I don't have too many memories of my Grandma and Grandpa Moncelle as my Grandpa passed away when I was one and my Grandma passed when I was three, but they apparently collected pencils and they were inherited by my Dad.

I do remember all of the pens and pencils that my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Glenn collected as they were in apocathary jars and crocks around the house. These were inherited by my Dad when my Uncle Glenn passed in 1982.

 
Of course, we have added to the collection over the years with pens and pencils from different places we visited and my brother even brought back some from his trip to Japan for Dad to add to the collection.

Thus far, we have come across thirteen jars / tins / baskets chock full of pens and pencils (and I am sure there are more to be found).

 
The ironic part is that I have never been particularly interested in them until I started going through and sorting them into categories. But, oh my, what a unique and exciting experience it has been! I have discovered beautiful lever fill fountain pens that actually still work, mechanical pencils from companies I know from local history have been gone for years and even "vote for me" pencils from folks I can't find any information on at all (I guess they didn't make it into office).

 
Even the seed company pencils and pens (of which there is an abundance) have proven enlightening as I have discovered quite a bit about the history and local beginnings of famous names like Funks, Pfister, Pioneer, etc. Of course there is also the huge variety of Myer's Inc. pens and pencils which more than likely go back to it's beginnings as well.

 
My favorites, however, have been the Behlen pencils and pens because Dad was an employee and then associated with them via his own business for 35+ years. We even have the Behlen pencil that touts "THE BUILDING THAT WITHSTOOD THE FURY OF THE ATOM BOMB" with an actual sample of Uranium Ore in a plastic vial at the top. How cool is that!

 
Of course another sentimental favorite is the Prudential pencil with a "peice of the rock" floating in a clear plastic vial at the top. We received that from Hank Smith (Uncle Hank) who sold his first insurance policy to Mom back when she was 18 and who has consequently been our insurance agent ever since (despite his many efforts to retire). Plus there is the one from Washington Crossing in Delaware...and the list goes on and on.

 
I would guesstimate that there are over 1000 pencils and pens in this vast collection and I hope to get photos of them all (eventually) to put on here to share with others who are pen and pencil collectors or just interested in seeing some neat vintage advertising.