Selling as is, as photographed, for parts only, and with no return. Pricing due to rarity, not due to condition. The measure tape showing in one of the photos is not for sale and is not included in this listing.

BMU - 15521

IVORY MOTTLED

BATCH 5

1-23-1941

PATENTED

autopoint

MADE IN USA

0.9mm

Unknown condition. Not new and selling for parts only. The mechanical pencil of this listing mechanically works but has a lot of issues. The barrel is full with dirt, stains, dents, scratches, and relatively broken barrel (see last photo for a part of the barrel assumed broken as it is missing a small layer that could be lost from a hard drop on the floor). The photo before the last one shows the less aged color of the barrel that was relatively preserved from yellowing over the years because it was under the eraser cap and probably less exposed to light, dirt, and sweat during pervious use of the pencil.  

Investigated History (subject to inaccuracy): 

I have this pencil for a few months now, if I remember correctly. I have been looking sine then on its history to the point I deeded to stop looking and pass it to another collector if any buyer is interested to get it at - or higher than - the starting bid. This mechanical pencil is probably never seen before in modern literature on mechanical pencils. None of all the AUTOPOINT company prototypes I have seen before were in mottled ivory! The "A Century of Autopoint" book by Jonathan Veley provides ample photos and information on many different company prototype mechanical pencils that Autopoint used during WWII (Veley, 2019, Chapter 13, pp. 191-199). Comparing the pencil listed in this auction to the other prototype pencils in Veley, 2019, provides rich information on the history of Autopoint and the history of mechanical pencils, especially during the periods of struggle, such as the great depression and the war periods. This pencil uses 0.9mm leads. According to information published by the legendary Jonathan Veley in his 2019 book, A Century of Autopoint, the origin of Autopoint using 0.9mm leads was traced to less than two years from the date imprinted on this pencil (Veley, 2019, pp. 162, 169). As the barrel does not have the "THIN LEAD,” “REAL THIN LEAD,” or “FOR REAL THIS LEAD” message imprinted, which Autopoint associated with their 0.9mm mechanical pencils, the listed pencil still uses a grip with 0.9mm leads and there are 11 leads of 0.9mm in the reservoir beneath the eraser. Searching for Autopoint’s 1941 pencils or prototype pencils sold on the WorthPoint website, I wasn’t able to find any pencil that has great similarity to this pencil.

Autopoint Model Number:  

There are mainly two potentials that could be greatly considered regarding the model number of this mechanical pencil:

Potential 1: Model number 48, which takes 1.18mm leads. In this case the grip with 0.9mm leads could be just put in by the Autopoint company or by another user who later used this pencil and probably preferred thinner leads.

Potential 2: Model number 148, which takes 0.9mm leads. In this case the missing imprint of the "REAL THIN," REAL THIN LEAD,” or “FOR REAL THIS LEAD” message could be either intentional by the company to focus only on the barrel materials used with this pencil, or it could be for any other reason, such as an error of missing imprints.

I guess Potential 2 is more probable than Potential 1 because I have in my collection other sales sample pencil(s) with model Number that refers to using 0.9mm leads and still missing the "REAL THIN," REAL THIN LEAD,” or “FOR REAL THIS LEAD” message on the barrels. 

   

Again, selling as is, as photographed, for parts only, and with no return.

  

References

Veley, J. A. (2019). A century of Autopoint. Legendary Lead Company, ISBN 9780984038268.