fullfederhalter Posted July 13, 2019 Share Posted July 13, 2019 I found this black Esterbrook transitional J pen with a 3 ribbed jewel and a bandless dollar pencil at the flea market today. It was very sunny out, and when I looked down at the top of the pen cap I saw that the jewel is a very deep translucent red. It looks almost black in normal light, but strong light penetrates the jewel and reflects back from the silver of the tassie. It's hard to photograph, but I am attaching a picture taken in sunlight. It reminds me of the deep red bakelite plastic used by Parker on some of its early pens, but could be something else. I have a few other 3 ribbed caps, but all of the jewels are definitely black. I tried to search for any other mention of this without success. Does anyone have information about these jewels? Link to post Share on other sites
Misfit Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 (edited) That is quite interesting to see. According to people with art degrees, there is no true black. If you turn up the saturation of any color on your computer, it looks black. Edited July 15, 2019 by Misfit Link to post Share on other sites
inkstainedruth Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 I have a couple of Trannies, I think (I know there's at least one toaster top jewel). I'm now going to have to get a good look at the jewels on them. And maybe on the other J series pens I have as well, because now I'm curious. I know that all the jewels are black (I don't have any of the red or green jeweled nurse's pens) but I'm thinking that the jewels are invariably a matte black and NOT something translucent looking like in the photo....Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth "It's very nice, but frankly, when I signed that list for a P-51, what I had in mind was a fountain pen." Link to post Share on other sites
Hobiwan Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 I bought a green trannie with a top like that 5 or 6 years ago. Thought it was just an anomaly. Looks like the factory got a shipment of "black" plastic stock they didn't inspect closely Adds that little extra boost to the rarity, eh? Now you'll have everyone re-inspecting their trannie collection. Best RegardsPaul“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”– Albert Einstein Link to post Share on other sites
FarmBoy Posted July 16, 2019 Share Posted July 16, 2019 This is more common than you might think. I have found the more reddish or translucent the more fragile the jewel. San Francisco International Pen Show - They have dates! August 23-24-25, 2019 AND August 28-29-30, 2020. Book your travel and tables now! My PM box is usually full. Just email me: my last name at the google mail address. Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Heath Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 got lucky at a regional flea market on SundayA dealer had a box of Estie Small parts, upon close examination I saw about 60 Esterbrook cap jewelsincl 5 Pastels, a couple of toaster tops, a couple screw in type remainder back jewels, oh happy daynever saw that before in 30 years of being at this Naturally they came home with me. I'll be sure to look for an off color black jewel. penfancier1915@hotmail.com Tom Heath Peace be with you . Hug your loved ones today Link to post Share on other sites
Runnin_Ute Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 My lone transitional is the regular jewel not the toaster top. I'm pretty sure it is a matte black and not translucent at all. Brad "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind" - Rudyard Kipling"None of us can have as many virtues as the fountain-pen, or half its cussedness; but we can try." - Mark Twain Link to post Share on other sites
Gloucesterman Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 got lucky at a regional flea market on SundayA dealer had a box of Estie Small parts, upon close examination I saw about 60 Esterbrook cap jewelsincl 5 Pastels, a couple of toaster tops, a couple screw in type remainder back jewels, oh happy daynever saw that before in 30 years of being at this Naturally they came home with me. I'll be sure to look for an off color black jewel.Well, at least they went to a good home where they will be treated with respect!Congratulations on your find. “Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today, because if you do it today and like it, you can do again tomorrow!” Link to post Share on other sites
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