A Review of Collectable Fountain Pens by Dave Wells
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Personal Accessories A Review of Collectable Fountain Pens by Dave Wells. A Council Member of the Writing Equipment Society This feature has been timed to coincide with The London Writing Equipment Show which is sponsored by the Parket Pen Company and organised by the UK Writing Equipment Society. This will be held on Sunday 7th October at Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street London. 11am-5pm. Entry for the public £5. Early ink-holding pens dating from the late nineteenth and beginning of twentieth centuries had screw off barrel and filling using a glass eye dropper. There are many beautiful examples which can be of high value to collectors especially when they include decoration such as moulded gold bands and ends and mother of pearl. Where the nib is exposed for writing by a screwing mechanism, the correct description is that of a Safety Pen. Fig 1 is an 18kt gold Ital Pen Co model, made in the United States around 1910. When the ink flow rate is controlled internally by a feed system to the nib then it is a true Fountain Pen. The next challenge after stabilising ink flow was to find a clean and easy way of ‘self filling’. In 1905 De La Rue developed the plunger-filling Onoto. Other solutions used a rubber ink sac. Sheaffer introduced its pioneering ‘lever filler’ and Parker had an end button filler (with button plus pressure bar to squash the sac). Figs 2 and 3 show a 1920 Waterman #456 with silver overlay and a Parker Duofold Senior from 1927. Since that time there have been many different filler methods of Fig 5. Patterns of plastics barrel. interest to specialist collectors. Pens today generally use a revised form of plunger or one of a series of standard cartridges. Pelikan was first with the piston filler in 1929 and the Montblanc Meisterstuck series are current examples. The modern replaceable ink cartridge was patented by EF Waterman in 1935. The user of an old cartridge pen needs to ensure that a supply of the cartridges can be obtained or that a converter is available. An internet search can be useful in finding an elusive supply. Little appreciated is that the majority of fountain pens can be returned relatively simply to working order as long as parts are not broken or missing although you should be aware of a general warning that pens can break under repair or be hazarded by previous repair attempts. Inappropriate use of instant glues can give major headaches. Fig 1. 18kt Filigree Safety Pen by Ital pen Co. USA. Early fountain pens were made of hard, vulcanised rubber which can discolour in contact with air. They can also be brittle. It is generally unwise to regard these as practical writing instruments since handling can promote discolouration and reduce value. The most popular colours were black and red and mixtures of the two. They remain of great interest to collectors especially when in rarer colours such as brown, green and olive. The next development step was the introduction of plastics for the body and cap, largely attributed to Sheaffer in 1924. The result was a plethora of companies providing pens in a range of qualities and with some very attractive plastics patterns all of which start with single colour plastic stock. These are amongst the most sought after by collectors today. Fig 4 is a 1927 classic pearl and black oversize from Wahl Eversharp of the USA. It is almost always true that collectors find larger pens more attractive. Some classic UK examples are shown in Fig 5. The top end of the market inevitably produced a demand for pens of gold (together with its cheaper gold plated and filled versions) which continue to this day. From around 1950, better performing ballpens put impossible strain Fig 8. Montblanc Alexandre Dumas Limited Edition. on traditional, quantity production fountain pen manufacturers. As ANTIQUES INFO - September/October 07 Personal Accessories well as Mabie Todd (Swan), casualties included McNiven & than the later products. A second point of note is the fewer made is Cameron (1954), Wyvern (1955), Conklin (1955), Onoto (1958), LE generally better. Parker are making a limited edition of 88 Duofolds Waterman (1958), Burnham (1966), Kaweco (1972), Eversharp which will only be available to visitors at the London Writing (1973, after selling out to Parker in 1957) and Conway Stewart Equipment Show on 7th October. These can be expected to show a (1975 but reborn 1998). high residual value because of the number of collectors round the Parker met the ballpen challenge with the development of their world. outstanding hooded nib 51 fountain pen, launched in its earliest Note 1. form in 1941 (1947 in the UK) and still a classic in high demand A collectable category of fountain pen can be that with an historic (Fig 6). Its ‘Lucite’ (Perspex) body was an example with better connection or the personal property of a known person. Many world dimensional stability than the earlier celluloids. This pen had a events have been celebrated by signing with fountain pens, number of features which were ground breaking. Apart from its sometimes made for the occasion. On other occasions, a more styling, it had a revolutionary ink feed system with a squeeze filling modest model is caught up in the event as a Waterman desk pen used mechanism, a clear ‘pliolite’ sac allowing the ink level to be by Edward VIII in signing his abdication. Such pens come onto the checked and a clutched push on cap. Many millions of Parker 51s market from time to time. This particular pen sold at Sotheby’s for were made and they remain amongst the most practical of vintage £6,900. fountain pens still usable today. For collectors, rarer colours, cap Note 2. designs or gold versions are important. It has spawned a group of Most fountain pens can be returned to good visual condition and collectors specialising in this model alone with its many variations. working order at modest price. A sac replacement with clean is Development of fountain pen filling mechanisms continued, but around £20. Parts for most common pens are available otherwise old unfortunately in the direction of complexity, novel but with pens are needed as a source. inevitable reliability and service problems. Notable were Sheaffer’s Note 3. Touchdown and Snorkel mechanisms (still with sacs) and capillary Condition is all important in pricing a pen. Damaged, worn fillers (which soon blocked) from Parker and Waterman. The examples with rubbed gold plating are generally worth only a few Sheaffer PFM (‘Pen for Men’) is highly regarded by collectors with pounds for parts. Mint, boxed examples with their original labels or its classic lines. Fig 7 shows a rare demonstrator form with its chalk marks are worth two or more times ones in fine condition. sprung, snorkel mechanism, Note 4. Today, the ball and roller pen have generally moved the fountain pen There is some controversy over whether to repair and restore up market into the luxury and ‘life-style’ field, being a writing especially since some celluloid pens from the 1920s and 30s can be instrument of fashion and choice in place of its previous utility. discoloured by their pen sacs. In such cases, serious collectors Matching pencils and ball styles are often available. understand sacs not being fitted. Collectors in general will accept The ‘Limited Edition’ has seen remarkable growth in the high value cleaning and restoration that does not reduce the crispness of market, even using traditional materials such as celluloid, hard original features. If in doubt with a valuable pen, consult a rubber and casein. In general, these are high priced and feature specialist. fashionable design, often celebrating individuals or events. Subscribers wishing to research this subject further can check out our Montblanc are the most successful. Fig 8 shows their 1996 website at www.antiques-info.co.uk select Personal Accessories Alexandre Dumas Writer’s Limited Edition with 15,000 made. category and sub search Pen to find several hundred examples which Other than the earlier examples ( the Parker Treasure Pen made from include other writing equipment accessories. Each image is accom- ingots recovered from the Carribean and the Mont Blanc ‘Prince panied by the auction description and full market details including Regent’) these usually suffer an immediate drop in value after retail where the lot was sold, when it sold, the hammer price and the buyer’s and provide an active, lower priced, secondary market. Some of price including premium. these are more akin to jewellery in their use of precious metals or art with their intricate designs. Typically earlier ones of these are genuinely valuable and collectable being much more highly priced Copyright © Writing Equipment Society and authors 2007. Fig 7. Sheaffer PFM Demonstrator. Fig 2 & 2A. Waterman #456 black hard rubber with sterling silver overlay. Fig 4. Wahl Pearl and black oversize. Fig 3. Parker Duofold Senior Orange 1926. Fig 6. Parker 51 Fountain pen. ANTIQUES INFO - September/October 07 .