Period Correct Writing Instrument

[John in Covina]

How many of the Loungers have considered using a period correct writing instrument.

Of course a #2 pencil is pretty correct for a large part of the last century, but the average household did use a pen of some type.

Pen & pencil sets were given as gifts and an execuative often had an impressive desk set for use.

Fountain pens were purchased by schools , businesses and government agencies alike. Dip pens continued in use for quite a while and you will often see a dip pen used for hotel registry in older movies.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I use a 30s mechanical pencil (distributed by a life insurace company), but i haven't yet found a fountain pen worth buying.

bk

 

[Nick Charles]

I don't know whay but when ever I write in pencil it always seems nice than in pen. I have a Parker 48 fountain pen, I like it and it just need a new supply of ink. Pencil though doesn;t offer the long term readability that pens do.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I use a 30s mechanical pencil (distributed by a life insurace company), but i haven't yet found a fountain pen worth buying.

bk

There are many worth buying, what are your requirements?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Cheap, testable and not online.

bk

 

[Hemingway Jones]

You need a nice vintage pen shop like the one bink speaks of in Washington, DC. We have one in Boston, but I haven't been there. I have been told that they sell pens from a few dollars on up; so if you could find a similar place, you would be all set.

 

[John in Covina]

Inky fingers!

I have a Parker 48 fountain pen, I like it and it just need a new supply of ink.

*********************
If you can't find a local supply, do a web search and you'll find many of the pen shops have a website and sell a wide variety of inks.

 

[LizzieMaine]

I used a vintage Esterbrook fountain pen all thru high school -- our local drug store still had some old ones in stock! -- and I became quite skilled in the use of a dip pen during my cartooning days.

Somewhere around here I still have a couple bottles of old-stock Shaeffer ink, which came in bottles with a little well inside that you'd tip to fill --just right for dipping!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

There is

Makielski Inc.,
3838 N. Main St.
Mishawaka, Indiana
Tel: 219.259.2500

A large selection with heavy emphasis on Montblanc, Cross and Sheaffer. Knowledgeable pen specialist. Impressive store with full service.

Obviously, living in CA never been there...but does not look to be completely across the state from you.

In Indianapolis there is

http://www.paradisepen.com/paradise/text_1.asp

and

http://www.avapen.com/

 

[John in Covina]

ISO cheapies

Cheap, testable and not online. bk

*******

I don't know of shops in your area, but most big cities have a pen shop. Pilot makes a disposable Fountain Pen called the Varsity, and can be found in some office supply places. It is inexpensive and every one i have used wrote well.

In new look for what is refered to as Student Pens which can be found in the $20 to $100 range.

In used, ask around friends and relatives if they have any old FP's tucked away. If not disaterously damaged any where from just a cleaning to some fixing ($0-35) will often get a vintage pen back in the writing well mode.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Mont Blanc Meisterstuck!

I've used the same Mont Blanc fountain pen for twenty-two years. I carry it with me always and use it as my primary writing instrument. I never loan it to anyone - I never lay it down - it always is in my shirt pocket.

I gave up on those cheap plastic ball points decades ago.

-dixon cannon

 

[RaasAlHayya]

My handwriting is so horrible that I avoid using it as much as possible. I even write my grocery list on the computer.

--Leslie

 

[John in Covina]

Esterbrook ecstasy!

I used a vintage Esterbrook fountain pen all thru high school -- our local drug store still had some old ones in stock! -- and I became quite skilled in the use of a dip pen during my cartooning days.

Somewhere around here I still have a couple bottles of old-stock Shaeffer ink, which came in bottles with a little well inside that you'd tip to fill --just right for dipping!

************
Esterbrooks tend to be real work horse pens, I have one that was "Property of the Bell System" and they hold a special place in my collection. I have 11 of the regular FP from the holes in the clip to the early 50's type PLUS 3 desk set with holders Esterbrooks. They are all the Renewable points type, so I can swap out the nib for a different style.

I know the Sheafer bottles you speak of, they are great. The Montblanc "slipper" bottle is well liked as an ink well, too! These often get re-used because the design is so good.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I adore my Esterbrook, even with the 1555 Gregg shorthand nib. It's probably my favorite pen currently.

I am already on the lookout for more of them.....My obsessive side wants one of each colour, so that the ink inside matches the colour outside.

(am aware thats a very girly thing to do)

 

[scotrace]

I use a 30s mechanical pencil (distributed by a life insurace company)

Ha! Mine is really spiff, bright yellow and says "Future Farmers of America" on it. It's my favorite!

 

[John in Covina]

Scientifically organised

I adore my Esterbrook, even with the 1555 Gregg shorthand nib. It's probably my favorite pen currently. I am already on the lookout for more of them.....

My obsessive side wants one of each colour, so that the ink inside matches the colour outside. (am aware thats a very girly thing to do)

Actually No! You are scientifically organised to color coordinate pen to ink color. Also, collecting the "full set" as in "Collect them All!" is also a guy thing when it comes to collecting stuff such as golf clubs, hunting & fishing equipment, coins stamps etc. I want one of each style: hole in clip, J and LJ types in each color too.

 

[binkmeisterRick]

Baron, for your budget and needs, I, too, would highly recommend an Esterbrook! I currently have more Esties than any other pen. They are great writers and easily repaired if need be.

I used to do a lot of ink drawing and writing with dip pens, but now a fountain pen is my wrtiting instrument of choice. Today my grandfather's 1937 Parker Vacumatic is my main writer, with a modern inexpensive Laban as a backup.

bink

 

[John in Covina]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have Pens In Our Time.

In the USA the big 4 were: Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman and Wahl-Eversharp. With some smaller brands such as Conklin, Chilton. Mabie Todd and others being manufactured from before 1900 thru WWII and beyond.

Each of the manufacturers made specific models and designs thru the years so there are literally hundreds of styles of pens to go with your vintage persona. If you have a specific year you are going for or an "era" there are pens to help achieve your time period.

Also, a fountain pen is and was a lifetime purchase and many were offered with a lifetime guarentee. A good pen was not discarded like todays disposables. As the Great Depression went on, many pens were retained and repaired. As WWII comes on the need for strategic metals and materials made the repair of fountian pens a critical industry and it was difficult the get a replacement pen until late in the war.

MacArthur signed the Peace Agreement with the Japanese on the Missouri with his personal Parker Duofold Senior, a Big Red from the mid to late 20's. Here is an example of a powerful and famous person using a pen that was some 15 to 20 years old for some mighty official business.

You can go with an earlier pen knowing that unless lost or badly damaged you would try to hold on to a pen since it was a major expense for the good ones. You can figure many pens were in the level of one to two days pay, something you would save up for. You can use an earlier pen and be accurate in your accessories.

Many of the European models and Japanese models can be found also for that time but you usually need to be close to the point of origin. Asutralia has a fair amount of English pens on Ebay, too.

Anyway, you can really get a great connection with the past using a vintage pen. I have vintage pens from each decade from the teens thru the 50's and they are a blast to use.

A handwritten note or letter is a gift to the receipiant and can inspire them greatly. You will hear of cherished letter and notes from family, friends, from travelers and to/or from those in the service of their country. You won't hear the same about a cherished Email, so: carpe diem! Sieze the day and write a friend or loved one! :eusa_clap

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I agree with you on all points, except the following:

You won't hear the same about a cherished Email, so: carpe diem! Sieze the day and write a friend or loved one! :eusa_clap

I have emails I have saved and will cherish for as long as I live. All of these are from people I loved, or people I almost loved, and I cherish them as dearly as if they were written in copperplate. Whether typed or written, it is always the sentiment and the moment that counts.

 

[John in Covina]

I just got an Email for some John Handcock guy!

HJ,

I am willing to bet you are much younger than me and have lived most of your life in the Personal Computer age so for you the acceptance of Emails as an interchange for handwritten notes is more indicative of your life experience. As for me emails have as much sentimetality as an ATM statement. The content may be rich with sentiment, full of sorrow or joy or be very funny indeed but the coldness of this computer printed sheet does nothing to enhance the message or the personable type of connection.

Imagine finding both the handwritten manuscript of some great novel and the pc produced first draft of the same. Would one have some significance over the other in the eyes of collectors, relatives or the auctioneer? My bet is on the hand written manuscript every time because of the personal connection.

Not picking a fight here just trying to clarify the meaning as to my values and probably those of many others.

This might make for an interesting poll!!!

Best wishes,