Engraving Names On Pens

[Charles Skinner]

When folks have their name engraved on a pen, does the name go on the cap or on the body of the pen? C. S.

[Runnin_Ute]

I believe I have seen it mostly on the body, but have seen it on the cap as well. I only have one or two and I believe those are on the body.

[pajaro]

You find them on the body or on the cap or on the clip.

[praxim]

Sometimes initials or a name on the clip, mostly on the body, for which some makers provide[d] a specific space on the body. I have a Montparnasse with name and initials quite discreetly worked in to the trim on the top end of the cap.

[chromantic]

​I have seen pictures of the Pelikan M350 (black body, vermeil cap), where there is a flat, rectangular area (left side) on what is an otherwise fluted surface which I take to be intended for engraving. The engraving on my Sheaffer snorkel set is on the barrels iirc.

[inkstainedruth]

Of the three vintage pens which have engraving, all have it on the barrel. However, I have the cap for my mother-in-law's Eversharp Skyline (which had been jammed onto the Sheaffer Balance Oversize which had been her father's pen) -- and in that case the engraving was on the cap (interestingly enough, it has her married name).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[ParkerDuofold]

Hi all,

 

Personally, I think the pen's era plays an important role in this... older pens tend to have the monogram on the barrel... newer pens tend to have the monogram on the cap or clip.

 

I have had a number of pens monogrammed, both for myself and as gifts... all of them modern pens... all of them were monogrammed on the cap.

 

Even pens with cartouches seem to bear this out... the modern pens I own with a cartouche have it placed on the cap, (such as my Waldmann's),... whereas the vintage pens... (such as my 45 Insignia),... have the cartouche on the barrel.

 

So, in my admittedly limited experience, it seems to depend on what was en vogue when the pen was manufactured/monogrammed.

 

Be well, all.

 

 

- Anthony

[ParkerDuofold]

Just to follow-up...

 

Of course as Ruth points out above... there are always exceptions that prove the rule.

 

I think in years past, it was the fashion to monogram the body... since that was the "heart of the pen"... however, for whatever reason(s) that I care not to speculate... the current trend seems to be on the cap.

 

 

- A.C.

[AAAndrew]

I have a fondness for engraved Esterbrooks . All the ones I have are engraved on the barrel.

 

My favorite one just reads, “Old Man Carroll”. I really, really wish I knew the story behind that one.

[Charles Skinner]

​Thanks for your replies so far. Now, in your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of engraving name on the cap, and advantages or disadvantages of engraving names on the barrel of the pen? Thanks again. A big decision to make ----- on something that could last at least a hundred years! C. S.

[inkstainedruth]

I would think that one advantage would be that you'd have a larger surface to work on.

And of course for all I know, that missing Skyline might also be engraved on the barrel....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[PAKMAN]

Most vintage pens that I have that have are engraved on the body except for the ones with the wide signature bands on the caps meant for engraving. The one pen I had engraved with my initials had a place on the cap made for engraving so it is on the cap.

 

[tadas]

I have a fondness for engraved Esterbrooks . All the ones I have are engraved on the barrel.

 

My favorite one just reads, “Old Man Carroll”. I really, really wish I knew the story behind that one.

That's truly wonderful. The best I get on Esties is "Bell System Property".

[sandy101]

It depends entirely upon the company doing the engraving. I have pens where the cap has been engraved, and others where the barrel has been engraved.

[OMASsimo]

I don't know if there are cultural differences in that matter regarding the two sides of the big pond. Here, it apparently was just a matter of taste where the engraving went, so you find it all over the place. It also depends where the manufacturers embossed their imprint.

 

If you consider doing it for a new pen, a practical consideration might be that a cap might crack or get lost more easily than the rest of the pen. It would be more safe to preserve your name for eternity to engrave it to the barrel - or even better to the nib if it's any good.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Interesting.

I'd not thought of placement. In today's world of re-selling pens, those who plan to do so, won't.

When I was a child back in B&W TV days, it was a mark of class. That was still the time of One Man, One Pen.

One got ones Graduation pen from HS or Collage with one's name on it, or back when folks worked a whole life time in one company; the company engraved the name of the valued employee on it.

 

Had I ever been able to afford that as a workers kid....I'd still have my first fountain pen. Mine got stolen every single year.

If it's a real good pen....and there are enough levels of real good to be ok with, and you intend to keep it or give it as a heritage pen; spend money to have it done well.

 

I have a few pens with other folks names on them....good pens, for 10% cheaper than regular....but nothing wrong with the pen, and one does wonder who it was, that had a family of Ball Point users.

Edited April 25, 2018 by Bo Bo Olson

[praxim]

Engrave your first name on the barrel and the other on cap, so they line up when the pen is either closed or posted. Now, which of those will you reverse?

[ParkerDuofold]

Engrave your first name on the barrel and the other on cap, so they line up when the pen is either closed or posted. Now, which of those will you reverse?

+ 1.

 

I like this idea because either way... you're covered.

 

Just do not neglect to add the parenthetical remark below your first name reading: Name continued on cap...

 

...to avoid any possible confusion.

 

 

- Anthony

[Bo Bo Olson]

[niksch]

Hi all,

 

Personally, I think the pen's era plays an important role in this... older pens tend to have the monogram on the barrel... newer pens tend to have the monogram on the cap or clip.

 

I have had a number of pens monogrammed, both for myself and as gifts... all of them modern pens... all of them were monogrammed on the cap.

 

Even pens with cartouches seem to bear this out... the modern pens I own with a cartouche have it placed on the cap, (such as my Waldmann's),... whereas the vintage pens... (such as my 45 Insignia),... have the cartouche on the barrel.

 

So, in my admittedly limited experience, it seems to depend on what was en vogue when the pen was manufactured/monogrammed.

 

Be well, all.

 

 

- Anthony

 

Vintage Montblanc pens (30s-50s), and even those in the modern era always seem to have engravings on the cap. Perhaps it's particular to MB, but I've not experienced a factory engraving on a MB barrel.