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PenHero 365 May 2019
2019 Pages:
June May
Stratford fountain pen and pencil combo in a gray snakeskin celluloid c. 1937
This is a Stratford fountain pen and pencil combo in a gray snakeskin celluloid c. 1937. Stratford was a brand of Salz Brothers Inc. It’s a 5 13/16 inches long vacuum fill fountain pen that uses a sheet celluloid that is rolled in a spiral to form a tube for the cap and barrel. The pen probably was a syringe filler, but this example has no plunger installed. The ink view window continues the pattern and has an ink gauge that shows how drops remaining starting from 40. The seam can be seen in the barrel. The clip is stamped STRATFORD and PATD indicating a patented design. The clip and trim is similar to designs found on Eagle pens. The trim is lightly gold plated and shows typical plating loss. The nib was gold plated stainless steel but most of the plating has worn off. Similar combos were advertised for 49 cents in 1937.
Osmia Progress 66G green piston filler fountain pen c. 1957
This is an Osmia Progress 66G green piston filler fountain pen c. 1957. This just under 5 3/16 inch long pen operates by turning the end cap on the barrel, which operates the plunger. Dipping the nib in ink and cycling the plunger fills the ink chamber in the barrel. Ink level can be seen through the ribbed section at the top of the barrel. The cap top has the Osmia white four point diamond inside a circle logo. All trim is gold plated. The barrel is stamped Osmia and the Osmia logo and PROGRESS and 66G over F is stamped near the blind cap, indicating a fine nib. The firm 14 karat gold inset nib has only slightly visible markings, stamped with the Osmia logo over 14K over 585. This model was also made in burgundy and black.
Osmia Progress 66G burgundy piston filler fountain pen c. 1957
This is an Osmia Progress 66G burgundy piston filler fountain pen c. 1957. This just under 5 3/16 inch long pen operates by turning the end cap on the barrel, which operates the plunger. Dipping the nib in ink and cycling the plunger fills the ink chamber in the barrel. Ink level can be seen through the ribbed section at the top of the barrel. The cap top has the Osmia white four point diamond inside a circle logo. All trim is gold plated. The barrel is stamped Osmia and the Osmia logo and PROGRESS and 66G over F is stamped near the blind cap, indicating a fine nib. The firm 14 karat gold inset nib has no visible markings, but is stamped with the Osmia logo over 14K over 585. This model was also made in green and black.
Lady Sheaffer model 904 Paisley pattern fountain pen c. 1976-1978
This is a Lady Sheaffer model 904 Paisley pattern fountain pen c. 1976-1978. It looks similar to the Lady Sheaffer IV Paisley engraving, a wave pattern on a black enamel cap and barrel with gold color fill. This 5 1/8 inch long cartridge / converter model follows the general cap, barrel and section design of Lady Sheaffer pens seen in the 1973 Sheaffer catalog. It has a long nib section with a 14 karat gold inset nib stamped SHEAFFER over 585 over 14K over U.S.A. This pattern appears in a 1977 newspaper ad.
Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly red resin 2015
This is a Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly red resin. Introduced in 2015, it gets its inspiration from the MOKA Italian coffee-maker designed in 1930 by Alfonso Bialetti. The MOKA was a masterpiece of design and simplicity and its iconic design became famous all over the world. This Italian pen is a very small 4 7/8 inches long, but with the cap screwed onto the end of the barrel it feels more like a full length pen. It was made in five pearly resin colors: black, blue, orange, red and white, accented with chrome plated trim. It has a small medium grade stainless steel nib and uses international cartridges. The barrel is too short for a converter. It comes with a cordura lanyard that can be attached to the cap of the pen to wear it around the neck. The fountain pen retails for $160 and the ballpen $130.
Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly white resin 2015
This is a Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly white resin. Introduced in 2015, it gets its inspiration from the MOKA Italian coffee-maker designed in 1930 by Alfonso Bialetti. The MOKA was a masterpiece of design and simplicity and its iconic design became famous all over the world. This Italian pen is a very small 4 7/8 inches long, but with the cap screwed onto the end of the barrel it feels more like a full length pen. It was made in five pearly resin colors: black, blue, orange, red and white, accented with chrome plated trim. It has a small medium grade stainless steel nib and uses international cartridges. The barrel is too short for a converter. It comes with a cordura lanyard that can be attached to the cap of the pen to wear it around the neck. The fountain pen retails for $160 and the ballpen $130.
Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly black resin 2015
This is a Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly black resin. Introduced in 2015, it gets its inspiration from the MOKA Italian coffee-maker designed in 1930 by Alfonso Bialetti. The MOKA was a masterpiece of design and simplicity and its iconic design became famous all over the world. This Italian pen is a very small 4 7/8 inches long, but with the cap screwed onto the end of the barrel it feels more like a full length pen. It was made in five pearly resin colors: black, blue, orange, red and white, accented with chrome plated trim. It has a small medium grade stainless steel nib and uses international cartridges. The barrel is too short for a converter. It comes with a cordura lanyard that can be attached to the cap of the pen to wear it around the neck. The fountain pen retails for $160 and the ballpen $130.
The Summer Pennant is finished and off to the printer! Front cover.
The Summer Pennant is finished and off to the printer! This is the cover shot, a Conklin Red Pearl Chevron Nozac prototype with, from top, a finished but not yet imprinted barrel, the finished pen, a barrel blank, and a cap blank. The pen shown is the only one known to exist. This issue is all about passion, beauty and discovery. And of course, pens!
- TECH TALK, Todd Eberspacher and Tim Laros answer a puzzling Parker question.
- BLAST FROM THE PAST, John Maloney and Fred Krinke open a time capsule: 1940s letters to the Parker Pen Service Department.
- THOMAS JEFFERSON’S PEN MAKER, PART III, Andrew Midkiff concludes his series on early steel pen maker Peregrine Williamson.
- CONKLIN NOZAC CHEVRON 1936–37, Jim Mamoulides explores the stunning Nozac Chevron.
- THE GRIESHABER PEN COMPANY UNTIL 1901, Grieshaber collector Alain Dbjay fleshes out the story of this little-known brand.
- A RIPPLE IN TIME, A recent pen acquisition, a sense of curiosity, and outstanding research lead Daniel Kirchheimer to an amazing discovery.
- MOORE STRIPED FOUNTAIN PENS, C. 1937–42, Ross McKinney and Jim Mamoulides investigate one of Moore’s most beautiful materials.
Members of the Pen Collectors of America should see their copies in the mail once we are finished printing. You can find more information about the PCA at this link:
https://www.pencollectorsofamerica.com
The Summer Pennant is finished and off to the printer! Back cover.
This is the back cover shot of the Summer Pennant, a Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl c. 1941 shown on a letter to the Parker Pen Service Department. This issue is all about passion, beauty and discovery. And of course, pens!
Parker Duofold Junior in Black Tipped Lacquer Red hard rubber c. 1925
This is a Parker Duofold Junior in Black Tipped Lacquer Red hard rubber c. 1925. This 4 19/32 inch long button filling fountain pen was the medium size clip Duofold and sold for $5.00. The matching pencil sold for $3.50. The pen features a single wide gold filled cap band and a gold filled clip stamped PARKER and PAT. SEP. 5-16. The barrel is stamped DUOFOLD JR. over GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE, WIS. next to the Lucky Curve banner next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN over P. The feed is the Lucky Curve type. Note this pen is made from a more orange color hard rubber and the barrel threads have cracks and a chip missing.
Conklin Nozac Chevron 7000 word piston filler in Black celluloid c. 1936-1937
This is a Conklin Nozac Chevron 7000 word piston filler in Black celluloid c. 1936-1937. Conklin introduced the Chevron line in September 1936. Chevron pens have celluloid caps and barrels with a patented design of translucent strips separated by strips of alternating direction rows of colored celluloid arrows. The celluloid sheets were wrapped into tubes that were then worked into finished caps and barrels. The seam can be found with careful examination. This tube construction method allowed the barrel to be a single piece where the translucent strips in the top half allow for viewing the ink level. You can see this pen’s Word Gauge stamped on the top half of the barrel. The bottom half hides the piston mechanism. The Chevron line came in four colors: Red Pearl (red and silver), Gray Pearl, Green Pearl, and Black, and two sizes, 7000 word and a slimmer 5000 word pen. Both are the same length, about 5 3/8 inches long. This example has the 14 karat gold Conklin Toledo nib instead of the Cushon Point nib that was introduced in 1936. It also features the new 1936 patent clip. The 7000 Word Gauge Chevron sold for $7.50 and the 5000 sold for $5.00. Matching pencils were $3.75.
Parker Duofold Lady in Black Tipped Lacquer Red hard rubber c. 1925-1926
This is a Parker Duofold Lady in Black Tipped Lacquer Red hard rubber c. 1925-1926. This 4 ½ inch long button filling fountain pen was the clipless version of the Duofold Lady. The pen features a 7/16 inch wide gold filled cap lip band. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE, WIS. next to Lady DUOFOLD over the Lucky Curve banner next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN over P. The ringtop is gold filled. Note the darker color of the barrel. The pen sold for $5.00 and the matching pencil was $3.00.
Parker Duofold Lady in Black Tipped Lacquer Red Permanite celluloid c. 1928
This is a Parker Duofold Lady in Black Tipped Lacquer Red Permanite celluloid c. 1928. This 4 13/32 inch long button filling fountain pen was the clipless version of the Duofold Lady. The pen features three cap bands, new for 1928 and the year before the line was streamlined, making this a single year model. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE, WIS. next to Lady DUOFOLD over the Lucky Curve banner next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over PEN. The trim is gold filled. Note the hairline cracks in the cap, not unusual on these pens.
Parker Duofold Junior in Black Tipped Lacquer Red hard rubber c. 1924-1926
This is a Parker Duofold Junior in Black Tipped Lacquer Red hard rubber c. 1924-1926. This 4 ½ inch long button filling fountain pen was the medium size clip Duofold and sold for $5.00. The matching pencil sold for $3.50. The pen features a single wide gold filled cap band and a gold filled clip stamped PARKER and PAT. SEP. 5-16. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE, WIS. next to DUOFOLD, JR. over the Lucky Curve banner next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN over P. The feed is the Lucky Curve type.
Parker Duofold Junior in Lacquer Red Permanite celluloid, Canada, c. 1930-1933
This is a Canadian streamlined Parker Duofold Junior in Lacquer Red Permanite celluloid c. 1930-1933. This 4 9/16 inch long button filling fountain pen was the medium size clip Duofold and had a matching pencil. This pen features a single wide gold filled cap band, instead of the two narrow bands introduced in 1928. The gold filled clip is stamped PARKER. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over TORONTO next to DUOFOLD JR. over the Lucky Curve banner next to FOUNTAIN PEN over CANADA. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN over CANADA. The feed is the Lucky Curve type.
Parker Duofold Senior in Black Tipped Lacquer Red Permanite celluloid c. 1928-1929
This is a Parker Duofold Senior in Black Tipped Lacquer Red Permanite celluloid c. 1928-1929. This 5 ½ inch long button filling fountain pen was the largest size Duofold and sold for $7.00. The matching pencil sold for $4.00. The pen features a two narrow gold filled cap bands, introduced in 1928, and a gold filled clip stamped PARKER and PAT. SEP. 5-16. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE, WIS. next to DUOFOLD over the Lucky Curve banner next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN over MADE IN U.S.A. The feed is the Lucky Curve type.
Ford’s DeLuxe fountain pen in brown pearl and black marbled celluloid c. 1930-1934
This is a Ford’s DeLuxe fountain pen in brown pearl and black marbled celluloid c. 1930-1934. This 4 7/8 inch long lever fill pen was made by the Artcraft Pen Company of Birmingham, Alabama. Originally advertised as Cromer Artcraft, the company was named for Ford Cromer, and existed from about 1920 to 1934. Early Artcraft pens followed the market leading Parker Duofold with a $5 “black tipped lacquer red” Life-Long model as early as 1923. Use of the Ford name appears in the 1930s and can be seen in advertising as late as 1933. Examples of Ford pens include Ford’s, Ford’s Jr. and Ford’s DeLuxe models in a variety of colors. The trim on this example is lightly gold plated and shows a lot of wear. There is no barrel imprint. The nib is a Warranted 14K type.
Welsharp tiny fountain pen in red marble c. late 1930s
This is a Welsharp tiny fountain pen in red marble c. late 1930s. The Welsh Manufacturing Company made pens and pencils under the Welsharp name in the 1930s and when it applied for a trademark around 1938, The Wahl Company, makers of Wahl and Eversharp pens and pencils, successfully opposed this use in a 1940 decision. This is not surprising especially since this particular line would compete with The Wahl Company’s line of 3 ¾ inch long Bantam pens, made from about 1933 to 1940. The Salz Brothers pen company had been making the 3 inch long Peter Pan pens since about 1916 and continued until at least 1943. This very small 3 5/8 inch long pen dates to the late 1930s. They came in a variety of colors including solid cream, yellow, and green and marbled green, red, red and black and pink. It features a black stepped cap top and barrel end cap and normally a 14 karat gold plated stainless steel nib. This example has a replacement Parker Lucky Curve number 2 gold nib.
Eagle Prestige fountain pen in green striped celluloid c. 1939
This is an Eagle Prestige fountain pen in green striped celluloid c. 1939. This is the largest size Prestige at about 5 ¼ inches long capped. It comes with a 14 karat gold Number 6 size nib stamped EAGLE over 14K over MADE IN over UNITED STATES over OF AMERICA over 6. The pen has a hidden ink chamber unit that does not touch the inside of the barrel which has a small ink sac attached, like a bulb filler. There are two grommeted holes in opposite sides of the barrel to allow airflow around the ink chamber to keep it from overheating, preventing leaking. The pen fills by removing the black end cap and pressing the paddle, compressing the ink sac. The largest size Prestige sold for $7.50 in 1939 and with a matching pencil, sold for $10.00. The label on the cap says V60 FINE STIFF.
Salz Brothers Peter Pan ringtop pen in painted blue mottle on black c. late 1920s
This is a Salz Brothers Peter Pan ringtop fountain pen in what looks like painted blue mottle on black c. late 1920s. It’s possible the finish has worn to this state. This 3 ¾ inch long pen features a band of four pairs of large and small flower appliques around the cap. The gold nib is stamped WARRANTED 14K. The lever is stamped SALZ and with the Salz Brothers logo on the tab. The Salz Brothers pen company had been making the tiny Peter Pan pens since about 1916 and continued until at least 1943. The early pens were hard rubber, transitioning to colorful plastics by 1924, based on advertisements. They sold for as little as $1.00 in 1924 and a complementing ribbon sautoir with a “silveroid” slide to fasten the pen was 50 cents. Many colors and decorations were made. The design was significantly changed in the 1930s.
Regent piston filling fountain pen in gray c. 1950s
This is a Regent piston filling fountain pen in gray c. 1950s. This 5 ¼ inch long pen operates by removing the blind cap on the end of the barrel and twisting the piston knob. Ink fills the barrel itself and the ink level can be checked through the clear window in the top of the barrel. The mechanism appears to be similar to those made by Merz and Krell. The pen has gold plated trim that shows a lot of wear. There are no brand markings on the cap or barrel. The gold plated stainless steel nib is stamped Regent over 4R over GOLDPLATED.
Pelikan 120 in Black c. 1973-1977
This 5 1/8 inch long pen is a piston filler, operated by twisting the knob that makes up the end of the barrel. Ink fills the barrel itself and the ink level can be checked through the clear window in the top of the barrel. The version of the 120 was made by Merz and Krell for Pelikan and black was a new color for the 120. This later 120 came with a green barrel and clear ink view window, a green barrel and a striped ink view window, and all black with a clear ink view window. The pen features the Pelikan beak shaped clip and a tapered cap edge band stamped PELIKAN 120 GERMANY. The trim is gold plated. The side of the cap is stamped Pelikan 120. The gold plated stainless steel nib is stamped PELIKAN over the Pelikan logo over a letter indicating nib grade. This pen has the fine nib. They sold for $10.00 in 1976.
Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly blue resin c. 2015-2019
This is a Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro Blu in pearly blue resin. Introduced in 2015, it gets its inspiration from the MOKA Italian coffee-maker designed in 1930 by Alfonso Bialetti. The MOKA was a masterpiece of design and simplicity and its iconic design became famous all over the world. This Italian pen is a very small 4 7/8 inches long, but with the cap screwed onto the end of the barrel it feels more like a full length pen. It was made in five pearly resin colors: black, blue, orange, red and white, accented with chrome plated trim. It has a small medium grade stainless steel nib and uses international cartridges. The barrel is too short for a converter. It comes with a cordura lanyard that can be attached to the cap of the pen to wear it around the neck. The fountain pen retails for $160 and the ballpen $130.
Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro Arancia in pearly orange resin c. 2015-2019
This is a Giuliano Mazzuoli Moka Chiaroscuro in pearly orange resin. Introduced in 2015, it gets its inspiration from the MOKA Italian coffee-maker designed in 1930 by Alfonso Bialetti. The MOKA was a masterpiece of design and simplicity and its iconic design became famous all over the world. This Italian pen is a very small 4 7/8 inches long, but with the cap screwed onto the end of the barrel it feels more like a full length pen. It was made in five pearly resin colors: black, blue, orange, red and white, accented with chrome plated trim. It has a small medium grade stainless steel nib and uses international cartridges. The barrel is too short for a converter. It comes with a cordura lanyard that can be attached to the cap of the pen to wear it around the neck. The fountain pen retails for $160 and the ballpen $130.
Waterman Blue Streak in Nile Green striped celluloid c. 1938-1940
This is a Waterman Blue Streak in Silver Gray striped celluloid c. 1938-1940. Advertised as new in 1938, this 5 inch long fountain pen is a Type 2 Ink-Vue which is a fancy type of bulb filler operated by a lever near the end of the barrel. Ink fills the barrel itself and the ink level can be checked through the clear window in the top of the barrel. The pen sold for $5.00 and came in Russett Brown, Silver Gray, and Nile Green striped celluloid and Jet Black solid celluloid. The Blue Streak name may have come from the blue stripes in the celluloid. The matching pencil was $3.50. The pen features a three narrow gold filled cap bands and a gold filled clip stamped with the Waterman Ideal logo at the top. The barrel is stamped Waterman’s over REG U.S. over MADE IN next to IDEAL globe mark next to PAT. OFF. over U.S.A. over FOUNTAIN PEN. The cap top and barrel ends are stepped. The gold nib is stamped WATERMAN’S over IDEAL over 14KT. over REG U.S. over PAT. OFF. over MADE IN over U.S.A. The feed is two colors with a red stripe down the middle stamped WATERMANS.
Waterman Blue Streak in Silver Gray striped celluloid c. 1938-1940
This is a Waterman Blue Streak in Silver Gray striped celluloid c. 1938-1940. Advertised as new in 1938, this 5 inch long fountain pen is a Type 2 Ink-Vue which is a fancy type of bulb filler operated by a lever near the end of the barrel. Ink fills the barrel itself and the ink level can be checked through the clear window in the top of the barrel. The pen sold for $5.00 and came in Russett Brown, Silver Gray, and Nile Green striped celluloid and Jet Black solid celluloid. The Blue Streak name may have come from the blue stripes in the celluloid. The matching pencil was $3.50. The pen features a three narrow gold filled cap bands and a gold filled clip stamped with the Waterman Ideal logo at the top. The barrel is stamped Waterman’s over REG U.S. over MADE IN next to IDEAL globe mark next to PAT. OFF. over U.S.A. over FOUNTAIN PEN. The cap top and barrel ends are stepped. The gold nib is stamped WATERMAN’S over IDEAL over 14KT. over REG U.S. over PAT. OFF. over MADE IN over U.S.A. The feed is two colors with a red stripe down the middle stamped WATERMANS.
Parker Duofold Junior in Black Permanite celluloid c. 1927
This is a Parker Duofold Junior in Black Permanite celluloid c. 1927. This 4 5/8 inch long button filling fountain pen was the middle size Duofold and sold for $5.00. The matching pencil sold for $3.50. The pen features a single wide gold filled cap bands and a gold filled clip stamped PARKER and PAT. SEP. 5-16. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE, WIS., next to DUOFOLD JR. over the Lucky Curve banner, next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN.
Parker Duofold Senior Streamline in Black Permanite celluloid c. 1936
This is a Parker Duofold Senior Streamline in Black Permanite celluloid c. 1936. This 5 1/8 inch long button filling fountain pen was the largest size Duofold and prices in 1934 were $7.00 for the pen and $4.25 for the matching pencil. The pen features two gold filled cap bands and a gold filled clip stamped PARKER and PAT. SEP. 5-16. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER next to PARKER over DUOFOLD next to MADE IN U.S.A. and 6., the date code indicating made in 1936. This example has a firm gold Parker Arrow nib similar to the Vacumatic nib.
Parker Duofold Over-size or Senior in Black Permanite celluloid c. 1927
This is a Parker Duofold Over-size or Senior in Black Permanite celluloid c. 1927. This 5 ½ inch long button filling fountain pen was the largest size Duofold and sold for $7.00. The matching pencil sold for $4.00. The pen features a single wide gold filled cap bands and a gold filled clip stamped PARKER and PAT. SEP. 5-16. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE, WIS., next to DUOFOLD over the Lucky Curve banner, next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. This example has a firm gold nib stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN over P.
Fifth Avenue ten sided faceted fountain pen in a taupe pearl celluloid c. 1930s
This is a Fifth Avenue ten sided faceted fountain pen in a taupe pearl celluloid c. 1930s. This pen is not one of the Parker made Safford Pen Company Fifth Avenues. It has no imprint as the Safford pens do. Other similar examples to this one have clips also stamped Fifth Avenue. It’s a 3 15/16 inch long lever fill fountain pen that uses marbled sheet celluloid that is rolled in a spiral to form a tube for the cap and barrel. The seam can be seen in the barrel. The black inner cap and the lever clip show through the translucent material. It’s possible that the color was brighter and more pearlized when new. The trim is lightly gold plated and shows typical plating loss. The nib was gold plated stainless steel stamped FIFTH AVENUE and instead of tipping, the tine ends are stamped into a tipped shape. Price is unknown, but probably sold below $1.
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