An Iowa man, Aaron Bartholmey, 36, from Colfax, has submitted his impressive pencil collection to the Colfax Historical Society museum to be officially counted for the Guinness World Record attempt. With an astonishing 69,255 unique writing implements,
Bartholmey hopes to break the current record held by Emilio Arenas, who secured the title in May 2020 with a collection of 24,026 pencils.
Bartholmey’s passion for pencil collecting started with a Christmas gift from his first-grade teacher, who presented each student with a colorful pencil.
From that moment on, he began collecting pencils from various sources, including antique stores and flea markets. His collection boasts an array of fascinating pieces, including commemorative pencils spanning over 100 years, advertising pencils, and even pencils designed for dialing rotary phones. Among his unique finds are sports pencils featuring team schedules, adding an extra flair to his diverse collection.
While waiting for the Guinness World Records officials to review his submission, Bartholmey shared his enthusiasm for his unconventional hobby. He expressed how much he appreciates the stories each pencil can tell, highlighting the sentimental value they hold beyond their functional purpose.