This is a Ketcham & Mcdougall Retractable Brooch/ Mechanical Pencil made in East Orange, NJ sometime in the early 1960s. It has the sleek space age look expected of a Mid Century design. It is also in perfect working order. The Specifics: Pin mechanism is a C-clasp Chain 16.5" Mechanical Pencil-4.25" Face of Pin .80" Black Enamel with Silver-tone Some minor surface wear commensurate with age (60 years +) Mid Century America: Retractable pens/pencils became a popular accessory for women working in offices…Secretarial Pools. The Secretarial Pool was a room full of women who spent their days typing on electric typewriters for the men in charge (before women were “liberated”). This was also before the copy machine was invented so all correspondence was hand typed sometimes with carbon paper (a type of coated paper designed to transfer information written on the front onto sheets beneath). The women stayed in these “Pools” until they found a man to marry or they were promoted to private secretary. Horrible! That said… This is actually wonderful relic from the past. It is a reminder of how far women have come in the world of work, how women now take for granted the opportunities they were denied & how women have moved past the stereotypes assigned to them through gender roles. It will make the perfect gift for a young woman beginning her career, a gift for Grandma the “Women’s Libber” or a gift for the collectors of classic mid-century design. About Ketchum & McDougall: in operation from 1900-Present, this New Jersey company began its life making retractable eye-glass holders (among other things). They moved on to making pens for which they are most famous. Their pens/pencils were made for everyday use & were considered sturdy & reliable. There is no real sequential history of this company other than the early years between 1903 & 1930. The business was sold several times & was renamed sometime in the mid 1970s(?). Please review the photos carefully & email with any questions you may have prior to making a purchase. Enjoy Mid Century | 1960S Retractable Mechanical Pencil Brooch | Chain 16.5", Pen 4.25", Pin.80"
