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PENS AND WRITING EQUIPMENT

Quills & early writing tools

Quills have been used for at least 13 centuries and were the most common form of writing instrument in the West until the end of the 19thC - the reed pen and brush were most popular in Asia. Geese were the most common source of quill, but feathers from swans, crows, turkeys, and ducks were also used. The finest quills were made from the first three flight feathers on each wing; after plucking, the tips were conditioned by being placed in hot ash, and the quills cut with a sharp knife. Both cut and uncut quills were sold by stationers and booksellers. Most scribes and clerks cut or sharpened their own quills, using a range of cutting tools, and quills were still used at the underwriters Lloyds of London until the 1980s.

Parchment

Most early important documents, particularly deeds, were produced on parchment - the skin of an animal (usually a sheep or goat). However, as paper improved in quality, parchment became much less widely used. Presentation was important, and scribes would pierce the sides of each page at regular intervals and join the holes with pencil lines, so that the text would be straight and neat.

Boxes of quills

Most quills were trimmed to remove the barb and sold by the dozen. Quill slips (small quill nibs, popular from 1815 to 1840) were also sold by stationers. The boxes in which cut quills or quill slips were sold are rarely found in good condition but can be as valuable as the quills or slips themselves. Boxes of quill nibs by the firms of Bramah or Mordan are especially prized.

Writing tools

A scribe's main tools were a sharp knife and a spade-shaped "eraser" to scrape the parchment surface. The majority of tools were of horn, ebony, or ivory. Most very early knives have a peg on the end of a short stock, used to split the quill; later (19thC) knives have oval-shaped handles with pointed ends. From 1800 to 1900 small folding knives were used for cutting pens, and from c.1850 combined knives and erasers on one blade were popular. The value of a knife is increased if it is still with its original case.

Pen-making tools

Commercial growth in the 19thC created an increasingly large number of written documents, which in turn boosted the writing-equipment business. In London most pen makers and stationers were located in Fleet Street, Cornhill, and Charing Cross. They specialized in selling quills and pen-making tools such as this rare early compendium, by Thomas Lund. With an ivory body and a lignum vitae case, it contains a wafer seal, wafers, quill-knife blades, a toothpick, and a lancet to stop the quill blades being used for bleeding.

Quill cutters

Although machines for cutting quills were first designed in the 17thC, the most common ones found today are those based on Bramah's patent of 1812. The hand machines, sold in morocco leather cases, had scissor-like mechanisms to form the quill and slit the nib. The handle, usually of ebony, ivory, or horn, often had a folding or sliding knife blade and a device known as a "nibber", which could alter the slant or width of the nib.

FACT FILE - Quill cutters

" Genuine quill-knife blades have flat and curved sides to facilitate cutting curved scallops.
" Quill cutters with horn and mother-of-pearl handles are rarer than those with ivory or (most common) ebony handles.
" Quill cutters are most valuable if they feature the mark of a known maker. Look out for blades by J.Wolstenholme (marked "IXL") and Rodgers (marked with a star and a Maltese cross).

Early dip pens & nibs

The main disadvantage of quills and quill nibs was that they were soft and had to be frequently re-cut, which created a need for the invention of a more durable writing tool. Metal pens had been produced in the 18thC, but these early examples were either inflexible and easily corroded by the acid ink (those made of steel and brass) or too soft (those made of gold). With the development of flexible steel processing, the invention of coatings to reduce corrosion, and the use of less acidic inks, steel nibs gradually replaced quills. Birmingham in England became the centre for the pen trade, and by 1880 more than one billion steel pen nibs were produced there every year.

Quill-slip and nib holders

Dip pens require a clamping device or ferrel to secure the metal nib or quill slip. The early designs by Longmore and Bramah, used a complex slide-ring system, but were superseded by more economic simple ferrels from c.1845. The most common shafts are made of wood or metal, but some pens were produced in such exotic materials as mother-of-pearl, sharkskin, tortoiseshell, and porcupine quill.

Glass dip pens

Dip pens made of glass were popular in the 19thC, but good examples are rare because fluted glass nibs were quite prone to chipping. Such pens were also sold as marking and copying pens because they could withstand heavy pressure. Coloured examples and pens with figural finials are most prized. However, watch out for modern Italian reproductions.

Steel nibs

A vast range of steel nibs for dip pens was produced in the 19thC for use in schools, offices, and banks, and by artists and calligraphers. These would have been carried by a traveling salesman to present his range to prospective clients. A large example by A.Sommerville & Co. contains 440 different nibs of all different sizes and widths. As it was rarely clear whether a company had manufacturing facilities or purely subcontracted work, collectors of steel nibs generally refer to "issuers". Sommerville was a founding partner of Perry & Co. and probably did not make nibs itself after 1870.

Nibs boxes

Many writing-equipment enthusiasts collect not only pens and nibs but also the boxes in which they were sold, in a vast range of different designs. Most Birmingham pen-making companies produced boxes of nibs for export, and packaged their products in a variety of designs and languages.

Tubular nibs

Very early metal pens consisted simply of shaped tubes slipped over quills. The nib was integral to the tube, which obviated the need for a ferrel. Such tubular nibs were often made for promotional purposes with custom-stamped logos, for example to advertise stationers' shops. Attractive boxes with one shaft and a dozen nibs are very collectible.

FACT FILE - Steel nibs

" It took between 12 and 15 stages of manufacture to produce steel nibs. The process involved: rolling and annealing Sheffield sheet steel; cutting and slitting the sides of nib blanks; further annealing; stamping and then curving the nib; tempering, grinding, and slitting the nib; and finally chemically treating and lacquering the end product." Despite this lengthy process, the large quantity produced kept prices low.

Later dip pens & stands

The dip pen was the most common writing instrument from 1840 until 1940, and they were still used in British schools (where traditional desks were fitted with porcelain inkwells) until the early 1950s. The variety from simple wooden-handled examples to exquisite, ornate designs is vast; some were made as individual items, others as part of writing sets for the desk or for travel. Pen stands, including those designed for communal writing areas in offices and banks, where dip pens were increasingly used to sign documents and checks, are becoming very collectible.

Decorative dip pens

Many decorative dip pens were fashioned from silver and gold. Value is determined primarily by the quality of the decoration, the maker, the balance, and the quality and size of the nib. Pens with maker's marks, such as the American Gorham Manufacturing Co. and by the British firm of Mordan, fetch a premium, as do those with novelty mechanisms such as nib ejectors. Dents to the shaft and split nib holders (quite common) reduce the value.

Pen stands

Stands and rests designed to hold a number of pens are often found as part of inkstands, but separate pen stands are rare. The example shown is made of cast iron, but similar ones were made in wood, brass, and silver, such as a standard wooden dip pen and a popular mother-of-pearl retractable nib pen made by Mabie Todd in New York.

Pen trays

Made in brass, pewter, glass, metal, and porcelain, pen trays, are essentially desk tidiers designed to hold nibs, pens, and seals. Trays made of glass were often part of wooden inkstands.

"Combos"

Many makers combined a dip pen and a pencil in one instrument, called a "combo". Other combinations are more compact and look like telescopic pencils, such as a German pencil which extends beyond the nib when the shaft is pushed.

Small pen stands

In addition to the large stands produced for use in offices and public-sector buildings, smaller stands for individual purposes were also made. Some were of cast bronze, but most were made in cast iron or brass. The dip pen is an unusual ebony design by Mabie Todd of New York and features a detachable gold tubular "No.7" nib - the larger the number, the bigger the nib.

FACT FILE - Notable designs

Other collectable dip pens include:

Crystal-shafted pens with filigree decoration (often of a small snake)
Agate-, amber-, or tortoiseshell-shafted pens (often sold in sets with a seal and a paper-knife)
American sculptured pens by Unger Brothers (demand premium prices)
examples with stanhopes in carved ivory, bog oak, or wood

Red, hard-rubber dip pens (Ormiston & Glass)
Russian, French, and Italian multi-coloured glass pens.

Fountain pens: basics

When you purchase a pen, the two most important factors in determining its value are the condition and the originality. Dealers use a grading system to reflect the condition, which should help new enthusiasts; originality is best verified using a good reference manual. Experience will improve your judgment, but it is good practice to examine a prospective purchase carefully, using an eyeglass. It is quite probable that an 80-year-old pen will have been repaired, but if this has been carried out professionally, using the correct replacement parts, then the value should not be affected. There are three principal parts of a pen to check: the barrel (the main body of the pen and the filling system), the cap (including a clip or clip ring), and the nib unit (the nib and feed).

Caps and clips

Caps, made form metal or plastic, often have another cap fitted internally to seal the pen, and either push or screw onto the barrel. Clips or ring tops are usually attached by rivets, lugs, or screws. Watch out for lip cracks, chips, shrinkage, discoloration, and broken clips, and make sure that the colours of the barrel and the cap match.

Barrels & filling systems

The barrel is where the ink reservoir and filling system (usually involving a rubber sac or piston) are contained. When you examine a pen, never force the filling lever piston as this may cause irreversible damage. Avoid examples with gaping lever slots, distorted barrels (check by rolling on a flat surface), cracks, cigarette burns, and bad discoloration, as most of these defects cannot be rectified.

Components of a pen

The nib, which is normally 14- or 18-carat gold, should be in good condition, with an iridium tip. Check the name on the nib in case it is an inappropriate replacement, which would be costly to change; the section should not be damaged by tools, and the "comb" should not be broken. Old rubber sacs harden and disintegrate easily, but this is not too great a problem, as they are simple to replace.

Body materials

The first non-metal bodies were made of vulcanized rubber (usually black, reinforced with carbon; red, reinforced with iron oxide; or a mix of the two). From the 1920s plastics such as casein and cellulose nitrate were used for barrels and caps in a variety of colours, patterns, and finishes.

Restoration

Pens that do not function are significantly less valuable than those in good working order. It is advisable, especially with very valuable pens, to leave repair to a professional restorer, as there is always a risk of damage, no matter how simple the repair. However, most pens can be restored to working condition, and restoration is becoming increasingly popular among collectors. Consequently, repair tools such as the Parker repair block, with J-shaped nib tool and black section clamp, are collectible as well as of practical use.

FACT FILE - Grade for condition

A: mint - never used, still in original wrapping.
B: excellent - as new.
C: very good - used, but everything present and in good working order.

D: good - some wear, scratches, slight brassing, complete with a correct nib.
E: poor - scratches, brassing, unrepaired, bent nib.
F: valuable as parts only - some salvageable parts, not worth repair.

Fountain pens

A fountain pen is a pen that contains its own reservoir of ink. Such pens were mentioned c.1663 by the English diarist Samuel Pepys, and the earliest known examples were made c.1690 by Nicholas Bion, instrument maker to Louis XIV (reigned 1643-1715). Bion's pen design of a simple tubular metal reservoir leading to a quill nib was widely copied in the 18thC. During the 19thC, patents for reservoir pens were granted to an extensive range of manufacturers including Sheaffer, Parker, Folsch, and Moseley. However, many early pens suffered from irregular flow of ink so the writing tips, and an acknowledged breakthrough did not come until a feed system, which facilitated a regular supply of ink to the nib, was developed by the American firm of Waterman in 1883. This date is considered to be the birth of the fountain pen, and marks the start of the marketing of such pens.

Tapered caps

Early fountain pens were made from tubes of ebonite with nib units screwed into them and caps to protect the nibs. Such pens were filled using bulbed rubber eyedroppers. Early examples featured protective "push-on" caps to protect the nibs, but such caps often cracked, so versions that tapered both in shape and internally were introduced. Caps did not feature pocket clips until c.1904. This pen was made by Waterman; fountain pens made by this firm before 1900 are especially rare.

Cartridge pens

The first popular cartridge pen was produced in the USA in the 1890s by the Eagle Pencil Co. of New York. A glass cartridge full of ink was pushed onto the peg of the nib unit and then fitted back into the barrel of the pen. Spiral or black hexagonal cases are relatively rare but not of high value.

Decorative pens

Pens with elaborately decorated cases have long been produced as symbols of wealth and status. Most decorative pens had bodies embellished with metal overlay, as black hard-rubber cases were considered dull. Many of these decorative pens were produced for pen companies by silversmiths, using such techniques as engraving, filigree, and repoussé. The rare and delicate silver pen featured below is by the firm of MacNiven & Cameron and features its trademark curved Wavely pen nib.

De-luxe designs

Some makers produced top-of-the-range fountain pens, decorated with exotic materials and heavily worked precious metal. Notable examples are by Heath for Parker (filigree and mother-of-pearl pens), and Waterman (elaborate silver designs). Such pens represent superb quality but are correspondingly highly priced. More affordable, and still very attractive, are the repoussé and gold-filled overlay pens of Marbie Todd, Aiken Lambert, Wirt, and Salz. American makers were particularly reputed for their overlay designs.

Eyedroppers

Swan eyedroppers, made by Mabie Todd, were by successful and were made over a longer period (1895-1950) than any other eyedropper, making them the most common example found today. Early designs, such as the eyedropper hung from a châtelaine, feature a bayonet cap, an under-and-over feed, and a twisted silver wire inside the barrel to improve the ink flow; later models used a single underfeed. Eyedroppers were also produced by Waterman over a fairly long period, and still featured in the firm's 1920s trade catalogues. Red-and-black vulcanite eyedroppers are quite rare and collectable.

FACT FILE - Values

Some of the most valuable fountain pens are eyedroppers.
The most paid for an eyedropper at auction was $26,400 (1996) for a Waterman "Snake" pen.
Very rare eyedroppers exchange hands privately for prices up to $33,000.
Exceptionally rare fountain pens include "Aztec", "Snake", "Ribbon", "Swastika", "Primrose", and "Lily".

Filling Systems

From 1900 the main aim of pen makers was to produce self-filling pens that did not require any accessories (for example, eyedroppers). Most makers developed systems using flexible rubber sacs to hold the ink, and devised different ways of expelling air from the sac prior to filling, although some makers still used the barrel of the pen as the ink reservoir but with the addition of a piston or plunger. Both systems had their drawbacks - sacs perished, and piston seals deteriorated - but, in general, pens with rubber sacs were more practical than those without. Some enthusiasts concentrate solely on collecting pens that illustrate the range of filling systems invented; in addition, this includes blow fillers, coin fillers, matchstick fillers, and sleeve fillers.

Piston fillers

The design for the piston filler used by the Onoto company, invented by George Sweester, was sold to Evelyn De La Rue's firm in 1905. Some early examples have under-and-over feeds; the metal overfeed is part of a robust manifold nib and was designed for duplicating. De La Rue had made pens since 1881, but the piston model, which remained in production until the 1950s, was most its most successful one. Gold and silver overlay models are particularly prized.

Crescent fillers

Conklin, originally based in Toledo, Ohio, is famous for its crescent filler, invented in 1898 and patented in 1901. A simple pressure bar fixed in position by a metal crescent and a rotating band was used to compress the rubber sac inside the barrel of the pen. The filling system helped to make Conklin the fifth largest pen company in the world by the 1920s.

Piston fillers

Although some pens have pistons, they operate on very different principles. The "international" pen features a simple suction syringe, which pulls ink into the barrel; the pen by Chilton has a rubber sac with a piston system used to depress the sac. Pens by Chilton are of a high quality and very collectable. Pens with syringes have the disadvantage of a low-link capacity.

Lever fillers

Although Sheaffer designed the lever filling system in 1907, it was not used until 1913 when the firm started production in Fort Madison. The filling systems consisted of a lever fixed to the barrel, which adjusted a pressure bar to compress the rubber sac. Although far from perfect - the slot for fitting the lever often weakened or distorted the barrel, particularly with poor-quality plastic pens - the lever became the most popular and imitated filling system invented.

Button fillers

Introduced c.1908, the button filler was adapted by Parker and used as its main filling system until the mid-1930s. The pressing down of a button covered by a blind cap caused the pressure bar to depress the rubber sac inside the pen. Button fillers were slightly more complicated to manufacture than lever fillers, but were more robust, and are among the easiest pens to repair. Examples were also made by Wyvern and Conway Stewart.

FACT FILE - Company preferences

In the 1920s major makers tended to use one filling system only: Eversharp Wahl: lever, De La Rue: piston, Parker: button, Waterman: lever, Sheaffer: lever, "Swan": lever.
In the 1930s, all except Waterman used a variety of systems.

Flat tops

From the earliest production of self-filling pens c.1905 until the late 1920s, the majority of fountain pens were designed as straight-sided tubes with flat tops and buttons - hence the name "flat top". The earliest examples were produced in black hard rubber, then in red, and combinations of red and black. By the end of the 1920s all the major firms in Europe and the USA, including Mabie Todd, De La Rue, Parker, Waterman, Sheaffer, Eversharp Wahl, Bayard, Pelikan, and Omas, had moved from using hard rubber to production in the wide range of newly available, brightly coloured synthetic polymers.

New plastics

Sheaffer was the first company to use new materials on a large scale. In 1924 it introduced a new range of pens made from cellulose nitrate, which it called "Radite". The early Sheaffers were made in "black" and "coral" as well as "jade". These early pens tended to discolour and fade when exposed to light, or developed dark stains from coming into contact with ink. Examples with pristine colour are rare and valuable, as colour is probably the most important value factor for fountain pens.

Rare designs

Pens that were difficult to manufacture, had performance weaknesses, or simply did not sell well, often had short production lives. As these pens were made only in small quantities they are now rare and often very collectable. The yellow "Mandarin Duofold" by Parker, produced from 1928 until 1932, is such an example and, although not a success with the public, is now one of the most sought-after pens among collectors. Unfortunately, the light colour accentuates any defect in the body, so examples with good, clean, even colour and no cracks in the cap command a premium.

Classic designs

The classic Amercian-made Parker "Duofold" was introduced in 1922 and was an immediate success. Originally available in black or red hard rubber, it was produced from 1925 in "Permanite", and from 1926 in other colours, such as "lapis", "jade", and "pearl". The red version of the "Duofold Senior" became known as the "Big Red". The range included smaller and slimmer models such as the "Junior", the "Deluxe" with a broad cap band, and the rarest size, the "Special", which is the same diameter as the "Junior" and the same length as the "Senior". Good "lapis", "pearl", and "jade" examples are rare; early examples, such as the red hard-rubber "Senior", which does not feature a cap band, are all highly priced.

Woodgrain & mottled effects

Depending how black and other colours are extruded, mottled and woodgrain effects can be produced. Mabie Todd used mottled finishes, and Eversharp Wahl used woodgrain finishes for its red-and-black hard-rubber pens. The "Swan" flat-top lever fill is one of the largest models made. The "Personal Point" pen (also lever filled) by Eversharp Wahl has a unique roller-ball clip and a quantity seal on the cap.

Ripple effects

In 1929 the "94" pen by Waterman was available in "ripple rose", "ripple olive", and "ripple blue/green". Other Waterman ripples available, were in the "52" to "58" series or the "5" and "7" series. The "7" has a purple band on the cap and a keyhold nib, which is stamped "Purple" - Waterman's code for a stiff, fine-nibbed pen for shorthand and bookkeeping.

FACT FILES - Materials

The range of materials used to make pens includes hard rubber (from the 1850s), celluloid (from the 1860s), casein (from 1910), cellulose nitrate (from the 1920s), cellulose acetate (from the 1930s), acrylics (from the 1930s), and pressure plastics (1940s).

Innovations & desk units

In the 1920s and 1930s, as the fountain-pen market boomed, companies were continually trying to think of new ways to impress customers. Contrasts of different materials, overlays, dramatic use of colour, metal trim, coloured plastic rings, and coloured grooves were all employed to increase a pen's attraction. Desk units - the successor to 19thC inkstands - became popular and were made in a dazzling range of shapes, sizes, and designs.

Mottled pens by Conway Stewart

Early pens by Conway Stewart were lever-fill pens with stepped clips similar to those found on early "Swan" pens by Mabie Todd. Later 1930s models, featured ring clips and hard-rubber clip screws with integral inner caps. Black-and-red hard rubber was frequently used by Conway Stewart, not only for whole pens but also for sections and clip screws, thus adding elegant decoration to black barrels and caps.

Filigree pens by Waterman

Most pen manufacturers made premium products with overlay decoration to tempt customers. Overlay designs by Waterman, were very popular and were made in six versions - "Vine", "Filigree", "Gothic", "Sheraton", "Pansy", and "Basketweave" -in both silver or gold, and in a design known as "Moderne" in silver only. Good condition is vital with overlay designs, particularly on gold-filled examples, so check for lever damage and brassing.

Colour pens by Conklin

By the early 1920s the success of Conklin's crescent fill pens had established the firm's reputation as one of the leading American pen makers. The crescent filler was replaced by a simple lever filler c.1922. In general, ring tops are less popular with collectors, and this is reflected in a lower price. Later pens by Conklin such as the "Nozac" and Symetrik" are very popular and collectable.

Metal pens by Parker

This early hard-rubber ring-top pen by Parker is overlaid with gold-filled metal. It has a patented "lucky curve" feed to enhance ink flow - "lucky curve" was regularly promoted by Parker from 1905 to 1929 as a guarantee of top-quality design and performance. Such metal pens often suffer from brassing of the gold and corrosion of the section, so only examples in good condition are of significant value. The presence of a matching pencil (rare) and the leather case add to the value.

Desk units

Pen holders for desktops were very popular in the 1920s. A range of designs was made, including ornate figures cast in bronze, attached to a marble or agate base and combined with clocks and lamps. A desk unit by Parker was one of a number of designs supplied with a "Duofold pen". In the 1930s Parker also made popular desk units in conjunction with the ceramics firm of Carlton.

FACT FILE - Waterman coding

Waterman pens have numerical identity codes on the end of the barrels.
The last number refers to the nib and pen size.
The second to last digit describes the cap and filling details:1=cone cap, 2=taper cap, 5=lever fill.
The remaining numbers describe the overlay: 2=silver barrel only, 3=gold barrel only, 4=silver barrel and cap, 5=gold barrel and cap, 05=gold filled.

Streamlined pens

The financial turbulence of the late 1920s and early 1930s, sparked by the Wall Street Crash (1929), caused many pen companies to fold; most surviving firms were larger concerns, which succeeded by introducing new production techniques and styles. In line with the trend at this time for aerodynamically designed products, fountain pens with smooth lines in the "streamlined" style were a major innovation. Many such pens appear strikingly modern - the style proved so popular that it is still widely used today.

Smooth lines

Sheaffer's elegant cigar-shaped pens in attractive plastic colours were vastly different from the old flat-topped pens. They were filled by means of a new plunger system, similar to systems used by Onoto and Eversharp Wahl, although lever fillers were also designed. They were produced in an attractive range of colours, in both striated and simulated pearl plastics, and with military or ordinary clips. Oversized pens are most prized, but the slimmer models are excellent writing instruments. The "Balance" model was reintroduced by Sheaffer in 1998.

"Patrician" sets

Pens from the "Patrician" range, produced between 1929 and 1938 by Waterman, are extremely sought after by collectors. The rarest colour is "black", but the most valued are "turquoise", "moss agate", and "emerald"; versions in "nacre" and "onyx" are less popular. Two designs of matching pencil were produced in the range. In general, sets are not very popular, as many collectors are only interested in purchasing the pen alone.

Branching out

Ford were papermakers and specialists in blotting paper, and in 1932 used their name for an exquisite piston pen. Designed and patented by G.Stewart Vivian (a former employee of the Valentine firm), this pen was probably made by Wyvern and involves a transparent reservoir inside the barrel. The pen was made in at least four sizes, in "black", in "mottled", and with silver overlay.

German manufacturers

Pelikan and Montblanc were Germany's flagship makers, producing such high-quality, reasonably priced pens. The Pelikan "100" was the classic pen of the 1930s; it was made in a range of colours, with the green version being the most common and those with lizardskin or pearlescent bodies the most prized. The Montblanc pen is a button filler.

Dorics

The twelve-sided "Doric" pen by Eversharp Wahl was introduced in 1932. The jet has a roller clip and an adjustable nib; the green marble version has a transparent barrel section. Both pens are lever fillers, but piston fillers were also made. The pen was produced in three lengths, and as extra-slim and oversized versions (highly prized). Some examples feature marbling or "spider's web" decoration.

FACT FILE - The recession

Market activity in early 1929 held no terrors of economic recession for the "big four" of Eversharp Wahl, Parker, Sheaffer, and Waterman in the USA.
New designs included the "Personal Point" by Eversharp Wahl, the first "Balance" pen by Sheaffer, the "Streamlined Duofold" by Parker, and the "Patrician" range by Waterman.

Pens of the 1930s

In the 1930s a number of innovations were introduced, notably in the USA, as major companies competed for the lion's share of the market. New filling systems, transparent barrels, and combination designs were all promoted as the effects of the depression receded. Canada became a main supplier of pens for the European market, Waterman made pens in a joint venture in France, but sadly many companies, such as both Carter and Chilton, faded from the scene in the USA as a result of very hard times.

Combination designs

Although writing instruments combining pens and pencils had been produced before, designs with propelling pencils and fountain pens at opposite ends of the same barrel were novelties. These items were not particularly popular in the 1930s - perhaps because they had such poor ink capacities - and were regarded as pencils first and pens second. Many inferior-quality examples were made, although such firms as Sheaffer, Conklin, and Mabie Todd made quality products. Combination pens by Waterman and Parker exist but are very rare.

New filling systems

In 1933 Parker promoted a new filling system with no sac, which it misleadingly claimed had no perishable parts. The system, known as "Vacumatic", involved a small pump, which expelled air from the barrel, so allowing ink to fill the pen; it was heavily advertised, and was successful partly because it coincided with the new range of pearlized plastic used for pen barrels. The increasingly varied range of sizes and patterns used also boosted sales. The "Golden Web" pen, which was also made in a slimmer "Junior" version, was only produced for three years. This example is engraved, which generally reduces the value.

Military clip pens

The American army demanded that any pens worn with uniform should be inconspicuous, so the major pen manufacturers responded with simple designs. These pens, where the clip is positioned at the very end of the cap came to be known as "top clip", "military clip", or sometimes "depression" pens due to their low prices. The 1932 "Moderne" and "Premier" by Parker are both good examples of simple affordable "military clip" pens; both were made in novel coloured plastics, often with a mosaic design.

Elaborate finishes

Pens with imitation animal-skin caps and barrels were made in small numbers, often because the manufacturing cost of such plastics was very high. Mabie Todd and Waterman produced some very fine lizardskin patterns, while Conway Stewart and Parker both made distinctive herringbone-pattern pens. "Snakeskin" designs are also very sought after by collectors.

"Lookalikes"
Most successful pens are imitated, often extremely convincingly. At first glance two pens by Plexor and Waterson appear to be Parker pens - a "Duofold" and a "Vacumatic" - but are in fact copies. The most imitated pen is the "Senior Duofold", and such copies are now becoming collectable.

FACT FILE - Parker "Vacumatics"

" "Vacumatics" can be identified by the shape, cap design, and trim.
" Sizes include "Débutante", "Lady", "Major", "Maxima", and "Oversize".
" Patterns include "pearl", "marble", "Golden Web", and "Shadow-wave".
" Three pump systems were used: "Lockaway" (used 1933-8), "Speedline" (1939-41), and a disposable plastic pump (1942-9).
" By 1947 more than 6 million Parker "51 Vacumatics" had been produced.

Pens of the 1940s & 1950s

World War II had a great influence on fountain-pen production. Many designs that had been in the pipeline were brought out sooner than planned, and the development of new materials was accelerated. Some factories were re-directed to war-effort production, thereby encouraging sub-contracting and closer liaison between pen companies. However, apart from the striking examples of the "51" by Parker and "Skyline" by Eversharp Wahl, many designs on the market were the same in the 1940s as they had been in the 1930s.

"Swan" pens

Mabie Todd was the leading penmaker between the two world wars, with its flagship brand "Swan". After World War II the firm continued to make quality pens with good flexible nibs, although many were of rather old-fashioned design. Some "Swan" pens used a unique leverless filling system, in which the pen was filled by twisting a knob; however, "Swan" lever filler and eyedroppers were also produced.

"Blackbird" pens

In addition to the pens discussed above. Mabie Todd produced less highly priced ranges, most of which had lever-filling systems and nickel trims. The popular "Blackbird" range, was made towards the end of Mabie Todd's fountain-pen-producing days. In 1951 Biro took a major shareholding in Mabie Todd, and the firm stopped making fountain pens in 1958.

British-made "Duofold" pens

The 1940s "Herringbone Duofold" is basically the same design as the 1929 American-made "Duofold". This example is especially desirable because it is made from unusual patterned plastic and was produced in a small quantity only. The "Victory" range, made form 1935, is almost identical to the smaller "Duofolds" except for the trim. "Herringbone", "lizardskin", and "pearl" are the rarest "Duofolds", but "marbled lilac", "bronze", and "olive" British made Parkers are excellent collector items.

Pens by Valentine

The Valentine firm began to make pens in 1929 after acquiring the firms of Whytworth and Gold Nibs Ltd, but its most notable designs were produced after it was bought by Parker in 1947. Its lever- and button- fill pens were similar in materials and design to 1930s streamlined pens by Parker and Conway Stewart. Valentine pens were well made and frequently fitted with large, flexible nibs.

"Skyline" pens

The "Skyline" pen, introduced in 1941, was so called because it was advertised as ideal for air travel. It is a simple lever-fill pen and features a distinctive tapered barrel and clip in the style of a Greek helmet. Many variants were produced between 1941 and 1949, and in 1997 the same design was put back into production.

FACT FILE - Nibs

The main types of nib are fine, medium broad, stub (italic), or oblique.
Most nibs in British and American classic pens were 14-carat gold; continental European classic pens usually have 18-carat gold nibs.
Iridium was first welded onto gold nibs for durability in 1834.
Two-colour nibs are usually made of platinum coated onto gold.
In general, older nibs are more flexible than modern nibs.
The nib normally accounts for one third of the material cost of a pen.

Modern pens

The fountain pen was still the most widely used writing instrument in schools until the early 1950s. The traditional gift on examination success or a birthday was a fountain pen, and this gift market was catered for by pen makers and stationers worldwide. Millions of Parker "51" pens, "Snorkels", Conway Stewarts, and Watermans were sold. The school and student pen market was especially significant, and Burnhams, Wyverns, and "Golden Platinum" pens were a regular feature on school desks.

"51" pens

The Parker "51" is probably the most successful pen ever made. Robust and stylish with and excellent writing mechanism, is sold almost 42 million example between 1939 and 1972. Earlier models used the "Vacumatic" filling system, and over 6 million examples were sold before the "Aerometric" system was introduced in 1947-8. The most collectable colours are "mustard", "Nassau green", "plum", "forest green", and "tan". Also especially desirable are examples of the "Empire State" cap design.

Small pens

Although originally produced in the 1930s, Conway Stewart "Dinkies" were far more successful when reissued in the 1950s and marketed pencils, lead pencils, pocket knives, and even nail files, in attractive leather cases or wallets. Other companies such as Croxley and Unique also made miniature pens, and as their designs were less successful when first produced, they are now rare and desirable.

Pens by Wyvern

The Leicester-based firm of Wyvern was one of the oldest pen companies in Britain. After World War II the firm produced not only economical pens but also some unique models, including the leather-covered button filler. Wyvern pens were particularly popular with the British royal family - they were regularly presented to Palace staff, and George VI himself used a crocodile-skin model.

"Duofold" range

This range, first produced in the 1950s by Parker, was both affordable and highly practical. It was produced in solid colours -"green", "dark red", "blue", and "black" - and a variety of sizes, from the "Slimfold" to the "Duofold Maxima". "Duofold" pens are probably the most common ones to be found at car boot sales and antiques fairs, and they are among the best fold-nibbed classic pens available.

Student pens

A typical student pen should be inexpensive, easily reparable, and robust enough to suffer the rigors of the classroom. Many such pens were sold by Mentmore, Unique, Burnham, Wyvern, Stephens, and Platinum. Two examples are a relatively rare pen by Stephens with a 14-carat gold nib, and a finely coloured Burnham "No. 44" with a gold nib (later ones had steel nibs).

FACT FILE - The Parker "51"

This pen was the winner of the US Fashion Academy Award in 1950.
More than 30 different types of cap are known.
Some of the very early models sold in the USA were button fillers (as opposed to "Vacumatic" or "Aerometric" fillers).
An 18-carat gold "51" in top condition is worth over $1,650.
Rolled-silver examples are rarer than gold ones.

Other modern pens

The invention of the reliable, inexpensive ballpoint pen totally changed the writing-equipment market. Companies who attempted to make fountain pens to compete in price with ballpoints in general did so only by a reduction in quality; in contrast, companies who focused on quality and promoted premium products on an international scale were vastly successful. From 1950, take-overs, mergers, the growth of new markets such as promotional pens, roller balls, and cartridges were all influential, although many excellent and collectable fountain pens were still produced.

"Pens For Men"

In 1952 Sheaffer developed a unique filling system called the "snorkel", which was employed in the "Pen For Men" ("PFM") design in 1959. The "PFM" was produced in five different models over a period of fifteen years, and is currently one of the most collectable post-war pens by Sheaffer. It is an excellent writing pen and still widely used today, although it is becoming increasing difficult to acquire parts for repairs, particularly nib units. The rarest colours are "gray", "blue", and "green".

"61" pens

The Parker "51" was a hard act to follow, and when first introduced the "61" (perhaps owing to its innovative capillary filling system) was not a great success. Parker changed the design to a cartridge-and-converter system, but the pen, while an excellent writing instrument, still had defects - the plastic had a tendency to distort, and the shell arrow was easily dislodged. However, the "61", which was made in a fine range of colours, barrels, and caps, is highly collectable today. Notable examples included the "Cloud" range ("Stratus", "Cumulus", and "Cirrus"), "Consort", "insignia", pens with unique "Rainbow" caps, and 9- and 18-carat gold models.

The best of British design

The high-quality pens by Conway Stewart, particularly numbers "24", "27", "58", and "60", exemplify the best of British design. Although they were produced in large quantities, examples in unique colours, such as the "Cracked ice" pen shown (number "60"), or herringbone-pattern models are increasingly difficult to find in good condition. Matching pencils are often rarer than the pens.

Ballpoint pens

Ballpoints made in the 1940s make interesting collectables, but few are still in good working order. In contrast, many examples from the 1950s can still be used. Early Parker "T-ball jotters" are now collector items, as are most Parker "51", "61", and "75" ballpoint. As most fountain-pen makers had serious reservations about producing ballpoints, it is much more difficult to find them as part of 1950s sets than to find fountain pens or pencils.

Classic designs

Two piston pens of classic designs were intended for the executive. The "146 Meisterstück" was introduced in 1948 and is still produced today. The "Magna" was a prized possession in its day, with a "No.7" two-colour nib. It was also available as a lever filler and in candystripe colours, and was last produced in 1958.

FACT FILE - Ballpoint pens

The first ballpoint pen was patented in the USA in 1888.
The Hungarian Lazlo Biro produced the first reliable working ballpoint pen in 1940.
By 1953 the ballpoint was no longer simply considered the poor relation of the fountain pen, and some fine examples were produced.
Parker began making ballpoints in 1954.
Papermate (part of Gillette) produces more than one billion ballpoints each year.

Unusual designs

Collectors are always looking for that rare or unique prototype, which can be a fascinating talking point when displaying a collection, and can quite often develop into a main area of collecting. Rare items are often those that were commercially unsuccessful when first produced, or special-purpose pens such as demonstrator models. Prototypes are often difficult to confirm as genuine, and it is probably more important to buy from a reputable source than to rely on "provenance".

Stylographic pens

With narrow tubes as writing tips and wire inserts that control the flow of ink down the tube, stylographic pens have been produced since the mid-19thC. Reliable early examples were made in the 1870s by the firms of Caws, A.T.Cross, and McKinnon in the USA. In the early 20thC notable British makers included Onoto and Conway Stewart. In the 1930s the most popular American example was by Inkograph.

Glass-nibbed fountain pens

The earliest glass nibs used in reservoir pens were made by Haro (Hans Roggenbuch). These early pens were very practical and robust and particularly well suited to producing carbon copies. During both world wars glass was widely used for nibs, as metals were in short supply. Many glass-nibbed pens were manufactured in Germany and Japan, although production was not exclusive to those countries - the British firm of Burnham produced a popular model in the 1930s and 1940s.

Safety pens

Pens with retractable nibs are termed "safety" pens. The earliest designs, made by such firms as Moore and Conklin, featured nibs that simply slid back into the barrel, but later models, notably by Montblanc, Waterman, and Whytworth, used complex spiral systems. Elaborate Italian and French examples with overlay decoration are the most prized.

Demonstrators

Salesmen used transparent pens to show customers not only the internal components of their wares but also how the filling systems worked. These intriguing items are now very collectable, especially examples of "Pens For Men" by Sheaffer, "Vacumatics" by Parker, and such elaborate examples as the rare Montblanc.

Elaborate Mechanisms

A rare pen was made for Dunhill in the 1930s, possibly by Omas, and consists of two separate pens fitted into a conventional-size barrel. The two pens are linked by a mechanism, so that each nib extends alternately when the end of the barrel is twisted. Such unusual items command premium prices.

FACT FILES - Innovative designs

Waterman and Moore both made "Trench" pens with ink pellets in the cap.
Unusual novelty pens include "Mickey Mouse" by Inkograph and "Popeye" by the Eagle Pencil Co.
Collectors should look out for innovative trapdoor pens with covered nibs by Pullman.

Limited-edition pens

The production of a limited number of special-design pens with fancy packaging and documentation is a relatively new development in pen manufacture. Parker paved the way in the 1960s, and was followed in the 1990s by most major pen companies, including Sheaffer, Montblanc, Visconti, Aurora, Pelikan, and Omas. Most companies adopt themes such as sports, cities, historical events, or writers, or produce pens to commemorate calendar events - anniversaries or centennials; it is also popular to reissue short runs of classic pens from the past. In the early 1990s, limited-edition pens often sold out before production was completed, but as the number of pen makers introducing limited editions has grown, many collectors have become more discerning. However, limited editions are still regarded as one of the best investments in fountain-pen collecting.

Sheaffer

Limited editions were not introduced by Sheaffer until 1995. The 18-carat gold commemorative was a faithful copy of the firm's successful 1920s flat-topped lever fill, and the "Lifetime Balance" (1997) was a copy of Sheaffer's 1929 "Balance" pen. Only 6,000 examples of each design were produced, plus an additional 100 transparent "Balances", which are even more exclusive.

Pelikan

All of Pelikan's limited editions are in the same style, although always in different materials and designs. Only 5,000 copies of "Blue Ocean" were made, of which 1,000 were sold as sets with a ballpoint pen, and a mere 888 copies of "Golden Dynasty" were produced. Other special editions by Pelikan include "Golf", "M900 Toledo", "Austria 1000", and "Concerto".

"Author" pens by Montblanc

The "Agatha Christie" pen is one of a range of author-theme pens by Montblanc. Examples with silver trims are fairly common, and many are actually used to write with (unusual for a collector's edition); those with gold trims are rarer. Other pens in the series include "Hemingway" (1992), "Oscar Wilde" (1994), "Voltaire" (1995), "Alexandre Dumas" (1996), and "Dostoyevsky" (1997). The packaging and documentation are lavish and play an important part in the appeal.

"People & history" pens by Montblanc

This series, promoted by Montblanc as a vehicle for celebrating beauty, inspiring creativity, and advancing culture, is one of its most imaginative and celebrated ranges. In addition to "Semiramis" (inspired by the Assyrian Queen) and the blue filigree "Prince Regent", the range included such designs as "Lorenzo de Medici" and "Louis XIV".

Parker

The first limited editions by Parker were based on existing models such as the "75" or "105", but they were made in materials with romantic connections - silver recovered from shipwrecks, and brass from notable liners. The "Charles and Diana" was made to commemorate the royal wedding (1981).

FACT FILE - Collectable designs

" Parker introduced its first limited edition, the "Spanish Treasure 75", in 1965.
" Waterman's first limited edition (1989) honored the bicentenary of the 1789 French Revolution.
" Montblanc introduced its first limited edition in 1992; its special runs are restricted to 4,810 copies.
" The most exclusive limited editions included Parker's gold "Snake" pen (250 made), Visconti's "Taj Mahal" in ivory and gold (88 made), Aurora's gold "Benvenuto Cellini" (199 made), and Montegrappe's "Gold Dragon" (100 made).

Pencils: basics

Charcoal was used in cave paintings, metallic lead styluses were used two thousand years ago to mark paper and papyrus, and graphite-based drawing-sticks have been known since Elizabethan times. Graphite is soft and needs a support tube for protection or a cover to prevent the hands from becoming soiled. The invention of hard "lead" paved the way for wood-encased pencils and retractable propelling pencils. Until recently, pencils have not been highly valued, but a wider appreciation of the craftsmanship involved in producing pencils, and of the intricate workings of mechanical examples, had elevated values and sparked collector interest.

Mechanical pencils

On most 19thC examples of typical mechanical pencils, the outer case is a thin silver or gold tube. In the 20thC it became more standard for the case to be based on a plastic barrel with a simple inexpensive mechanism fitted.

Porte crayons and cedar holders

The porte crayons was a metal tube designed to hold a "lead" (a thick graphite rod), often with a sliding mechanism to extend the former. Cedar holders, with brass-threaded inserts, were made to hold whole wooden pencils (often known as "cedars"). Most are between 5cm and 7.5cms (2-3in) in length. Value is determined by design, size, and maker.

Screw and slide mechanisms

Screw mechanisms were used by watch and instrument makers in the 17thC, and were probably also applied to writing items at that time. However, the first recorded use of such a screw mechanism in pencils was detailed in the Hawkins and Mordan patent of 1822. The earliest example known is marked 1823, and such early pencils are rare and valuable. Early pencils can be dated fairly accurately by their decoration, the design of their finials, and their stub-shaped nozzles. Later pencils have more ornate engraving, which is a major factor in determining the value.

Open-ended combinations

Designs combining a pen and pencil at opposing ends of tubes were diverse. Examples range from inexpensive tinplate or nickel "penny pushers" (sold originally for only a penny), which combined dip pens and wooden pencils, to luxury versions combining pens and mechanical pencils in silver and gold.

One-ended combinations

Combination designs with the pen and pencil at the same end were popular even into the 20thC. Some examples made by Mordan could be used with metal nibs and quill slips; similar combinations, especially those by Fairchild, were very popular in the USA. On some models, pulling or twisting the barrel exposed delicate slider pins to push out the pen or pencil; other designs featured intricate twisting mechanisms, which exposed the pen when turned clockwise and the pencil when twisted anti-clockwise.

FACT FILE - Leads

"As the graphite sticks used in early propelling pencils wore away very quickly, makers began to experiment to produce a harder "lead". A process of mixing graphite, silicate, and a binder, then extruding the mix into fine rods and firing them in a kiln, was developed c.1790 by both the firm of Conté in France and that of Hardmuth in Germany.
Different ratios of filler and binder determine the hardness of the "leads".

Mechanical pencils

Mechanical pencils were manufactured both by small concerns such as silversmiths, who bought in mechanisms and made and fitted "pencil cases", and by large manufacturers such as Mordan, Butler, Fairchild, and Hicks, whose main business was the production of mechanical pencils. The design of pencils is therefore diverse, particularly as leads and nozzle sizes were not standardized.

Miniature pencils

Small decorative pencils were manufactured mainly in Britain and USA, and are fairly readily available today. They include slim sliders, telescopic designs, and examples decorated with semi-precious jewels and enameling. The mechanisms in pencils are generally very delicate and often do not work, in which case they will be of very little value other than as spare parts.

Niche collecting areas

Some enthusiasts concentrate on collecting novelty pencils, of which there is a vast range. Designs include examples in the shape of owls, dogs, birds, pistols, rifles, spinning tops, golf clubs, screws, and nails. One popular area of collecting is Egyptian-design pencils, including obelisk- and sphinx-themed ones as well as the mummy-shaped design. Most are enameled, but watch out for crudely cast models. Combination items of pencils with knives, rulers, and tooth-picks are another niche collecting area. A combined knife and pencil was produced in the USA by Edward Todd in conjunction with J.Wolstenholme of Sheffield.

Tricolour pencils

Models with three separate pencils (red, blue and black) in one case are known as "tricolour" pencils. Most are made of silver - gold ones are rare. Some collectors specialize in the variety of mechanism used to extend the tricolour pencils. Some are sliders; other examples have button-release mechanisms, telescopic extensions, three-sided sliders, or three-segment twists. Good condition is important, so look carefully at the enamel, and check that the mechanism is in working order. Double and quadruple pencils were also made.

Desk and writing-case sets

Many mechanical pencils were produced as part of desk or writing-case sets with matching pens, seals, and knives. Examples found separately, such as the tortoiseshell-and-gold pencil and a bulbous American model, are still very collectable.

Major makers

Although the number of major makers producing mechanical pencils was small, the number of designs created was vast. Mordan's 1895 catalog features 195 different pencils; Baker's 1905 catalog includes 210 designs. The most popular examples were the plainer ones. The "Torpedo" design is a twist-action pencil made in gold and silver; one design is in engine-turned silver, but was also sold as a silver-plated pencil, and the "Popular" pencil has an unusual screw mechanism.

FACT FILE -Makers' marks

The majority of British pencils were made in London or Birmingham; most feature the mark of the maker or retailer.
Major names include: Wilmore, Vale, Riddle, Baker, Moseley, Yard-O-Led, Asprey, Sucklings, Manton, Villiers & Jackson, Lund, and Walker & Hall.

Rare pencils

A vast array of pencils was produced in Europe and the USA, including some highly decorative, de-luxe designs (usually special commissions) that were more akin to beautiful pieces of jewelry than functional writing items. Particularly exclusive designs, including some novelty creations, were produced by leading jewelers in New York's Fifth Avenue, London's Regent Street, and Paris's Avenue Foch. Most were never featured in catalogs but were unique, one-off creations, made for special customers; this type of pencil is rare and correspondingly valuable today.

Famous names

Neither Roland Cartier nor Tiffany & Co. produced pencils as part of its standard range, so the examples by these firms (a 14-carat gold pencil by Cartier, and a silver Art Deco pencil by Tiffany) were made as special commissions. A third pencil, with a twist extension in a silver repoussé case, was made by Hicks, and as a less exclusive design is not as valuable as the other two pens, although still very desirable.

De-luxe combination designs

The "Traveler" is a combination of a pen and a pencil with the addition of a mini thermometer on the barrel and a compass on the top finial. The ivory casing features some small cracks, but these will scarcely affect the value as the pencil is so rare. One variant of this design is known with a metal case.

"Dropper" pencils

The "dropper" was first introduced in 1911. The pressing of a button on the top of the case causes the pencil to drop down, ready for use. Many examples made by Mordan had seven-sided outer cases, which could adapt into perpetual calenders. The unusual 15-carat fold round pencil was probably made by Mordan for Vickery's Regent Street store. Perpetual calenders add value to most pencils.

Telescopic design

This simply designed pencil was made by Hicks of New York. It contains a silver ruler and measuring dividers, and was probably either sold at an exclusive New York shop or specifically commissioned, as such large silver pencils were not typical of Hick's designs. The value is due largely to the novelty combination.

Telescopic design

Rarity is something that most collectors seek ardently, and this telescopic pencil with an outer case decorated with a selection of international flags is particularly unusual and desirable - hence its high value. If the enamel shows some damage, this affects the value although not dramatically.

Modern pencils

Modern propelling pencils, manufactured to match pens in sets, as well as for use as promotional items, have become increasingly popular since the introduction of inexpensive plastics and mechanisms in the 1940s. Separate pencils were often promoted as corporate gifts before the advent of the ballpoint pen, and silver or gold quality pencils were often given as traditional retirement or leaving presents.

Yard-O-Led

Early pencils by Yard-O-Led are very collectable, useable and offer excellent value for money. Round-, square-, and (rare) triangular-barreled models are some examples, but the firm produced a very wide range of designs. Other versions include a rare "heavy" pencil, and a small half-length design known as the "Yard-O-Lette". The hexagonal "Diplomat", a popular post-war model, is almost exactly the same today as when first produced in 1947.

Eversharp Wahl

In 1917 Wahl, a shrewd machine manufacturer, purchased the Japanese patent for the mechanical pencil and continued to produce the same design for the next 40 years. These pencils were very simple propel-only designs, and their value will depend on the rarity, decoration, and material of the outer cases. Variations, including the lady's gold-dilled ringtop, the large, red-and-black hard-rubber version, and the standard, clipped, gold-filled pencil. Some of the most desirable models, such as the "Greek Key" design were made with matching pens.

Different types of lead

One of the most complex aspects of collecting pencils is the bewildering variety of lead diameters and nozzle system used. The diameter of pencils by Mordan is usually indicated by codes on the nozzles, but although these can be matched with original leads they do not correspond to modern leads. Modern leads are usually 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 0.9mm, but most older pencils used 0.8mm, 1mm, and 1.5mm leads, so pencil collectors avidly search for and collect old leads. Leads by Hardmuth and Faber are quite common, and pencils by Yard-O-Led take 1.18mm leads, which are still available.

Plastic pencils

Most major fountain-pen manufacturers also produced matching pencils for sale in sets. Surprisingly, the pencil usually adds little to the value of the set, except in the case of very rare examples; prices of separate pencils can hence be very affordable. Most examples feature simple peg-and-spiral mechanisms, which allow for both propelling and repelling actions.

Advertising pencils

Although pens were made for promotions, pencils were more popular in the 1930s and 1940s as free gifts. The variety of such pencils is vast, since they were used to promote items as varied as food products, businesses, and special events.

FACT FILE - Sampson Mordan

In his very first patent, dated 1822, Mordan was described as a "portable pen maker".
The partnership (1823-37) between Mordan and the stationer Riddle laid down the foundations for the mechanical-pencil market.
From c.1860 until 1930 mechanical pencils were known in popular parlance as "mordans".
" The differences in makers' marks helps the dating of pencils without hallmarks.

Glossary

barrel main body of a pen where the ink or ink reservoir is stored

"Big Red" name for hard-rubber or "Permanite" orange-coloured "Duofold senior" pen made by Parker from 1924 to 1929

blind cap decorative screw-on cover at the end of the pen barrel to cover the filling button.

blow filler pen with a filling system in which air is blown through a hole to depress the rubber sac

brassing wearing away of gold plating to reveal the base metal (copper or brass) beneath

button small brass unit hidden by a blind cap and depressed to fill a fountain pen

"Calligraph" Popular model made by Mabie Todd with a special nib for calligraphy

capstan inkwell in the shape of a ship's capstan

carrier tube brass tube running through the center of a mechanical pencil into which the propelling unit is fixed

coin filler pen with filling system in which a coin is pushed into a slot to depress the pressure bar on the sac

comb notched pattern on feed to store ink during writing

"combo" combination of a dip or fountain pen and a pencil in one unit

converter unit inserted into a pen to convert it from cartridge to ink fill

crescent filler pen with a curved metal unit protruding from the barrel, which depresses the sac for filling; invented and used mainly by Conklin

ding indentation in the metal cap or body

eraser term for a two-sided blade used for scraping parchment (i.e. to improve its ability to absorb ink)

eyedropper glass tube and rubber bulb used to fill pens; also refers to the pen itself

feed slotted unit in hard rubber or plastic, which fits into the section and supports the nib

ferrel metal tube at the end of a dip pen into which the steel nib fits

filigree decorative metalwork with cut-out designs

hatched engraved or indented with criss-cross patterns

hooded pen with only the tip of the nib showing

imprint engraving or stamp of the maker's name or logo

inner cap unit inside the cap to keep the pen sealed when not in use

insert simple glass or pot inwell, which fits into an ornate holder

iridium hard metal used to make nib tips

lever mechanism for depressing a pressure bar onto the sac to fill a pen

lignum vitae very heavy hardwood from South America

morocco very thin leather used to cover items, including boxes and pen cases
leather

manifold nib stiff, robust nib used for making copies and writing manifests

matchstick filling system with a small hole in the barrel into which a matchstick
filler was pushed to depress the rubber sac

nozzle writing end of a mechanical pencil supporting the "lead"

nib ejector sliding system to push out the nib on a dip pen

peg part of the section onto which the rubber sac is attached

pen writing instrument; synonymous in the 19thC with the nib

"Permanite" Parker's tradename for cellulose nitrate plastic

penner portable unit for carrying pens and ink

pierce hold hole in the nib that controls ink flow by allowing air back into the reservoir

piqué metal decoration, usually silver and gold inlaid into tortoishell

plunger small piston with a cork or leather seal or washer to aid ink fill

pressure bar metal bar inside the barrel, which compresses the rubber sac to expel air and allow the sac to fill with ink

propelling pin rod, which pushes "lead" out through the nozzle of the pencil

overlay metal laid over the barrel for decorative purposes

"Radite" Sheaffer's tradename for cellulose nitrate plastic

ring top pen with a ring attached to the cap for a chain or ribbon

repoussé relief decoration on metal produced by raising or beating from the back

repelling pencil pencil with "lead" that retracts mechanically

Rococo 18thC style typified by curves, scallops, shell shape, and pastel colours

section unit, which holds the feed and nib, attached to the pen barrel

shell plastic cover for the nib, feed, and collector unit on a hooded pen

stanhope micro image fitted into a viewing hold behind a tiny lens

sac protector metal tube inside the barrel protecting the sac

snail design pattern in repoussé with swirls resembling a snail's shell

snorkel tube that extrudes through the section to draw up ink

stirrup stirrup-shaped loop or ring for mechanical pencils

telescopic extension mechanism, which pulls out like a telescope

"Vacumatic" Parker's process of evacuating air from the barrel of a pen to allow it to fill with ink

"wafer" thin slip of compressed adhesive used for sealing letters and other documents

waxjack 17thC unit featuring a roll of impregnated wick, used for melting sealing wax

What to read

BOOKS

Badders, V. Collector's Guide to Inkwells, vols 1 & 2 (Penducah, 1995/8)

Courtier, S., Marshall J.M., and Marshall, J.K. A Beginner's Guide to Collecting Pencils (Penrith, 1998)

Crosby, D. Victorian Pencils: Tools to Jewels (West Chester, 1998)

Dubiel, F. Fountain Pens: The Complete Guide to Repair and Restoration (Falls River, 1994)

Erano, P. Collecting and Valuing Fountain Pens (Salt Lake City, 1995)

Finlay, M. Western Writing Implements in the Age of the Quill (Wetherby, 1990)

Fischler, G. and Schneider, S. The illustrated Guide to Antique Writing instruments (West Chester, 1997)

Lambrou, A. Fountain Pens of the World (London, 1995)

Petroski, H. The Pencil: A History (New York, 1990)

Rivera, B. and T. Inkstands & Inkwells (New York, 1973)

Roe, G. Writing Instruments: A Technical History and How They Work (Manchester, 1996)

Steinberg, J. Fountain Pens (London, 1994)

MAGAZINES

Journal of The Writing Equipment Society
Contact Dr Maureen Greenland
The Writing Equipment Society
Cartledge Cottage
Cartledge Lane
Holmesfield
Derbyshire S18 5SB

The Pen & Pencil Gallery Magazine
Church House
Skelton
Penrith
Cumbria CA11 9TE

Pen World
International World Publications
3946 Glade Valley
Kingswood
Texas 77339
USA

Pennant
Contact Boris Rice
Pen collectors of America
P.O.Box 821449
Houston
Texas TX77282-1449
USA

TILE COLLECTING

A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, porcelain, metal or even glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, and walls, or other objects such as tabletops. Another category are the ceiling tiles, made from lightweight materials such as perlite and mineral wool. The word is derived from the French word tuile, which is, in turn, from the Latin word tegula, meaning a roof tile composed of baked clay. Less precisely, the modern term can refer to any sort of construction tile or similar object, such as rectangular counters used in playing games (see tile-based game).

Tiles are often used to form wall and floor coverings, and can range from simple square tiles to complex mosaics. Tiles are most often made from ceramic, with a hard glaze finish, but other materials are also commonly used, such as glass, slate, and reformed ceramic slurry, which is cast in a mould and fired.

In the past twenty years, the technology surrounding porcelain tile and glass tiles have increased, moving both from a niche marketplace to a place of prominence in the tile community.

Floor tiles

The elaborate floor pattern of the Sydney Queen Victoria BuildingThese are commonly made of ceramic or stone, although recent technological advances have resulted in glass tiles for floors as well. Ceramic tiles may be painted and glazed. Small mosaic tiles may be laid in various patterns. Floor tiles are typically set into mortar consisting of sand, cement and often a latex additive for extra strength. The spaces between the tiles are nowadays filled with sanded or unsanded floor grout, but traditionally mortar was used.

Natural stone tiles can be especially beautiful. However, as a natural product they are often less uniform and require more planning for use and installation. Stone tiles described as "gauged" have very uniform width and length dimensions; "ungauged" stone tiles may vary from their nominal dimensions. Stone tiles such as granite can be sawn on both sides (and then polished on the facing up side) so that they have a uniform thickness. Other natural stone tiles such as slate are typically "riven" (split) on the facing up side so that the thickness of the tile varies from one spot on the tile to another and from one tile to another. Variations in tile thickness can be handled by adjusting the amount of mortar under each part of the tile, by using wide grout lines that "ramp" between different thicknesses, or by using a cold chisel to knock off high spots.

Some stone tiles such as polished granite and marble are inherently very slippery when wet. Stone tiles with a riven (split) surface such as slate or with a sawn and then sand-blasted surface--granite is occasionally prepared this way--will be more slip resistant. Ceramic tile for use in wet areas can be made more slip resistant either by using very small tiles so that the grout lines acts as grooves or by imprinting a contour pattern onto the face of the tile.

The hardness of natural stone tiles varies such that some of the softer stone tiles are not suitable for very heavy traffic floor areas. On the other hand, ceramic tiles typically have a glazed upper surface and when that become scratched or pitted the floor looks worn, whereas the same amount of wear on natural stone tiles won't show or will be less noticeable.

Natural stone tiles can be stained by spilled liquids; they must be sealed and periodically resealed with a sealant in contrast to ceramic tiles which only need their grout lines sealed. However, because of the complex, non repeating patterns in natural stone, small amounts of dirt on many natural stone floor tiles do not show.

Most vendors of stone tiles emphasize that there will be variation in color and pattern from one batch of tiles to another of the same description and variation within the same batch.

Stone floor tiles tend to be heavier than ceramic tiles and somewhat more prone to breakage during shipment.

Ceiling tiles

Vinyl Ceiling TileCeiling tiles are lightweight tiles used in the interior of buildings. They are placed on a steel grid and, depending on the tile selected, may provide thermal insulation, sound absorption, enhanced fire protection, and improved indoor air quality. Also frequently called ceiling panels, or drop-ceiling tiles, they offer the advantage of easy access to wiring and plumbing above the ceiling grid, and can be easily changed, removed, or replaced as needed. They are fabricated from perlite, mineral wool, plastic, tin, aluminum, and fibers from recycled paper. They frequently have patterns comprised of holes, to improve their sound absorption properties, though many have a molded surface providing a textured, sculpted, or pressed-tin look to the ceiling. Some tiles are available with decorative photo/transfer surfaces, some are approved for installation under fire suppression sprinkler heads so the sprinklers do not show, some are approved for use in food preparation areas, and some are certified for indoor air quality by the GreenGuard Institute. Tiles are available that resist mold and moisture damage, that have enhanced acoustical properties, and that can be easily trimmed with household scissors. Recycling old tiles depends upon the material used to make them, and some landfills no longer accept traditional mineral fiber tiles, so they must be recycled to the manufacturer. Some plastic tiles can be 100% curbside recycled.

Decorative tilework

Typical tilework on buildings in Santarém, Portugal.Decorative tilework typically takes the form of mosaic upon the walls, floor, or ceiling of a building. Although decorative tilework was known and extensively practiced in the ancient world (as evidenced in the magnificent mosaics of Pompeii and Herculaneum), it perhaps reached its greatest expression during the Islamic period.

Some places, notably Portugal and São Luís, have a tradition of tilework (called azulejos) on buildings that continues today.

In the United States, dec