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Open wooden pencil box showing compartments and examples of contents, circa 1940.
About the object
About the object
This double-layered pencil box is made of wood. It has a sliding lid and two layers. There are spaces for pens and pencils. There is also a space for a small metal pencil sharpener.
The top layer swivels to the side to reveal the bottom layer. When on the box, the sliding lid locks the two layers in place.
The circle at the end of the lid is a round finger-tip sized notch to grip the lid for sliding it off. The spaces for the pens and pencils are made using a router that carves them out of the blocks of wood.
The ink stains and marks inside show us that the pencil box was used for ink pens and lead pencils. The illustrations on the box were coloured stencil transfers but have worn off.
Being a sturdy object, it was probably used for many years.
Wooden pencil boxes were a practical object for carrying and protecting writing equipment. Photographs indicate they were used from at least the 1880s to the 1960s or 70s.
Significance
Significance
Our collection holds several different designs of wooden pencil boxes. Some contain their original contents.
The pencil boxes provide examples of everyday practical items used by students at school.
Object details
Object details
Date – circa 1940
Creator – unknown
Place – unknown, probably Australia
Materials – Wood with metal screw
Dimensions – length 23cm x width 5.3cm x height 4cm
Look closer
Look closer
Wooden pencil box, closed
Wooden pencil box, with lid slid back
Close-up op of swivelled top layer on wooden pencil box. The angled end section enables the top layer to 'lock' over the bottom layer. The two long spaces for pens and pencils are carved out using a router.
Inside the lid of the wooden pencil box. It has a student's street address at Oak Flats and the names 'Susan Goymea' and 'Hannah'. It also has '4th' and '5th' which refer to classes or grades at school.
Think and wonder
Think and wonder
See
See
What do you notice first?
What colour are the ink stains on the box?
Find something puzzling or curious.
Think
Think
What tools were used to make the wooden pencil box?
What can you learn from examining the inside of the sliding lid?
Do you think pencil boxes were left at school or brought to and from school each day? Why do you think that?
Wonder
Wonder
What do you wonder about pencil boxes?
What would you like to know about writing equipment of the past?
Do
Do
If the pencil box could talk .....
The names on the underside of the pencil box above show that it has had several owners.
Compose a short imaginative narrative in the voice of the pencil box.
Recount aspects of life at school and home with the box's different owners.
Explore and connect
Explore and connect
Detail from a stereograph showing John and Grace Middenway posed at long tom desks at Bexley Public School, circa 1899. A pencil box is on the desk between them.Collection number 2000-911
Photograph showing pencil box, circa 1899
Photograph showing pencil box, circa 1899
This posed photograph taken at Bexley Public School in circa 1895 shows a wooden pencil box sitting on the desk between John and Grace. They are sitting at a 'long tom' desk and are both writing on slateboards.
The caption on the photograph is 'Kept in'. It was taken by their father, Mr John Saunders Middenway, who was the headmaster of Bexley Public School until 1917.
The photograph provides evidence of the use of pencil boxes from the 1890s.
What else does this 1895 photograph provide evidence of?
Learn more about John Middenway in our collection story JS Middenway – teacher, headmaster, photographer.
A single layer wooden pencil box with slide-off lid, circa 1920
Single layer wooden pencil box, circa 1920
Single layer wooden pencil box, circa 1920
This pencil box is a single layer with a slide-off lid. The lid slid off using one finger gripping the round notch at the end.
The decoration is printed or painted onto the lid and is embossed into the wood on the edges.
The ink stains inside the pencil box indicate that ink pens were kept in it.
What would you look for on a pencil box to find evidence of its use or ownership?
Metal cylindrical pencil case, rulers and pens that belonged to Jean or John Whiteman in the 1930s
Metal pencil tin, circa 1930
Metal pencil tin, circa 1930
This cylindrical pencil case is labelled 'Darnley's Patent Rotatable Lightning Calculator, Pencil Case, Ruler and Measure, manufactured in England'.
The pencil case, rulers and ink pens belonged to Jean and John Whiteman who attended North Ryde Public School in the early 1930s.
Jean took pride in immaculate book wook and John was dux of the school in 1937.
The word 'patent' means the idea belongs to someone. Why do you think the inventor Darnley used the word 'patent' on the label of the pencil case?
Learn more about Jean and John Whiteman in our collection story Jean and John Whiteman’s homework, mapping and medals.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands of people using this site. Is, always was, always will be – Aboriginal land.
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