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Esterbrook Dip-Less Inkwell


Larry Barrieau

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I was in an antique store in New Hampshire (a different one) and I got this set for $20. The pen and the inkwell are unused and brand new except for the 60 or so years since it was made. The instructions are still in the bottom of the inkwell.

 

Larry

 

Looking for a black SJ Transitional Esterbrook Pen. (It's smaller than an sj)

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How cool, congrats.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

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  • 2 weeks later...

That is a fantastic find and a great deal at $20. I have seen two of those US Navy Esterbrook inkwells. Both of those were from ships during World War II and both had been acquired by their current owners before leaving the ships. I don't know where those inkwells are now.

 

I have also been searching for one of those Navy inkwells without any luck. If I ever do find one, I would be amazed to be able to get it for just $20. So, here's hoping I'm amazed in this manner before too long. Congratulations on your great find.

 

-David.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it will still be stationery. -Anon.

A backward poet writes inverse. -Anon.

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Thanks, I was curious about the dip-less inkwell and how it worked. So I got one off of ebay for $12 - used, chipped, and no pen. While waiting for that to arrive I found the above dip-less set in the shop and couldn't believe my luck. Today it sits on my desk filled with ink and ready to write. It's purpose is puzzling though. Why have something between a dip pen and a fountain pen? The feed gets saturated and you can write about a page and then have to re-dip. I use it to jot quick notes or lists. But I do like it, it is nice looking, writes well, and I'm ex Navy.

 

Larry

Edited by Larry Barrieau

 

Looking for a black SJ Transitional Esterbrook Pen. (It's smaller than an sj)

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Ex-navy is a great reason to have that set. It's a nice set. I like desk pens, but they are just a bit less useful than capped fountain pens. I like them because my mother used a Sheaffer's, and it reminds me of her to have various kinds around.

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

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One of the best reasons to own and use fountain pens.... they remind us of something good from the past. Sort of a warm fuzzy for me using mine even at work.

Rod Rumsey

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At the time those pens were used, the GSA (I think) supplied pens and pencils to the Army, Navy, Senate, Post Office and the President to name a few. The pens had an advantage of not being able to stick them in your pocket and walking off with it and that particular ink well had such a low center of gravity that it couldn't tip over with the motion of a ship.

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. TS Eliot

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Good points but a desk fountain pen wouldn't be put in a pocket either although the 8 ball kind of base is not as stable as the dip-less.

 

Looking for a black SJ Transitional Esterbrook Pen. (It's smaller than an sj)

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Fountain pens were more expensive than dipless pens. Thousands were supplied to the services. Also these pens held more ink in the well than a fountain pen so it didn't need servicing as often. These pens were usually placed in a public place and used for filling out forms and the like. Clerks quite likely had pocket pens of their own.

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. TS Eliot

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Makes sense. Thank you.

 

Looking for a black SJ Transitional Esterbrook Pen. (It's smaller than an sj)

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For the non-public user, there is also the greater resistance to blockage than one finds in an FP. I use mine for red ink, which I need about three linear inches' worth each work-day, and which made a sad chore of maintenance out of the pen I tasked with it before the 444 came into my life. The feed gets a little gummy, true, but it only needs a quick dabble in water every 45 - 60 days and it keeps on running.

 

Say... it's been about a year since I filled it. Time to take it home for a big cleaning and refill.

Ravensmarch Pens & Books
It's mainly pens, just now....

Oh, good heavens. He's got a blog now, too.

 

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