Colibri Pen: What Is The Model And Is It Worth Something?

[MyriamV]

Recently found this Colibri fountain pen. What model is it? The body and cap are metal. The section is plastic.

 

I started cleaning it (dried up ink) and noticed that the tines are slightly misaligned (one is higher than the other). I wonder what value the pen has and if it's worth having the tines realigned by someone. I have no idea how to do that and I'm not sure I even want to attempt that kind of repair. The nib seems to me like it's a gold one. It does have some flex to it. Not much, but more than a steel nib.

 

Edited December 6, 2014 by MyriamV

[Jerome Tarshis]

If your Colibri pen writes well, it has (for you) the value of a good writer. If the pen belonged to your beloved grandfather, it has sentimental value. So far as I am aware, Colibri pens are not collected and your Colibri pen will have little in the way of a secondary market.

 

I happen to take an interest in Colibri pens and in the company's history. That is because a man who once worked under me and who became and remained my friend for more than forty years ("Well, you weren't such a bad boss," he said), and who in due course died of pancreatic cancer once gave me a Colibri ball-point pen he had lying around his office, its use being as a giveaway to doctors who attended the AIDS-research conferences he organized. When I lost that original giveaway pen, I replaced it.

 

People who don't have that kind of reason to be interested are not going to pay any serious sum of money for a Colibri fountain pen. I paid very little for the replacement. Do enjoy yours. I sometimes write with my ballpoint in memory of a dear friend.

 

P.S. If the nib is made of gold it should say so. If it doesn't, and there is some possibility that the 14K notation is on the folded-down part, visible though not the first place you'd look, then you should think of it as a steel nib. With some softness or spring to it. The original full-flex nibs used by calligraphers were made of steel.

Edited December 6, 2014 by Jerome Tarshis

[Bo Bo Olson]

Push down from the slit start on the up tine for 3 seconds or so so the top tine half is under the lower, 2-3 times...should solve it...if not push up on the down tine the same.

 

You need to borrow a good loupe to do so, go to your local jeweler.

A magnifying glass is not strong enough.

Edited December 6, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[MyriamV]

Thank you for the replies. It's pretty much what I suspected in regards to the value. Guess it means I better take the plunge and try to fix it myself.

 

Bo Bo, should I take the nib out of the pen before I attempt fixing it? How can I tell if it'll unscrew or if I need a knockout block?