Aikin Lambert "capitol"

[plmadding]

Today I picked up a "Capitol" Aikin-Lambert at an antique store. I was curious as to why it would have a nib labelled ink-o-cator?

 

Sadly, someone had previously pulled like there's no tomorrow on the filling lever and spread the celluloid around the lever and also bent the end! I didn't even know that was possible.

 

If anyone knows anything about this, I'd greatly appreciate any wisdom.

 

Thanks,

[ANM]

Aiken Lambert made some very good pens. Capitol Cabinet was one of their top of the line. If the nib isn't labeled Aiken Lambert or A. L. Co, it is probably a replacement and the spreading at the lever opening most likely came from prolonged exposure to heat, possible sunlight, in a hot attic or from some other heat source. Pulling hard on it would more likely break it rather than cause it to spread. They were absorbed by Waterman at the end and there is some indication that they did some piece work for Waterman before then.

Edited May 12, 2011 by ANM

[plmadding]

I see, today I replaced the ink sac and it really writes very nice! Thank you very much for the information! I really enjoy the history of these vintage pens, and they really write so very nicely. I would imagine the Aikin-Lambert nibs are not so easy to come by, but I would really like to get the proper nib in it.

Edited May 13, 2011 by plmadding

[ANM]

Aiken Lambert were jewelers who made and supplied nibs for dip pens starting around the late 1860's early 70's and started making their own brand in the 1880's. They supplied nibs to Wirt and Waterman until sometime in the 1920's when they basically became a sub brand of Waterman. Aikin Lambert pens (and nibs) are not nearly as common as Parker or Sheaffer, but by no means extremely rare. If you shop antique stores often enough, you should come across some from time to time.

Edited May 13, 2011 by ANM

[plmadding]

Well nearly a year later I have found an installed a proper Aikin Lambert nib. Just thought I would update this.

 

Thanks again!

[butch46]

I have two of those Aiken Lambert FP's: one is marked "Capitol" and is a lever fill with a Waterman nib. The other one, marked "Capitol Educator" is a matchstick fill with a proper AL CO nib.

 

My only question is with the matchstick fill pen...there is no pressure bar, so the stick presses directly on the sac. Needless to say, without a pressure bar, the tiny portion of the sac which is depressed would not bring in any ink. Until I can get a pressure bar in there, it would function basically as a dip pen!

 

Any suggestions on who can install a J-bar (or whatever type is needed)?

 

Smiff

Edited July 25, 2019 by butch46

[shalitha33]

I'm no expert on this matter. By checking the pens i have, educator pen doesn't seem to have a j-bar. Bar is actually hanging from the top and is not springed in any way. Sack is what that keeps the bar pressed towards the barrel. I am not 100% sure if this is the way it is or if i am missing some parts. You would surely be able to put in a j-bar and that would function properly. Also you may actually be able to get a spare barrel with a bar. i ended up buying 3 spare barrels, sections and caps this week from Robert & Rita Lott (fivestarpens) . One of the pens is an educator. you may want to check with them to see if they have any more. They also sell Aiken Lambert nibs if you would want one for your other pen. Unfortunately i don't know any other sources for Aiken Lambert parts.

 

As for pressing the bar, i'm using add-on clip from the period marked "Mercantile". Seen some for sale in pentooling site. You can also find these clips on ebay. i have the clip placed closer to the bottom so i can simply use it as the "matchstick".

 

https://pentooling.com/partsmiscgeneric.html

 

Disclaimer: i have nothing to do with either of these sites. i have had parts from one of them before.

 

 

 

 

[butch46]

Shalitha33,

 

The 2nd image above appears to hav just the sac showing in the hole, just like my Capitol. Am I wrong, or is there a pressure bar in there?

 

EuGene

[shalitha33]

Sorry the image isn't exactly clear. This is due to a bit of rust on the pressure bar. What you see is the pressure bar with a groove cut in like in a coin filler.

[butch46]

I figured there had to have been a pressure bar in my pen, as having the "match" press directly on the sac would depress a tiny part of the sac and that would not begin to be enough to draw ink into the pen.

 

I have no idea how to put a pressure bar into a pen barrel, so I will have to find a repairman to install one.

[AAAndrew]

Funny, I just ran across a Capitol ad this morning.

 

From 1916.

 

[butch46]

Thanks for the nice picture of the LA ad. The pen shown in it appears to be the same as the version that both I and shalitha33 own, and the 1916 year gives some idea how old our pens are. Shaeffer came out with the first lever fill pen in 1912 and before long most everyone was selling lever fill pens, well on into the 50's. Best I recall the Capitol line dropped out of the AL lineup around the early 1920's - I don't recall seeing the Capitol models in catalogues by 1925.

 

Here is a link to images from a 16 page Aiken Lambert 1918 catalogue which shows their various models:

 

https://www.gopens.com/images/Catalog84/aikin_lambert_catalog_1918.pdf

 

Interesting to note that the ad above lists the Capitol lever pen for $1.50 in 1916, then ther 1918 catalogue lists several models of the Capitol pen: the Secretary, Cabinet, & Lady Dainty lever pens at $24.00 each, the Educator Clip Fill (matchstick) at $18.00, and the Drop Fill at $15. Wow! A big price increase in 2 years!!

 

EuGene

 

 

 

 

[Dr.X]

 

Thanks for the nice picture of the LA ad. The pen shown in it appears to be the same as the version that both I and shalitha33 own, and the 1916 year gives some idea how old our pens are. Shaeffer came out with the first lever fill pen in 1912 and before long most everyone was selling lever fill pens, well on into the 50's. Best I recall the Capitol line dropped out of the AL lineup around the early 1920's - I don't recall seeing the Capitol models in catalogues by 1925.

 

Here is a link to images from a 16 page Aiken Lambert 1918 catalogue which shows their various models:

 

https://www.gopens.com/images/Catalog84/aikin_lambert_catalog_1918.pdf

 

Interesting to note that the ad above lists the Capitol lever pen for $1.50 in 1916, then ther 1918 catalogue lists several models of the Capitol pen: the Secretary, Cabinet, & Lady Dainty lever pens at $24.00 each, the Educator Clip Fill (matchstick) at $18.00, and the Drop Fill at $15. Wow! A big price increase in 2 years!!

 

EuGene

 

 

 

Looks like this was for a dozen pens.

 

[GoldenNibs]

I "had" a Akin Lambert with an ink o cator nib on it but someone at sometime used super glue to put the section back in the pen. Lets just say half the barrel came off with the section when I went to disassemble the pen. Can people stop using glues to assemble their pens and use shellac instead.

[KandyPenz]

Does any one have an example of a very early Aiken Lambert ? did they ever make overfeed pens ? I have seen barrel imprints with wording "made under wirt & stone patents" but yet to actually see one with the original nib and feed intact.

[northlodge]

Things turn up in the strangest places.....

 

Today I acquired a AL "Capitol-Cabinet" Pen here in a rural back water in the UK. It is BCHR mint, with what from the above thread appears to be the correct nib, with a mint box, and the original papers. I will endeavour to upload a photo over the next couple of days.

 

What struck me immediately is that it appears identical to a couple of early Esterbrook Relief pens I have come across (also in the UK) - Was AL known to have made pens for Esterbrook?

[Hanoi]

I notice that some early fountain pen makers did not put a 14k gold stamp on their nibs. Was this a common practice in the 1920s and earlier?

[northlodge]

Things turn up in the strangest places.....

 

Today I acquired a AL "Capitol-Cabinet" Pen here in a rural back water in the UK. It is BCHR mint, with what from the above thread appears to be the correct nib, with a mint box, and the original papers. I will endeavour to upload a photo over the next couple of days.

 

What struck me immediately is that it appears identical to a couple of early Esterbrook Relief pens I have come across (also in the UK) - Was AL known to have made pens for Esterbrook?

 

As suggested above, a picture of the item I acquired this week. Not sure my picture does justice to just have well this presents:

 

 

[AAAndrew]

 

 

 

As suggested above, a picture of the item I acquired this week. Not sure my picture does justice to just have well this presents: