Posted 11 years ago
MartinM
(7 items)
This is a retractable pen with a lead holder hidden inside. (The lead holder is broken, pushed inside it's tube)
I am considering having it repaired, but before doing so, would love to know who made it and when.
It's been in the family for as long as I can remember (which in this case is far too long) And has now been passed to me. I'd dearly like to see it back in full working condition since the rest of the pen is in great condition.
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Hems (Steve) seems to be out of town right now but when he sees it he will give you the whole history. Maybe more than you want. He can probably tell you who bought it, how much it cost(with tax), how many times it was used & what kid pushed the lead holder up inside.
I hope he can.. I've searched high and low and even my friend Google can't find it for me!
Steve is our resident expert on these & I just saw a post from him. Not sure he believes that the pen is mightier than the sword though as he also likes big guns that go BOOM.
I hope that the big guns shoot straight, and that the power of the pen can prevail!
Thank you Hems.
Far from being a let down, you have given some pointers to start identifying what this is.. The nib is a HUGE N°7 Leroy W Fairchild, though I don't know that means the body is a Fairchild. It's not gold (unfortunately) though has the appearance of gilded brass?
And thanks for the welcome!
I am a collector of fountain pens mainly from the first half of the 20th century, and mainly English or European (I live in France) Some of those too are difficult to identify so you can be sure I'll be around for a while!
I also have an offbeat sense of humour, and have a feeling I may just fit in around here!
Martin
I found that one earlier Hem... Decided it can't be the same maker as mine which won't be worth more than two farthings.. It probably came free in a box of cornflakes knowing my family!
Cheers
Martin
Funnily enough I was trawling around the website a few days ago when searching for info on a Mabie Todd I still can't identify and which may yet end up posted here ;)
Just for info, their web site is somewhat out of date..
John Loring collects smokers pipes if I remember correctly?
That's the guy.. I was unaware he collected pens though.
It's always sad to see a collection being dispersed, but I hope his items will go to others who love them equally as much as he obviously did.. Do you know where the remaining items are being advertised?
I was once tempted to collect some vintage pipes too, but here in France the government requires us to collect so much paper there's no room for another collection!
Right on Martin. I have a French company & a kilo of paper is required for doing anything.
Time for AR to enter, stage left.
Now you know why all gov't offices have scales on the counter.
I'm a Brit and proud of it! Especially when the six nations tournament starts in Feb.. Mine's the only home round here to fly an English flag and resonate to the sound of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot"
I figure they require is to save more paper so they can tax us on the space it takes up!
Don't know where you got that idea Hems? I hold nothing against the French. Don't get that close!
Sorry for you & friends AR. Just went thru that here if you remember. Sounds like a similar situation. On to Martin:
Martin, you are new here & missed my Fr. jokes. I'll repeat a few at risk of being banned from CW. How was garlic-bread invented? By Fr. farm women carrying baguettes home under their arms. I can understand how Germany took France so easily during the war. I just don't understand why they wanted to stay so long? Lived there 13 yrs & still work there some & loaded with them!
If it doesn't say "MADE IN CHINA", it must be fairly old.
amen to that blunder and i won't say the rest of what is on my mind in that regards
Cheer up Epson, maybe future collectors will refer to "pre-M.I.C., M.I.C. & post-M.I.C.". I refer to the M.I.C. as a warning label. I believe it was you that told about the "gas pipes" in Jersey. I am happy to tell you that they informed me some time back, that:"There will be no more distorting of history by our guides".
Thanks AR..
On the body of the pen (the ring just above the nib) there is a now illegible engraving. There is a small area half way down the body that appears to have been left for the engraving of the owners initials, though that was never done. That has been rubbed by the action of the nib slider and is showing some braising.
The nib is marked Leroy W Fairchild N°7, though I understand they made nibs for other pen manufacturers so may not be a good guide.
As regards the French.. there's a run on the national flags in the shops right now, in preparation for the six nations series. In the absence of finding them in the shops, the French are cutting up their white sheets which make a remarkably good copy of the flag ;)
Thanks for the warm welcome folks!
Martin
Good afternoon AR...
The makers mark appears to begin with AW.... With my poor eyes I can't make the rest out, and the W is the most legible of the letters. (Both upper case)
The N°7 nib is huge. Looks like it has never been used, and, to me at least, would feel cumbersome in use. I need another pair of hands to photograph through a loupe, and will try to set that up in the next day or so.
That looks a good possibility, and seems they were working in New York too..
Still can't find anything which shows this model though. Google here I come!
Now that's what I call a collection!