Oldest Esterbrook Desk Pen

[bfg]

Just got this via EBay. It's the oldest Estie model dip pen set I've seen. It say R. Esterbrook and Co. on the bottom but no model number. I have a 404 which is pretty early, but I think this style is more primitive. Does anyone know anything about this model?

[ac12]

My notes say that is a 401 "barrel" inkwell.

Cool that you also have the base for it.

 

And I think there is a different pen that goes with that inkwell.

[estie1948]

I don't have a number for this desk set, but it is located on page 40 of a reproduced Esterbrook catalog from 1938 or 1939 in Paul Hoban's The Fountain Pens of Esterbrook. Reads "Esterbrook Dip Less Desk Pen Set. A Scientifically Designed Desk Set for Every Business Use -- A Pen That is Always Ready to Give Clean, Efficient Service Instantly. A pen that seldom needs dipping--a pen that won't run dry . . . An Esterbrook point to do any work--a point that resists wear and corrosion . . . A fountain well that holds enough ink for six months, prevents ink-overflow and evaporation and maintains proper ink level at all times . . A feather-weight holder designed for hard use keeps you writing in tireless motion."

 

Paul might be able to verify the number and add information.

 

It is a beautiful desk set. I wonder if it works as well now as its advertisement professed. Do you plan to display it or use it? None of my business, I admit, but it is just that I am so jealous. Hope you enjoy it however you decide to use it.

 

-David.

Edited September 9, 2014 by estie1948

[Hobiwan]

There's an earlier thread on this very model ...

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/272016-early-esterbrook-inkwell/

 

A lot of discussion, plus the pen(s) that work in the early dipless.

A good read.

[bfg]

Thanks for the help. I know this is not the right pen for it. I actually have one the I think is the right era. It's has a flat feed that isn't a screw in nib unit but rather a friction fit nib and feed. It's marked Esterbrook Dip-Less Universal, so I guess it was meant to fit different sets. It is also marked Property of Air Force - U.S. Army.

 

I doubt I'll use the set. It's very clean for its age and I don't want to mess it up.

[Hobiwan]

That pen sounds VERY right for the period of that desk set. The Army Air Corps/Air Forces was so named during WWII, and didn't become just the Air Force until 1947. But from 1937 there was a "General Headquarters Air Force" (administrative branch) which was still part of the Army, and it just might be that your pen lived in one of those offices during its active life.

 

A nice piece of American history for the coolest of the older Esterbrook desk sets. And yes, they're a bit difficult to find in such good condition, much less complete. When I was "in the hunt" (20+ years ago), I only found one complete set; the others missing the glass ink container...

[bfg]

That pen sounds VERY right for the period of that desk set. The Army Air Corps/Air Forces was so named during WWII, and didn't become just the Air Force until 1947. But from 1937 there was a "General Headquarters Air Force" (administrative branch) which was still part of the Army, and it just might be that your pen lived in one of those offices during its active life.

 

A nice piece of American history for the coolest of the older Esterbrook desk sets. And yes, they're a bit difficult to find in such good condition, much less complete. When I was "in the hunt" (20+ years ago), I only found one complete set; the others missing the glass ink container...

Thanks very much. You just never know with Ebay. Usually it's the same basic things but every now and then something really cool will turn up.

[pen2paper]

That pen sounds VERY right for the period of that desk set. The Army Air Corps/Air Forces was so named during WWII, and didn't become just the Air Force until 1947. But from 1937 there was a "General Headquarters Air Force" (administrative branch) which was still part of the Army, and it just might be that your pen lived in one of those offices during its active life.

 

A nice piece of American history for the coolest of the older Esterbrook desk sets. And yes, they're a bit difficult to find in such good condition, much less complete. When I was "in the hunt" (20+ years ago), I only found one complete set; the others missing the glass ink container...

inquiry on the other thread please

[Hobiwan]

As to your inquiry about patents, and whether the unit is plastic or bakelite, I don't know. It looks like it could be what they called "bakelite" back then, but that knowledge is "beyond my pay grade". I've seen a couple of other, similarly-designed desk bases, but with different "upside-down-ink-bottle" arrangements inside the tower, so I'd speculate that the only thing patentable would be the bottle assembly. All the ones I saw were different from each other.