Every once in a while, I find something in my office that I can’t believe I still own… this time, it was a box of Caran d’Ache colored pencils from 1991, a commemorative set that was created in honor of the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. I can’t remember if it was a present from my father (who often traveled to Europe for conferences) or something I acquired on a trip to see my German relatives (I think we may have gone for Christmas that year).
I do remember thinking that these pencils were way too special for everyday use — I was 12 or 13 when I got them — so they’re in great condition now, though the case is a bit dinged and scratched. The wood, which I’m guessing is cedar, also smells amazing. The only thing I’m puzzled by is the painting on the front of the box, which depicts a medieval battle scene that in retrospect is perhaps a bit gruesome for product that’s sold to children?
Though it obviously didn’t phase me at the time.
6 Comments
Palimpsest
Wonderful! Gruesome? Au contraire. Nothing than a good ol’ battle to entice children to pencils.
Muse
Oh nein! The scene depicts battles of the Great Expansion of perhaps, Morgarten? Or maybe it was a battle between one of the 20+ cantons before the establishment of the Swiss Federal States. Nevertheless, a good example of shading on that image, and if the child was like myself, I tried to copy what was on the cover to see how close I could get to duplicating it.
Nice find!
Carys
Those are lovely, and I don’t think the picture is too gruesome for kids at all — I loved old battle stories when I was a young girl.
Alberto
Great find! Not gruesome at all. They could just as easily be conducting a training exercise. I am quite certain that 7-10 years old kids would just dig it anyway.
Stilus BSA
Wow, I like those and would like to have those
Wondering if you’ll try to sell them via an online auction?
Leah Hoffmann
I don’t have any plans to sell them at the moment, but I will let you know if I do! Thanks for posting…