Ratnam Celluloid (Conical 14CT Gold Nib)

[K Singh]

Received this beautiful Ratnam pen today. The name of the original owner "R.N.Lakshmi" is engraved on the nib. And the year of its making, 1985, is also engraved on it.

 

It had lot of dried ink in it when I got it, which thankfully got easily cleaned out after soaking the nib in water for a few minutes. Otherwise the pen has been maintained in excellent condition, considering it's a 38 year old pen.

 

Just like my other Ratnamson gold nib, this one too is a very smooth and well-tuned writer, and a joy to write with. 

 

For size comparison, have included few pics alongside my Ratnamson Supreme Gold nib pen.

 

Approximate measurements of the pen.
Capped length: 136mm
Uncapped length: 117mm
Barrel width: 12mm
Cap width: 13mm
Nib length: 22mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[VillersCotterets]

It's a gorgeous pen. Congratulations on your acquisition. It's always heart-warming to see an orphan pen find its way into an adoptive home where it will once again be cherished and cared for. 

[K Singh]

Thank you so much. I agree with your sentiment 🙂 I too keep reducing my little collection from time to time, so that my pens can find a better home.

It is these Indian handmade pens that give me the most joy in this hobby.

[tommym]

That is a beautiful pen! How common/uncommon was it to engrave the owner's name into the nib?

 

Thanks,

 

Tommy

[K Singh]

2 hours ago, tommym said:

That is a beautiful pen! How common/uncommon was it to engrave the owner's name into the nib?

 

Thanks,

 

Tommy

Thanks. The name engraving is a personal choice. I have seen several examples of both. Even between the above two pens, one owner went for the engraving, other didn't. From a reselling point-of-view it's best to not have any engraving on the pen.

 

I wish I could have got my name engraved on it if I had the choice 🙂 It would make the pen more special. But unfortunately these handmade gold nibs are no longer made now. Ratnam, Ratnamson, Brahmam, Guider used to offer such handmade gold nibs once, with Ratnamson being the last to offer them until a few years ago. 

[tommym]

14 hours ago, K Singh said:

From a reselling point-of-view it's best to not have any engraving on the pen.

 

Oddly enough, I've come to prefer these old vintage pens, guitars, etc., with these personal touches. I always wonder who the previous owner was in these instances. I certainly wouldn't devalue the pen if it were King Tut's pen with his name engraved in the nib. 

 

Tommy

[K Singh]

1 hour ago, tommym said:

 

Oddly enough, I've come to prefer these old vintage pens, guitars, etc., with these personal touches. I always wonder who the previous owner was in these instances. I certainly wouldn't devalue the pen if it were King Tut's pen with his name engraved in the nib. 

 

Tommy

I don't mind having either too. I know I am very lucky to even have these two pens, so it's no issue at all whether it has any engraving or not.

 

I do wish though that someday I am able to get the bigger conical gold nib pen from Ratnamson. My Ratnam conical is smaller in size. You can check this thread for the pics of the bigger pen 

 

[tommym]

Thanks for that additional link!

 

Tommy

[jchch1950]

A very collectable pen with a history.

[K Singh]

2 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

A very collectable pen with a history.

True. I must mention though that I buy these pens to use them. Besides all the legacy/rarity these are excellent writers.