'the Shell' Pen

[PelikanPete]

Has any member ever heard of a pen branded 'The Shell' Made in England. It has what appears to be the original 'Warranted 14 ct' nib, a slim, long lever fill and a blue brown marble colour. I'm just guessing but would date it about 1950's. Thanks for any help...

Edited April 28, 2017 by PelikanPete

[northlodge]

It looks like it may be made of casein, so could feasibly be earlier than the 50's.

 

To start making a guess as to manufacture I think better pictures will be required (than clip, the nib, the lever if it is a leverfill). Other visible clues might include if it has a j-bar of a floating bar attached to the lever.

 

The pen looks rather attractive, near mint, and if you can attribute it to a manufacturer I would suggest it will inflate the value quite considerably.

[PaulS]

In view of the slim body of the pen, and shape of clip, I'd agree probably quite a bit earlier than 1950. I can't see any reference to 'The Shell' in Stephen Hull's book - what is the wording on the sticker around the cap please. Very attractive by the way.

[PelikanPete]

Thanks north lodge and PaulS for your replies, the sticker just says 'MEDIUM', I think it's a J-bar, I'm not sure if it's casein ( or how to tell?) it's certainly very clean-looking, the nib seems to be quite flexible. I'll try to post a couple of other photos ( it's night here in Melbourne so might take them in better light during the day tomorrow) thanks again guys!

Edited April 28, 2017 by PelikanPete

[PaulS]

as to whether casein or celluloid - a lot of people will say that the latter, when polished will give a greater 3D depth of colour, whereas casein lacks that deep shine. A fairly easy way of deciding which you have, is to clean the pen with the finest of polishing compounds - but avoid solvents.

If you rub with a clean cloth and then sniff the cloth, celluloid should give that tell-tale table tennis ball, slightly sweet solvent smell ........ but be warned - you might find yourself out in the shed .......... cleaning the pen, frequently.

[peterg]

From the style I would date it to the 1930's. If the nib is 'Warranted' in an arc with 14ct under it, it is a generic nib (as in I don't know who manufactured them, but not a major pen manufacturer!) that was supplied to numerous small pen makers as well as Mentmore and early Unique.

[PelikanPete]

Thanks again PaulS and Peterg for your helpful advice and obvious expertise!

[PaulS]

Peter - showing ignorance again, I'm afraid......... did Mentmore make any of their nibs, or just those carrying their name and Spot, with other Warranted examples 'bought in' from other nib manufacturers?

[peterg]

I don't have an answer Paul, but my suspicion is that they didn't make their gold nibs, and that they bought in stamped nibs for their more up market brands.