As Bill and Carl have just pointed out, yes; slate pencils were used in a variety of contexts, specifically the trades and probably in mercantiles as well. Schools just tend to have a lot of them for obvious reasons. And they are particularly interesting on schools sites because they speak to a host of issues ranging from public funding of local schools to memory and narrative. And, of course, there is the most famous pencil maker of all, Henry David Thoreau.
James G. Gibb
Gibb Archaeological Consulting
2554 Carrollton Road
Annapolis, Maryland USA ?? 21403
443.482.9593 (Land) 410.693.3847 (Cell)
www.gibbarchaeology.net ? www.porttobacco.blogspot.com
On 04/20/16, Meg Gorsline<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Thank you, everyone, for your helpful references, comments, and
experiences! I agree, Jim, that pencils may have more to reveal than we
usually credit them with. I have never come across carved pencils before -
those were particularly interesting examples. I've noticed a trend in
archaeological interpretations of slate pencils, which is an association
with children and/or education. But weren't slate pencils also used for
leisure activities (gaming?) and in craft production (carpentry, etc.)?
Again, thank you all for this interesting discussion!
Best,
Meg
On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM, Marie-Lorraine Pipes <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I grew up in France during 1960s. All children used slates to practice
> in-class exercises and to do homework. Only the final versions were
> transferred onto paper with ink and handed in. that is because paper was
> incredibly expensive.
>
> The slateboards were always framed in wood. We had slate pencils that were
> held in metal tube frames with screws that moved moved them through the
> tube as they worn down. We never heldslate pencils without the frame as
> they dirtied the hand. Also, we had slate pencils of different colors for
> highlighting and coloring assignments in class. Last everyone had little
> plastic pots (formerly ceramic) that held water and a sponge so you could
> erase your slateboard.
>
> My mother and grandmother used the same equipment when they were in school.
>
> Marie-Lorraine Pipes, PhD, RPA
> Zooarchaeologist Consultant
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Madrigal, Cregg <[log in to unmask]>
> To: HISTARCH <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 9:50 am
> Subject: Re: Slate pencils
>
> Meg,
>
> At the Covert-Larch neighborhood excavation in Jersey City, NJ, there were
> over 200 slates and slate pencils from late 19th to early 20th century
> residential contexts. Like Carl mentioned, some of the slate tablet
> fragments appear to have been scored. They also found a disassembled wood
> frame they think may have been from a writing slate, as well as some
> graphite pencils.
>
> Howson, Jean, and Leonard G. Bianchi
> 2014 COVERT-LARCH: ARCHAEOLOGY OF A JERSEY CITY NEIGHBORHOOD. Data
> Recovery for the Route 1&9T (25) St. Paul’s Viaduct Replacement Project,
> Jersey City, Hudson County, NJ. Prepared for New Jersey Department of
> Transportation by the The RBA Group, Inc., Cultural Resource Unit.
>
>
> Cregg
>
>
> T. Cregg Madrigal, Ph.D.
> Environmental Specialist 3 – Archaeology
> New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
> Municipal Finance and Construction Element
> Mail Code 401-03D
> PO Box 420
> Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
> 609-633-1170
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carl
> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 2:14 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Slate pencils
>
> I too have found slate pencils and writing slates on a wide variety of
> sites in SC and NC, including sites occupied by African American slaves and
> Freedmen. Often the slates are scored like notebook paper. I use their
> presence on Af-Am sites to highlight the desire to learn to read and write,
> despite laws forbidding the practice.
>
> On 4/19/2016 2:05 PM, Martha Zierden wrote:
> > They are a regular find on sites in Charleston, SC. They are more
> > common in 19th century contexts, but some are recovered from late 18th
> > century deposits, as well. A maximum length is 3"
> > Martha Zierden
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 19, 2016 at 2:00 PM, Keith Doms
> > <[log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> You can check various catalogs (Sears and Montgomery Wards) for
> >> prices and some description. The 1902 Sears repro catalog omits the
> >> pencil pages but years ago Sears actually sent me a copy of them.
> >> They sold cedar encased slate pencils at $.08/dozen.
> >>
> >> I recently found a 1 inch nub of a slate pencil with a grove carved
> around
> >> the base. A worn out pencil that was once tied to something. Mostly
> >> their presence is noted without much comment.
> >>
> >> Keith R. Doms
> >> Newlin Grist Mill
> >> Site Manager
> >> 219 S. Cheyney Rd.
> >> Glen Mills, PA 19342
> >> (610) 459-2359
> >> [log in to unmask]
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> >> Meg Gorsline
> >> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 1:09 PM
> >> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> Subject: Slate pencils
> >>
> >> Good afternoon,
> >>
> >> I'm trying to gather some information about slate pencils. I've come
> >> across a few publications about writing slates (including Davies 2005
> >> and Swords
> >> 2008) and I'm wondering if folks have any additional suggestions for
> >> literature about slate pencils?
> >> There are a few slate pencils in a 19th century northeast U.S.
> >> domestic collection I'm analyzing, and I am curious to hear what
> >> others have made of any slate pencils they've recovered. Thanks in
> >> advance for any references, information, or insight you may have to
> share!
> >>
> >> Best,
> >> Meg Gorsline
> >> Doctoral Candidate
> >> The Graduate Center, CUNY
> >> New York, NY
> >>
> >
> >
>
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