Hi,

I've had an Esterbrook since 3rd grade. I've been poking around on the internet to figure out what model it is. I found a nearly exact duplicate on eBay (140021178429). It's going for $90!

It is an Esterbrook LJ "Icicle" in Sharp Silver.

My nib simply says "Esterbrook Fine". The one on eBay has a 9556 nib. There is no name on my barrel, only on the clip

Another site mentioned that some of these pens were made in Mexico - how can I tell where mine was made?

I stopped writing with this pen decades ago, worried that the sac would fail. I loaded it up the other day (after a short rinse and test) - It works PERFECTLY.

I asked TRex if a $1000 pen would write any better than my Esterbrook. His reply," Few things in this world work better than an Esterbrook."

Now I'm almost afraid to use it! I do love it. It's been a constant companion most of my life.

I bought my first Esterbrook off eBay sometime last year. It had obviously been used at some point but was otherwise in excellent shape (no scratches, imprint still pretty sharp). The seller wasn't sure if it still worked. When I got it, I washed it out and it filled, no problem. It's now my primary sketching pen.

It is not a big deal to get a new sac installed.
I have long since lost the one I had in grade school. I bought a
restored one on eBay; it felt very familiar, and very good. (not as
good as if I had the actual original I used in school).

If I were you, I'd use it daily and repair the sac if it fails. I doubt you will wear out the nib, but they can be replaced too. Enjoy (and make the pen work for a living)

Usually it says 'Esterbrook' on the barrel and below that 'Made in the USA' or Canada or 'Hencho en Mexico'. I guess if it doesn't say anything on the barrel, then it's a mystery. I've got one just like it. I suspect it's late production. Especially if your nib just says 'fine'. Cool that you still have your own pen!!

$90 + $7.55 shipping is much more than I would pay for that pen; however, the Icicle models do usually sell for about twice as much as the regular double jeweled J series colors, and I personally love them! I have a silver one too, but I haven't owned mine as long as you have had yours. The seller who sold me mine said it appears to be NOS, and it definitely appears mint; however, the imprint on my barrel is very crisp on half of the logo, but the other half is very weak--I assumed it was a manufacture defect, but also thought it could have been polished by someone. As far as no imprint at all, I'm not sure what that means... It is possible that the plastic could wear down causing the imprint to disappear, especially if you have used the pen a lot, but maybe they were also some made without an imprint? I'm sure Brian will be able to answer that.

If you ask me, I say it's OK to use your pens as long as you take care of them. The Esterbrook pens are very enjoyable, especially since the nibs are so easily to interchange and still easy to find in new condition.

--Stephen

How fortunate you are! How I wish I still had at least one of my Sheaffer cartridge pens from that period, but like most kids destroyed them decades ago. Your Esterbrook can outlast you--they're the Model T of FP's.

I very much enjoy using my LJ and it gets a daily workout of at least 10 pages of journal. I used to do all my notes on the computer, but I find that it is easier to record just about anything with pen on paper. Somehow my computer notes get disorganized, file formats change over the years (Wordstar anyone?). hard drives crash, etc. Notebooks get put on a shelf and I know where they are.

I'm no Luddite, but in my business I prefer hand tools to power tools. I discovered Japanese saws a few years ago - wonderful, beautiful, and easy to use.

Same with fountain pens. I never found any writing tool that was as satisfying to use as my old pens.

Of course I have finally been bitten by the bug and I'm looking around for more pens. I'm pretty sure that I'll continue to use the Esterbrook though.

I have to add my admiration for your good fortune in having your first ever fountain pen. I have mine. My dad gave me a Parker 51 when I was eight and I still have it. I do not hesitate to use it. The 51 is a vac filler, so ir has an ink sac, too. If it ever goes, I will just have it replaced.

Just a brief Esterbrook anecdote. When I was in the second grade, our class subscribed to "The Weekly Reader." At about Christmas time, the publishers sponsored a sale of inexpensive Esterbrook founain pens engraved with "My Weekly Reader." The pen cost $1.25 if I recall correctly. I wanted one of those pens so badly, but my dad balked at what he saw as crass commercialism. I did without. Then, about two years ago, I actually found one of those engraved Esties for sale in one of the on line pen markets. I jumped at it and paid $40. It took over 50-years, but I got my Estie.

Now maybe you will think about adding a few more Esties to your collection.

Rabbits right, $90 is a bit much for an icicle. I've payed anywhere from $50 - $65 for the ones I have and a red one went for $60 on "The Marketplace" here at FPN. Don't be afraid to use it as Esterbrook is a very durable pen.

I have the same pen. I recently purchased it off the marketplace for $10, but it has a cracked section. I just received, off the bay, a few potential donor pens, so I should be able to get it working.

Having your 3rd grade pen must be a real treat.

Like others have said I wouldn't worry about inking it up and writing away. It's amazing how durable these pens are. Most of the one's on Ebay just have minor surface wear and may need a new sac (which is simple to replace). Considering these were workhorse pens in their day its real impressive and a credit to the Esterbrook company.

Barrel imprints are highly variable. I suspect they were done on hand operated equipment and clarity wasn't a major QC issue (it's really advertizing, after all), so some pens have a deep one, some have none at all, and everything in between.

Some collectors go gaga about stuff like this, me, I could care less.

Esties seem to be some of the best celluoid pens made -- very rare to see a brittle one, I think. Maybe just because the are so new compared to those from the 30s, though....

Peter

I would say $90 is an optimistic price on an icicle. I don't think that will be selling any time soon.

I've seen lots of icicles come through without imprints, although I can't imagine why Esterbrook would have let this happened. It seems to only be this line, as the other marbled Esterbrook pens will always have an imprint.

Best-
Brian