Historical Lumber Materials

Independence Hall
Pre-Tubed Wood Pen Blanks

Craft a piece of American history with our exclusive Independence Hall Pre-Tubed Pen Blanks. Sourced from authentic wood removed during renovations of Independence Hall, the iconic birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, these blanks offer a unique opportunity to create heirloom-quality pens. Each blank is meticulously pre-tubed for ease of turning and comes with a 4" x 6" Certificate of Authenticity (COA) featuring a foil-embossed seal, ensuring the provenance of this historic material.

Product Details

Material: Authentic Independence Hall wood, salvaged from documented renovations, optionally paired with label-cast 1956 Liberty Series - 10¢ U.S. postage stamp featuring Independence Hall for select Full Size Gentlemen and Jr Gent sized pen caps.  

The 1956 Liberty Series 10¢ Independence Hall stamp, cataloged as U.S. Scott #1044, was issued on July 4, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, coinciding with the 180th anniversary of Independence Day.

Available Configurations:

• Jr Sets (Stamp Label Cast Caps & Wood Lowers): Pre-tubed Jr Caps (12.5mm) with embedded vintage stamp labels cast in crystal-clear Alumilite resin, paired with pre-tubed Jr Lowers (10.5mm) made from Independence Hall wood.
• All-Wood Jr Sets: Pre-tubed Jr Caps (12.5mm) and Jr Lowers (10.5mm), both crafted entirely from Independence Hall wood for a seamless, elegant look.
• Full Gent Sets (Stamp Label Cast Caps & Wood Lowers): Pre-tubed Full Gent Caps (37/64") with embedded vintage stamp labels cast in crystal-clear Alumilite resin, paired with pre-tubed Full Gent Lowers (15/32") made from Independence Hall wood.
• All-Wood Full Gent Sets: Pre-tubed Full Gent Caps (37/64") and Full Gent Lowers (15/32"), both crafted entirely from Independence Hall wood for a consistent, natural aesthetic.
• Sierra Clones: Pre-tubed single-tube blanks (27/64") made from Independence Hall wood, compatible with Sierra Twist-style pen kits.
• Bolt Action: Pre-tubed single-tube blanks (3/8") made from Independence Hall wood, designed for bolt-action pen kits.

Craftsmanship:

Blanks are assembled with stabilized wood thins wrapped around and secured to the brass tube. These tubes are then cast in BLACK resin to fill in any small thin seems ensuring a smooth turning experience. All Independence Hall wood material was stabilized to enhance durability and finish quality. Please allow up to two weeks for pre-tube wood blanks; they are made to order with a small inventory available.

Certificate of Authenticity:

Each blank includes a COA detailing the historical significance of the Independence Hall wood, printed on premium card stock with a foil-embossed seal.

Turning Experience:

The Independence Hall wood turns smoothly, yielding a rich, natural finish that highlights its unique grain. Stamp label cast blanks are vibrant and clear, adding a patriotic flair to your creations.

History of the Material:

The building was completed in 1753 as the Pennsylvania State House. It served as the first capitol of both the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was the principal meeting place of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1781, and was the site of the Constitutional Convention, at which the U.S. Constitution, the longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, was ratified on June 21, 1788.

A convention held in Independence Hall in 1915, presided over by former U.S. president William Howard Taft, marked the formal announcement of the formation of the League to Enforce Peace, which led to the League of Nations in 1920 and the United Nations in 1945, a quarter century later.

Completed in 1735 as the Pennsylvania State House, it took two years to build Independence Hall home of the 1st Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence and where the Constitution was debated and put to paper.

During the renovation of Independence Hall in 1897-98, 16 of the original beams holding up the floor on which the giants of the era debated the future of the 13 Colonies were replaced under the supervision of the project manager and superintendent of the Independence Hall, Samuel Reeves. Rather than discarding the beams, Reeves retained possession of the old timbers.

Provenance - Independence Hall

Completed in 1735 it took two years to build Independence Hall, home of the 1st Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence and where the Constitution was debated and put to paper.

During the renovation of Independence Hall in 1897-98, 16 of the original beams holding up the floor on which the giants of the era debated the future of the 13 Colonies were replaced under the supervision of the project manager and superintendent of the Independence Hall, Samuel Reeves. Rather than discarding the beams, Reeves retained possession of the old timbers.

In 1912 Reeves sold the beams and other materials including wood interior railings, outer iron railings, and other materials to John S. McQuade a builder and member of the Philadelphia City Council for the purposes of cutting them up and making “relics”, but McQuade stored the beams for 12 years and in 1924 sold them to two brothers Walter and Clarence Deisroth owners of a paper box company in Philadelphia.

The Deisroth’s reduced some beams to 100,000 slivers and sold them as souvenirs during the Sesquicentennial Exposition of 1926.

In 1956 the Deisroth’s company went into bankruptcy and at auction Mr. Henry Gouse a retired sales engineer and the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Champion of the 1940s bought the wood at auction, along with what was left of the timbers, thousands of chips, and 20 gallons of sawdust, byproduct of producing the 100,000 slivers was included in the lot.

Grouse stored the beams and other materials in a barn on his property on the outskirts of Philadelphia where he made gavels out of some of the beams and presented them over the years to: President Eisenhower, President Nixon, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle and other political leaders. Grouse also gave 4 of the beams to Independence Hall and the National Park Service, confirmed in a National Park Service letter acknowledging “the gift”.

In 1975 Gouse was in his 80s and his ex-wife “reluctantly” sold the remaining woodpile to an artist and attorney from whose estate Bob DeMartino and History Salvaged was able to acquire the remaining Witness Wood®.

Mrs. Grouse only sold the Witness Wood® because of the high cost of living and her economic situation, she simply could no longer afford to keep the timbers and sold the Witness Wood® with the understanding that it would not be desecrated.

The new owners subsequently cut up much of the wood again into slivers, producing thousands of history cards and memorabilia that were sold during the Bi-Centennial in 1976 all over the country and in many major department stores including Wannamaker’s Department Store of Philadelphia.

The remnant wood has dried out and has been deteriorating in storage since the 1970s until the History Salvaged acquisition and repurposing in 2010.

The Witness Wood® was later sold to Hardin Penworks, LLC in 2025 where it was stabilized and processed to make pens and knives from the historic material. Stadium Pen Blanks, a subsidiary of Hardin Penworks, LLC, has made the material available to their customers of historic relics.

Independence Hall
Wood Blanks

Craft a piece of American history with our exclusive Independence Hall Pen and Ring Blanks. Sourced from authentic wood removed during renovations of Independence Hall, the iconic birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, these blanks offer a unique opportunity to create heirloom-quality pens. Each blank is professionally stabilized to ease the turning process and comes with a 4" x 6" Certificate of Authenticity (COA) featuring a foil-embossed seal, ensuring the provenance of this historic material.

Product Details

Material: Authentic Witness Wood®, salvaged from documented renovations of Independence Hall.

Available Configurations:

• Solid Stabilized Wood Blanks: professionally stabilized with Cactus Juice stabilizing resin. 
• Hybrid Black Resin & Stabilized Wood Blanks: cut offs of the stabilized wood left over from cutting full sized blanks and paired with solid black resin.

Craftsmanship:

Blanks are professionally stabilized with Cactus Juice  stabilizing resin.    

Certificate of Authenticity:

Each blank includes a COA detailing the historical significance of the Independence Hall wood, printed on premium card stock with a foil-embossed seal.

Turning Experience:

The Independence Hall wood turns smoothly, yielding a rich, natural finish that highlights its unique grain. Stamp label cast blanks are vibrant and clear, adding a patriotic flair to your creations.

History of the Material:

The building was completed in 1753 as the Pennsylvania State House. It served as the first capitol of both the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was the principal meeting place of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1781, and was the site of the Constitutional Convention, at which the U.S. Constitution, the longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, was ratified on June 21, 1788.

A convention held in Independence Hall in 1915, presided over by former U.S. president William Howard Taft, marked the formal announcement of the formation of the League to Enforce Peace, which led to the League of Nations in 1920 and the United Nations in 1945, a quarter century later.

Completed in 1735 as the Pennsylvania State House, it took two years to build Independence Hall home of the 1st Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence and where the Constitution was debated and put to paper.

During the renovation of Independence Hall in 1897-98, 16 of the original beams holding up the floor on which the giants of the era debated the future of the 13 Colonies were replaced under the supervision of the project manager and superintendent of the Independence Hall, Samuel Reeves. Rather than discarding the beams, Reeves retained possession of the old timbers.

Provenance - Independence Hall

Completed in 1735 it took two years to build Independence Hall, home of the 1st Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence and where the Constitution was debated and put to paper.

During the renovation of Independence Hall in 1897-98, 16 of the original beams holding up the floor on which the giants of the era debated the future of the 13 Colonies were replaced under the supervision of the project manager and superintendent of the Independence Hall, Samuel Reeves. Rather than discarding the beams, Reeves retained possession of the old timbers.

In 1912 Reeves sold the beams and other materials including wood interior railings, outer iron railings, and other materials to John S. McQuade a builder and member of the Philadelphia City Council for the purposes of cutting them up and making “relics”, but McQuade stored the beams for 12 years and in 1924 sold them to two brothers Walter and Clarence Deisroth owners of a paper box company in Philadelphia.

The Deisroth’s reduced some beams to 100,000 slivers and sold them as souvenirs during the Sesquicentennial Exposition of 1926.

In 1956 the Deisroth’s company went into bankruptcy and at auction Mr. Henry Gouse a retired sales engineer and the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Champion of the 1940s bought the wood at auction, along with what was left of the timbers, thousands of chips, and 20 gallons of sawdust, byproduct of producing the 100,000 slivers was included in the lot.

Grouse stored the beams and other materials in a barn on his property on the outskirts of Philadelphia where he made gavels out of some of the beams and presented them over the years to: President Eisenhower, President Nixon, Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle and other political leaders. Grouse also gave 4 of the beams to Independence Hall and the National Park Service, confirmed in a National Park Service letter acknowledging “the gift”.

In 1975 Gouse was in his 80s and his ex-wife “reluctantly” sold the remaining woodpile to an artist and attorney from whose estate Bob DeMartino and History Salvaged was able to acquire the remaining Witness Wood®.

Mrs. Grouse only sold the Witness Wood® because of the high cost of living and her economic situation, she simply could no longer afford to keep the timbers and sold the Witness Wood® with the understanding that it would not be desecrated.

The new owners subsequently cut up much of the wood again into slivers, producing thousands of history cards and memorabilia that were sold during the Bi-Centennial in 1976 all over the country and in many major department stores including Wannamaker’s Department Store of Philadelphia.

The remnant wood has dried out and has been deteriorating in storage since the 1970s until the History Salvaged acquisition and repurposing in 2010.

The Witness Wood® was later sold to Hardin Penworks, LLC in 2025 where it was stabilized and processed to make pens and knives from the historic material. Stadium Pen Blanks, a subsidiary of Hardin Penworks, LLC, has made the material available to their customers of historic relics.

James Madison's Montpelier Cedar of Lebanon  Wood

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Most blanks are cut as they are ordered.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Pen Blanks are 3/4" sq
• Knife Scale Pair are 6" x 1-1/2" x 3/8"
• Ring blanks are 1-1/2" sq x 1/2"

Located in Orange County, Virginia, Montpelier was the plantation home of the Madison family, including James the “Father of the American Constitution” and fourth president of the United States, and his wife Dolley. James Madison is one of the most revered thinkers in American history. History often focuses on his mild demeanor and small stature; however, he is arguably one of the most important figures of the Founding Era.

In 1723, James Madison's grandfather, Ambrose Madison, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Chew, received a patent for 4,675 acres of land in the Piedmont of Virginia. Ambrose, his wife Frances Madison, and their three children moved to the plantation in 1732, naming it Mount Pleasant. The origins of the name Montpelier are uncertain, but the first recorded use of the name comes from a 1781 James Madison letter. Madison personally liked the French spelling of the name Montpellier.

Montpelier was declared a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It was included in the Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District in 1991. In 1983, the last private owner of Montpelier, Marion duPont Scott, bequeathed the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

This Cedar of Lebanon Tree, circa 1850s, stood next to the formal garden gate at Montpelier Estate. After unsuccessful attempts to save the tree, it was removed in July 2019.

President James Madison was known to have planted Cedar of Lebanon trees on the grounds of Montpelier Estate. The Local lore says that three Cedars of Lebanon were a gift from France to President Madison presented by Lafayette during his visit to Montpelier in 1824.

James Madison's Montpelier Cedar of Lebanon and Vintage US Stamp of Madison

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• JR Sets include a stamp and custom label 12.5mm tube featuring a vintage James Madison Stamp and a Montpelier Cedar of Lebanon Short blank.
• Sierra blanks include  a stamp and custom label 27/64" tube featuring a vintage vintage James Madison Stamp and a Montpelier Cedar of Lebanon wood ends.
• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Wood bowling alley flooring from the Jefferson Ice Company's single lane bowling alley - Al Capone’s Weekend Retreat.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Pen Blanks are 3/4" sq
  
• Ring Blanks are 1-1/2" sq by 1/2"
• Knife Scales pair are 6" x 1-1/2" x 3/8"

The 

Embedded wood blanks from Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site is a historic brick building built in 1841 at 6th and Adams Streets in Springfield, IL.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Sierra Clone 27/64" pre-tubed blanks and custom tube sizes available per request.

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Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1089 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States through the Civil War – its bloodiest war and greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. Lincoln’s actions preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the national government, and modernized the economy

The Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site is a historic brick building built in 1841 at 6th and Adams Streets in Springfield, IL. The law office has been restored and is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as a state historic site.

The office building is a surviving portion of what was the Tinsley Block, a brick structure built by local developer Seth M. Tinsley in 1840–1841 to provide office space in the newly chosen state capital city. Lawyer Abraham Lincoln and his partner Stephen T. Logan moved their partnership law offices to a third-floor office in the Tinsley Block in 1843. The firm of Logan & Lincoln broke up in 1844. Lincoln continued to practice law in the Tinsley Block office and accepted a younger lawyer, William H. Herndon, as his junior partner. The firm of Lincoln and Herndon practiced from the Tinsley Block office from 1844 until about 1852.

This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.

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Product Details

Material: Authentic Lincoln-Herndon Law office wood salvaged from documented renovations.   

Available Configurations:

• Jr Sets (Label Cast Caps & Wood Lowers): Pre-tubed Jr Caps (12.5mm) with label cast image of the building paired with pre-tubed Jr Lowers (10.5mm) made from the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office wood.
• All-Wood Jr Sets: Pre-tubed Jr Caps (12.5mm) and Jr Lowers (10.5mm), both crafted entirely from  Lincoln-Herndon Law Office wood for a seamless, elegant look.
• Sierra Clones All Wood: Pre-tubed single-tube blanks (27/64") made from Lincoln-Herndon Law Office wood, compatible with Sierra Twist-style pen kits.
• Sierra Clone Embedded: Pre-tubed single-tube blanks (27/64") made from label cast image of the building paired with embedded Lincoln-Herndon Law Office wood, compatible with Sierra Twist-style pen kits.
• Custom Tubed Embedded: Pre-tubed single-tube blanks (27/64") made from  label cast image of the building paired with embedded Lincoln-Herndon Law Office wood. Please put the custom tube size in the notes block at checkout

Craftsmanship:

Blanks are assembled with stabilized wood thins wrapped around and secured to the brass tube. These tubes are then cast in BLACK resin to fill in any small thin seems ensuring a smooth turning experience. All Lincoln-Herndon Law Office wood material was stabilized to enhance durability and finish quality. Please allow up to two weeks for pre-tube wood blanks; they are made to order with a small inventory available.

Long Wharf (Boston Harbor)

***Limited numbers available.***

$15 - 3/4" x 3/4" " regular blanks

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

All blanks are cut as they are ordered.

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Long Wharf (built 1710-1721) is a historic pier in Boston, Massachusetts which once extended from State Street nearly a half-mile into Boston Harbor. Today, the much-shortened wharf (due to land fill on the city end) functions as a dock for passenger ferries and sightseeing boats.

Construction of the wharf began around 1710. As originally built the wharf extended from the shoreline adjacent to Faneuil Hall and was one-third of a mile long, thrusting considerably farther than other wharves into deep water and thus allowing larger ships to tie up and unload directly to new warehouses and stores.

Among several similar structures, a grand granite warehouse known as the Custom House Block was built in 1848 atop the wharf; it has survived into the 21st century. The mid-19th century was the height of Boston's importance as a shipping center, lasting roughly until the American Civil War. Long Wharf was the central focus of much of this economic activity.

Today, Long Wharf is adjacent to the New England Aquarium, and the wharf itself is occupied by a hotel, several restaurants and shops. At the seaward end, there is a large plaza with extensive views of the harbor. Now much shortened by land reclamation at its landward end, today it serves as the principal terminus for cruise boats and harbor ferries operating on Boston Harbor.

This white oak wood recently salvaged from the pier was part of the pier's expansion in the early 1800s prior to the Custom House Block construction in 1848. Over time, much of the Long Wharf wood has been replaced with stone. This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.

Sierra embedded blanks with original aluminum frame fragments of the Hindenburg Luftschiff Zeppelin #129.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. 
COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal.

Here is a macro-specimen of duralum (aircraft grade aluminum) cut from the wreckage of the famous LZ-129 Zeppelin der Hindenburg! This is NEWLY FOUND MATERIAL just released from the Frazier Collection! Acquired at an estate sale in Germany a few years ago. We know of its tragic loss in 1937 at Lakehurst, New Jersey. What we don't know is why! And most likely never will... This specimen is a small world-class piece embedded in Royal Palm.

LZ 129 Hindenburg (Luftschiff Zeppelin #129; Registration: D-LZ 129) was a large German commercial passenger-carrying rigid airship, the lead ship of the Hindenburg class, the longest class of flying machine and the largest airship by envelope volume. It was designed and built by the Zeppelin Company (Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH) on the shores of Lake Constance in Friedrichshafen and was operated by the German Zeppelin Airline Company (Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei). The airship flew from March 1936 until it was destroyed by fire 14 months later on May 6, 1937 while attempting to land at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Manchester Township, New Jersey, at the end of the first North American transatlantic journey of its second season of service with the loss of 36 lives.

Pen turned by Tim Boddy

Blanks are from wood spokes salvaged from an original wood spoke wheel of a  Maxwell Model 25 Touring.

Blanks are a minimum of 3/4" x 3/4"

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.

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Maxwell was a brand of automobiles manufactured in the United States from about 1904 to 1925. The present-day successor to the Maxwell company is Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Maxwell automobile production began under the Maxwell-Briscoe Company of North Tarrytown, NY. The company was named after founder Jonathan Dixon Maxwell, who earlier had worked for Oldsmobile, and his business partner, Benjamin Briscoe, an automobile industry pioneer and part owner of the Briscoe Brothers Metalworks. In 1907, following a fire that destroyed the North Tarrytown, NY, factory, Maxwell-Briscoe opened a mammoth automobile factory in New Castle, IN.

For a time, Maxwell was considered one of the three top automobile firms in America, along with General Motors and Ford.

By 1914, Maxwell had sold 60,000 cars. The company responded to the increasing number of low-priced cars with the Model 25. At $695, this five-seat touring car had high-tension magneto ignition, electric horn and optional electric starter and headlights, and an innovative shock absorber to protect the radiator.

This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.

Wooden Roller Coaster pen blanks!

Blanks are 3/4" x 3/4"

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

All blanks are cut as they are ordered.

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These wood blanks were sourced from the Mean Streak, a wooden roller coaster at Cedar Point (Roller Coaster Capital of the World) in Sandusky, OH. Originally constructed by the Dinn Corporation, Mean Streak opened to the public on May 11, 1991. Constructed of treated Southern Yellow Pine, it was the tallest wooden coaster in the world with the longest drop height at that time. After climbing the 161-foot-tall hill, riders dropped at an angle of 52 degrees along its 5,400+ feet of track. The coaster was closed on September 16, 2016 and was retired. These Southern Yellow Pine blanks come from the support beams that supported sections of the track for the rollercoaster.

Pen turned by Steve Baker

Wood flooring from the Mineola Hotel - Al Capone’s Weekend Retreat.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Pen Blanks are 3/4" sq
  

The Mineola Hotel, nestled in Fox Lake, Illinois, holds a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Originally established in 1884 by the Milwaukee Railroad, it was primarily built to serve as a resort destination for city dwellers seeking relaxation and leisure activities amidst the picturesque landscape of the Chain O'Lakes region.

Throughout its existence, the Mineola Hotel has undergone several transformations, adapting to the changing times and evolving tastes of its patrons. At its zenith, during the early to mid-20th century, it was known for its luxurious amenities, elegant accommodations, fine dining restaurants, and vibrant entertainment options.

However, like many historic establishments, the Mineola Hotel has experienced periods of decline and resurgence. Despite facing challenges such as economic downturns and changing travel trends, it has retained its charm and allure, attracting visitors with its nostalgic ambiance and scenic surroundings.

Adding to its mystique is the association with Al Capone, the infamous Chicago mobster. During the Prohibition era of the 1920s, establishments like the Mineola often became hubs for illicit activities, including bootlegging and gambling. Legend has it that Capone and his associates frequented the Mineola Hotel, using it as a hideout and meeting place away from the prying eyes of law enforcement.

While specific details of Capone's activities at the Mineola Hotel may be shrouded in secrecy and embellished by folklore, his connection to the area adds to the hotel's allure and historical significance. Visitors are often drawn to the Mineola not only for its scenic beauty and Victorian charm but also for the opportunity to immerse themselves in the lore of the Prohibition era and the exploits of figures like Al Capone.

Today, the Mineola Hotel stands as a testament to Fox Lake's rich heritage and serves as a reminder of a bygone era of grandeur and hospitality. While its glory days may be behind it, its legacy continues to endure, offering glimpses into the past and providing a tranquil retreat for travelers seeking a taste of history amidst the natural beauty of the Chain O'Lakes region.

Wood blanks from Naval Station Great Lakes Building 1.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Pen Blanks are 7/8" sq minimum
  

The largest single training facility for the U.S. Navy is a thousand miles from the nearest ocean. Great Lakes Naval Training Station, located in North Chicago, IL, formally opened in 1911 on land donated by the Merchants Club of Chicago. It was a product of the expansive nationalism of the era following the Spanish-American War, as well as aggressive self-promotion by Chicago businessmen and Illinois politicians. Ideally located at the nation's rail hub and near its population center, the camp gained great significance during World War I, but reached its nadir when it was closed to new trainees between 1933 and 1935. Within a month after Pearl Harbor, the navy announced that a $33-million expansion would increase its recruit capacity from 10,000 to 45,000; by the end of 1942, 75,000 were on base. During World War II, Great Lakes supplied about a million men, over a third of all personnel who served in the U.S. Navy.

Naval Station Great Lakes (NAVSTA Great Lakes) is the home of the United States Navy's only current boot camp. Important tenant commands include the Recruit Training Command, Training Support Center, and Navy Recruiting District Chicago. Naval Station Great Lakes is the largest military installation in Illinois and the largest training station in the Navy. The base has 1,153 buildings situated on 1,628 acres and has 69 mi of roadway to provide access to the base's facilities. Within the naval service, it has several different nicknames, including "The Quarterdeck of the Navy", or the more derogatory "Great Mistakes".

One of the landmarks of Naval Station Great Lakes is Building 1, also known as the clocktower building. Completed in 1911, the building is made of red brick, and has a tower standing over the third floor of the building. Building one, with offices for the base commander and staff, was originally known as the Administration Building. Designed as the focal point of the base, its 155-foot tower overlooks the parade field and was the tallest structure on the original Training Station. The large parade ground in front of the building is named Ross Field.

Blanks are from wood spokes salvaged from an original wood spoke wheels of a 1931 Oldsmobile Model 30 F-31.

Blanks are a minimum of 3/4" x 3/4"

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.

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Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobiles produced for most of its existence by General Motors. Originally established as "Olds Motor Vehicle Company" by Ransom E. Olds in 1897, it produced over 35 million vehicles, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory alone. During its time as a division of General Motors, Oldsmobile slotted into the middle of GM's five divisions above Chevrolet, and Pontiac, but below Buick, and Cadillac, and was noted for its groundbreaking technology and designs.

Over 1 million Oldsmobiles were sold annually 1983-1986 but by the 1990s, the division was facing growing competition from premium import brands and sales declined. When shut down in 2004, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobile marque, and one of the oldest in the world, after Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Skoda, and Tatra.

In the 1930s, Oldsmobile produced two body styles of automobile, the 6-cylinder Series F and the longer 8-cylinder Series L. Wooden artillery style wheels were standard features, but the wire wheels were optional equipment at the time of the original purchase.

The early 1930's was a difficult time for automobile manufacturers due to the Great Depression. The Oldsmobile F-31 was a suitable option for many due to its relatively low sticker price and additional rumble seat which could carry luggage or additional passengers.

These blanks are made from the hickory wooden wheel spokes of a 1931 Oldsmobile Model 30 F-31. The wood is certified and distributed by Hardin Penworks, LLC. This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.

Blanks are from wood beams salvaged from the Packard Automotive Plant in Detroit, MI.

Blanks are a minimum of 3/4" x 3/4"

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.

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Packard was an American luxury automobile marque built by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, MI. The first Packard automobiles were produced Warren, OH in 1899, and the 3,500,000 sq ft Packard Auto Plant was built in 1907.

Packard was founded by James Ward Packard, his brother William and their partner, George Lewis Weiss, in the city of Warren, OH, where 400 Packard automobiles were built at their factory on Dana Street Northeast, from 1899 to 1903. Packard's first car was built in Warren, Ohio, on November 6, 1899.

The Packard Automotive Plant is a former automobile-manufacturing factory in Detroit, MI, where luxury cars were made by the Packard Motor Car Company. Located on 40 acres of land on the city's east side, it included the first use of reinforced concrete in the United States for industrial construction in the automobile industry.

Opening in 1903, the Packard plant was considered the most modern automobile manufacturing facility in the world, and at its peak the complex employed 40,000 people. The plant turned out Packard automobiles from 1903 to 1956, except during WWII, when production shifted to war material, particularly the Packard V-1650 Merlin P-51 Mustang fighter plane engine. The last Detroit-built Packard was in 1956; they built their last car, the Packard Predictor.

This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.

Pecan Wood

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Most blanks are cut as they are ordered.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Pen Blanks are 3/4" sq
• Knife Scale Pair are 6" x 1-1/2" x 3/8"
• Ring blanks are 1-1/2" sq x 1/2"

Mount Vernon is a historic national landmark and former plantation of the first president of the United States, George Washington and his wife, Martha. The estate is on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is located south of Washington, DC and Alexandria, VA and across the river from Prince George's County, MD.

The Washington family acquired land in the area in 1674. Around 1734, the family embarked on an expansion of its estate that continued under George Washington, who began leasing the estate in 1754 before becoming its sole owner in 1761.

The original mansion was built around 1734 by George Washington's father, Augustine. George Washington expanded the house twice, once in the late 1750s and again in the 1770s. It remained Washington's home for the rest of his life. Following his death in 1799, under the ownership of several successive generations of the family, the estate progressively declined as revenues were insufficient to maintain it adequately. It wasn’t until 1858 that the house’s historical importance was recognized and saved from ruin by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.

The pecan tree featured below was removed in Jan 2014 due to the risks of the tree damaging the Mansion. George Washington did not plant this tree. He didn't have any trees of this size close to his home. It is believed the pecan tree was planted about 60 years after he passed away, around 1860, making it an estimated 154 years old. The tree stood approximately 145 feet tall and weighed an estimated 50 tons.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Vintage Stamp with Pecan Wood

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• JR Sets include a stamp and custom label 12.5mm tube featuring a vintage Mount Vernon Stamp and a Mount Vernon Pecan Wood Short blank
• Sierra blanks include  a stamp and custom label 27/64" tube featuring a vintage Mount Vernon Stamp and a Mount Vernon Pecan Wood ends
• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Mount Vernon is a historic national landmark and former plantation of the first president of the United States, George Washington and his wife, Martha. The estate is on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. It is located south of Washington, DC and Alexandria, VA and across the river from Prince George's County, MD.

The Washington family acquired land in the area in 1674. Around 1734, the family embarked on an expansion of its estate that continued under George Washington, who began leasing the estate in 1754 before becoming its sole owner in 1761.

The original mansion was built around 1734 by George Washington's father, Augustine. George Washington expanded the house twice, once in the late 1750s and again in the 1770s. It remained Washington's home for the rest of his life. Following his death in 1799, under the ownership of several successive generations of the family, the estate progressively declined as revenues were insufficient to maintain it adequately. It wasn’t until 1858 that the house’s historical importance was recognized and saved from ruin by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.

The pecan tree featured below was removed in Jan 2014 due to the risks of the tree damaging the Mansion. George Washington did not plant this tree. He didn't have any trees of this size close to his home. It is believed the pecan tree was planted about 60 years after he passed away, around 1860, making it an estimated 154 years old. The tree stood approximately 145 feet tall and weighed an estimated 50 tons.

Mount Vernon was memorialized with a 1½¢ stamp on February 22, 1956. The Mount Vernon stamp illustrates a picturesque view of Washington's home facing the Potomac River.

Blanks are from wood spokes salvaged from an original wood spoke wheels of a 1929 Pontiac Big Six.

Pen Blanks are a minimum of 3/4" x 3/4"

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.

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Pontiac was an American brand of automobiles owned, manufactured and commercialized by General Motors. Introduced as a companion make for GM's more expensive line of Oakland automobiles, Pontiac overtook Oakland in popularity and supplanted its parent brand entirely by 1933.

Pontiac was advertised as the performance division of General Motors from the 1960s onward and sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In the hierarchy of GM's five divisions, it slotted above Chevrolet, but below Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac.

The Pontiac brand was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as the companion marque to GM's Oakland division, and shared the GM A platform. Purchased by General Motors in 1909, Oakland continued to produce modestly priced automobiles until 1931, when it was renamed Pontiac. It was named after the famous Ottawa chief, who had also given his name to the city of Pontiac, Michigan, where the car was produced.

Amid late 2000s financial problems and restructuring efforts, GM announced in 2008 it would follow the same path with Pontiac as it had with Oldsmobile in 2004 and discontinued manufacturing and marketing vehicles under that brand by the end of 2010. The last Pontiac-badged cars were built in December 2009, with one final vehicle in January 2010.

These blanks are from the hickory wooden 12-spoke wheel of a 1926 Pontiac Big Six 6-29. Total production of the New Big Six between January and the end of July of 1929 was 120,000 units. In August 1929, Pontiac switched to the New Series Bix Six 6-29A with easy to spot wooden 10-spoke wheel. The wood is certified and distributed by Hardin Penworks, LLC.

This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.

She-Oak burled wood from the Edison & Ford Winter Estate

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Most blanks are cut as they are ordered.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Pen blanks are 3/4" sq
• Knife Scale blocks are 6" x 1-1/2" x 1"
• Ring blanks are 1-1/2" sq x 1/2"

Edison first visited southwest Florida and purchased the property to build a vacation home. Completed in 1886 and later named "Seminole Lodge", this home served as a winter retreat and place of relaxation until Edison's death in 1931. The Edison family enjoyed their home, hosting such guests as Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. Edison's good friend, Henry Ford, purchased the adjoining property, "The Mangoes" from Robert Smith of New York in 1916. Ford's craftsman style bungalow was built in 1911 by Smith.

Blanks are from the wooden seat slats of the St. Charles Streetcar Line seats.

Pen Blanks are a minimum of 3/4" sq or 5/8" sq
Ring Blanks are a minimum of 1-1/2" sq x 1/2"
Knife Scale sets are a minimum of  5" x 1-1/2" x 3/8"

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.

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The St. Charles Streetcar line is a historic streetcar line in New Orleans, LA. Beginning operation in 1835, it is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. Officially the St. Charles Streetcar line is internally designated as Route 12, and it runs along its namesake street, St. Charles Avenue. On most RTA maps and publications, it is denoted in green, the color of the streetcars on this line.

Work began as the New Orleans and Carrollton Rail Road in February 1833. Passenger and freight services by steam locomotives began on September 26, 1835. Service began as a suburban railroad, since Carrollton was at that time a separate city, while areas along the route were still mostly undeveloped. As the area along the line became more urbanized, objections to the soot and noise produced by the locomotives increased, and transport was switched to cars that were powered by horses and mules. Desire grew for a mode more swift and powerful than horses. While the city's first experiments with electric powered cars were made in 1884, electric streetcars were not considered sufficiently developed for widespread use until the following decade, and the line was electrified Feb 1, 1893.

Currently, the St. Charles Streetcar line operates service 24 hours a day.

George Stonewall Jackson Prayer Tree Wood

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with silver foil embossed COA seal.

Most blanks are cut as they are ordered.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Pen Blanks are 3/4" sq
• Knife Scale Pair are 6" x 1-1/2" x 3/8"
• Ring blanks are 1-1/2" sq x 1/2"

Following the Battle of Port Republic, the final battle of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s successful Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Jackson and his men camped near Weyers Cave between the Middle and South Rivers. On June 14, 1862, he and his chief of staff Rev. Robert L. Dabney held a camp prayer service under the canopy of several large trees.

Over time this 350-year-old oak tree stood proudly on the edge of a farm field, located near Mt. Meridian in Augusta County, Grottoes, Virginia. This tree is believed to have been among those shade trees. In Shenandoah Valley legends, this giant oak became known as the “Stonewall Jackson Prayer Tree”.

The disease weakened ancient oak was felled by high winds on May 27, 2011. The farmland and tree were owned by the Wilkerson family, and they knew the story of the old oak and had been careful to preserve it.