What Kind Of Pen Would Have Been Used To Write This?

[unigami]

I have an old land title book with lots of amazing handwriting in it. This is an example of an awesome signature in the book. It is dated 1914. Would this have been done with a dip pen?

 

[Mr.Rene]

Dip pen probably...

[PolarMoonman]

Looking at the extreme differences in line variation I'd also say a dip pen.

[unigami]

Thanks...that's what I figured. Sure wish I could sign my name like that!

[Randal6393]

Look at IAMPETH (www.iampeth.com) for Spenserian tutorials and enjoy the study. Shouldn't take all that long to master the beginnings of Spenserian. Although, penmen often say they never really master Spenserian -- no matter how beautiful their work seems to the rest of us.

 

If you are right-handed, would advise working with an oblique nib, left-handers seem to work better with a straight nib holder. For nibs, well, I would suggest looking at the Spenserian thread under "Pointed Pen Calligraphy". Much advice and help, from masters of the style.

 

Welcome to FPN! Hope you enjoy your time here.

[00Photo]

Don't forget that time frame puts this in the sweet spot of Waterman flexible fountain pen nibs. Here's an example of a Waterman 12 wet noodle with iron gall ink. A semi flex would have even easier to maintain the hairlines.

 

http://00photo.com/codename/IMG_6158.jpg

[unigami]

Don't forget that time frame puts this in the sweet spot of Waterman flexible fountain pen nibs. Here's an example of a Waterman 12 wet noodle with iron gall ink. A semi flex would have even easier to maintain the hairlines.

 

http://00photo.com/codename/IMG_6158.jpg

 

WOW! That is amazing!

[unigami]

Look at IAMPETH (www.iampeth.com) for Spenserian tutorials and enjoy the study.

 

Thank you!

[strictlyobiter]

My first job after uni was working with the Land Registry here in Ireland. Pure heaven for a FP addict .

[Tinjapan]

I have a few vintage Conklins from around that era that have similar line width variation. It seems that today's "flex" nibs on FPs generally do not hold a candle to those from a hundred years ago. I don't think it could not have been done with a fountain pen of that era.

[Kataphract]

It does illustrate the prob

Don't forget that time frame puts this in the sweet spot of Waterman flexible fountain pen nibs. Here's an example of a Waterman 12 wet noodle with iron gall ink. A semi flex would have even easier to maintain the hairlines.

 

http://00photo.com/codename/IMG_6158.jpg

Beautifully done, though it does illustrate the problem with fancy handwriting - I interpret the original signature as "Ford" and yours as "Force" (and is that an "F"?). Still, lovely either way.

[Pterodactylus]

 

(Waterman 45 BCHR Safety ..... Montblanc Mystery Black)

 

The line variation is not extrem, there were a lot of fountain pens in that time which could be used to write the signature.

Including the Waterman 12 from OOPhoto or the Waterman 45 I used above.

 

@OOPhoto

Great replica, really well done

Edited March 18, 2015 by Pterodactylus

[BBU]

00Photo, what paper did you use for that sample?

[Yehenara]

Most probably a dip pen. It's not the swells you should be looking at but the hairlines. Such thins would be very difficult indeed with a pen with tipping material.

[vondauster]

Most probably a dip pen. It's not the swells you should be looking at but the hairlines. Such thins would be very difficult indeed with a pen with tipping material.

 

Excellent point.

 

Will

[Pterodactylus]

 

(Serwex MB flex EMF ..... ESS Registrars Blue/Black)

 

Still not convinced.

 

Hairlines are no exclusive domain of dip pens.

I own a Faber Castell Osmia 223 which gives me razor sharp hairlines and has quite a lot flex (unfortunately currently not inked).

But you can search for some older posts from me with that pen if you you are interested.

 

How broad or fine hairlines are is not only a matter of the nib, it´s also highliy dependend on the ink.

 

Of course the writer might used a dip pen, but it is also possible that he used a fountain pen.

Just looking at this output you can't be sure, both is possible.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Pterodactylus

[Bo Bo Olson]

""How broad or fine hairlines are is not only a matter of the nib, it´s also highly dependent on the ink""....ah ha!

 

Paper must make a difference too.....so saith the guy with Rooster Scratch.

[00Photo]

BBU, that is R by Rhodia paper.

 

I would still go 50-50 either way it was a dip pen or fountain pen. Tough call.