This is a pencil holder from the late 1880s. My example came with some slate pencils and what might be an original Eagle pencil from that era. The Eagle “Ready Companion” is a wood tube with a spring-loaded button on the end that opens a ball at the other end. Ads and patent are dated 1887. The ad states that the pencil holder came with “a lead pencil, a slate pencil in wood and open holder.” It has an interesting design similarity to the Eagle Arrow retractable dip nib holder.
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![](https://vintagependoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Eagle_Pencil_Tinsley-1024x561.jpg)
Video of the Ready Companion in action. Click on controls at bottom of video if not playing.
![](https://vintagependoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/am-st-21-pg-1062-Eagle-Ready-Companion10241024_1.jpg)