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Esterbrook Eyedropper Question


NobleDel

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Hello,

Can anyone provide information about this pen?

I recently won an auction for this Esterbrook BCHR eyedropper pen. Per Paul Hoban's book, Esterbrook sold two eyedropper models around 1915 and 1920. One marked Relief 314, and one marked Made in U.S.A. The pen I won is marked Made in U.S.A. The nib is marked 14 ct. which may indicate it was made for the European market. This could explain the fact that the seller of this pen was in the UK. Any more info about this pen such as dates of production, manufacturer if not actually Esterbrook, etc., would be appreciated.

 

Thank you very much.

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Edited by NobleDel
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There were many more than two models of eye dropper made. This one was made by Aikin Lambert as evidenced by the feed and overall styling. Wirt was also a player in the US as well and those are easily identified by the ventless nib and vented feed.

www.esterbrook.net All Esterbrook, All the Time.
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That feed looks just like the one on my Relief 2L, which was supposedly made by Conway Stewart, although the text on the nib is oriented differently.

Baptiste knew how to make a short job long

For love of it. And yet not waste time either.

Robert Frost

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There were many more than two models of eye dropper made. This one was made by Aikin Lambert as evidenced by the feed and overall styling. Wirt was also a player in the US as well and those are easily identified by the ventless nib and vented feed.

 

 

Thanks very much for the info Brian.

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  • 3 weeks later...

It's a beauty. Thanks for sharing.

 

“When the historians of education do equal and exact justice to all who have contributed toward educational progress, they will devote several pages to those revolutionists who invented steel pens and blackboards.” V.T. Thayer, 1928

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"No one is exempt from talking nonsense; the mistake is to do it solemnly."

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It's a beauty. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks very much. These photos were from the auction listing. I bought the pen as a gift. I will post my own photos once I give it.

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Is the nib original to the pen? It looks quite similar to the nib from one of the later models of the English Relief pens, if I am not mistaken. It is, of course, highly likely that I am mistaken, confused, or otherwise astray.

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Is the nib original to the pen? It looks quite similar to the nib from one of the later models of the English Relief pens, if I am not mistaken. It is, of course, highly likely that I am mistaken, confused, or otherwise astray.

 

I don't know for a fact, but I assume so.
Here's a copy of the original auction listing that I won:
This Esterbrook Eye-dropper, in black chased hard rubber, probably dates from the early/mid 1920s. It is in good working condition. It has been cleaned and tested but not otherwise restored. The pattern is worn and the colour the dark olive that this material ages to. The colour is even.

 

  • This pen has a smooth medium 14ct gold Esterbrook Relief USA nib. The nib/feed setting is as found and as it performs well has not been adjusted. Small degree of flex to nib.
  • The bandless cap is in good condition, having a good fit with the barrel.
  • The feed, section, and barrel areas above. The barrel carries strong imprints. There is a small (2mm) surface crack to the bottom rim and a similar but finer circular one to part of circumference of the the barrel end. These could be easily closed. The barrel does not leak.
  • The closed length of the pen is 134mm.
Edited by NobleDel
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