OTHER BRANDS
Click on pictures to see them in full size
There is no specific classification (alpha, chronological, by country ...).
Montblanc 6F Lever Filler
i told bellow the story of this Montblanc lever filler I found at a fair price when I was student but sold as it was already a lot of money for me.
i had to wait 25 years to come accross another one in nice shape and at a not so crazy price. Actually I found another in the collection of a great Montblanc collector. He told me he had one available so I contacted him. He answered something like "You have to learn to wait to obtain what you want..". Ok... I waited so... and I would still wait but I learned he sold it to someone else ... I can accept to receive lessons but well...
And finally a friend found this pen and sold it to me.
Why do I like this pen? I really like its design. It is a large pen, similar to a Parker Duofold senior. Montblanc lever filler are rare.
You can see it here beside a Montblanc Agatha Christie limited edition.
1937 - Eversharp Coronet
Read David Nishimura' review here and Richard Binder' review here
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1931 - Pelikan 100 Tortoise Red Hard Rubber
Pelikan 100 Tortoise RHR Set
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This Pelikan set is a very rare version of the Pelikan 100. Cap and turning knob are made of Red Hard Rubber as well as the pencil.
According to The Penguin (Rick Propas website, a well known specialist of Pelikan), "These variants seem not to have been produced in large numbers and may have been marketed and sold mostly outside Germany." Indeed this set was found in France. The fountain pen has a 18k Solid gold Pelikan nib. Recently, Pelikan produced a 101N Red and tortoise. Now in another collection |
Laughlin Eyedropper
The manufacture made high quality eyedropper fountain pens and also produced a thumb filler.
This pen is a beautiful example. Made of abalone and pearl with a gold plated filigree cap. It is quite thin and long, very elegant.
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Safety pen with perpetual calendar
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Brand or no Brand ? ...
Most collectors are looking for specific brands, waterman, parker, sheaffer, montblanc, swan and others. These famous brands made beautiful, rare, or more common pens. It is also interesting to look at smaller brands, less known, who made very nice and sometimes much beautiful pens (and which can be bought at lower prices ...). And ... there are the "no brands". In this category you can find pens without any interest and others with beautiful overlays, interesting systems or fantastic nibs and excellent writers (yes because pens are made for this initially ... ;) ) This little safety pen is one of these "no brand" with a nice 18k solid gold overlay and a perpetual calendar. The nib is a "Soma", a small french pen, but there is no chance this pen was made by this brand. So who made it ? I don't know. Maybe the same jeweler who made pens for Cartier as a very similar safety pen exists in the Cartier production (see the book "Un Amour de Stylo") but these pens were engraved "Cartier". The Calendar is in english (english days) so the pen was made for the english or american market. Pen joined a friend beautiful collection |
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Example of a vintage Cartier pencil with a perpetual calendar (picture from ebay - seller "erfobay")
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Sterling silver eyedropper - No brand
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This is another example of a very interesting "no brand" pen.
Eyedropper filler with over-feed. The work on the sterling silver overlay is beautiful, high quality, similar to some rare and very expensive Waterman. The size is quite big, comparable to a #4 or #5 Waterman Definitely, it is possible to build a nice collection with small brands or no brands pens. |
Caw's Safety Fountain Pen - early 1900
Here is a very interesting article on Francis C. Brown story from Kamakura Fountain Pens web site
This is a safety pen with a very simple design.
I had the chance to find this rare pen with box, instructions and still with its original Caw's nib.
The system had to be restored when i took this first picture.
It seems the pen, instructions and box do not match. The pen was certainly sold in this box with these instructions as this pen is so rare and i don't think the seller, who was not a pen collector, found the box and the pen separately.
However there is the number 311 written on the box and the pen is a 313.
The instructions show a "key" on the cap. This key was used to activate the system at the back of the pen so the nib can go in and out. This fountain pen doesn't have and never had a key on the cap.
Instructions in English, French, German, Dutch
Instructions - Feed and Guarantee
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Caw's Safety - Closed
Caw's Safety open
One of the Caw's safety Patents - Apr. 22, 1902
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Eagle "FLASH" N°25
The fiilling system was patented in March 1905 (see last picture) by Claes William Boman who has patented many systems and solutions for fountain pens (see bellow the "lightning" for example)
To fill the pen, pull the button at the back of the pen. This pull down the bar which press on the rubber sac to evacuate the air. Then push the button, the bar goes up, the sac get back to its original position and the ink enter in the sac.
The pen is in really nice condition for its age with crisp chasing and imprints.
Now in another collection...
Eagle "Snap Shot"
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Another interesting Eagle made of painted metal.
The filling system is a "Thumb filler". To fill the pen, turn the button at the back of the pen and the sac appears with a pressure bar that can be pressed with the thumb. This system can be found on high quality fountain pens such as Aikin Lambert. Nib is engraved "Eagle Snap Shot N°49" The clip is also signed "Eagle Pencil Co" and is patented July 20 1915. |
Macniven & Cameron - Waverley N°74
I haven't seen many pens of this brand. What i loved on this one is its beautiful Waverley nib N°4.
"Waverley" nibs were usually made for dip pens (steel nibs). However M&C made several fountain pens with this nib made in 14ct solid gold. It is nice, smooth and flexible.
The shape of the section is also interesting and is really nice with this nib.
This pen has two solid gold ring on the barrel. It is a lever filler.
It is engraved "Macniven & Cameron - Made in Great Britain" and "Waverley N°74.
Macniven and Cameron "Self Filler"
The back of the barrel can be unscrewed to see the sac with a pressure bar. You just need to press the sac and the bar to fill the pen. Simple.
It is engraved "Cameron Self Filler" "Macninven & Cameron Ld" "Cameron House" "London E.C".
The advertising i have found on the net shows that this pen was available with different types of nib : "J Nib" "Hindoo Nib" "Waverley nib" "Bankers nib" "Normal nib".
This on has the Waverley 14k nib. It is a great writer.
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Filling system
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Waverley 14k Nib
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Pelikan 101N Tortoise Shell
On the right, the original version, quite rare. However the cap and the barrel are not exactly from the same period...
On the left, the new edition of 2012. A nice version which is really faithful to the spirit of the original one.
These two pens are piston fillers and have an ink window which allows to check how much ink you have left.
The new version has a 14k gold nib wereas the vintage one i have has a fantastic flexible 18k gold nib.
Another difference : the new version has a red top of cap.
Betzler & Wilson
This fountain pen is an eyedropper with a high relief gold plated filigree. Very good quality.
This one has a warranted 14k nib instead of the original B&W nib.
This pen joined another collection.
Hicks Sackett
The principle is similar to the JG Rider below. No section. Just a feed that you pull out to fill the pen. The nib is engraved Hicks.
 The secret of this pen is this fantastic hard rubber overfeed. |
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"The Best" by Montgomery Ward
It was made for Montgomery Ward, but hard to say who was the manufacturer.
The overfeed (broken)
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The Montgomery Ward Catalogue
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Autofiller filigree
The filigree is hand-cut with a flower on the cap.
The mecanism is interesting : a button is attached to the extremity of the ink sac and appears at the back of the barrel. When this button is turned, the sac is twisted, the air is expelled. When the button is released, the ink is aspired.
Note the specific feed with two lines.
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Conklin Crescent Filler Straight Cap
This pen is one of the first Conklin Crescent Filler. It is a straight cap and it also exists in a taper cap version. It has a very nice chasing on the barrel and two wide gold filled band.
To feed the pen the hard rubber ring has to be turned, to allow the crescent to go down in the barrel. The pressure bar is fixed on the crescent and it crushes the sac to feed the pen.
Conklin Crescent Filler Gold Filled Filigree
This is a later conklin crescent filler. This one has a gold plated filigree with a "8" design. The ring under the crescent is in black hard rubber. Other conklin filigrees come with a gold plated ring.
Conklin Endura - 1925
This pen was produced in different colors : Black, blue, green, woodgrain, red ...
At this time, Parker was selling the famous Duofold, Waterman the 56 Ripple, Eversharp the "Signature", and Sheaffer, the Lifetime flat top.
The nib is big and has a nice vent.
Aikin Lambert - 1912
Gold filled overlay. Very nicely hand engraved. Eyedropper filler.
This brand is certainly on of the most interesting small brands.
They made fantastic dip pens and beautiful fountain pens.
However, be carefull, some sellers put Aikin Lambert nibs on "no brand" pens and sell them as Aikin Lambert...
AA Waterman
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Sterling in ... sterling silver
This pen combines interesting system, rarity, nice sterling silver overlay ... all what i like !
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Three nice taper cap
A very nice gold plated filigree This pen has a "lucky curve" feed made by Parker but it is not engraved "Parker", and it has a "Williamson" nib. This shows as difficult it can be sometime to identify clearly an early fountain pen.
Williamson, Parker or Heath ... this is a beautiful taper cap !
The mottled hard rubber one is a Century. Very nice twist design of the barrel. This pen has an under and over feed.
The last one is a Wirt, made of black hard rubber and pearl.
Weidlich Simplofiller
Interesting Weidlich with a diamond and snail gold plated overlay, similar to the Parker 30. This is a matchstick-filler : there is a hard rubber rod at the top of the cap which has to be used in the hole, on the barrel, to press the pressure bar and feed the pen.
US Fountain Pen Co
The filigree is 18k gold plated, certainly made by Heath. Very nice quality. It reminds the Parker 16 filigree.
This is an eyedropper filler.
This pen is now in another collection.
Eagle Lightning - 1916
It is made of black chased hard rubber with a very specific filling system and clip. See the patent below.
Not a really nice pen but an example of the creativity of the manufacturers to find new solutions.
  Patent of the filling system |
  Patent of the Eagle Clip - 1916 |
Eagle Glass Cardridge Filler
This is an interesting pen from the end of the 19th century. It comes with a glass cardridge (this one is broken at the back). Waterman used this solution later in the 20th century with no large success until the plastic cardridge.
LE BOEUF Black and Gold oversize - 1932
This Le Boeuf is one of the most beautiful plastic pen i have ever seen. The black and gold colors are stunning. It is a large pen, oversize, streamlined, and has a large Number 8 Leboeuf nib. The filling system is also interesting as it is a kind of sleeve filler. All the barrel go down along a metalic tube. The sac is inside the tube with a pressure bar. This metalic tube also gives a good weight in hand which is not the case of other all plastic pens.
Is no longer in the collection
Postal Pen - 1926
Excelsior safety
This pen is a nice exemple of the work done by the Italian jewellers on fountain pens. You can find a lot of different pens with a gold plated overlay usually called "continental overlay". The most famous are maybe the overlays made on the Waterman 42 safety or on Montblanc pens. This one has a filigree overlay in yellow gold.
Sheaffer Balance Jade Green Set - 1930
This set is made in a beautiful jade green material. It is called "balance" as it is tapered on both the top of cap and the end of the barrel. This design came after the "flat top" of the 1920's. This material is very often discolored and become brown. This set has kept a beautiful color. The nib is big. The fountain pen very long and big.
Sheaffer PFM III - Snorkel filler - 1959
This "Pen For Men" is mainly interesting for its filling system, called "snorkel". When the button at the end of the barrel is unscrewed, a metalic tube appears under the nib. This allows to feed the pen without dirtying the nib (see picture below). This one has a rare broad nib. The nib is inserted in the section. To change it, the whole section has to be replaced.
Is no longer in the collection.
Sheaffer Nostalgia
The Nostalgia is a modern pen, cardridge filler. It reminds the sheaffers of the 1920's. It has a nice sterling silver filigree and a two tones nib. This model was made first in the 1970's but has been produced for a long time. It also exists in gold plated, solid gold ... and other versions of overlay
Montblanc N°6 button filler - 1925
This is a very nice Montblanc of the 1920's. I was looking for a N°6 lever filler as i had one a long time ago that i didn't keep for i paid it a high price for the student i was. I have finaly found this one, a button filler. Note the bandless cap, the large star on the top of cap.
Is no longer in the collection
Montblanc 138
This Montblanc has been made for one year only. It is one size under the famous 139 which has inspired the Montblanc Hemingway Limited Edition in 1992. It is a Piston filler
Is no longer in the collection
Pelikan 100N green
Nice little pen. Piston filler. Exists in many different colors. The green is maybe the most easy to find.
Is no longer in the collection
Conway Stewart DURO - 1927
This pen is made of mottled hard rubber with gold filled clip, band and lever. This one is nicely chased on cap and barrel which seems to be very unusual. A good, solid, oversize pen.
Chilton Long Island Turquoise - 1932
The Chilton pen company produced fountain pen only from 1924 to 1941. The Chilton pens were however very good pens, beautilful and very well made. This pen is a Long Island (the company moved from Boston to Long Island in 1929) made of Turquoise celluloid. This is the same material used for the Waterman Patrician Turquoise. The system is a pump filler.
Is no longer in the collection
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Swan N°8 lever filler - around 1925
This Mabie Todd Swan is a big pen, made of black hard rubber. It is a lever filler. The nib Number 8 is huge. It is extremely flexible and has been retiped by Greg Minuskin.
Swan Eternal 46 - 1927
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This Swan is made of mottled hard rubber. It is a senior size, with a number 6 nib, but a bigger size, 48, with a nib number 8, did exist. See below.
Swan Eternal 48
This is the short version of the Swan Eternal 48.
Is no longer in the collection
Swan Eyedropper
Chased hard rubber fountain pen. It comes with a metallic pocket case.
This pen joined another collection
Security Pen Giant
This pen is made of a nice mottled hard rubber with gold filled clip and bands. It was called Security pen because it has at the top of the cap a little tool to protect checks. Note the very short section.
This pen joined another collection
J. G. Rider - 1910
This pen is one of my favorite. It is an oversize pen with a big nib. I really like the design of the barrel. Note that there is no section on this pen. This pen is an eyedropper filler. To feed the pen, the feed has to be removed from the section, using the clip of the cap. Note the specific design under the feed to place the clip. Then, the ink can be put directly in the barrel.
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Onoto Magna - 1936
Excellent pen produced by the "De La Rue" company. It is black chased but different colors can be found in a transparent material. The Magna is known as being a famous writer.
It is very well made, solid, big. This one is a lever filler. It also exists with a "plunger filler" system,more difficult to restore.
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Wahl Eversharp Deco Band - Gold seal personal point
The Deco Band is a beautiful oversized pen. Lever filler. Very well made with a nice decorated band. The first one is a black celluloid, the second one is "Rosewood" hard rubber, the last one is blue lapis celluloid. These three pens show two different clips. The long one is engraved "Wahl Eversharp". The short one is engraved "Wahl Pen". They also show three different gold seal. The Rosewood has the usual W. The black has the W but with a hole driled which would mean that the life garanty was not available on this pen. The last one has an "X" ... which nobody knows precisely what it means ... prototype ? late production ? No life garanty ?
Wahl Eversharp Doric - Burma
The barrel and cap are faceted. The lever, clip and cap band are very art deco. The Doric was made in beautiful celluloid. This one is a black / grey Burma in the oversize version.
The nib is big and flexible. The nib exists with a system which allow to adjust the writing size, which give more interest to the pen.
Wahl Eversharp Doric - Cathay
This pen is in another collection now ...
John Holland
John Holland is a famous american brand. They made some beautiful pens including plastic pens and overlays. This one is an oversize eyedropper in black hard rubber. The clip is certainly a later addition as it is not signed John Holland. The pen didn't have a clip originally. The nib is a big 17, fine, flexible.
Thanks to my friend Stephan M (hello Stephan !) i have discovered that the feed of this pen is very interesting. It is an "elastic feed" with a transversal cut underneath which gives more flexibility. See the picture and an extract of the John Holland patent.
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