The 2010 Academy Awards are just a couple of weeks away. Last year, we noticed that Japanese Animator Kunio Kato won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. A notable acceptance speech included giving thanks to his pencil.
It looks like Kato has not gone unappreciated by legendary pencil manufacturer Staedtler. To honour the 80th anniversary of the Mars Lumograph, Staedtler has issued a special set of pencils in a tin that features an illustration by the animator. As well as Staedtler, ROBOT (Kato’s firm) has a copyright notice on the package.
These Lumograph 100s are also special for pencil users because they are unsharpened versions!
The core widths vary considerably with the pencil’s degree.
Pretty neat item. Wonder if they will be easy to find stateside. Of course it is not like I really need another tin of pencils that I would not be inclined to use and would likely remain in pristine condition.
The mix of pencil grades is different to the “normal” set. Instead of having one pencil each, from 8B to 2H, the Kunio Kato set has 1x8B, 1x6B, 1x4B, 1x3B, 2x2B, 2xB, 2xHB, 1xH, 1x4H. I hope this set will be available outside Japan.
According to the Staedtler website, there are four versions of this set available.
The tin alone make this set worth it. Thanks for highlighting this set!
Interesting set. Thanks for the post.
The grades memm mentioned are probably the best selection for a set like this. The idea that you keep one of each and replace it as it goes is a bit romantic. Pencils tend to disappear!
I really like the case though, but I’d just forget to put them back in. My favourite thing about Mars Lumographs is you can see the pencil grade from 360 degrees. Great for storing in a pencil tub.
I got one of these for my birthday (standard edition) and have never used them. Being a drafting student, I know the value of these pencils…the best I probably will ever use (I tried out a friend’s B grade pencil).
Dear penciltalk admin,
Would you mind if we post a link to your blog on our STAEDTLER facebook fanpage http://www.facebook.com/STAEDTLER.headquarters ? We think your website is truly amazing and like to recommend it to all other pencil fans.
Kind regards, Yvonne from STAEDTLER headquarters
Hello Yvonne,
It would be an honour to have a link from STAEDTLER.
Please feel free to go ahead, and have a happy 175th anniversary next week!
I just bought your Lumocolor fine point pens, I mostly use the black one and I love it! It is so smooth and so far I have had any trouble using it over a few different mediums! I am going back to the store to see if I can just purchase the Lumocolor black fine point pen.
Staedtler Mars Lumograph is very good thanks