​Nelson Goodyear, brother of vulcanized rubber inventor Charles Goodyear, worked to perfect a hard rubber compound that was awarded a patent on May 6, 1851. See Yore Write!: Mr. Goodyear and Pencils, authored by Bob Blackburn to learn morehere.

All writing instruments marked with the Goodyear patent known to this collector are marked "Goodyears Pat May 6 51". This early pencil is the only known example marked "N. Goodyears Pat May 6 51". 

Except for the brass lead mechanism, the entire pencil is made of Goodyear's early hard rubber compound and was found with other components including a pen holder with cover, also in hard rubber, and an unusual sterling silver tube, crudely slitted at each end which the pencil and penholder are inserted into. The pen holder was found mounted with a Dawson, Warren & Hydes Tip Top No D gold pen nib.