Overview
The image clearly shows the silver foil stamping on the pencil barrels reading 'STUDY [E shield logo] EMPIRE PENCIL CO. - 808 MADE IN U. S. A. '.
Identification
1 Dozen Vintage Empire Pencil Co. Study 808 Pencils
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
Empire Pencil Company was a prominent American pencil manufacturer, originally founded in New York before moving to Shelbyville, Tennessee, famously known as 'The Pencil City. ' The Study 808 model, featuring classic silver foil stamping, is representative of mid-to-late 20th-century American school and office supplies. The secondary market for vintage mid-century pencils is driven by stationery enthusiasts, illustrators, and collectors of American manufacturing ephemera.
Maker / Origin
Empire Pencil Co.
Condition & Value
The visible portions of the pencil barrels appear to be in excellent, unused condition with crisp silver foil stamping. However, the ferrules, erasers, and graphite points are obscured by the pouch, leaving it unconfirmed whether the pencils are truly unsharpened or if the erasers have hardened and degraded, which is common for vintage stationery. Appears to be in unsharpened, unused vintage condition with vibrant lacquer and crisp silver foil stamping. Pristine unsharpened condition preserves top market value for stationery collectors.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for vintage mid-century pencils is driven by stationery enthusiasts, illustrators, and collectors of American manufacturing ephemera. Unsharpened, deadstock pencils with intact original packaging command significant premiums, sometimes reaching into the $50-$80 range for specific models. However, loose or mixed lots typically trade closer to the $10-$20 mark as functional ephemera.
Value Drivers
▲ Crisp, legible silver foil stamping confirms the Empire Study 808 model.
▲ Dozen-count lot appeals to collectors seeking complete sets.
▲ Visible barrel condition appears excellent with no obvious paint loss or teeth marks.
Concerns
▼ Unverified pencil ends — if sharpened or if erasers are heavily degraded, collector value would decrease.
▼ Unconfirmed original packaging — the absence of a vintage box, if confirmed, would limit the item to the lower half of the estimate.
Best Venue
List on a platform like eBay or Etsy, which caters to vintage stationery collectors. To maximize returns, take additional photos revealing the pencil ends to confirm they are unsharpened and state clearly whether any original Empire packaging is included.
Upside Potential
If the pencils are confirmed to be perfectly unsharpened with pristine erasers, and if the original Empire Pencil Co. box is present, the lot could reach or exceed the $45 high-end, potentially approaching the $75 mark seen for premium deadstock dozens.
▾Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 5 comps
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.
Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 5 comps
- eBay via PicClick3 Dozen Vintage Empire Pencil Co Arco 88 No 2 USA “Commonwealth of Pennsylvania”Different model (Arco 88) and different quantity (3 dozen).$60
- eBay via PicClickVTG Empire #2 Choice Pencils Pack of 10 Yellow Non-toxic USA 1980 Sealed NewDifferent model (Choice) and different quantity (10).$16
- eBayVintage Empire Arco Pencils 18 Count 88 No 2 Yellow Old StockDifferent model (Arco 88) and different quantity (18).$14
- eBay via PicClickVintage Empire Pencils Co Med No. 2 Yellow 1010 Made In USA Non-Toxic Pack Of 14Different model (1010) and different quantity (14).$13
- eBayLarge Lot of Vintage Wooden Pencils – Eagle, Empire, American, Study 808, TrustyMixed lot of various brands and models; cannot isolate value.$10