Conte crayon

Named for Nicholas Conte, who developed the first lead pencil in 1790, the term "conte" became a trade name for a brand of French crayons made from a unique compound of pigments with a chalk binder. Conte crayons, available in black, red and brown, are free from grease, making them acceptable for lithographic drawing. Conte Crayon artists include George Bellows, Oscar Bluemner, Paul Cadmus, Philip Evergood and Marsden Hartley. Source: Michael David Zellman, "300 Years of American Art"; AskART database