KOH-I-NOOR MECHANICAL PENCIL. KOH-I-NOOR MECHANICAL PENCILS ARE REGARDED AS BEING OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY . KOH-I-NOOR HARDTMUTH a.s. is one of the world leaders in the production and distribution of first-rate stationery for artists, schools and offices. The company is a member of the KOH-I-NOOR holding a.s. Group. The company was founded by Josef Hardtmuth in 1790 in Vienna; however, the production of graphite leads was relocated to ?eske Bud?jovice in 1848. In the course of time, the KOH-I-NOOR pencils managed to achieve great success at a number of world exhibitions. The products were awarded in many world exhibitions, to name a few, 1855 in New York, 1856, 1900 and 1925 in Paris, 1862 in London, 1882 in Vienna and 1905 in Milan.