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Professional Drawing Products

Developed in 1790, the Hardtmuth drawing pencil was the very first of its kind. A true innovator and entrepreneur, Joseph Hardtmuth invented and patented his process for blending clay, graphite powder, soot and an organic binder to produce writing and drawing instruments of the highest quality.

In fact, one hundred years later, Hardtmuth writing instruments caught the attention of HRH Queen Victoria, who gave the Koh-I-Noor pencil its official name. The monarch's inspiration was the Koh-I-Noor diamond, a gift from India to add to the royal collection.

The company expanded in 1890 and established a branch in Bloomsbury, New Jersey.  However, with World War II came the division of Koh-I-Noor North America and Koh-I-Noor Europe.  Over time, the two companies developed different art materials - Koh-I-Noor Europe manufactured fine art materials such as pencils and paints, along with office and school supplies. Meanwhile, Koh-I-Noor USA had developed some of the finest technical drawing supplies on the market.

In 1999, Steven W. Roth, president of Chartpak Inc., acquired Koh-I-Noor North America - famous for its world-renowned Rapidograph® Technical pens which are made in our plants in the United States, and partnered once again with Koh-I-Noor Europe and the Breeza family to bring a cohesive line of professional drawing materials to the USA, Canada and South America. The Koh-I-Noor line of drawing pencils has expanded from the classic graphite pencil to over 20 degrees of graphite, colored and aquarelle pencils, pastels, blocks, watercolors, and a plethora of drawing accessories.

We are extremely proud to have participated in the reunification of this prestigious brand.

The Koh-I-Noor® Fine Art Product Line

KIN Fine Art Line

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KIN Technical

The Koh-I-Noor Technical Product Line

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