SECRETARY PEN COMPANY of Union, NJ - EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FP

[donnweinberg]

On Ebay, I recently purchased for less than $30 four Secretary Pen Company's "Executive Secretary" fountain pens, and two of that model's mechanical pencils.  I tried to find a meaningful history of this company, but could not find it, even here on FPN.  My impression is that this pen comes from the 1940s-1950s eras, and certainly no later than the 1960s.

 

Each of the two pens in the best condition came with the pencils.  One of those two sets is NOS, and the other is in good condition, especially after cleaning the ink out of the FP.  The third FP fills and writes.  The fourth FP's internal sac is rubbish now, thorough attempts at cleaning and ultra-sound make no difference, and I cannot remove the section from the body.  Here are some photos of the FP only; the pencil looks as one would expect, but the turning mechanism seems to be the area surrounding the point:

 

        

 

 

 

 

The most striking thing about this FP is its tiny, 14K nib.  By analogy, one might "medicalize" its size with a diagnosis of "micro-nib."  What matters, though, is how well it does or doesn't write ("the motion of the ocean" in a different context).  I'll get to that "shortly."

 

The lines of the pen overall are attractive.  The exterior has a thin-layer of gold plating.  The wording (not shown) at the top of the barrel, where it meets the cap, is:  "SECRETARY PEN CO. UNION N.J. U.S.A."  The cap screws off and on with 3 full turns.  The FP weighs 17g and has a length of 13.4cm (5.25 inches).  The tiny 14K nib is firm.  This pen uses a button filler, which is found under the blind cap.  The button looks gold-plated.  I used the third pen of the group, which I cleaned thoroughly and let dry on a towel.  I filled it with Sheaffer Blue-Black ink, just to be safe.

 

The pen wrote immediately, but the writing experience was mediocre-to-fair.  The very small nib is a bit scratchy, not terribly so, and the flow is on the dryer side, but also consistent.  The overall writing experience is not pleasurable, but not terrible.  I like the novelty of the pen because of the off-brand name, the button filler, and the tiny nib, and the price I paid for 4 (3 functioning) FPs and two functioning mechanical pencils (0.9mm lead?) was quite a value.

 

If anyone else has experience with this model and/or other photos, please post.  I'd be interested in hearing the views of others of you out there.

[amberleadavis]

Kind of cute, the nib reminds me of the Waterman 0.

[Bristol24]

I've seen these pens on Ebay before and was under the impression that they were a product of the Newark Pen Co. that marketed various pens and pen pencil combos under the name "Secretary."  I don't know if this is a coincidence but one of their more well-known "Secretary" pens was marketed during WWII and had a war time price that included the letters "CA-2" after the words, "O.P.A. Symbol."  O.P.A. was the Office of Price Administration.  I see the same letters (CA) on the label of one of your boxes only it is "CA-5."  I can't help but wonder if there is a connection and that your "Secretary" brand is a late or even post WWII era pen with the O.P.A. price (ration stamps) on the label.  O.P.A. wasn't dissolved until mid-1947.  This is pure conjecture on my part but I'm just curious...

 

Cliff

[Lloyd Mitchell]

Hi Mr. Weinberg, Gd morning. I am looking for a nib for my Executive Secretary fountain pen. I broke the nib and haven’t been able to find a replacement in my searches. Just saw your post and wondered if you would be willing to part with the pen that you said isn’t working.

Your reply is awaited and your assistance would make my day. 
Thanks in advance for your consideration.

 

Regards, 

 

 

 

LRM

[donnweinberg]

Hi, Lloyd.  I sure would be willing to part with the non-working pen, so you can transfer its nib to your pen.  I'll sell it to you for $15, shipping included if you are in the U.S. (USPS Priority Mail).  Probably best to email me at DonnWeinberg@comcast.net.  If you have PayPal, then this can be done easily.  I've recently had hernia surgery, so I may not be able to get out for a few more days.  We can time things accordingly.