A Mystery History Pen

[freehand]

I got this one because it's such a smashing yellow (and I can't afford a Parker Mandarin Yellow Flat-top). Just finished restoring it today.

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_XAqLuU8H28k/TDkF7yYj_jI/AAAAAAAAApI/89P6PJZ1vDo/Cavalier1.jpg

 

It's a Cavalier (no relation to the Pilot model) that I'm guessing is a 3rd tier US product from the 30s or 40s.

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_XAqLuU8H28k/TDkGAPCYMcI/AAAAAAAAApQ/EtwoA9LrHE0/Cavalier3.jpg

 

But I would like to know more about the company. The nib is a Durium 14k gold-plated #6.

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_XAqLuU8H28k/TDkF-MvFBFI/AAAAAAAAApM/z0RdsPFup9w/Cavalier2.jpg

 

When I searched there was more to be found about the nib than about the pen. "Durium" is steel, in this case with a thin plating of gold. These nibs were made by the Howard Hunt Pen Co. and sold to manufacturers who weren't set up to produce their own (e.g. Arnold). Hunt was the target of FTC complaints that the name "Durium" and the "14k" markings on some nibs implied that some metal other than steel was used (such as iridium) and that the nibs were solid 14k gold.

 

The nib is unworn and, despite the lowly origins, the pen writes very well. If anyone can date the pen or offer information on the maker, I'd be grateful.

[watch_art]

no clue but it's a real beauty. good find. hope you learn more about it.

[jar]

IIRC, Cavalier was one of the Petersburg brands, likely from the Southern Pen Company.

[freehand]

IIRC, Cavalier was one of the Petersburg brands, likely from the Southern Pen Company.

 

Aha! — I just restored an Arnold pen with "Petersburg" on the nib, so I guess Arnold is another Southern Pen Co. product. Thanks for the tip.

 

Found the following on this website: pensandwatches

 

"Edison assembled fountain pens from parts purchased from suppliers until the 1920s when they began their own manufacturing. They produced lever fill pens and sold a telescopic gold filled pen that was identical to the one sold by the US Victor Fountain Pen Co. They sold some good quality overlays.

Remmie Arnold saved the company from bankruptcy and launched their very successful line of inexpensive pens that were sold under the Southern Fountain Pen Co. name. Both Edison and southern were listed as being in business at the same time, but I think Edison was soon phased out. The pens made by the Southern Pen Company were celluloid and appear to have been made by Wearever. I don't know if Edison ever sold any plastic pens under their own name. After making Southern a prolific pen seller, he left in 1935 to start his own company, the Arnold Pen Co.

Edison Pen Co had no relation to Thomas Edison, but Edison's son did lend his name to ink and a fountain pen called the Edison Jr. Wizard, which was made in NY."

 

Also this:

 

"The Arnold pen company was started by Remmie Arnold in 1935. Remmie Arnold had worked for the Edison Pen Co and left to start his own company. He knew that their was a large market for low priced fountain pens and he built his pen company into one of the largest fountain pen companies in the world. His pens sold at dime stores and discount stores all of the country [and many other countries]. Most of his pens were priced from 19 cents to 89 cents. He did sell some pens with gold nibs, but they are very hard to find today [they sold for one dollar].

Most of the Arnold line were lever fillers. Pen pencil combos were probably their biggest seller.

Although the Arnold pens were not high priced, they did come in some great colors and they were made fairly well. They have plated trim and most have gold plated nibs. The main interest in them today is for their varied colors."

 

It occurs to me that Remmie might be short for Remington, which was another brand of third-tier pens.

 

There's no listing for the Southern Pen Co. But I'll persist.

Edited July 11, 2010 by freehand