Hardtmuth Polycolor Pencils, Retro Set of 24

This ornate pencil box is a European import, made at one of the oldest pencil factories in the world: Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth, about 75 mi. south of Prague in historic Bohemia. Fine pencils have been made here since the mid-19th century, since the company patented a pencil lead made from a mixture of kaolin and graphite.

Hardtmuth also has a rich history in artist pencils, and today the company manufactures many different lines of colored pencils and pastels. Polycolor is one of the longest-running and most popular: it is a wax-based, easily layered, highly pigmented colored pencil, suitable for detailed drawing and illustration in vibrant color.

This retro box revives the Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth branding from 100 years ago, when Polycolor pencils were already on the scene. 24 classic colors, ranging from brights to earth tones and including both white and black, are packed into the sturdy box. The points are protected by a stiff divider between two rows of 12 pencils, and the open box can serve as a desk stand while you draw.

ABOUT KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH:

Koh-I-Noor is a world-famous name in art materials, but today there are several related companies that operate under the same name in different parts of the world. Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth is the original company that has manufactured pencils in České Budějovice since 1848. The Hardtmuth family established branches of the company in many parts of the world, and they now operate with varying degrees of coordination (some are direct subsidiaries, while others, like Koh-I-Noor USA, are owned by separate shareholders.)

While Koh-I-Noor USA is mainly known for its Rapidograph technical pens and its selection of traditional drafting supplies, Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth is a much more familiar and multifaceted brand in Czechia and across Europe. In their home country, Koh-I-Noor products can be found at more than 100 company-owned shops, ranging from pocket-sized to gallery-sized showrooms. Art supplies, office supplies, and educational items are all within the company's wide-ranging catalog.