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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 |