W.S. Hicks – Pencil Leads

Box of mechanical propelling pencil leads advertising W.S. Hicks & Co.The box has the original labels and still has 8 of the 12 size VS leads inside as shown. The leads are 1.5mm in diameter and the box is 57mm x 35mm.
The back of the box indicates they are the “Finest prepared Cumberland Leads” and also has instructions for use in both English and French. This box would likely have been produced between 1865 & 1875. Hicks opened the London branch in 1865, and a Paris branch in 1875.