I'm showing today a nicely made black hard rubber mechanical pencil. Possibly made by the Day Company. Circa 1850 - 1860. What I found irresistible is that the pencil was dug out of the ground by a bottle collector. It was found in an 1875-1885 trash pit - while searching for his particular treasure. If this piece were free of cracks, dents, significant scratches, personalization and was in working condition it'd fit right in to my collection. As it is - with a bit of a roughed surface, scratches and frozen mechanism - it's a great personal find. Call it an artifact. 😀