Not A Sumgai...but A Decent Trip Catch

August 21, 2016

Just got back from a few days in Maine, where fountain pens are historically thin on the ground. While my wife worked, I had a day of driving for fun, territory I know well, from the Portland area to Skowhegan, then back roads back down, east and south. My catch?

First, a Monroe, in really nice shape except for the original nib no longer having a tip. Richard Binder's site tell us (I'd never heard of a Monroe but it looked pretty good...) that these were Eclipse "child" pens. It has not been cleaned up, just disassembled, so will look a lot nicer soon. The pen is quite solid, interesting design evocative of the large buildings being built during the 1930's, and the imprint is deep and complete. Sadly, the nib (sorry for the lousy cell phone pic) is missing its tip. It will get a different nib of some kind and be available soon.

Second, a really unusually nice Arnold, proof that even an Arnold can look nice. No corrosion in the clip or under the crown, almost no celluloid spreading. No nib picture because it was an altogether hopeless Wearever. This is also a nice pen. My wife is already considering keeping it, of course assuming it finds a nice enough nib.

Finally, a really nice Waterman 94, missing its cap. However, the nib, feed, section and lever box are in great shape and will find new homes in future projects.

Not bad for a total of $30 in two purchases.

Tim

Edited August 21, 2016 by tmenyc