Preliminary remarks on this page

Due to a family background (my grandfather was the longtime owner of a small pencil sharpener machine company), I have been involved with the history of pencil sharpeners and sharpening machines. The focus is not on collecting as many different sharpeners as possible, but rather on studying the historical development, with a particular emphasis on the people and companies involved. I also gather information about them that is not directly related to the manufacturing of pencil sharpeners. The aim is to honor these individuals and companies through this work.

Even though the site is still incomplete, it already offers the most comprehensive information worldwide on the early history of pencil sharpening.

I warmly welcome comments on my work (see "contact / literature" or feel free to leave a message in my guestbook on an external page). It would be especially wonderful if you have any additional information or images related to the content of this site (which I may, with your permission – and gladly with your name mentioned – publish on my site), even if they may seem insignificant.

Overview of the history of pencil sharpening - 1850

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Archibald G. Shaver received a patent in the USA in 1859 with the title "eraser and pencil sharpener".

His tool for sharpening pencils was actually produced, heavily advertised and became widely used.

Archibald G. Shaver - From his live

Shaver was born in 1830 in Palatine Bridge, Montgomery County, New York, USA, although another source claims he was born in Illinois. His parents were George W. and Nancy Shaver. They were descendants of the first settlers of Albany. Nancy’s father, i.e., Shaver’s maternal grandfather, was named Thomas Zielley.

The parents apparently lived first in Herkimer County. In 1833 – after Archibald’s birth – they moved to Geneva, and five years later they relocated to the area around Aurora, Illinois, probably to Montgomery. George and Nancy had nine children. However, Nancy and the youngest son, Daniel W. (born 1840), both died in 1842. The family returned to Geneva. In 1849, the father died in Detroit, Michigan.

Archibald G. was the oldest son. His sisters Ann Maria (born 1821), Margaret (born 1823), Catherine (born 1825), and Eleanor (born 1827) had all died by 1846. Other siblings included David O. (1831–1906), Elizabeth N. (1833–1905), and Martin Van Buren (1837–1910). Martin was thus the last surviving sibling of Shaver. In 1875, he named his son—likely in memory of his brother—Archibald G., with the "G." standing for "Grant."

Archibald Grant Shaver was a railroad signal engineer and, like his namesake uncle who had died young, held several patents.

Here is a portrait of Archibald G. Shaver as a young man:

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83740766/archibald-g-shaver#view-photo=65462871

Another portrait of him from later years:

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83740766#view-photo=54575038

Here is an image of an identification card or a related application from the year 1863:

He also had a physical description, and from it we learn that he had dark blue eyes!

Here is an excerpt from a biography written in English:

“Mr. Shaver was well known to very many of the citizens of New Haven as a teacher of drawing and painting, and more recently as ‘Shaver's Patent Eraser, Burnisher, etc.’ Few, however, knew the perfect suffering of his life, or the unselfish patriotism which ultimately caused his death. Left an orphan at an early age, and unfitted for the active duties of life by an injury received to his right leg from a threshing machine, he turned his attention to drawing and at the age of 13 began teaching drawing in the Union School in Geneva. He afterwards taught in the principal cities of New York and Connecticut.”

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83740766/archibald-g-shaver

From this, we learn that he was known as a drawing instructor. Due to a physical impairment caused by an accident with a threshing machine that injured his right leg, he was limited in physical activity and tried to earn a living through art. At just 13 years old—only a year after the tragic loss of his four sisters—he began teaching drawing at the Union School in Geneva, where the family had returned. He would later teach in major cities, including New York.

In 1855, and during the following years, Shaver lived in New Haven, Connecticut—a coastal city in the broader New York area. That year’s city directory listed:

"Shaver A. G. Teacher of new art of Italian painting, 78 Chapel, bds 16 Cherry"

His occupation is described as “Teacher of the new art of Italian painting.”

In April 1856, The Brooklyn Daily Eaglepublished the following piece about an exhibition of Shaver’s artworks:

As early as 1853, he received an award at an exhibition/fair held by the New York State Agricultural Society for the best monochrome painting, see:

Below are two further mentions of his works from 1858 or shortly before; the different addresses listed are of particular interest:

Some of his paintings have survived to this day. In 1999, one of his works titled "View From West Point Hudson River, charcoal on board"was auctioned at Christie’s for $800. Another painting with a very similar motif was sold in 2005 for around $550. Here are images of both:

Source: https://www.aspireauctions.com/#!/catalog/55/299/lot/10545

Truly very artistic and detailed drawings!

He taught in courses and was praised in the highest terms for his work, as the following articles from the Hartford Courant(Hartford—a city somewhat inland from New Haven) demonstrate:

In 1860, his address in New Haven was listed as: "(76) 334 bds. 484 Chapel c High" (the number in parentheses refers to an older numbering system).

The census from that year records the following individuals living in his household:

Frederick (Fred) Augustus Bull (58 years), Elizabeth (Lizzie) Ann Bull (27), Augustus Frederick Bull (20, merchant), W(illia)m Gibbs (27, cloth maker), John H. Read (33, dentist), and Anna Hyland (16, house servant).

Elizabeth A. Bull was his future wife. Frederick Bull (born October 20, 1779, in Bristol, Hartford County, died July 15, 1872, in Utica, Oneida County) was apparently her father. Elizabeth was born on March 27, 1833, in Burlington (Hartford County, Connecticut). Her mother was likely Mary Arnold Mason (born August 29, 1805, in Plainfield, Windham County; died July 6, 1853, in Burlington, Hartford County). The parents were married on May 8, 1830.

Here is a portrait of Elizabeth A. Bull:

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83071787#view-photo=54574512

On December 28, 1864, Archibald and Elizabeth (called "Lizzie") Ann Bull Shaver were married. Here is a picture of the two of them, which may already date from 1862:

In 1866, his address in New Haven was listed as "h 17 Martin," and his occupation as "cutlery manufacturer."

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Shaver became actively involved in caring for the wounded. His tragic fate is described in the following English text:

"He was thus engaged in New Haven when the war broke out, and he gave up his rooms to the use of the ladies who were preparing lint and bandages for the wounded and soon after went to Washington and engaged in Business. In the following months he made a number of visits to the army, carrying supplies of delicacies and rendering such aid as he could-

After the battle of Culpepper news came that the wounded were dying for want of care. Mr. Shaver at once volunteered, and with Miss Clara Barton and three others went to the battlefield. Here they remained for five days and nights, almost without rest. Such exposure and exertions were too much for him and a fever was the result. After a partial recovery he visited Europe, returning to New Haven in January 1864, returned to health again. When the terrible battle of the Wilderness took place he received a dispatch urging him to come on and assist in taking care of the wounded. Leaving his business he went to the front not expecting to remain, but so great was the need and to useful was he found as General Superintendent of the 2d Army Corps hospitals that he did not return until the 4th of July. He came home sick his, constitution broken down, himself racked by rheumatism and the wound in his leg aggravated by exposure and want of care. From that time, though not confined to the house, he was a constant sufferer. In the winter of 1865 he was married in this city to the lady to whom he had long been engaged. But their bright hopes were soon dimmed. It became evident that nothing but amputation of his limb would save his life. In May, 1866, he went to Geneva to the Hygienic Institute. For sentimental reasons the amputation was delayed until the 11th of September. For four weeks subsequent he grew better, then took a sudden cold, though this was not regarded by his physicians as likely to prove fatal, but worn down by his long suffering he had not strength to rally, and on the 18th of October, while sitting in a chair and resting his head against his wife, with the physician standing near, without a moment's warning his gentle spirit went home to God who gave it."

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83740766/archibald-g-shaver

Shaver starb am 18. Oktober 1866 in Geneva (Ontario County, Staat New York) im "Hygiene Institute" im Alter von nur 36 Jahren. Nach einer anderen Quelle soll es allerdings der 18. Februar 1867 gewesen sein.

Diese Einrichtung wurde 1853 gegründet nach einer Totalrenovierung des ursprünglichen Geneva Hotels. Hier eine zeitgenössische Abbildung:

Source : http://ontario.nygenweb.net/hygienicinstgeneva.htm

His grave is located at Washington Street Cemetery in this town.

His wife Lizzie outlived him by many years. She died on February 9, 1929, in Frankfort (Herkimer County, State of New York). On February 12, she was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica (Oneida County, State of New York).

Here is her gravestone:

Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83071787#view-photo=102697066

Pencil shapener of A. G. Shaver

Archibald G. Shaver was granted the previously mentioned patent on March 8, 1859.

Here are the patent drawings:

Shortly thereafter, on August 30 of the same year, an update to the March patent was issued, although the patent drawings are exactly identical.

On May 9, 1860, Shaver was granted a patent in England.

On October 10, the final—or a similar—patent was eventually granted:

Here is an illustration showing two different versions of the multifunctional tool and a storage box:

Quelle: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83740766#view-photo=54707712

Auf der Box steht:

"SHAVER´S PATENT ERASER AND BURNISHER, PAPER CUTTER, FOLDER AND PENCIL SHARPENER" sowie ein schlecht lesbarer Werbetext.

Hier ein weiteres Exemplar, aber ohne Aufbewahrungsbox.

Auf der konvexen Seite des Stahlteils ist eingraviert: "A. G. SHAVER   PATENTED MAR . 8(  ?).1859"

Im August 1859 erschien im Washingtoner Evening Star folgende Werbung:

Im Mai 1860 wird in der New-York Tribune geworben:

Juni 1860 in Harper´s Weekly:

August 1860 Wisconsin State Journal:

Auf der 9. Ausstellung der Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association im September 1860 in Boston erhielt Shaver ein Diplom:

Vom Oktober 1860 aus der Zeitung The Daily Exchange (Baltimore) stammt folgende Anzeige:

Im August 1860 erschien im  Buffalo Daily Courier folgender interessanter Text:

Ähnlich im gleichen Monat in der Detroit Free Press:

Hier wird also von Shaver for Verletzungen seines "Eraser"-Patentes gewarnt. Speziell wird Hicks´s Eraser genannt.

Dabei ist James M. Hicks gemeint.

Der Patentstreit wurde juristisch verhandelt und hier ist ein Text zur juristischen Beurteilung:

"PATENTS—INTERFERENCE—DECISION—EFFECT OF.

[1. The failure of the patent office to declare an interference when a patentee is seeking a reissue, pending an application by another, is not a decision that the claims are for different inventions.]

[2. A perfected invention, if diligently pursued, will date back to the time of the first conception, as against a later conception of another, first perfected.]

[Appeal by James M. Hicks from a decision of the commissioner of patents in an interference case, in relation to curved back erasers and burnishers, awarding priority of invention to A. G. Shaver.]

DUNLOP, Chief Judge. On this appeal, two questions arise, and have been discussed:

1st, whether the inventions claimed, are the same; and 2nd, if they be the same, who was the first inventor? The claim of Shaver, in his original patent of March 8, 1859, was in these words: “The curved blade eraser, with the circular edge, pencil sharpener, &c.” He did not claim the convex back; but in his specification or description, which precedes his claim, he uses these words: “The convex or bottom part of the blade is smoothed off, a little rounding, to be used as a polisher, or rubber down of the inequalities of the paper, after erasing, &c.” In the reissued patent of August 30, 1859, his claim is: 1st For the curved blade eraser, as above specified, forming on one side a convex surface, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. Hicks' claim in his application of July 19, 1860, is in these words: “The convex back eraser herein described, operating in the manner and substantially as set forth.”

The claims of Shaver, in his reissue, and Hicks, in his application, appear to be identical, as to the convex back, and the counsel for Hicks admits them to be literally so, but insists, on various grounds, that there is a real and patentable difference. 1st. He alleges that the office has so decided, in not declaring an interference in August, 1859, when Shaver was seeking his reissue. Hicks then having substantially as now the same application then pending. There can be no doubt that Shaver, if the original inventor, was entitled to his reissue in August, 1859. He had a right to enlarge the original claim, because his original specification set forth the convexed back, and if he omitted it in his original, by inadvertence, and without fraud, the office, by the record, had the means, and were bound to correct the error by reissue. It is true the office might in August, 1859, on the reissue, have declared the interference with Hicks, and then tried the merits of priority with him. But Hicks is not injured in having the trial now, on the present application, more especially, if he is not the original first inventor, as between himself, and Shaver, and if Shaver, as is supposed and contended, is antedated by any other prior inventor,

Case No. 6,462.

YesWeScan: The FEDERAL CASES

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although Shaver's reissue patent cannot now be disturbed either by the office, or me, on appeal. The courts of justice are open to Mr. Hicks, or any other citizen, in a suit by Shaver, for infringement, to contest his title to his patent, and show it to be invalid. At all events, I see nothing in the action, or rather non-action, of the office in August, 1859, to estop them now, or to prevent their declaring the present interference.

It is next argued that the greater convexity of Hicks' eraser, distinguishes it, in a patentable sense, from Shaver's; that this greater convexity serves as a guide to the hand, in using it, and makes it operate as a plane, to plane off the surface of the paper, instead of scraping it. It seems to me these are very nice distinctions, too much so to be the foundation of a patent; the guidance of either Hicks' or Shaver's eraser, and the planing or scraping or cutting the paper, to which they

HICKS v. SHAVER.

2

are applied, depends, after all, on the skill with which they are manipulated. One would seem as easily sharpened as the other, and as easily kept in order. The counsel of Hicks, in his argument, himself admits that “mere difference in the degree of convexity given to the hack of the eraser would not be patentable, unless some new principle was brought into action, or some new and distinct result attained.” I conclude, therefore, the inventions are substantially the same. This being so, who was the first inventor?

Hicks does not carry his invention back further than June 19 or 20, 1857. Theodore and Prince A. Snell certainly prove that Shaver had the “conception” of a convex back eraser as early as the spring of 1857, and ordered them to make such erasers for him, and W, X, and Y were made in April, 1857. These, it appears, were not made sufficiently convex, nor according to Shaver's directions. Miss Bull afterwards saw an eraser, in Shaver's possession, more convex in both directions, longitudinally and crosswise, than X or W, but like them in other respects. Now, if Shaver had the “conception” of the convex back eraser as early as April, 1857, and was using reasonable diligence to perfect it and reduce it to practice, even if he had failed to do so till Hicks, later, conceiving the same “idea,” had first perfected the “idea” by a manufactured convex eraser, Shaver, in law, would still be the first inventor. His perfected eraser, if diligently pursued, would date back to the time of the first conception. On this subject I refer to my opinion in the case of Beverly Rubber Co. v. Wing [unreported], of August 30, 1860, and to the authorities cited, and to section fifteen of the patent act of July 4, 1836 [5 Stat. 123]. In point of fact, however, Shaver first perfected his invention by a completed convex eraser, as Miss Bull testifies, as early as June 5, 1857, two weeks earlier than Hicks on the 20th of the same month.

On these grounds, and those so clearly set forth by the examiner and the commissioner, I overrule all the appellant's reasons of appeal, and affirm the judgment of the commissioner."

(Quelle: https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F.Cas/0012.f.cas/0012.f.cas.0120.5.pdf)

Hicks wehrte sich mit einer Anzeige in der New-York Tribune im August 1860:

Am 14. Mai erhielt James M. Hicks, Boston, ein eigenes Patent mit der Bezeichnung "Eraser", hier der Patentanspruch:

Die Zeichnungen aus dem Patent:

Im Jahr 1863 hatte James M. Hicks dann noch ein eigenes Patent "Improvement in slate-pencil sharpeners".

Nun aber wieder zurück zu A. G. Shaver!

Im "THE NEW YORK SHIPPERS AND CONSIGNEES' GUIDE,

- DESIGNED TO FACILITATE THE COMMERCIAL, MERCANTILE AND SHIPPING INTERESTS OF NEW YORK -  erschien 1861 folgende prächtige, ganzseitige Annonce:

Im November 1861 erschien im Household Journal of Popular information, Amusement, Domestic Economy folgende Textanzeige:

Aus dem National Republican aus Wahington (1862) stammen folgende Ausschnitte:

Folgender Ausschnitt stammt aus der Baltimore Sun im August 1862:

Im The Solicitors' Journal and Reporter (London) erschien 1863 folgende Anzeige:

Der Text beweist einen Vertrieb in England, zumindestens in London, denn es heißt "It can be procured of all the Principal Stationers and Booksellers in London". Das ist auch folgerichtig, denn das Patent wurde ja auch in England angemeldet. Außerdem wird mitgeteilt, dass der neue "Eraser" eine Medaille von der Connecticut Agricultural Society bekommen hat.

Am 18. November 1863 erhielt Archibald Shaver auch ein Patent in Frankreich:

He had therefore patented a multi-purpose tool(scraper, polisher, sharpener, and paper cutter).

On April 26, 1864, an updated version of the 1859 patentwas finally issued in the United States.
Here are the drawings from the patent:

Aus der The Baltimore Sun im Oktober 1864 stammt die Anzeige:

In addition to “Shaver’s Patent Eraser and Burnisher,”the “Shaver’s Patent Scalpel Corn Parer and Surgical Knife”is also mentioned here.But where were his tools actually manufactured? Since Shaver himself was an artist, did he have his own company? The answer can be found in the following entries in the New Haven city directory for the years 1863/64:

Shaver gab in einer Zeitschrift 1864 eine Antwort auf eine Frage zur Messerstahlhärtung:

So, there really was a separate company, Shaver & Bradley, for the manufacture of the “patent eraser” and other cutlery items. In this partnership, Shaver was apparently more of the idea man, while Bradley was the one who organized the production.

Samuel E. Bradleyprobably lived at 31 Howe, and the company was located at 11 Martin. He was born around 1828 in Connecticutand was likely drafted into the Civil Warin 1863.

In 1864, Shaver published a reply in a magazineto a question about knife steel hardening.

In May 1865, an advertisement appeared in the Chicago Tribune:

On May 22, two more American patents by Shaver were issued, titled "Combined Eraser and Burnisher" and "Improvement in Eraser and Burnisher."

In September 1865, the following informative advertisement appeared in the American Artisan

Here, the various versions are listed:

- with pencil sharpener, ivory handle, and silver clamping sleeve: 65 cents

- with pencil sharpener, bone handle, and silver clamping sleeve: 80 cents

- without pencil sharpener, ivory handle, and silver clamping sleeve: 40 cents

- without pencil sharpener, bone handle, and silver clamping sleeve: 40 cents

- eraser and polisher only, small size, rosewood handle: 30 cents

In December 1865, the New York Timespublished the following announcement:

Sales agents were sought for "Shaver's Patent Pencil Sharpener." The price was set at 25 cents each, or one dollar for five pieces.

In February 1866, just a few months before Shaver’s death, the journal American Artisan and Patent Recordpublished the following informative article:

It is therefore evident that the advertisement search in the New York Timeswas specifically about this very article. According to the text, the pencil sharpener was indeed manufactured and offered in many stores. However, no existing example of the sharpener is known to survive today.

Also in February, a short text appeared in the American Agriculturist:

In April 1866, the Urbana Union(Ohio) also featured the following advertisement for it:

The price per piece was again listed as 25 cents, while five pieces cost one dollar.

Surprisingly, in the May issue of the Austrian journal "Die neuesten Erfindungen im Gebiete der Landwirtschaft, des Bergbaues, des Fabrik- und Gewerbewesens und des Handels", this device was presented — albeit without any information regarding its origin:

In June 1866, the Scientific Americanfeatured what would be the last known advertisement for it:

It is not known whether such pencil-sharpening devices have survived to this day. In October 1866, Shaver died, so perhaps sales also ceased at that time.

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Hier geht es zum Beginn der Geschichte des Bleistiftspitzens (Zeit bis 1850).

Eine Seite informiert über die Spitzmaschinen der amerikanischen Firmen Everett Specialty und Cushman & Denison Mfg. Co..

Außerdem sind folgende Seiten über verschiedene Spitzmaschinen aus Deutschland online:

Avanti, Krandt´s Bleistiftspitzmaschine, Simplicia / Clou / Iduna, Jowei, Ergo / Ergo Extra, Optimax, Fram, Stern, Constanta, Potz-Blitz, Oryx und Quail.

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