Learn more about this history of the pencil from Caroline’s books

  • The Pencil Perfect

    Published by Gestalten in 2017

    “The Pencil Perfect takes its namesake’s four simple ingredients – wood, graphite, clay, and water – and narrates a tale of worldwide influence and innovation. Caroline Weaver, pencil connoisseur and CW Pencil Enterprise Shop owner, composes texts that extol the nuanced influence of her beloved and humble implement.

    Through profiles of pencil makers, anecdotes about famous writers’ favorite pencils, and essays about the surprising role of pencils in world history and culture, the chronicle of a modest but mighty tool unfolds. Follow the charming contrivance as it guides the course of early communication in the Scientific Revolution, the American Revolutionary War, the Anglo-French War, and the French Revolution: it is a historical journey and a captivating memoir. The development of cultures and communities is laid bare within the timeline of this slender entity.

    The Pencil Perfect immortalizes the biography of an inanimate object within its pages for a future cast of historians, writers, and curious minds.”

    Also available in Japanese from Gakken and in Korean from A9Press

  • Pencils You Should Know

    Published by Chronicle in 2020

    “Pencils You Should Know traces the evolution of pencils over time and across the globe. From the humble, handcrafted pencil of the 19th century to the novelty writing implement of the 1990s, each object in this book tells a different story.

    This book features a selection of 75 modern and vintage pencils curated by pencil powerhouse Caroline Weaver, owner of legendary New York pencil emporium CW Pencil Enterprise. Pencil fanatics will find old favorites here—the original Blackwing 602 puts in an appearance, of course—and make exciting new discoveries, too.

    This supremely charming little book celebrates the enduring magic of the pencil.”

    Also available through Chronicle is a corresponding set of notecards.