Aikin Lambert Vis-O-Pen Fountain Pen C. 1937

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is a pen found in a bag of pens on a foraging trip that spent some time in my "to-do" trays until I could find out more about it. Turns out I already had a September, 1937 Waterman Skywriter brochure and the Vis-O-Pen was right there on pages 3 and 4. I'd be interested in seeing the other three colors of this model if people could post them.

 

This is an Aikin Lambert Vis-O-Pen Gray lever fill fountain pen, model 238 c. 1937. The name comes from the "Ink Gauge" clear window in the section, which shows the remaining ink level. At the time Aikin Lambert was part of the Waterman company and Aikin Lambert Skywriter and Vis-O-Pen models were budget priced and marketed as "Made By Waterman's." It came in Black and three lustrous "pearl" colors: Dubonnet (a burgundy), Green, and Gray. The trim is polished "blue-white chromium." This 4 7/8 inch long pen has VIS-O-PEN over AIKIN LAMBERT CO. over NEW YORK, N.Y. U.S.A. imprinted on the barrel opposite the lever. The gold plated stainless steel nib is stamped VIS-O-PEN over IRIDIUM over POINT over U.S.A over 38 (the model number). The pen sold for $1.00, with matching twist-action pencils selling for 50 cents.

 

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/AikenLambertVisOPenGray_1280_01.jpg

 

Thanks!

[RMN]

Nice. Thanks for showing, Jim.

 

 

 

 

D.ick

[E4CplTom]

Nice looking pen.

 

I recently acquired one of the black versions, but cant figure out how to replace the sac. How do you open the blasted thing?

[GlennNevill]

I own one of the green pearl versions and recently did a thorough cleaning of it. Soaking the nib in warm water actually loosened the section and it slid out. The ink sac was still in good condition on mine. Bear in mind, the barrel is celluloid, so I don't recommend prolonged soaking. I have heard it can swell. The section was loose when it came time to put it back together and I had to paint three coats of shellac on the section drying between coats so there would be a snug fit when putting it back together. I have read that heat can be used to loosen a stuck section, but have never tried it.

[Estragon]

The pens have really pretty celluloids and the white metal trim is surprisingly robust, all things considered. Here's a shot of 3 with 2 more colors represented in addition to that of Jim's pen above:

 

 

Anyone have a black one to post to complete the set?

Edited September 1, 2019 by Estragon