Although others had been awarded patents for pencil designs in the late 18th century in America, the United States Patent Office had suffered an inferno in 1836 resulting incineration of early patent documents. James Bogardus was awarded a pencil slide & case patent on September 17, 1833, and although the patent drawing survived the claim language (arguably the most important part of a patent) was destroyed. All 9,957 patents and 7,000 related patent models were lost.
Addison is considered by many to be the father of American pencil production.. This example from circa 1825 by Addison & Co. Is a Perpetual Calendar version with “Onion” End Cap Top.
Although Bogardus was awarded a pencil patent in 1833, Thomas Addison was a dedicated pencil maker who became a patent holder In 1838.