Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth art supplies

Koh-i-Noor Hardtmuth is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious stationery brands. Founded in 1790 by Josef Hardtmuth in Vienna, the company is best known for inventing the modern pencil lead by mixing graphite with clay. The production headquarters were moved to České Budějovice in 1848, where the majority of its manufacturing remains to this day.

Over the centuries, the brand has become synonymous with high-quality artistic materials, including the iconic 1500 yellow pencil. Today, the brand maintains a strong European manufacturing base while exporting its products to over 90 countries worldwide. The company remains a symbol of Czech industrial heritage and technical innovation in the field of writing and drawing instruments.

Following a period of state ownership during the mid-20th century, the company was privatized and is currently part of the KOH-I-NOOR holding a.s. group. It remains a privately held European entity, focusing on expanding its range of art, school, and office supplies while preserving the traditional manufacturing techniques that established its global reputation.