Rare 1909 Dutch Commemorative Floaty Dip Pen - Hermann Müller Nib - Aloysiusschool Baarn - Seeking Info!

[AnniFlora]

Hi,
I'm hoping to tap into the incredible collective knowledge here on FPN regarding a very special dip pen I inherited, which has a fascinating family history. I'm trying to identify it more precisely and learn if anyone has ever encountered anything similar.
The Pen's Story & Description:
According to my family, this pen was given to my great-great-grandfather in 1909 at the Aloysiusschool (a Catholic primary school) in Baarn, Netherlands. It was a commemorative gift for the birth of Princess Juliana (born April 30, 1909).
What makes this pen particularly unusual is its transparent barrel, which contains a small floating fish. When tilted, the fish moves as if suspended in liquid – very much like a miniature snow globe or a classic "floaty novelty pen." The liquid is still perfectly sealed inside, and the fish moves freely, which is quite remarkable for its age. From my observations, the transparent part of the barrel appears to be glass, and one end seems to be fire-sealed.
The pen is a dip pen, not a fountain pen.
The Nib:
The nib is engraved with:
Herm. Mülle – No. 0720 – Leipzig-L
From what I've been able to find, this clearly refers to Hermann Müller, a well-known nib manufacturer from Leipzig, Germany. I also found mentions of a "No. 720 Swan Pen" nib that seems to match.
My Questions for the Community:
 * Early "Floaty" Mechanism: Was this kind of sealed, liquid-filled transparent barrel with a floating object even technologically possible or known for pens in 1909? It seems very advanced for the era, especially for a dip pen.
 * Commemorative Use: Do you think it's plausible this pen was made or customized specifically for this event (Princess Juliana's birth) or as a commemorative gift from a school?
 * Similar Examples: Has anyone here seen anything remotely similar to this – particularly a "floaty" dip pen from Hermann Müller or any other European pen maker (especially Dutch or German) around the early 1900s? I've searched online but haven't found any comparable examples.
 * Overall Rarity/Significance: Based on its features and history, how rare or historically significant might this pen be?
I've attached several photos to help illustrate the pen, its unique barrel and the nib.
Any insights, information, or even just ideas on where else to look would be immensely appreciated! Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.
Best regards,
AnniFlora

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 15 by AnniFlora

[inkstainedruth]

Fascinating!  I just saw some dip pens from roughly around the same time period last month when I was having the prop manager choose fountain pens for for the Milton Hershey bio-pic that's been in production in southwestern PA, but of course those were clearly high end ones with ornamental metal handles (and I didn't see them up close).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[AAAndrew]

I have a slightly longer answer over in the main forum, but the short answer is that overall, it all looks like it could fit the story. The holder is unusual and pretty cool and would have been something fun for the kids at the time. Definitely a novelty holder, not a commemorative one

 

This period was pretty much the height of dip pen usage. By 1920, fountain pens would start to make more significant inroads into dip pen usage. There were a number of European manufacturers pre-WWI, though the vast majority of pens sold in Europe at the time were made in Birmingham, England, including many made specifically for foreign markets. I don't know anything about Hermann Müller, but then I am less familiar with the continental manufacturers. I'm pretty certain the nib and the holder were not made by the same company. These holders were novelty holders, and the blown glass ones like this were most likely made in Italy, but I'm not certain. Floaty holders are not unknown, but rarely survive. It's unusual and fun, and I'm sure the kids felt like it was a treat to receive one. Worthwhile to celebrate the birth of the princess.