This is a charming vintage Eberhard Faber No. 174 “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” coloring set, complete with all 8 original “Permanent Colors” wood colored pencils and its wonderfully illustrated storybook-style box.
The box incorporates multiple scenes from the Goldilocks story. The front shows the Three Bears returning toward their woodland cottage, while the sliding inner section reveals additional scenes including Goldilocks in the bears’ bedroom, Goldilocks fleeing the cottage, and other illustrated story details. The reverse shows Goldilocks seated at the table sampling the three bowls of porridge.
What makes this particular example especially interesting is the built-in folding easel on the back. When opened, the easel allows the box to stand upright like a small illustrated display, essentially turning the pencil set into its own countertop or desktop presentation piece. The easel panel itself continues the Goldilocks artwork, with the porridge scene repeated across the support.
The set is marked:
EBERHARD FABER
NEW YORK
No. 174
8 PERMANENT COLORS
MADE IN U.S.A.
The side of the box is also marked:
“TRADE MARKS REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.
U.S.A. BOX PATS. Nos. 1165612 AND 1631595
OTHER PATS. PEND.”
Patent No. 1,631,595 was issued to the Eberhard Faber Pencil Co. in June 1927 for a paper-box design, which means this particular style of packaging cannot predate 1927. Comparable No. 174 fairy-tale sets are generally associated with the late 1920s into the 1930s.
The original assortment of 8 colored pencils is still present. These sets were marketed as coloring sets for “Map Coloring, Sketching, School Art Work,” language that appears directly on the folding packaging.
Condition: Good vintage condition overall, especially considering the age and elaborate moving/display construction. All 8 colored pencils are present. The illustrated box retains strong color and attractive graphics. There is age-related edge and corner wear, rubbing, small surface losses, light staining/soiling and scattered handling marks. The folding easel remains present and functional and allows the box to stand for display. The push-end/sliding construction operates, though all cardboard parts should be handled carefully due to age. Please review all photographs closely, as they show the exact condition and are part of the description.
Standard Footer: Thank you for looking at my items. Please be sure to view all photos as they are a part of the description and are of the exact item you will receive. Colors may vary slightly due to settings on my camera versus the color settings on your monitor. Display stands, rulers, and other objects in the photographs are not included unless otherwise stated. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am happy tocombine shipping on multiple items.If you are not happy for any reason, please contact me and I will do my best to make it right. Thanks for reading this and thanks for your interest! On since 1998.
Related Items:
2 Vintage Eberhard Faber Blackwing 602 Pencils Version 6 Unsharpened NO BOX
$100.00
Vintage Eberhard Faber Goldilocks Three Bears No174 8 Pencils EASEL Box 1930s V3
$59.99
Vintage Eberhard Faber Jack & Beanstalk No 174 8 Color Pencils EASEL Box 1930s
$59.99
