FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLACKWING SET TO LAUNCH LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION HONORING BASKETBALL LEGEND BILL RUSSELL

Blackwing, maker of the iconic Blackwing 602 pencil, is launching a limited edition pencil and notebook collection celebrating the life and legacy of Bill Russell.

STOCKTON, CA - In partnership with Legends Unite LLC, Blackwing has created a limited edition pencil and notebook set honoring the life and legacy of basketball legend and civil rights activist Bill Russell. The release is set for February 11, 2025 as a part of the Blackwing Volumes program. Blackwing Volumes releases are quarterly limited edition products inspired by people, places, and events that have defined Blackwing’s collective culture. Past editions have honored the likes of Bruce Lee, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jerry Garcia, and many others.

This special collection is numbered Volume 11, representing the 11 NBA Championships Bill Russell won during his storied career. The pencil design features a #6 wrapped around the pencil honoring his iconic number, the only one to that is retired league-wide. This release also coincides with two historic landmarks in 2025: the 70th anniversary of his first NCAA Championship with the University of San Francisco and the 50th anniversary of his enshrinement into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The official release date comes days ahead of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which will takeplace in the San Francisco Bay Area where Bill Russell attended high-school in Oakland and eventually played at the University of San Francisco. The release aims to celebrate Bill Russell’s Bay Area roots that helped shape him into one of the most prominent athletes and social justice advocates of all-time.

Blackwing is headquartered in Stockton, CA, about 1.5 hours from San Francisco, and has strong ties to the Bay Area.

“We’re all basketball fans, so having the sport’s most recognizable names in our backyard is going to be a lot of fun,” said Blackwing Vice President Alexander Poirier. “Being able to celebrate the game’s most iconic player and his accomplishments on and off the court with this release during All Star Week is an honor.”

OFFICIAL BLACKWING VOL. 11 PRODUCT STORY:

“Bill Russell won eleven championships in thirteen seasons as the heart of the greatest dynasty in basketball history. He was a dynamic champion on the court whose impact forever changed the game. Off the court, his presence was even more impactful as he endeavored to fight for equality and social justice.

Bill Russell revolutionized the way basketball was played. A dominant defender and rebounder, he transformed blocking shots into an art form, turning defense into a fast-break weapon. His unselfish style of play redefined what it meant to be a star, prioritizing teamwork and strategy over individual stats. For Russell, the game was about more than personal glory. It was about the principles that made winning meaningful.

A fearless advocate for equality, he was a vocal leader off the court, standing with civil rights icons like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Muhammad Ali.

The Blackwing 11 is our tribute to Bill Russell and his undeniable legacy. The number 11 foil stamped on each pencil represents the number of championships he won, more than any player in NBA history.”

OFFICIAL BLACKWING VOL. 11 PRODUCT COLLECTION:

LIMITED EDITION BLACKWING VOL. 11 BILL RUSSELL PENCIL SET

Product description: Blackwing pencils are made with Genuine California Incense-cedar wood and premium Japanese graphite. Blackwing pencils are known for their iconic design with a square ferrule and replaceable eraser. The Vol. 11 pencil features a black and green two-tone finish, black ferrule, green eraser, gold foil debossed imprinting, and a soft graphite core. The design also features a #6 wrapped around the pencil honoring his iconic number, the only one to that is retired league-wide.

See more photos of the Vol. 11 Bill Russell Pencils here.

LIMITED EDITION BLACKWING VOL. 11 BILL RUSSELL SLATE NOTEBOOK

Product description: Hardcover notebook with a basketball inspired cover design and Bill Russell’s signature. Each notebook includes 160 pages of high-quality, 100GSM dot grid paper, a durable dual-sewn binding, and our signature matte hardcover. It also has a built-in pencil holster that comes loaded with a limited edition Blackwing 11 pencil.

See more photos of the Vol. 11 Bill Russell Notebook here.

ABOUT BLACKWING:

Blackwing pencils were used by award-winning creators throughout the 20th century. Despite a cult following, they fell victim to cost cutting measures in the 1990s and were discontinued, but not forgotten. Analog-minded devotees began paying as much as $40 for a single pencil. Blackwing acquired the brand in 2010 and brought Blackwing back for a growing culture of artists, musicians, and everyday people looking to unplug and live mindfully.

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