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Bell System Property

watchin

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watchin Rare

watchin

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I have read that some people estimate Esterbrook was cranking out up to 500,000 pens a day in the early fifties. I am not sure where I saw this but...does anyone know how many Esties were contracted for by the Bell Telephone System. I have only seen these in black LJs. What do we (collectively) know about them? I have a very mint (dare I say..unused?) Bell System Property black LJ and it makes me wonder..how many?

-William-

(edited to correct from SJ to LJ..sorry about that).

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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

Posted
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I have read that some people estimate Esterbrook was cranking out up to 500,000 pens a day in the early fifties. I am not sure where I saw this but...does anyone know how many Esties were contracted for by the Bell Telephone System. I have only seen these in black SJs. What do we (collectively) know about them? I have a very mint (dare I say..unused?) Bell System Property black SJ and it makes me wonder..how many?

-William-

The number 500000 pens is tossed around quite often. I've seen the number tossed out several times recently. The number may or may not be a correct production figure but it doesn't refer to fountain pens of the J variety, it refers to dip pen nibs. Considering these were sold by the 100 or gross, it is a believable number for steel nibs but no a believable number for fountain pens of any type.

 

How many Bell System pens. Well I've seen an unopened case of 25 and I have a shipping box with 9 in it along with a bunch of used ones. So there must be at least 40 since I know Brian has one.

 

Todd

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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watchin Rare

watchin

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Thanks for the quick response. I need to edit my original post...since I meant to type LJ instead of SJ. A real rookie mistake on my part, but a rookie in the field, not on the bench.

You have seen an unopened case of Esterbrook 'Bell System Property' pens..wow, just wow! :notworthy1: That must be a real mind blowing sight!

-William-

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OcalaFlGuy Museum Piece

OcalaFlGuy

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No, THIS is the mindblow.

 

The J demo pen/pencil set just went for $534 shipped. :yikes:

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

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FarmBoy Museum Piece

FarmBoy

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No, THIS is the mindblow.

 

The J demo pen/pencil set just went for $534 shipped. :yikes:

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Only if it says "Bell System Property" on the barrel.

San Francisco International Pen Show - The next “Funnest Pen Show” is on schedule for August 23-24-25, 2024.  Watch the show website for registration details. 
 

My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address.

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Rabbit Vintage

Rabbit

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No, THIS is the mindblow.

 

The J demo pen/pencil set just went for $534 shipped. :yikes:

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Only if it says "Bell System Property" on the barrel.

 

It does.

In transparent ink. :P

 

--Stephen

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Truppi327 Extremely Rare

Truppi327

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FarmBoy if you need someone to address that shipping box to I'll happily PM you my address... :lol:

Best,

Mike Truppi

 

<img src="http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5673/inkdz2.png" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" height="60"/><img src="http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" height="60"/><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qVJOiluU9_4/THoFdqPGYOI/AAAAAAAAA1w/gmV637q-HZA/s1600/InkDropLogoFPN.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" height="60" /> 8/24/10

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