Walt Disney and Blackwing Pencils
Two weeks ago, while on vacation in Walt Disney World, I found myself in the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream gallery. The attraction is described as “a multimedia gallery exhibit of rare artifacts and an inspiring 15-minute film bring the story of Walt Disney to life.” One of those exhibits, I discovered, is a reconstruction of Walt’s Burbank office circa 1940-1966. I apologize for the crude images. I was on vacation, after all.
The office features a re-creation of Walt’s desk, complete with sketches, magazines, notes and pencils, including three very distinct pencils in the pencil holders at the front of the desk.
These pencils are, of course, Blackwing 602s. We’ve known Disney animators and artists past and present use Blackwing pencils, but this is the first time I’ve seen Blackwings tied directly to Walt himself. The Blackwings on Walt’s desk are of the Eberhard Faber variety (Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602s were still in production up until 1998), and their varying lengths indicate that these pencils were, in fact, used.
Rare artifacts indeed.
There is also an assortment of round, jumbo and carpenter pencils on Walt’s desk, as well as an interesting looking end-dipped pencil featuring a red barrel with a green band. If any pencil aficionados out there know what type of pencil this is, I’d love to know!
What do you think Pencils Blog readers? Do you have any pencil discoveries from your travels? Let us know in the comments and on Facebook!
why no palomino
Seriously?
Because Walt died decades before CalCedar decided to directly market pencils. Makes it hard for him to have owned any.
The Blackwing pencil has been around since the 1930 ies. The Palomino Blackwing is a re- creation, and a good one.