question about manufacturers of early overlays, fi

March 15, 2005

Is there info somewhere about who made what for whom? I think that I remember reading somewhere that pen companies used to farm out a lot of this type of work to jewelers and, some way or another, this lead to many different companies having the same, or at least very similar, types of these pens.

The reason that I ask is that this Franklin that I have looks a lot like, to my amatuer eye, a Parker 15.

http://home.earthlink.net/~lasvegasburtons/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/nocluehere.jpg

http://home.earthlink.net/~lasvegasburtons/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/franklin4.jpg

much thanks,

Chris

Edited March 15, 2005 by chris burton

March 15, 2005

Just to be clear, is the second photo the same pen as the first or is that a Franklin and a Parker?

March 15, 2005

Hi Cam,

They are both the same pen (Franklin).

Chris

http://members.shaw.ca/feynn/ · March 15, 2005

Just popping in between closing down the bench and heading to work to say that is a magnificent looking pen but I haven't a clue who Franklin commissioned to do the overlay work.

I would bet there are quite a number of forgotten artisans who may have contributed to some of the fine overlay work but without an artisan's mark like we sometimes see on pottery, we may never know who these individuals were.

I do know that Waterman had Aiken Lambert create some of their earlier overlays and liked the work so much they ended up buying out Aiken Lambert and eventually turned it into their Alco division.

Early Aiken Lamberts are worth finding as they generally fetch less and exhibit a quality of workmanshipo that is on par with some of the very best pens of those past times.

I know... I'm on vacation but this pen stopped me in my tracks.

Cheers!

March 15, 2005

Sorry I can't help you with your answer, Chris...but I had to compliment you on both the lovely pen and your photography--Bravo!

March 16, 2005

Just popping in between closing down the bench and heading to work to say that is a magnificent looking pen but I haven't a clue who Franklin commissioned to do the overlay work.

[snip]

I know... I'm on vacation but this pen stopped me in my tracks.

Cheers!

Heh heh...

Keith, you're addicted to FPN, and you know it...

[and I, for one am quite happy about that]

Regards

Gerry