History of the Early Eagle Cartridge Pens

[Gerry]

I recently became proud owner of a Eagle Pencil Co. Fountain Pen that was clearly a cartridge filler. The cartridge was made of glass. I have learned that the pen was likely made around the turn of the century (1890 - 1910), and that some thought that it indeed was the first cartridge loading pen made. Although not a first tier pen (possibly not even a second or third) it has the distinction of being quite old, and possibly the first implementation of a very popular concept.

 

I am wondering if there are any collectors out there with some more detailed knowledge of the company or the pen.

 

I'll try to post some pictures when I get a little more familiar with the technology of this board. Images can be seen at:

http://groups.msn.com/OnlyPens/eaglefountainpen.msnw

 

Will be happy to answer any questions.

 

Gerry

 

 

Lemme see if I finally have this picture thing in hand...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v724/gerry1029_2/FPN%20Photos/EagleFountainPen2.jpg

 

Heh...heh.. yes!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v724/gerry1029_2/FPN%20Photos/EagleFountainPen.jpg

 

So there you are....I've cleaned up the parts quite a bit, and now have to restore the end of the feed (the tip has been broken off - I'm thinking of using an epoxy based material to build on to the HR feed. The other part to be rebuilt is the coupler to the glass cartridge - and Victor suggested a cork interface. Originally there was a rubber tube the cartridge slipped into or over...

Edited February 5, 2005 by Gerry

[Keith with a capital K]

Gerry,

 

I have seen a few of these and am pretty sure they are one of the earliest cartridge pens ever made although not the oldest.

 

I'll try and track down some informaion in some old reference material I have bookmarked somewhere,...

[Maja]

Well, I found an article on it at (where else? this site is a goldmine )

penhero.com

 

Link: http://www.penhero.com/PenInHand/2002/PenInHand_Dec2002.htm

 

 

...and also at vintagepens.com (another super reference site)

 

Link: http://www.vintagepens.com/early_cartridge_pens.shtml

 

Nice purchase, Gerry!

[Gerry]

Thank you, thank you, thank you

 

Super sites and reference material. I've downloaded the patent for the pen, early drawings and one person's restoration description. Just super info.

 

I'l be indebted to you forever Maja.....

 

Gerry

[Maja]

  Thank you, thank you, thank you 

 

Super sites and reference material.  I've downloaded the patent for the pen, early drawings and one person's restoration description.  Just super info.

 

I'l be indebted to you forever Maja.....

 

Gerry

Wow, you're a Canuck, too, Gerry!!?

Glad I could be of some assistance.....Those two sites are wonderful pen reference websites. Richard Binder's site (www.richardspens.com) is very handy too...

 

By the way, I have no affiliation to any of the gentlemen whose fine websites I've mentioned above...I am just a grateful reader....

[Gerry]

Yup. Ottawa for what seems forever, although I was raised in Winnipeg and spent 5 years in Edmonton. Got in-laws in Kelowna though, and travelled extensively to Richmond a few years ago for work.

 

One of your references (PenInHand) had the restoration project of a similar pen, and his reference to the patent provided the details necessary for me to fabricate the missing feed to cartridge interface for this pen. Victor Chen (Penopoly) has also provided a great deal of very helpful information - being the first to suggest the feed wasn't wood. This rumour has been mentioned by a few people, but the patent application identified hard rubber as the material.

 

I'm sure you can see why I was doing the happy dance when I saw Jim Mamoulides restoration article - a blow by blow description, including pictures.

 

Gerry

[GiJin]

I also have this same pen. My Eagle Pencil Co. Fountain Pens outside is in a little worse shape than this but the nib is intact. I am currently soaking the nib in some hot water in hopes of freeing it from it holder to clean it up a bit. I was wondering how much you paid for yours? I paid $1 for mine at a local junk store. Any guesses on how much this pen is "worth"?