Magnusson Oblique Pen Holder

[dhnz]

I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Yoke that a Magnusson is not going to make you a better writer (assuming that you already own a good quality oblique, that is). As others have pointed out, the pens used by the old masters were often very basic and not at all fancy. While the long tail of the Magnussons and Zanerian Fine Art holders are striking to look at, it appears that many preferred the shorter holders for actual use. I have a Zanerian Fine Art holder that belonged to Earl Lupfer that has had the tail broken off. Whether that was by accident or design I do not know, but it seems clear from the smoothing of the break that he continued to use it in its shortened state. My preferences are the same.

 

I have a few longish holders, and while I love the look of these holders, my pick for actual use is always something more modest (like the Zanerian Excelsior or the PIA Hourglass, which I love). The longest holder I have is one made by Bill Lilly that I find totally impracticable for everyday use. If I ever manage to acquire a Magnusson (or a Tamblyn, which have been described as more beautiful than the Magnussons), I would likely put in on display and use it but rarely. This would not trouble me in the least, for I do not believe that anyone needs to be "worthy" in any shape or form to own one or that being on display and appreciated for its form is somehow less appropriate a fate for an antique holder than being used.

 

As for the Zanerian pens being made by Magnusson, that may have been the case I guess, but I am sure that I have read that the Zanerian had a woodworking department where they constructed their holders. Certainly, in their advertising they claimed to have invented the long oblique holder and claimed that theirs were better than their imitators, which would seem to counter the notion that they bought in from someone else.

 

PS. Is it just me or does anyone else cringe to read a Magnusson described as a "Mag"? Before we know it, we'll be throwing a Prince in the Mag and dipping it in the I-Gall to write some Spence.

Edited January 26, 2015 by dhnz

[YokePenCo]

Zanerian in fact made their own pens. The pen holder production department was on the upper floor of the college and this has been confirmed to me by two Zanerian graduates. And you are completely correct, most daily pens were shorter and many broke the tail off a long tail to make it more practical. The 12" were more showman pieces IMO for the most part.

 

Attached is an image of a Tamblyn I just purchased and awaiting it to arrive in the mail with several other antique pen holders.

 

[supxor]

Pardon my use of the abbreviation, MAG; I wished no harm and caused upset to any reader's day.

 

Know that I still yearn for a Magnusson holder, and as a decent enough scripter, I learned from my instruction from Bill Lilly that the holder, as an object along, cannot produce quality script.

 

Thanks to Irving Berlin:

 

I'm dreaming of my Mag (sorry) oblique,

Just like the ones I dream of yore.

Where the ink 'waits its glisten,

'Pon paper it shall b'imprisoned,

The Mag (pardon again), its feel, I so do want t'adore.

 

I'm dreaming of my Mag (last time) oblique,

With every stroke with it I'll write.

May my strokes with it--be right,

And may it send me as high as every kite.

[prasadvenkat]

I was just emailed by a friend about this thread, as I'm not an active participant on here.

I am in the process of creating an ebook (I'm about 50% complete now) on pen holders which will be free to download. Much of this information will be contained in it in greater detail along with images of the majority of the pen holder collections we know of. I expect to have this eBook completed by this spring sometime. You can signup for my newsletter on my website for the announcement.

 

 

Christopher Yoke

www.yokepencompany.com

Hi Chris,

This ebook is something I am really looking forward to. IT will be a real treasure given your knowledge and research into Pen holders.

[YokePenCo]

Hi Chris,

This ebook is something I am really looking forward to. IT will be a real treasure given your knowledge and research into Pen holders.

Thank you! I'm very excited about it!

[ac12]

 

PS. Is it just me or does anyone else cringe to read a Magnusson described as a "Mag"? Before we know it, we'll be throwing a Prince in the Mag and dipping it in the I-Gall to write some Spence.

 

Me as well.

I see that in other hobbies and industries.

A "lady gouldian" finch is commonly called a "goul." This one really bugs me, because a lady gouldian finch is a rather pretty bird, not an ugly one that "goul" would imply.

 

This seems to be a common event in many hobbies and industries, to shorten words/names to make it easier and faster to write. I and others have use "pix" for picture or photograph. This was decades before pixel was a word.

[supxor]

It is my hope by spelling the complete name, MAGNUSSON, my chances of owning one increase.

[supxor]

Now that I am electing to NOT abbreviate Magnusson, I hope the anti-Mag gods shall allow me an authentic MAGNUSSON before my 66 birthday. I pray.

[supxor]

...pardon the intentional split infinitive. I shall do anything to acquire a MAGNUSSON oblique holder even from splitting an infinitive to no longer abbreviating Magnusson. I have become desperate.

[YokePenCo]

Supxor..thought you might be interested....

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-MAGNUSON-Tumed-Banded-EBONY-Oblique-PEN-HOLDER-Calligraphy-DIP-PEN-/371251146784?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56704af020

Edited February 7, 2015 by YokePenCo

[mvarela]

It went for 2.5K... someone REALLY wanted it badly...

[YokePenCo]

Yeah, that's nice for those of us that own one, but also really sad as it just drove the value up to a point that most people will never be able to afford one on the open market. Absolute insanity........

 

Same thing happened a few years ago with Gillott Principalities, a gross popped up on eBay and went for crazy money then everyone started charging $25.00 each, putting them out of most peoples reach. There is no reason a nib should be worth above $5.00 or so. Anyone charging more is just greedy IMO.

[dhnz]

I suspect that we won't see that price repeated anytime soon, though it may prompt sellers to set much higher reserves. It also could prompt some unscrupulous type to start creating fake Magnussons. After all, there’s nothing about a Magnusson that can’t be replicated today!

 

Personally, I agree with Mr Yoke that $2,550 is insane. Magnussons write no differently from any quality penholder and they don’t even have the cachet of being the preferred holders of the master penmen, most of whom seemed to like the less showy styles. If I had $2,550 to spend on a penholder, I’d be buying a bunch of them from Mr Yoke, not blowing it all on one vintage holder. Though having said that, if the buyer can afford it, it’s none of my business what they do with their money. I just hope for their sake that they really are happy to spend that much and are not suffering buyer’s remorse.

[supxor]

...STILL awaiting a Magnusson, but be it known I will not spend 2500USD for it. I await any offers from this day, forward.

[supxor]

...still looking over my shoulder for that MAGnusson holder. Oh, make my day!

[YokePenCo]

Just completed an 8" Magnusson Five Liner Replica, and it's won't cost you $2500, lol

 

 

[supxor]

Nice try

[dhnz]

That’s a very dismissive response for a beautiful holder.

 

Given that there’s at least one other person out there willing to pay $2500 for a Magnusson, anyone with one to sell would be best advised to put it up for sale on Ebay and let the person who wants it the most buy it.

Edited February 26, 2015 by dhnz

[supxor]

Ease up, please. Chris meant it as a joke, really. Within him, there is not one bit of dimissiveness, as I know him.

[dhnz]

I was talking about your response to Mr Yoke's post, not his.