Who needs a Fisher Space pen when you can use a pencil?

[flyinghell34]

I had been on a mission to acquire an Apollo era Garland 35-p mechanical pencil for the past year or so with no luck. They are far and few between and the ones that have flown on Apollo missions starting with Apollo 10 run in the thousands of dollars. Even the ones used in training fetch upwards of $1000.

I was turned onto a seller that acquired a shuttle flown Garland from a NASA crew service employee that was given the pencil as a gift from a crew member after the Columbia STS-109 mission. A number of Garland pencils were flown on that mission and this pencil was one of them. After some extensive research and sorting through 100's of high resolution images from that mission and the sellers documented information, I verified that this indeed was used on-board STS-109.

Here are a number of images that have been enlarged showing a few of the Garlands flown on STS-109. This was also the only mission that the flag end Garland was flown on, and as you can see in the images the flag end Garland can be seen along with the regular end style. Also, in the images you can see how the Velcro end was wrapped around the end and secured with a resin glue into which a gold nylon strap was inserted that was attached to a clip that could be clipped onto clothing or binder rings.

[Lol-x]

Very interesting, why are these pencils so rare?

I do like my Fisher pen, I use it every day and it writes incredibly well.

[68camaro]

Great and intersting story...cool to boot.

[SUBversive]

Interesting story and pics. I had forgotten about garland. Honestly I was never impressed with their stuff. But good to see they are still around. According to its web site their products are made in USA, in New England. They also make no reference to a NASA connection whatsoever. Could be the biggest marketing blunder since new coke.....

[Lion]

Sounds like a great mechanical pencil to add to your collection.....let us know if you end up buying it. And of course we will want to see pics as well...good luck!!!

Take it easy.....Leo

[flyinghell34]

Originally Posted by Lion

Sounds like a great mechanical pencil to add to your collection.....let us know if you end up buying it. And of course we will want to see pics as well...good luck!!!

Take it easy.....Leo

I did purchase the pencil. The images with the watch were taken when I received it.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

I did purchase the pencil. The images with the watch were taken when I received it.

Oops...my bad, fantastic and congratulations.....what a great piece of history to have, own and use!!!

Take it easy.....Leo

[Frosty]

Cool