Stay Sharp

In the sixties, during the space age, the Moonshot influenced all kinds of consumables, including stationery. Pens and pencil sharpeners were a great source of space toys and I have collected a few over the years. At the top we have the Lunar Probe 1, a pencil sharpener in the base, clearly influenced by Thunderbird 3, especially when we compare the red version shown below. Possibly by the same maker as the rather fine Thunderbird 1 sharpener,

Next a pair of sharpeners from the Czech Republic, the simple shuttle having the sharpener underneath and the clearly Apollo Moon Exploring inspired saucer including a roulette ball in the top and sharpener in the rocket base.

The red Lunar Probe, which could be a distinct derivation of a TB3 design. Possibly by the same maker, the more traditional rocket below, has a removable nose cone to empty the cuttings (or it may have held a small eraser) and a detachable finned booster with the sharpener in.

The rather fine Thunderbird 1 sharpener, with opening wings. Below is a Boots brand rocket with small crayons inside and a sharpener in the base.

Derived from Destination Moon, comes a mini Rocket Pen, channelling a bit of TinTin on the moon too.

After I started this post, I recalled a couple of other related items, such as this little airplane sharpener and the rather wonderful Rocket pencilcase, which has been decorated by a previous owner, with Revell Starfury transfers. The red engine array comes off and contains a hidden sharpener!