British Pens...show And Tell.

[praxim]

Thanks MalcomH with the information about clip type.

 

I know that they started making lever fillers from about 1924, concurrently with plunge fillers until at least the war.

 

Ah, the Great Book Waiting continues. I wait too.

 

I may pick up a couple more Onotos before too long.

[mallymal1]

So, I've located my Dickinson's "Croxley" pen set. It's the torpedo shape in a marbled gold and brown.

 

 

The 'torpedo' was launched in April 1948, and only produced till mid 1949, when Dickinson's stopped producing fountain pens. It sold for 30/6d, and the pencil for 18/4d. Thirty bob sounds like a lot of money for 1948!

 

I doubt that the box is original, as I believe the inner lid would be embossed with Croxley.

 

 

 

 

The nib is marked "A DICKINSON PRODUCT 14CT GOLD", and is a beautiful flexy writer. The feed is marked with the letter M.

 

All in all, I would say that it is a quality pen, but as Cob mentioned, maybe a slightly larger nib would have been more aesthetically pleasing.

 

Malcolm

[Cob]

That's a lovely set Malcolm.

 

The torpedo I have just bought (with broken nib) is in the same material, and very handsome it is too.

 

The manufacturing dates are most interesting; may I ask where you found that information? I should very much like to know when Croxleys were first made; I had always understood them to have commenced after the Second World War.

 

Best wishes

 

Cob

Edited July 30, 2016 by Cob

[Fermata]

Very attractive set, the material reminds me of a Wyvern set that I swapped with Sumgaikid about 6 years ago, same looking box too.

[Matewan]

 

That's a handsome pen, Matewan. The clip is very much like Onoto / De La Rue. Have you inked it yet?

Thank you for your feedback!

Actually it was my first post on FPN

 

The Shakespere pen has very similar clip to that of Onoto except for gem on it

This pen is bigger and heavier than Onoto Magna.

Yes, I have inked and used it since I bought it.

This pen is also comparable to CS pen in terms of nib

Most of all, skillful engraving on the cap is really pleasing to look at ~

[mallymal1]

That's a lovely set Malcolm.

 

The torpedo I have just bought (with broken nib) is in the same material, and very handsome it is too.

 

The manufacturing dates are most interesting; may I ask where you found that information? I should very much like to know when Croxleys were first made; I had always understood them to have commenced after the Second World War.

 

Best wishes

 

Cob

 

While I was out, this afternoon, I was thinking that I should have included the info source. Apologies for the omission. It is, of course, from Stephen Hull's excellent 'The English Fountain Pen Industry 1875-1975'.

 

According to Steve, Dickinsons first showed their fountain pens in May of 1947, and produced up to mid 1949, so you were on the money there, Cob.

 

Malcolm

[mallymal1]

Thank you for your feedback!

Actually it was my first post on FPN

 

The Shakespere pen has very similar clip to that of Onoto except for gem on it

This pen is bigger and heavier than Onoto Magna.

Yes, I have inked and used it since I bought it.

This pen is also comparable to CS pen in terms of nib

Most of all, skillful engraving on the cap is really pleasing to look at ~

 

So pleased you are enjoying your Shakespeare Pen, it looks wonderful.

 

Why not show us some of your other pens?

 

[Cob]

 

While I was out, this afternoon, I was thinking that I should have included the info source. Apologies for the omission. It is, of course, from Stephen Hull's excellent 'The English Fountain Pen Industry 1875-1975'.

 

According to Steve, Dickinsons first showed their fountain pens in May of 1947, and produced up to mid 1949, so you were on the money there, Cob.

 

Malcolm

Thanks again Malcolm.

 

Amazing that Croxley pens were produced only for two years! Their survival rate is extremely good; I suppose that the marketing muscle of the John Dickinson Co must have helped greatly in ensuring such great market penetration at a time when things were genrally difficult here in England.

 

All I need now is about three Croxley nibs to re-commission some I have here!

 

Best,

 

Cob

[mallymal1]

Have recently added another Croxley, to my tiny collection. Courtesy of those lovely 'rutlandpenpeople', with a box and guarantee.

 

This one is of the, for want of a better word, 'standard' shape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jar]

http://www.fototime.com/7CFA232563F8922/large.jpg

[soapytwist]

Three De La Rue pens:

 

L: Onoto 6235

M: Onoto Magna 1873

R: a pre-Onoto 1880-90s pen - think it's a Swift, but not confirmed

 

[PAKMAN]

Conway Stewart vintage 85

 

Henry Simpole Sterling Silver Jasmine overlay

 

[mallymal1]

Conway Stewart vintage 85

 

Henry Simpole Sterling Silver Jasmine overlay

 

 

Nice pens, PAKMAN. The Herringbone is a classic, the Jasmine is simply awesome.

[praxim]

Here are my Onoto pens, sitting on their 12-pen case in which they do not all fit. The photos group the pens by nib.

 

Four with No.2 nib. From the bottom up, two 3050, a 5601 (nib exposed) and 4601.

 

No.3 nib, a 2000 and 3000.

 

3/ST nib, being a 3000 (top) and 5601. The 6233 missed the shoot.

 

Two 6234 with No.5 nib, and an interloper, a "modern" (1960) lever fill 21 with No.15 nib.

 

The Swift (?) lever fill with No 17 nib.

 

Finally, a 1220 and 1332 with No.22 nib, both lever fill.

[mallymal1]

Very nice collection.

 

Do you have a favourite? Which nib is the best?

[praxim]

I need more experience to get some clarity on favourites. Four of them have yet to get a run beyond dipping, while the 1220 and 1332 with nominally the same nib produce different experiences in use. I think the 1332 needs some polishing.

 

Early days, I think the No.2 nib has been consistently excellent, the No.5 very flexible and smooth, and my single favourite so far the 3000 with the 3/ST nib, that one with a gold band. I like the pen itself as well as the nib being excellent.

 

Over all, I think most of the Onotos have been good choices while not highly priced.

[mallymal1]

My first Onoto had a 3/ST nib, and I thought it was wonderful...I still do. Yes, it's still my favourite Onoto writing experience.

 

Looks to me, like you've done a good job with your purchases. Congrats on your collection.

 

Have you received The Book yet?

[praxim]

Not yet. It will come.

 

I meant to add that the No.15 nib is also very smooth. The little 21 pen that holds it is cute enough but not otherwise a favourite. Lever fillers are not my main game with Onotos so I may sell a couple of those four.

[jar]

Big Brother is Watching!

 

http://www.fototime.com/FC9653C27500904/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/A208A139EE48EAA/standard.jpg

[mallymal1]

Yard-o-Led pens, Jar?