Für das Schreiben und Zeichnen mit einem Lächeln diente Gilbert & Blanzy-Poure im Jahr 1959 mit dieser etwa 24 × 32 cm großen Anzeige seine mechanischen und Holzbleistifte, Kugelschreiber und Bleistiftminen der Marke „Criterium“ an.
Wie die hervorragende Website Leadholder informiert, brachte die französische Gilbert Pencil Co. 1939 automatischen Bleistift „Criterium“ auf den Markt und hatte damit solch großen Erfolg, dass „Criterium“ in Frankreich zum Synonym für den mechanischen Bleistift wurde. – Gilbert schloss sich 1945 mit dem Schreibgerätehersteller Blanzy-Poure zu Gilbert & Blanzy-Poure und 1960 mit Conté zu Conté-Gilbert zusammen; 1979 kaufte BIC das Unternehmen.
BIC hat auch heute noch Bleistifte im Sortiment, darunter die holzgefassten Gilbert 33 und Critérium 550, deren Namen an die Geschichte der Firma erinnern, sowie den klassischen 2,0-mm-Fallminenstift Criterium 2603, den es in Metall- und Kunststoffausführung gibt. – Für Besprechungen dieser Stifte verweise ich gerne auf pencil talk.
Such an effective, striking ad! BTW, Franz Liszt used Blanzy Poure nibs.
Thank you for your comment. To me, the shadows make it three-dimensional without any showiness, and the creation of a character from squared paper is very creative.
In fact, I love it so much I set it as my desktop background!
Now that’s great! I am happy to hear that. – By the way, I use a tool that provides multiple virtual desktops, and two of them have parts of Staedtler ads as the background (namely these from 1962).
When I first laid eyes on the Gilbert Criterium 2603 lead holder, I immediately fell in love with it. The aluminum body in a mirror-finish was difficult to ignore. Later I found out to my disgrace that Gilbert pencils were a tiny bit less than impossible to find in Mexico, and quite hard to find in the US. For some odd reason, aside from BIC, perfumes and alcoholic beverages, the American-folk seem quite non-receptive of French products -think cars.
Many years later, I managed to get my hands on a lovely set containing a 1950’s era 2603 lead holder, with a set of Criterium HB leads, a companion Criterium Bille ballpoint and an spare refill. Now, I can die a happy man. These items have really increased my enjoyment of lead holders, graphite and even ball points. The Criterium leads perform extremely well and seem to be quite well mixed and made. No grit and a put a slightly darker line than comparable German leads, yet the feel on paper is quite unique and satisfying.
A couple months ago, I decided to venture into the modern interpretation of this lead holder by purchasing a rather expensive, current version of this lead holder that I could only find in Canada, now under the BIC name. It was an utter disappointment. Despite the fact that it is made in Japan, the new lead holder feels fragile, and unsubstantial. Nothing quite like a UNI or a Japanese-made Turquoise. More like one of those cheap Zebra Cadoozles pencils that are aimed at elementary kids. Which is quite a shame, for such a marvelous design.
The HB lead it comes with, is way darker, but has a touch of grit, so nothing really amazing to write home about, specially if you compare it to Caran, Uni, Faber or Staedtler leads. The only bit really reminiscent of the 1950’s version, is the clip, which is an updated version of the one fitted to the ballpoint. Otherwise, we can’t talk about the same item. Safe to assume this lead holder died early in the beginning of this century.
By the way, speaking of said ballpoint, a friend of mine said that it was pretty much useless by now. And it was. Both refills on the set, had long since dried up and there are no replacements for these pens anymore. Yet, I managed to disassemble the pen, remove the inner spring, and fit a modern day Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 G2-style refill. And now, I’ve got the world’s first and only retractable-ballpoint that needs a cap! ;)
Also of note, is that if you compare the 2608 lead holder side by side with a Caran d’Ache Fixpencil 884, it is pretty much the same design. Wonder why?
Guillermo de la Maza, thank you for that very detailled account! I’m glad to hear that you were able to find an old Criterium 2603 lead holder and can imagine your joy at it. The new version (I have one) is indeed light and cheap, and there is no fun in using it. You have a real gem!
It’s also great to hear how good the ballpoint is. You don’t hear that too often either!
As for your question: I don’t know – perhaps there was once a collaboration.