Pratap Indian Ebonite Pen On Way

[majorworks]

In finally breaking a long auction losing streak, this one is mine:

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/PratapeboniteFP_zpsacd9ad54.jpg

 

 

Sweet-looking little pen! I especially was drawn to the clip, very cool and vintage styled. Does anyone know anything of the Pratap brand?

Edited September 11, 2014 by majorworks

[nakiana]

I don't know anything about the brand, but that's a very nice looking pen.

[hari317]

In finally breaking a long auction losing streak, this one is mine:

 

 

 

 

Sweet-looking little pen! I especially was drawn to the clip, very cool and vintage styled. Does anyone know anything of the Pratap brand?

Pratap, was based out of Baroda (Vadodara) in Gujarat. They were quite popular in western India.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/218343-what-indian-pens-are-you-using-today/?p=2708685

[majorworks]

Thanks, Hari. I figured you'd chime in! Have you ever owned or used a Pratap pen yourself? If so, what are your impressions?

 

Also, have you any information about when the Pratap company was in business? I'm wondering how "vintage" vintage is in the case of this pen.

Edited September 12, 2014 by majorworks

[hari317]

Thanks, Hari. I figured you'd chime in! Have you ever owned or used a Pratap pen yourself? If so, what are your impressions?

 

Also, have you any information about when the Pratap company was in business? I'm wondering how "vintage" vintage is in the case of this pen.

I have a few, I have to photograph them. the pens are typically small sized, feature multi start cap threads (unlike several other Indian pens) and are heat stamped on the barrel, cap, clip and feeder. HTH.

[deepak23]

Sometime back had located the phone number of Pratap pens and had called them. A lady at the other end, with quite obvious regret, told me that they had stopped producing FPs due to poor demand and difficulty in getting raw material and skilled manpower. They didn't even have old pieces in stock...

[majorworks]

The pen arrived on Saturday so I thought I'd follow up with a few photos (apologies in advance for poor quality) and first impressions. Despite carrying the name Pratap Senior on the cap, it's a relatively small pen at about 5 inches capped, 4-3/8 inches uncapped, and 6-1/8 inches posted. It's made in a very nice brown rippled ebonite and has a single metal jewel atop the cap.

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/IMAG0074_zps2lfzw7eg.jpg

 

It arrived from the seller safely packaged so no issues there. I noted that a couple of fins on the feed were on the verge of breaking off. One has done so since while the other hangs precariously. Other than that, the feed is good. I think it's ebonite but I'm not certain of that. The nib is marked "Pratap" with their logo, a circle bearing V Pen Co within. It's steel, naturally, and seems to be a fine and is very stiff. Someone applied pliers (or perhaps teeth) to the section somewhere along the way so there's a couple of light gouges. I'll try polishing them down a bit eventually.

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/IMAG0081_zpsu9trtovc.jpg

 

I noted in the OP that I liked the clip; it's still one of the pen's distinguishing features. At the top is that V Pen Co logo with an M underneath; not sure if that's meant to designate the pen as an M nib but it's still an F to me. Below that is the Pratap name again in a sort of relief. It's a nice stout clip that's gold-toned while the jewel is a plain chrome affair.

 

When I unscrewed the section, I found that the threads were very loose. But the section does snug down to the barrel pretty tight, so after I filled it with DeAtrimentis Pine Green (and having applied some silicone grease), it's not leaking.

 

Speaking of the barrel, it's got an inscription near the threads, some of which you can make out in the first photo. It reads "Pratap" on the first line. The second line, I think, says "Srivishwakarmapenudyogco" (?). Some of the last few characters are light.

Third line reads "Godhra (India)".

 

So how does it write? A bit scratchy, to be honest. I've fiddled with the nib a bit but my skills in nib tuning are slight. I noted that the tips of the tines were not touching when the pen arrived, so I worked on that a bit to get them in contact. It writes a fine line with no line variation.

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/IMAG0079_zpsxzxfuq6j.jpg

 

Overall, I'm pleased with the pen. As mentioned, it's on the small side. I think it'd almost fit inside my Varuna Gajendra if I removed the section. Aside from my BHR Esterbrook Dollar pen, it's my smallest ebonite pen, but it fills a hole in that respect.

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/IMAG0086_zpsuoj8xs9n.jpg

[masterguns]

That's a fantastic looking pen. Thanks for posting.

[mbradley]

That really is a nice looking pen, I really like the clip, for me clips tend to roll stoppers.

 

Michael