area of Cumberland led to trees being uprooted and the discovery of a strange black material underneath. This material turned out to be graphite, and shepherds began using it to mark their sheep.
- 1832 A cottage industry of pencil making soon developed, culminating in the formation of the UK’s first pencil factory in 1832.
- The basic principles of pencil making have remained the same over the centuries, although production methods have obviously changed considerably. Essentially, a colour or graphite strip is sandwiched between two pieces of wood then cut and finished into the shape required. This is now almost a fully automatic process whereas at one time every single stage was carried out by hand
- 1916 The factory has had various owners in its history, but became the Cumberland Pencil Company in 1916.
- 1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Pencil and Penholders of all description for School, Drawing and Office Use. (Stand No. K.78) [1]
- 1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Blacklead, Coloured Chalk and Copying Ink pencils, also Pocket Book and Programme Pencils and Penholders of all descriptions. (Stand Nos. R.3 and R.155) [2]
- 1930 The Lakeland children’s range was launched.
- 1938 The Derwent brand of fine art pencils first appeared.
- Since then, a huge variety of artists’ materials has been developed, from traditional to highly innovative, and the product range has expanded greatly.
Sources of Information
- [1] Derwent Pencil Company