Blackwing Volume 143 Pencils
Blackwing Volume 143 Pencils
Blackwing Volume 143 Pencils
Blackwing Volume 143 Pencils
Blackwing Volume 143 Pencils
Blackwing Volume 143 Pencils
Blackwing

Blackwing Volume 143 Pencils

$36.00
On September 17, 1925, a bus collided with a trolley car in Mexico City. Among the injured passengers was 18-year-old Frida Kahlo. The accident left her bedridden for months. With a mirror suspended above her bed, Frida began to paint what she could see: herself.

Looking inward became a defining theme of Frida’s work. Through her celebrated self-portraits, she explored identity, pain, and passion using bold, vibrant colors to express her inner world. Her work honored Mexican and indigenous cultures while offering an unflinching examination of physical pain, emotional struggle, and the women’s experience.

Volume 143 is a tribute to Frida Kahlo. Each pencil features soft graphite and a floral design inspired by Frida’s iconic imagery. The model number 143 is a nod to the 143 paintings commonly attributed to her over the course of her life.
  • Soft graphite core
  • Limited Edition! Once they're gone, they're gone
  • Set of 12 pencils
  • Gift box that also doubles as a pencil cup
  • Iconic aluminum ferrule design in pink with blue erasers
  • Genuine Incense-cedar casing that sharpens evenly and easily
  • Specially formulated Japanese graphite that writes smoothly
  • Replacement erasers available separately
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Blackwing pencils are a renowned product in the pencil world, with a rich history that stretches back nearly a century. They were first introduced in the 1930s, became unavailable in the 1990s and early 2000s, and then made a comeback in 2010. Originally produced by the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Blackwing earned a reputation for being the smoothest and darkest pencils available. Their unique square, replaceable erasers also became a coveted feature.

However, in the 1990s, as office-supply companies struggled, Blackwing was discontinued. Despite that, demand for the pencils never faded. Over time, the price of remaining Blackwing pencils surged, with artists paying up to $40 per pencil for the old stock. Professional animators, in particular, had a strong attachment to Blackwing, seeing it as a vital tool for their work.

The revival of Blackwing came thanks to CalCedar, a leading American supplier of pencil wood based on the West Coast. Known for providing incense cedar wood to pencil manufacturers, CalCedar had already found success with their Palomino pencil brand. They acquired the rights to Blackwing's name and design, then set out to recreate the beloved pencil.

Today's Blackwing pencils rank among the best worldwide. Made in Japan with a proprietary graphite formula and an American incense cedar body, they are both luxurious and dependable. Artists and writers everywhere can relax knowing that Blackwing has been back since 2010 and will be around for the long term.

Additionally, Blackwing releases four limited edition pencils annually, called Volumes. These special editions are made in small batches, and once they're gone, they're gone. Each edition features a unique design and model number, celebrating cultural icons and events.