For some amazing pencil history, please see the cyclingpencils blog. Written in Japanese with photo titles and partial text in English, the last two posts tell a story about a pencil that may look familiar at first glance – the H. A. Faber “Fortress”. But H. A. Faber isn’t a distant member of the Faber pencil manufacturing family, and the “Fortress” is not a “Castell”, even if similar fonts and logos are used.
It turns out the brands came from Hirohachi Akagi & Co., founder of the Colleeen pencil company. There is also a “Moon Glove”, with moon and globe logo, very similar to the Staedtler logo.
Interesting story, so the myth of a Faber Castell made in Japan did come from these pencils?
Futural, are you referring to this separate post?:
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/cyclingpencils/12274071.html
The research is certainly a testament to the global strength of the Faber name in years past.
I saw a “Johann Faber Made in Japan”, I can’t remeber where but It was on the Web. so Is this one from the post that are you referrring, a real Faber?
Thanks for the information, I read an old post https://www.penciltalk.org/2010/04/johann-faber-pencil-made-in-japan maybe It could be a good idea to ask Faber Castell, I’ve made a request related to other post on Pencil Talk if they answer maybe we could know more about this enigmatic pencil in a future, thank you penciladmin.
Hello,
Thank you for your mention about my post.
Not only H.A.& Co ,
but also almost of all Japanese manufacturer and wholesaler sold imitation pencil before WW2.
I think this is not only matter of manufacturer’s side, but also cause in consumer’s attitude at that period.
I agree to your opinion that this is a testament to the global strength of the Faber name in years past.
cyclingpencils, thank you for sharing the story and photos. It is a very interesting piece of history.
cyclingpencils, thank you. I would like to learn Japanese.