1206 Appraisal

General’s Multi-Pastel Crayon Pencil (Lake Red 1206)

This is a vintage or contemporary professional-grade drawing pencil manufactured by the General Pencil Company. The pencil features a circular wooden barrel with a deep maroon or burgundy lacquer finish. Gold-leaf or foil-stamped lettering is visible along the side, identifying the manufacturer as 'GENERAL'S', followed by the product line 'Crayon', 'U.S.A.', the color name 'Lake Red', and the model number '1206'. The typography utilizes a mix of serif and decorative script fonts, characteristic of classic American art supply branding. Physically, the pencil appears to be of standard length (approximately 7 inches) and thickness, though it has been previously used and sharpened, exposing a small portion of the wax or pastel-based core at the left tip. The wood grain suggests a cedar construction, which is typical for high-quality pencils to ensure smooth sharpening. The condition appears functional; the exterior lacquer shows minimal chipping, though the gold stamping exhibits slight fading consistent with handling. Based on the branding and 'Lake Red' pigment designation, this tool is designed for fine art applications, likely dating from the mid-to-late 20th century or produced in that traditional style, representing the long-standing craftsmanship of the Jersey City-based company.