Ivory Dip Pen

[jasbax]

I have posted this before and not made a very good job of it. I received some replies (thank you) asking me to upload a picture.

I did this with more information. Can't find it so have decided to start again with a new post.

 

I have an Ivory Pen, 6.1/2" closed., the nib and all trim is gold. A cap unscrews at one end to reveal the nib, a cap unscrews at the other end and when removed has a small pencil fitted.

I was given some information (not by a pen expert) approx. 8 years ago confirming the ivory and gold an giving the age as approx. 1880. Recently I found a web site selling a huge collection of dip pens following a family death and they showed one VERY similar to mine. It was advertised as late 18th century French marine ivory. I have no further information as the pen had been sold when I enquired.

 

I have added an attachment with a picture of my pen.

 

Any thoughts or information will be appreciated.

[Uncle Red]

It's amazing! Are there any hallmarks?

[jasbax]

Thanks for your reply, no hallmarks - no marks whatsoever.

[Uncle Red]

You may want to find out when hallmarks were first used in major European countries, that'll give you a starting place for the pen. Also, PM member jbb.

[ANM]

I would imagine the (beautiful) pen you have would be 19th century, not 18th century as was stated by the auction you saw simply because the pen was made to use a metal nib. While your nib may have been made later than the pen holder, steel nibs did not come into use until circa early 1800's and the technology to make practical gold nibs wasn't available until around the 1880's.

 

here is a link that discussed the development of metal nibs

http://www.kamakurapens.com/IridiumKiss.html

 

PS I have a feeling that the style of the pen is more Edwardian than Victorian which could place it in the early 20th century, and by the 1920's, fountain pens had pretty much replaced expensive dip pens like this one even though inexpensive wooden dip pens were still use by some school children into the 30's and later.

Edited June 9, 2012 by ANM

[jasbax]

You may want to find out when hallmarks were first used in major European countries, that'll give you a starting place for the pen. Also, PM member jbb.

Thanks for your suggestion, have already looked and became more confused, a hallmark was first recorded in the 13th century though only occasionally and through the ages (and still is) has not always been used on items where the bulk material is something other than gold. In fact not always on writing instruments made of silver for instance. Sampson Mordan produced some silver pencils which were not assayed.