A Burnham Or Two

[northlodge]

Some English manufacturers get a significant amount of attention on here (read CS / MT / DLR) , others are poorly represented (Wyvern, Mentmore, Summit).

 

I thought I would share part of my small collection of the generally larger Burnhams, made by the South London family run manufacturer who certainly falls into the second category. These are quality pens, and generally undervalued. The small pocket / purse pens are eyecatchingly colourful, but these same designs were produced in the full-size pens.

 

Most of the right side of the case accommodates B48 models, unusual in that they can accommodate the screw in Osmiroid and Esterbrook nibs, as well as their own Burnham braned B45 / B48 nibs.

 

left side includes a number of third party items, such as Pelham & Chatsworth models made for sale by Boots the Chemist. (tip: these are nearly always worth seeking out as the carry 14ct nibs, where the Burnham originals often sold with SS nibs).

 

Can anyone add additional B48 designs?

 

 

[PaulS]

Nope ………………. but congratulate you on your collection of Burnham's - I doubt there is anyone else here with such a comprehensive and eye-catching collection - their condition looks to be superb too.

 

But since you have mentioned Summit, and in the cause of supporting minorities, thought I'd show a pen found in the wild earlier this week. I don't look especially for this Brand, and as you say they are one of the British makes that turns up in lesser quantities than some others. I've four or five dozen Mentmore, but Wyvern and Summit, I'm convinced, are avoiding me.

Anyway - this then is an example of model S.175 in silver/grey lizard, and with what appears to be a Lang's deco style stepped clip, and unfortunately a Warranted nib. I could swap them out for Summit items but will probably leave as is.

 

If you look in Lambrou's 'Fountain Pens of U.S. of A & U.K.' - he shows a similar Summit lizard in brown/black on page 162, although he doesn't comment as to which of the Summit models his example belongs.

Edited October 16, 2018 by PaulS

[peterg]

Have you a photo of the nib?

[northlodge]

 

Anyway - this then is an example of model S.175 in silver/grey lizard, and with what appears to be a Lang's deco style stepped clip, and unfortunately a Warranted nib. I could swap them out for Summit items but will probably leave as is.

 

 

You have the correct clip for this version of the S.175

 

(see here: http://summit.wesonline.org.uk/section108.html)

 

The nib would probably have been the larger "Summit" nib found on most S.175 examples, rather than the modest size "warranted" version found on (say) the National Security.

[PaulS]

thanks - in fact I'd forgotten to mention that there is also what appears to be the imprint of an upper case B on the nib - does that look right?

Lambrou's Summit lizard he dates to just pre WW II, so looking at my nib showing .585 suggests it's not the original, as I'd thought only 14 ct. was stamped on older nibs. Was it Parker who first started the habit of adding .585 to nibs?

[PaulS]

I'd not seen Northlodge's comments and link before posting pix of the nib - but big thanks for the very interesting link - though have to say that the lizard colours named in the link omit any reference to what I assumed was a silvery/grey colour, as with mine. Now that we've seen the nib details, do we still think this is an original nib or a later replacement?

[northlodge]

not original +1

[peterg]

Replacement. 585 needed for pens exported to the USA

[PaulS]

thanks Peter - any idea of an approximate date that system started?

[grainweevil]

At the risk of wandering back on topic here's my solitary B48 in a dusty pink sort of colour. Not easy to photograph accurately, I discovered, but this is as close as I've got. Not a colour I like sufficiently to have caught the Burnham bug to such dazzling effect as northlodge - what a boxful!

 

[PaulS]

It's not unattractive, and at least you can console yourself since it's a colour that doesn't appear to be included in the first pix, but then we're never going to be able to compete with those flashy jobs - two boxes full I'd say!

 

My sole example is a greenish grey/silver marbled pattern so not particularly exotic but it does have the correct B48 nib. However, what I hadn't noticed on my pen before is the apparently unusual method of producing the point, which is created by bending the final 1.00 mm of the point under the nib, then coating the tip in iridium or whatever. It looks to make for a firm point though smooth at the same time. I've only seven other Burnham's, and on none of those is the tip of the nib fashioned in a similar way.

 

my apologies for going off-topic to Summit

[CS388]

Congratulations, northlodge, that's a stunning box of pens. Such a feast of colour!

 

I don't have any Burnhams, anymore - but did have a fair few around a decade ago. They could be picked up very cheap in those days and I was impressed by the colours AND by how well they wrote, especially the B48's. I recall an interesting grey/brown/red pattern on one B48 (sounds awful, but was actually an attractive mix of colours) - but I never had anything approaching your fine collection.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[grainweevil]

However, what I hadn't noticed on my pen before is the apparently unusual method of producing the point, which is created by bending the final 1.00 mm of the point under the nib, then coating the tip in iridium or whatever. It looks to make for a firm point though smooth at the same time. I've only seven other Burnham's, and on none of those is the tip of the nib fashioned in a similar way.

 

Looking at mine, I think it might be the same method of manufacture. It's not been inked since immediately after I acquired it, but my notes at the time describe it as "not a bad writer", which is praise indeed. Usually I only note the faults and what it took to correct them!

 

And I was just teasing you about going off-topic - I'm a serial offender myself. In fact I'm a little jealous of you managing to do it so comprehensively with the very first reply; Olympic standard, I'd say.

[PaulS]

comments not taken seriously, I can assure you. Certainly appears to be an unusual method of forming the tip - though inevitably the nib must surely forfeit some flex in view of the extra thickness at the business end. However, better perhaps to be this way rather than like so many '30s and '40s nibs that come with my ebay purchases, where scratchiness is the order of the day …………… just a good job that I don't need them for writing!

 

Now, yesterday I had this M.T. with such a luscious semi-flexible nib and …………………………….

[penwash]

Love the Burnham pens.

 

Here's mine:

 

[peterg]

Burnhams are not my favourite pen, despite being a South London product. However, here are a couple of shots of a Burnham 47 that I sold a while ago

[PaulS]

I particularly like the colour combination of the marbling on the pen from Penwash - it's an attractive pen, and nib. Nevertheless, despite the beauty of the livery from this brand, it does seem to be the case as commented by Northlodge, that Burnham are also one of the under represented makes. Not always easy to define quite what makes a brand desirable or not.

[eachan]

I tend to think of post-war Burnhams as school pens, even the gold nib ones. Those were just for the pupil whose parents were a bit wealthier. Also, Burnhams are even more susceptible to casein rot than Conway Stewarts.

[northlodge]

Also, Burnhams are even more susceptible to casein rot than Conway Stewarts.

 

As Sinatra said "all or nothing at all".

 

Not one of those shown originally have the slightest hint of 'casein rot' (and thus are all bright and colourful).

 

I have also seen my fair share that are so badly crazed they are only fit for the bin.

 

The motto with Burnhams seems to be "take care when making a purchase and it will serve you for many more years"

 

School pens??? possibly, but before my time - only Platignum & osmiroids were in evidence when I was suffering detention

[eachan]

The casein is very beautiful when you get a good one, as you have done on numerous occasions. Excellent collection.