Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Vintage Apsco Pencil Sharpener

I've got another flashback from the 80s here! The local Ukranian church had a rummage sale recently, and I found a pencil sharpener that is pretty similar to the ones I had in my elementary school classrooms. This double barrelled Apsco Star sharpener was $2.


There were a lot of bargains at the bazaar but I restrained myself. Sometimes I excitedly tell people about an item I left behind and get a lukewarm response! This makes me go hmm, perhaps that vintage Gillette silver shaving kit wasn't that great... Or maybe you had to see that purple velvet interior for yourself to be a believer.

The item is marked as being made in Rockford, Illinois. I wonder if Rockford manufactures anything like this today...


I also scooped up a new package of colourful pencil crayons for 25¢ which goes really well with my new office tool.

If you remember my little Danish teak bird, it had a slot in the back for holding pencils or manicure tools. I put him to good use, as you can see.


I just wanted to say hello and thanks to all my followers, new and not-so-new! I hope you will keep reading and commenting!
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11 comments:

  1. ScarlettMay 18, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    Love the sharpener, we used to have one like this too at school, we always used to break out pencils so we could have a turn on it lol. Scarlett x

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  2. Vintage ScapesMay 18, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    I loved those pencil sharpeners! They always made the greatest pencil points, nerdy I know, what can I say...

    Your little bird blossomed into a peacock now with his colorful feathers ;)

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  3. Loo xx from Jumbles and PompomsMay 18, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    I'm very pleased to see the little bird again. I love it.

    Fabulous pencil sharpener. I recently spend rather a lot of money on a modern version and then weeks later a 1960s one turned up at my local charity shop for a few pounds - in its original box too. Bah!

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  4. Alyssa BeeMay 18, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Its a small world...I grew up about 30 minutes away from Rockford, IL :)
    The sharpener is definitely a great bit of nostalgia!

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  5. Lindsay @ Delighted MommaMay 18, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    That pencil sharpener brings me back to 3rd grade..ahh those were the days..the only worries were what was for lunch :)

    Delighted Momma

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  6. Thrifted TreasureMay 18, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Love the pencil sharpener, I have a similar Boston one, really brings me back to my school days :-)

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  7. VanessaMay 19, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    Aw, this brings back lovely elementary school memories! I love this still life of colorful pencils, sharpener, and birdie pencil holder!

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  8. pauladMay 19, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    That's wicked!! Funny how something as simple as a pencil sharpener can bring back so many memories! I remember those things always exploded it's pencil shavings on me!!

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  9. Nells Vintage HouseMay 20, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    I love love love that little bird. :)

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  10. SixBalloonsMay 23, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    I definitely remember waiting patiently in line to sharpen our pencils, and the teacher scolding us for wasting as we turned and turned and turned...!

    I'll make sure to keep the little bird in mind for future photoshoots!

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  11. Jolene ForresterJune 30, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    We had a sharpener just like this growing up. It was screwed to a post at the bottom of the stairs in our basement. I can't imagine my lazy kids running down two flights of steps to sharpen a pencil...the exercise sure would do them good though....lol

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