Wanted: Pics And Info On Turn Of The Century Fountain Pens!

[KellyMcJ]

I need you guys' help; I know that fountain pens didn't really come into common use until the 20's or 30's, but that there were some earlier than that (I actually just saw a cool telescoping one in another thread here). Does anyone here have any photos, info or names of late 1800s or early 1900s fountain pens?

[ParramattaPaul]

My wife has her grandmother's pen which we believe dates to between 1880 and 1910. It is an eyedropper Swan as memory serves.

 

I'll dig it out and photograph it if you like.

[KellyMcJ]

My wife has her grandmother's pen which we believe dates to between 1880 and 1910. It is an eyedropper Swan as memory serves.

 

I'll dig it out and photograph it if you like.

Sure!

 

I'm pondering a historically inspired (not recreation) custom. So far I have settled on ebonite or black acrylic (ebonite is authentic but they look almost the same).

[gregamckinney]

A good place to look for examples of pre-1920's/ 1930's pens is David Nishimura's site, vintagepens.com.

He has sections for pens of different eras, per manufacturer, and each pen is dated as precisely as can be done given what we know today about models/ features/ etc.

 

Here are a couple direct links:

http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Parker_1.shtml

http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Waterman_1.shtml

http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Sheaffer.shtml

 

 

Best Regards, greg

[KellyMcJ]

A good place to look for examples of pre-1920's/ 1930's pens is David Nishimura's site, vintagepens.com.

He has sections for pens of different eras, per manufacturer, and each pen is dated as precisely as can be done given what we know today about models/ features/ etc.

 

Here are a couple direct links:

http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Parker_1.shtml

http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Waterman_1.shtml

http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Sheaffer.shtml

 

 

Best Regards, greg

 

Thanks!!! I've been doing some looking around on Google this morning and I've realized that I'm not that far off already. My Collier is pretty darn vintage-y already and I'm considering a custom from Edison. This may be easier than I thought.

 

http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/ag402/klmcjilton/Mobile%20Uploads/20170527_112654_zpswjnasmqt.jpg

[Greenie]

I you really want a pen c 1880-1910, these would all be hard rubber, and only occasionally mottled red and black. The small straight cap was the norm, but the larger caps starting to come into play. Clips were add on items slipped on to the cap.

 

(For a great vintage look that is more practical to use today, look to the 1920s for inspiration - Wahl signature pens, Mabie Todd Swan 142 and 242 colored pens. By the late 1920s, you have the iconic parker Duofold, and then the Streamline duofold.) The new Wahl Eversharp decoband is also a great example of a new pen, vintage reproduction. For vintage inspired, Edison pens is fantastic! Genmont, Huron, and Beaumont are all absolutely vintage look on a modern pen.

 

But to answer your original question:

 

Here are early 4 Paul Wirt pens on the left, the first two dating pre 1900. The hexagon and taper cap 1900-1910

The group of three are early Mabie Todd, the two on the left of the group pre 1909 based on imprint.

The last is a Parker 1, c early 1900 decade

 

Edited May 27, 2017 by Greenie

[KellyMcJ]

Yep. Hehe I'm pretty sure I know exactly which pen I want now!

[Greenie]

So? What do you think? One of the Edison beauties? Not to be crude, but I showed you mine.... You could at least describe yours!

[KellyMcJ]

So? What do you think? One of the Edison beauties? Not to be crude, but I showed you mine.... You could at least describe yours!

Haha! Yes... I'm thinking ebonite Beaumont and I must have a custom cursive italic nib.