John Holland Fountain Pens

[punchy71]

I've seen one or two thumbnail histories of the John Holland fountain pen company on several websites but is there a guide to the pens, nibs and their characteristics? If not, anyone here knowledgeable on this line of pens?

 

Thanks,

Scott

[nxn96]

Don't know of any. The most I know about John Holland pens is that weariness of having to do repairs on Holland pens for his telegraphy students is what prompted George S. Parker to develop his own line of pens.

[DanDeM]

punchy71, Scott:

I have seven of them.

Five lever fills, one ED and a hatchet fill (A design he initiated)

Materials are BCHR, Gold overlay (with a GP section. Unusual for pens from that time) and Plastic.

The BHR pens have barrel imprints with patent dates from 1915 and back (the earliest is 1902)

The Plastics are from a line he called "Jewel" and are extremely handsome pens. (Probably mid 1920-something) Both are large Ring Tops, (4½, 4¾ " capped, which is alot of pen to dangle from your neck or jam into a vest pocket) One is a Pearl/Black marble, the other is black with orange end caps, dual 14k cap bands, and a 14k plate on the cap for engraving.

The nibs are large, 14k fine, semi-flex with his John Holland imprint. The two plastics have nibs are Fine Firm, with imprints that include the word "Jewel" in script. I've only inked two of the pens, but the nibs are smooth, soft and responsive. A joy to use.

 

I'm waiting for another one to arrive today, which (from the cheesy eBog pics) looks like it might be an interesting match stick fill.

 

Have checked, but I don't have photos right now. Will fix that and post some pics if you're interested.

Edited October 14, 2011 by Blotto

[DanDeM]

I'm waiting for another one to arrive today, which (from the cheesy eBog pics) looks like it might be an interesting match stick fill.

 

 

Pen arrive as scheduled and the fill is more interesting than I thought. Patented on Nov. 21, 1905, Holland calls it either "Self-Filling" or "Self-Inking" in his adverts.

On the barrel there is a ridged gold button. The instuctions are:

 

"The flat button on outside of the barrel is attached to a ring going around the filler (sac, in today's terms) A metal bar is attached to the opposite side. When the button is lifted the sack is compressed; place the pen in ink, release the button, and the pen is filled."

 

It also has an interesting cap that has an almost ½ inch indentation at the top so that when removed the barrel can be posted into the inverted cap...although I can't see that you would need the extra length. The pen is 5.9 inches, capped, and when the posted arrangement, edges up on 7 inches.

 

Can't wait to get a new sac in this and take the huge #14 nib for a ride.

 

By the way, if you are a member of the Pen Club of America you can go into their archives and download Holland catalogs from 1909 and 1920. No rumors, no conjecture and loads of info.

Edited October 14, 2011 by Blotto

[jonveley]

Jack Leone is THE John Holland expert. Very knowledgeable, standup guy.

[Brian Anderson]

I'm waiting for another one to arrive today, which (from the cheesy eBog pics) looks like it might be an interesting match stick fill.

 

 

Pen arrive as scheduled and the fill is more interesting than I thought. Patented on Nov. 21, 1905, Holland calls it either "Self-Filling" or "Self-Inking" in his adverts.

On the barrel there is a ridged gold button. The instuctions are:

 

"The flat button on outside of the barrel is attached to a ring going around the filler (sac, in today's terms) A metal bar is attached to the opposite side. When the button is lifted the sack is compressed; place the pen in ink, release the button, and the pen is filled."

 

It also has an interesting cap that has an almost ½ inch indentation at the top so that when removed the barrel can be posted into the inverted cap...although I can't see that you would need the extra length. The pen is 5.9 inches, capped, and when the posted arrangement, edges up on 7 inches.

 

Can't wait to get a new sac in this and take the huge #14 nib for a ride.

 

By the way, if you are a member of the Pen Club of America you can go into their archives and download Holland catalogs from 1909 and 1920. No rumors, no conjecture and loads of info.

 

I do think you should post a picture. Wish I would have snapped one myself when it had its short visit here. Beautiful, stunning pen, if I do say so myself.

 

Cheers!

Brian

[DanDeM]

I'm waiting for another one to arrive today, which (from the cheesy eBog pics) looks like it might be an interesting match stick fill.

 

 

Pen arrive as scheduled and the fill is more interesting than I thought. Patented on Nov. 21, 1905, Holland calls it either "Self-Filling" or "Self-Inking" in his adverts.

On the barrel there is a ridged gold button. The instuctions are:

 

"The flat button on outside of the barrel is attached to a ring going around the filler (sac, in today's terms) A metal bar is attached to the opposite side. When the button is lifted the sack is compressed; place the pen in ink, release the button, and the pen is filled."

 

It also has an interesting cap that has an almost ½ inch indentation at the top so that when removed the barrel can be posted into the inverted cap...although I can't see that you would need the extra length. The pen is 5.9 inches, capped, and when the posted arrangement, edges up on 7 inches.

 

Can't wait to get a new sac in this and take the huge #14 nib for a ride.

 

By the way, if you are a member of the Pen Club of America you can go into their archives and download Holland catalogs from 1909 and 1920. No rumors, no conjecture and loads of info.

 

I do think you should post a picture. Wish I would have snapped one myself when it had its short visit here. Beautiful, stunning pen, if I do say so myself.

 

Cheers!

Brian

 

Brian worked on this and succeeded in removing the accommodation clip that had probably been on the pen for the last 100 years. Looks alot better now. Thanks again, Brian.

Edited December 8, 2011 by Blotto

[DanDeM]

A few more:

 

Black/Pearl Jewel Ring Top:

 

 

 

And a silver ED combo, he called Perfection:

[rwilsonedn]

some beautiful pens there ...

Thanks for showing them.

ron

[Uncle Red]

Wow, the 2 self fillers are sweet but an ED combo is pretty unusual. Thanks for sharing these.

[DanDeM]

Jack Leone is THE John Holland expert. Very knowledgeable, standup guy.

 

Jon

If you can reach Jack Leone, please send him by and have him post some pictures. It really gets old seeing these pens in tattered catalogs and yellowed print ads.

 

Greatly enjoy your remarkable collection.

Edited December 10, 2011 by Blotto

[DanDeM]

Ron, Uncle Red:

 

Glad you enjoyed them.

 

A real knock-out (I hope ) is due to arrive next week. Will clean it up and post a pic.

 

I think his pens are just splendid, and unlike so many other great pen makers from that time, the quality did not degrade after the Depression. (Like Edison sadly devolving into Arnold). He just folded his tent and went away.