During a recent visit to the Marine Corps Museum south of Washington, DC, I noticed a pen in a display case in the Vietnam War section of the museum. As I looked closer at the common-looking desk pen that was used by LBJ to sign the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, I noticed that it was an Esterbrook, with a 2668 nib, with dried ink still on it.

Very interesting. I had no idea Esties could be so dangerous. We should all be careful what we sign with our Esties.

Judybug

If you have them by their Esties, surely their heart and minds will follow.

Excellent!

What?! A President signing with a 2000-series nib? How humiliating!

Well, the 2668 is defined as a nib for "general writing". Since one does not exist for Presidential writing this was as close as it got.

I ran into a 1920s article in the New York Times that talked about the pen President Lincoln used to sign the Emancipation Proclamation. Apparently there are (or were in 1929) 4 different pens all claimed to be the one Lincoln used on the document, and all with equal documentation as to their provinance. On possible reason for this was given by an anectode where someone asked Lincoln for the pen used to sign a particular bill or document. Lincoln allegedly turned to a small tray of steel nibs on his desk, proferred them the the requestor and said "It was one of these - take you pick."

John

The White House bought these pens by the case. They were called "Bill Signers" and were made to be given away, not to be written with to any great extent. The clear part of the dip less said The President The White House. Each president had pens with slightly different imprints.

Nice story. Thanks

Excellent Estie sighting!!!!
(Too bad about the war.)

My desk set has a 2668 on it. It's a smooth wet writer. Me likey.