Hungarian Pens

[basterma]

Duplicate post deleted

Edited January 23, 2013 by basterma

[pavoni]

Pavoni, this is a fascinating thread,... particularly yesterday's post with the pictures & Magyar script.

I've written with fountain pens since the early 50s (while still living in Hungary). At that time we used pens manufactured in the USSR & DDR, but I cannot remember any of the brands.

My best friend's father ran a pen repair shop in the lobby of our apartment.

 

Looking forward to any new revelations about the Tatra (or other Hungarian) pens.

 

Regards.

Istvan

 

Szervusz Istvan,

 

Thank you for your interest and for taking time to comment. Unfortunately, most of the pens I come across in my search so far seem to have been pens manufactured in most other countries except Hungary :bonk: Enjoyed the story of your best friend's father. It seems it was far more common than not for a pen repair facility to be located in a lobby/entrance halls. What a great way to see and handle some interesting pens. I wonder if your friend ever expressed an interest in his father's shop or whether indeed he carries an interest in pens to this day?

 

Given the inventiveness of Hungarians and their important contribution to the world of pens - Laszlo Biro (no introduction necessary); Fran Seech (saved the Biro from early failure with an improved ink formula); Theodore Kovacs (piston filler system); and Laszlo Moholy Nagy (designer of the Parker 51) to name the obvious ones, one would have thought a decent Hungarian pen brand or two, particularly from the golden era of fountain pens, would have survived even Hungary’s turbulent history.

 

However, I have today stumbled across another teasing piece of information. There exists a company called ICO who, according to their website, began in 1951 when 18 craftsmen, all apparently producers of fountain-pens and other writing instruments, came together to form the Writing Instrument Manufacturers' Cooperative in Budapest, 5th District Kalman Street. Whilst it isn't the period I am interested in, the notion that fountain pens were being produced in Budapest excites me and means that I am not on some wild goose chase. ICO seem to have an interesting history. Fast forward to 2006 when they established 'ICO UK' in Kent, England. :hmm1: Guess where I am headed the second week of February?

 

Another lead? I will keep looking :ph34r:

 

Pavoni.

Edited January 22, 2013 by pavoni

[tinta]

Hello Pavoni;

 

How interesting.

Before 1957 I lived in Pest, district (kerulet) V, on Szemere u., 15.

My school, Szemere Utcai Altalalos Iskola (also where my Mother taught primary grades)is still there, between Kalman Imre u. & Alkotmany u.

I may have lived close to where that ICO co-operative was, in district V.

 

From the third grade on, we used fountain pens & thought of them only as troublesome & somewhat messy tools. Oh, we heard about the fabled German Mont Blanc or Pelikan pens, but did not often see them in actual use. My friend's father, who repaired pens, did show me his treasured pre-war Pelikan & collection of Gehas.

For the most part, we lusted after the reliable biros manufactured in the West (such as Parkers).

Often confiscated in school, difficult to obtain, the biros were the forbidden fruit of writing instruments. We all wanted them.

 

I would not be surprised if there was a Hungarian sub-brand of one of the pre-war German manufacturers, produced in Hungary. Even if Hungary did not develop into a heavily industrialized country, it has had its share of inventors & some light industry.

 

I plan to return to Hungary this year & will inquire about Ringler store & Tatra pens.

Looking forward to anything you find.

 

Cheers:

Istvan

[pienaar]

I just love this type of history. :clap1:

[attika89]

Szervusztok!

 

I know this is a pretty old thread, but luckily I can share some information now!

 

A few days ago I was browsing through a Hungarian auction site - like I do it on a daily basis-, and suddenly I came across a 'Turcsány' fountain pen.

First thought:

Second: I got to get this!

 

A bit of pen history before I finish my story:

When I saw that pen I've remembered how little I was able to find out about the 'Turcsány' brand itself. Then I realized I've bought a pen about a year ago from one of Hungary's biggest pen collectors and I was dumb enough not to ask him about it yet.

So I did it today! Huge respect for him! I'll try to sum it up now.

 

So 'Turcsány' was a Hungarian pen company between the two WW-s, owned by Mr. Turcsány in Pest.

They made their own pens positioned into the same section as the German import pens that time, but the quality wasn't as good as the Pelikan's for example. The brand was told be a pretty serious brand back then.

At first they made button-fillers, then they went onto piston-fillers.

I have no model names/numbers to speak of.

WWII have resulted the fall of this brand as well (among many others of course).

 

http://imgfrm.index.hu/imgfrm/9/5/9/7/BIG_0009269597.jpg

 

Today it is hard to find a Turcsány pen, and even harder to find one in good condition. I haven't seen one, except for the mentioned one. This collector has one, but it's nib is broken. But he has a leather pen case what I think is just impossible to find these days!

 

Between the '20s and '40s there were a few tries to build up a Hungarian brand.

There were two gentlemen: Ede Rigler and Béla Szénási.

Rigler was importing pens from (mainly) Germany and was re-branding them.

Szénási decided to make his own brand. At first other companies made pens for him, then he opened his own. His brand's name was 'Szennabella', and the quality was pretty good. The nibs were from import.

 

After WWII the main thing was only to provide repair service for those who might needed that.

 

This photo is from '56 (war of independence) showing a 'Fountain pen Repair' sign in the background.

http://www.fortepan.hu/_photo/download/fortepan_40172.jpg

 

Now back to my story, I was puzzling how much should I give for this pen, but I though this might be my only chance to get a Turcsány pen like this.

After talking to this collector, he said I've payed too much for it, especially it is need to be restored. But I'm not disappointed at all.

 

Anyway, now I have it! It is in great condition!

It is HUGE! 13,4 cm uncapped, 15,2 cm capped, and pretty thick too.

Ren-black ebonite if I'm correct. No bite marks or deep scratches.

Looks very nice, but it misses it's sac and the pressure bar is rusted and broken.

The nib is a 14k gold with 'Ia' imprint on it under the Turcsány sign. One tine is a tiny bit bent.

As it seems there is a local guy who might be able to restore it for me.

 

http://kepfeltoltes.hu/130902/P1160708_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

 

http://kepfeltoltes.hu/130902/P1160713_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

http://www.kepfeltoltes.hu/130902/9388815P1160700_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

http://www.kepfeltoltes.hu/130902/P1160704_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

http://www.kepfeltoltes.hu/130902/P1160702_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

http://www.kepfeltoltes.hu/130902/589551277P1160717_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

[pavoni]

Fabulous post Attila, and many congratulations on your beautiful Turcsany. It truly looks magnificent and I am certain you will manage to get it in full working order in due course.

 

You have inspired me to continue looking. Many thanks.

 

Pavoni

[attika89]

Thank you very much Pavoni

I have to say its worth looking, really!

 

I'm thinking about ordering the parts and try to get it to work myself, but college begins next week. So I might be out of free time for a while.

I could find a 84 mm pressure bar online, but I'm yet to find out what sac size would be good.

It would great to finally get to know the only known pen restorer here too though.

[Pterodactylus]

Hi Attila,

 

Thanks for posting this interesting excursion to the Hungarian pen history.

[rwilsonedn]

It has been fascinating following this quest. I wonder if there is any parallel between manufacturing in inter-war Japan and in inter-war Hungary. It appears that in Japan there was a ready supply of pen parts, and that many little family-owned stationery stores bought parts and made pens, which they sold under their own names. I would think that something very similar could have happened in Hungary. But in Japan, the cottage industry seems to have left its traces in the back of every writing desk, shop drawer, and grandfather's treasure box in the country. There doesn't seem to be any similar evidence of wide-spread local pen assembly in Hungary. I wonder what could explain the difference.

ron

[Offret]

Wow, awesome thread.

[jakson]

Hungarian Pen established in 1926 by Antal Rado. Nowadays the Hungarian Pen club is an affiliate of International pen. I am really happy to find genuine information about Hungarian Pen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks..

[attika89]

Oh, I'm so sorry that I haven't come back to this thread when the pen was restored

The pen came out to be even nicer! With the nib polished, and an overall cleaning it really looks great.
The person I've sent it out for restoring has a few Turcsány pens, and he said that this pen might(!) not be a proper one. Those in his collection has the brand name engraved in the barrel or the cap. This does not, but heart and soul (nib and feed) is Turcsány.
He said that Turcsany even made safeties, and he has some of those too.
I'm yet to meet him in person to see his collection, but hopefully I can make it one day.

A few photos of the restored pen:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/9840894345_b33cc3b4fe_z.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/9840911356_376f7904fb_z.jpg

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/9840983163_e416624235_z.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9840878545_3931330e58_z.jpg

Edited January 18, 2014 by attika89

[pavoni]

Hungarian Pen established in 1926 by Antal Rado. Nowadays the Hungarian Pen club is an affiliate of International pen. I am really happy to find genuine information about Hungarian Pen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks..

Penparadise.co.uk

Many thanks for this information. The Hungarian PEN club was established as an association for Writers, Poets and other such thinkers of the day.

 

Pavoni.

[pavoni]

Great pictures Attila. That really is a fabulous pen you have.

 

Is your contact aware of the FPN and, do you think he would be willing to share his collection and his knowledge of Hungary's fountain pen history here with us?

 

Pavoni.

[BMG]

It's nice to see this thread percolating a bit!

 

That's a lovely pen, Attila. Have you written with it?

[attika89]

Great pictures Attila. That really is a fabulous pen you have.

 

Is your contact aware of the FPN and, do you think he would be willing to share his collection and his knowledge of Hungary's fountain pen history here with us?

 

Pavoni.

Thank you

I don't know if he is reading FPN, or if he is a member, but I'll ask when I talk to him next week. I have sent my MB 644G to him for restoration.

I would love to see those pens too!!!

 

 

@BMG, I don't have it inked right now, but I do use it often. There isn't too much tipping material, but it works nicely so far.

Let me quote some of my posts from the "Don't just tell us about......" thread:

 

http://www.kepfeltoltes.hu/131019/IMG_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

 

 

http://www.kepfeltoltes.hu/131001/P1160918_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

Edited January 18, 2014 by attika89

[BMG]

Wow, that's quite a versatile nib! Nice script, too.

 

Thanks!

[pavoni]

A fabulous pen, great photography, and an attractive hand. Well done Attila. Nagyon szep

 

Pavoni.

[attika89]

Wow, that's quite a versatile nib! Nice script, too.

 

Thanks!

Thank you! It is really a great nib!

 

A fabulous pen, great photography, and an attractive hand. Well done Attila. Nagyon szep

 

Pavoni.

Nagyon szépen köszönöm!

[panda7]

Hello,

My little contribution to very interesting thread. Pictures of unknown Tatra fountain pen. Unfortunately, not in very good condition.

Also, if anyone can share some adittional information, thank you in advance.

 

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w622/lejla77/Tatra1_zpsba511c66.jpg

 

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w622/lejla77/Tatra2_zps5d77287a.jpg

 

http://i1333.photobucket.com/albums/w622/lejla77/Tatra3_zpsff29ffa0.jpg