One of the premier gifts from the old Grinnel were the cross pen and pencil sets. Their branch managers would hold onto them because they were so expensive.
Back in the 80's they really wanted me to buy stuff from them. I was the the national purchasing mgr for a huge fire protection co. One if them flew me to Chicago where I toured their pipe mill, Allied Tube and Conduit, and their huge distribution facility. At the end my host and I were by a huge display of their goodies. He filled a bag for me and some fir him to take back (why not let another manager stock his goodie closet?)
The bag had all kinds of stuff in it, t-shirts, mugs, pens, pencils, hats, and - Cross pen /pencil sets. The thin, gold plated, coveted sets. Several sets. I was king of the goodies when I returned, but I hoarded those pen/pencil combos. When other vendors came by I'd be using them. Some of them gave me Cross pen/pencil combos with their logos on the clip.
Cross is famous for their promotional products still to this day.
I think you have a cool piece of Nicholson history. I am sure that there is someone out there willing to pay $20.00 for that pencil, but you may have to wait a while to find that person. It depends on how fast you want it moved out and get paid.
I'd try finding a file collectors group and offer it up there. Maybe you'll get some high #'s.
Good luck.
Chilly
