What Esterbrook(s) are you writing with today?

[Baka1969]

I've been on a vintage Esterbrook kick lately. I'm now looking for nice examples of the Transition and the Pastel Purse pens. I'd also like to find a $1.50 pen with the cracked look. Here are the ones I am writing with today. I've added new sacs to two of them already.

 

The last two on the right are from Osmiroid. 

 

Let's see what Esterbrooks you are writing with today. 

 

[Misfit]

My black LJ is nearby. It has a Bell System Property (AKA skunk) imprint, and a 2314-M nib. I love that stub nib! I used this photo to show someone the difference in size of the vintage vs modern Esterbrook. I think this Esterbrook LJ is my favorite.
 

 

I have a red SJ. In the J model, I have brown, green, gray, and blue. A few are transitional, or lacking a jewel in the design. 

[Estycollector]

[Baka1969]

I recently picked up this transitional dollar/J series. I've restored all but two of the pens. The two came from Cardinal. The ones I've done myself came to me in rough shape. Now they are as glossy as they came from the factory. They operate as well too. I'm kind of a sucker for a redhead (ginger).

 

I'd like to get all the variations of these Esterbrooks. I'd like to find the $1.50 and pastel pens. It's fascinating that these Esterbrooks were made from the 1930s through to the 1960s. I hope to get at least one from each era. 

 

 

 

[Baka1969]

On 1/1/2026 at 5:14 PM, Estycollector said:

 

Nice group. 

[Baka1969]

I should add my Rainforest Estie with the Gina nib. It's a good writer. I would like one in Sea Glass.

 

[Estycollector]

6 hours ago, Baka1969 said:

 

Nice group. 

Thank you. They are all good writers. 

[DougS]

This transitional green J, 2968 nib and vintage Montblanc blue-black.

 

 

[Estycollector]

Mid to late ‘30’s “Dollar” with 2556 nib

[Misfit]

Today I’m using the Esterbrook LJ in black with Bell System Property and a 2314-M nib filled with De Atramentis Sherlock Holmes ink. 

[FarmBoy]

1 hour ago, Misfit said:

Today I’m using the Esterbrook LJ in black with Bell System Property and a 2314-M nib filled with De Atramentis Sherlock Holmes ink. 

An LJ Skunk. Nice

[Misfit]

37 minutes ago, FarmBoy said:

An LJ Skunk. Nice

If you buy vintage Esterbrook, isn’t there a law that you have to get the skunk too?  😉

[FarmBoy]

On 1/11/2026 at 6:23 PM, Misfit said:

If you buy vintage Esterbrook, isn’t there a law that you have to get the skunk too?  😉

It is like the second law of thermodynamics. Necessary, forgotten, and always shows up to bite you. 
 

best to just get one first. 

[Baka1969]

Gee thanks guys!! Now I have to track down a skunk.....

[AmandaW]

What's an LJ skunk?

[Baka1969]

4 minutes ago, AmandaW said:

What's an LJ skunk?

 

It's a black Esterbrook J Series with white writing stamped on the barrel. Not because it's stinky. lol. 

[Misfit]

@AmandaW, Usually it has Bell System Property in white on it. But I’ve read other companies got imprints. Bell seems most common. 

[Misfit]

On 1/13/2026 at 3:53 PM, Baka1969 said:

Gee thanks guys!! Now I have to track down a skunk.....

You’ll thank us once you get yours. I’ve read that you can use a white crayon to bring out the imprint. 
 

I think the LJ skunk is my favorite vintage Esterbrook. 

[FarmBoy]

Specifically a Skunk is imprinted with Bell System Property because there are so many it just had to be in the catalog. 

[inkstainedruth]

I think I have one with the Bell imprint on it.  Just didn't know they were called "skunks...".

Of course my best friend growing up and her older sister had a REAL skunk for a pet (they had wanted, IIRC, a raccoon, but the place they went to didn't have one at the time).  

I thought it was actually kind of a dumb pet because it just sat in a cage in their basement all day....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth