Who can tell me more about this 'Universal' pen?

[DAYoung]

I need to make a withdrawal from the grand brains trust of FPN, if I may.

 

I just picked up this little 'Universal' pen at a local market. It has what I'd call a plunger system (but this might be incorrect). I've filled it with Waterman Florida Blue, and it writes very well: finely, smoothly, consistently.

 

It says 'Universal' on the side, but little else.

 

Can anyone tell me more about this little pen?

 

PEN

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/DAYoung_2006/universal.jpg

 

NIB

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/DAYoung_2006/Universal-nib.jpg

 

LOGO

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/DAYoung_2006/Universal-logo.jpg

 

FILLER

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n5/DAYoung_2006/Universal-filler.jpg

[sumgaikid]

Looks like a contemporary type of pen. Vintage plunger rods were usually plastic..............

 

My guess is chinese.......?

 

 

John

[shadowsforbars]

This site seems to indicate that it was an American Company.

 

http://munsonpens.wordpress.com/category/u...-fountain-pens/

 

A link on the page leads to a picture of a similar pen.

[DAYoung]

Thank you both.

 

I've no compelling evidence for this, but it does seem like an older pen: something about the materials. And this other post on the FPN suggests it's older.

 

But it's only a hunch. If it turns out to be a cheap Chinese knock-off, so be it - it's still a very impressive little writer.

Edited August 23, 2009 by DAYoung

[Pfhorrest]

For some reason, I'm guessing it's a pen engraved with the Universal logo.

 

Possibly Chinese?

[DAYoung]

I'd certainly be willing to believe that.

 

But I'd like to see some evidence either way. They must've made thousands of these - where are they?

[DAYoung]

I'd certainly be willing to believe that.

 

But I'd like to see some evidence either way. They must've made thousands of these - where are they?

[DAYoung]

Sorry, double post.

 

While I'm at it, is it common for cheap, weird, knock-off pens to write as well as their more prestigious cousins?

Edited August 23, 2009 by DAYoung

[Zeroblade]

I've seen a lot of cheap hooded pens with syringe fillers were Italian, if memory serves me right. Not totally sure, but it could be a possibility as well.

[DAYoung]

I've seen a lot of cheap hooded pens with syringe fillers were Italian, if memory serves me right. Not totally sure, but it could be a possibility as well.

 

Ah. Well, that's another lead.

 

Thank you.

[Edgar Allan Bo]

HERE is an auktion on EBAY with a similar pen but the same filling mechanism, I see many of these on eBay, some of them are even the same, only with different company-names on the pen...

[diplomat]

Universal is an Italian company that is still alive and kicking producing the famous Carioca colors:

 

http://www.carioca.it/index2.html

 

As you can see they still have the same logo.

 

They are part of the Settimo Torinese district, a place where most of the Italian FP producers were located from the 20s until the end of the FP era. Universal survived thanks to Carioca.

 

What you have there is the tipycal 50s school pen. I had many, look at this picture:

 

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4494/dsc9649lc6.jpg

 

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2566/dsc9641hs7.jpg

 

They were cheap and reliable. It's a nice find, enjoy your pen!

 

Ciao,

 

Andre

[Beechwood]

I have one of these Universal pens too, in a conspicious duck egg blue!

 

Its a good writer, huge ink capacity and an excellent nib, it deserves a better accolade than school pen although I am sure that was its target market when new.

[DAYoung]

HERE is an auktion on EBAY with a similar pen but the same filling mechanism, I see many of these on eBay, some of them are even the same, only with different company-names on the pen...

 

Yes, that's certainly similar. I mean, each of the parts are different (e.g. cap, nib, hood, barrel), but there's undoubtedly a resemblance. And the mechanism is the same.

 

Does it say where the pens are manufactured?

[DAYoung]

Universal is an Italian company that is still alive and kicking producing the famous Carioca colors:

 

http://www.carioca.it/index2.html

 

As you can see they still have the same logo.

 

They are part of the Settimo Torinese district, a place where most of the Italian FP producers were located from the 20s until the end of the FP era. Universal survived thanks to Carioca.

 

What you have there is the tipycal 50s school pen. I had many, look at this picture:

 

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4494/dsc9649lc6.jpg

 

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2566/dsc9641hs7.jpg

 

They were cheap and reliable. It's a nice find, enjoy your pen!

 

Ciao,

 

Andre

 

Bravo, Andre - grazie!

[DAYoung]

I have one of these Universal pens too, in a conspicious duck egg blue!

 

Its a good writer, huge ink capacity and an excellent nib, it deserves a better accolade than school pen although I am sure that was its target market when new.

 

I was astonished when I inked it: light, smooth, crisp line. And with a very simple, straightforward mechanism (the antithesis of my Sheaffer snorkel).

[diplomat]

Bravo, Andre - grazie!

 

Prego!

 

If you don't mind I'll keep reference of your pen on my hard disk, it's a nice specimen and from a renowned company.

As soon as Italy re-opens I'll go to the flea market of my town (where I found the four pens in the above pictures) to hunt for more!

[DAYoung]

Bravo, Andre - grazie!

 

Prego!

 

If you don't mind I'll keep reference of your pen on my hard disk, it's a nice specimen and from a renowned company.

As soon as Italy re-opens I'll go to the flea market of my town (where I found the four pens in the above pictures) to hunt for more!

 

Please do. And good luck with your hunt, Andre.

Edited August 23, 2009 by DAYoung

[ZeissIkon]

While I'm at it, is it common for cheap, weird, knock-off pens to write as well as their more prestigious cousins?

 

Yes. I've got a bunch of Chinese pens that were all under $10 that write as well as new $50 to $100 pens from Parker, Waterman, and Sheaffer. Several of them required no adjustment to do so.

[DAYoung]

While I'm at it, is it common for cheap, weird, knock-off pens to write as well as their more prestigious cousins?

 

Yes. I've got a bunch of Chinese pens that were all under $10 that write as well as new $50 to $100 pens from Parker, Waterman, and Sheaffer. Several of them required no adjustment to do so.

 

Obviously the more expensive pens can have a lovely finish, or a more robust build. Perhaps they last longer, also.

 

(Just like a cheap DVD player works perfectly - for about six months).

 

But, yes: these cheapo pens can be surprisingly good writers.