Old fountain pen I purchased

[ParisDakarBmw]

I purchased this pen along with dome other estate jewelry. It is a "Edison Fountain Pen" made in "Petersburg, VA."

This watch telescopes from 3.25 inches to 4.75 inches. The nib is bent, and probably needs a new one. I suspect that it is gold filled. I'm just looking to sell it, but wanted to know more about it. Should I order a new nib before selling, or as is? I'm not a pen guy, but paid the gentleman for it because it was neet. The previous owner said it belonged to a doctor in the 1920's who practiced in Atlanta.

Just curious what it is, and whether to replace the nib before I sell it. What is a pen like this worth?

[Shangas]

Hi Paul.

What you have there is an early 20th century (probably 1910s-20s) collapsable ringtop fountain pen of the kind that was known as the 'vest-pocket' model. So-called because they were designed to clipped to Double-Albert watch-chains and placed in a waistcoat pocket. Ringtop pens came in two different sizes: Women's models, which were worn with ribbons around the neck, and vest-pocket models. This, at 3.5 inches long, is a vest-pocket model. Women's pens were longer and noncollapsable. However, not all vest-pocket pens are collapsable.

The nib is not lost. A good pen-repairman should be able to bend it back into its original shape. Hell, give me a couple of hours, a bottle of ink and a pad of paper and I could probably do it. I fix many of my own bent and busted nibs and it isn't very hard to do. You just need patience!! Don't try and find another nib for this pen. 1. You probably won't be able to. 2. If you do, the price won't be something you want to see. 3. The original nib is repairable. So don't waste your money.

The pen is indeed gold-filled (probably 14kt). The nib itself would be between 12-14kt solid gold. Don't try and sell this pen for scrap - it's not worth it.

Judging from the angle of the bend in the nib-tines, this pen once possessed a rather smart flexible fine or medium nib which some idiot pressed down too firmly on and thus 'sprung' it (that is, bent it beyond its natural boundaries).

So yeah...

Don't get the nib REPLACED (it'll cost a fair bit and it's not necessary), get it REPAIRED.

Not sure what this could be worth. My guess is about $100-$200. This is based on similar vest-pocket pens that I've seen. Most of its value will come from its gold, but DO NOT SCRAP THIS PEN. You will gain no love from pen-collectors, who will, thereafter, be howling for your blood or your head on a stake. Its value comes from its uniqueness and size. There are people who collect pens made of gold and people who collect vest-pocket pens to be worn with their Albert chains.

This is my own vest-pocket pen (it's the middle one, in this photograph):



It's a Wahl Art Deco, ca 1925. 14kt gold-filled with 14kt gold nib. 'Greek Key' pattern on the barrel & cap.

Vest-pocket pens lasted from the early 1900s until the 1940s. By the 40s, more and more companies were producing wristwatches than pocket watches, so pen companies stopped producing the vest-pocket pens to go along with the watch-chains.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Wow. I was about to write this off as a loss, but that was great info. Thanks for your time explaining that. I'm a watch guy, and came across this in some estate jewelry. Glad I pulled it aside before melting it. I'll put it in the FS section later. I have no use for it, but it is old. Very nice pens in your collection!

[Shangas]

It's not a loss, Paul. Far from it. It's an amazing win.

Because most vintage pens have nibs made of gold, and because gold is a rather soft metal, bending the nib back to its original shape is something that any good pen-repairman ought to be able to do. I've fixed fountain pens before with even worse nibs than that one.

If you want this pen to go to a safe home, I would suggest visiting the Fountain Pen Network (www.fountainpennetwork.com). There are literally hundreds of people there who would stab each other to death with their letter-openers, to get their hands on your pen.

[2careless]

Shahan, please don't scare people. It's quite civilised in FPN.
Paul, nice catch on this pen.

[Shangas]

Yes sir.

But, I stand by what I said. The FPN will be the best place to try and sell that pen. There are lots of people there who would love to get their hands on it.

Hell, I wouldn't mind having it. But I'm saving up money for something else at the moment *grumble-grumble*

[Skullring]

Paul also check the repair section of nibs.com John does a great job.http://www.nibs.com/beforeandafter.htm

[shandy]

Paul.
What a find! What everyone else has said I would have said the same!

As to repair, well I am the worlds bigges John Mottishaw fan but unfortunately for us he is now extremly popular so the wait time might but up to a year to get that nib done.

There are other wonderful nibmeisters out there and in fact joji is sending his vintage 146 off to a great one who has much shorter wait times, Greg Minuskin
http://gregminuskin.com/

He will get that pen back into tip top working order though it looks like the cosmetics of the pen are in first order!

As Shahan so eloquently put it the nib can be saved and will be a stunning nib to write with of that I would bet my front teeth! What a find

[sunburst]

Originally Posted by shandy

Paul.
What a find! What everyone else has said I would have said the same!

As to repair, well I am the worlds bigges John Mottishaw fan but unfortunately for us he is now extremly popular so the wait time might but up to a year to get that nib done.

There are other wonderful nibmeisters out there and in fact joji is sending his vintage 146 off to a great one who has much shorter wait times, Greg Minuskin
http://gregminuskin.com/

He will get that pen back into tip top working order though it looks like the cosmetics of the pen are in first order!

As Shahan so eloquently put it the nib can be saved and will be a stunning nib to write with of that I would bet my front teeth! What a find

FYI :

John Mottishaw is accepting repair now but turnaround time is minimum of 8 months (more like a year).
Richard Binder is 7 to 8 months.
Mike Masuyama is 7 weeks.
Greg Minuskin is 2 to 3 weeks.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by sunburst

FYI :

John Mottishaw is accepting repair now but turnaround time is minimum of 8 months (more like a year).
Richard Binder is 7 to 8 months.
Mike Masuyama is 7 weeks.
Greg Minuskin is 2 to 3 weeks.

Thanks for that Joji, I know it was quite a long wait.

Also, I wanted to add that even though the wait is that long from John for repairs or alterations for pens not sold by him it is not the case if you purchase a pen new or old from him! Then the order goes to the top of the list.
This also applies for pens purchased from him for up to one year. I purchased my Nakaya with a medium nib and almost a year later decided I wanted a double broad stub with flex, turn around including notoriously slow shipping to Canada was two weeks!

[JBat]

Nice find, Paul. Hope you are able to get it restored to useable condition. And great info Shahan.

[2careless]

Also, if you happen to attend the pen shows (Chicago is next week right?), the nibmeisters will usually be there and you can discuss with them how to get it fixed, or maybe they can do it on the spot and save you waiting that many months.

[sunburst]

Originally Posted by 2careless

Also, if you happen to attend the pen shows (Chicago is next week right?), the nibmeisters will usually be there and you can discuss with them how to get it fixed, or maybe they can do it on the spot and save you waiting that many months.

Unfortunate that Paul has missed the Atlanta Pen Show last week.
He can still contact Mike Masuyama in Peachtree City, GA.
Mike's turnaound time is 7 weeks.

[Shangas]

And great info Shahan.

As Shahan so eloquently put it the nib can be saved and will be a stunning nib to write with of that I would bet my front teeth! What a find

Thanks, guys.

This is really a beautiful, 1920s vest-pocket fountain pen, which, despite its twingled up nib, should write beautifully once the nib has been repaired and the filling system has been attended to as necessary (probably needing a new sac, as well).

I would estimate the nib to be 14kt solid, and the remainder of the pen to be 14kt filled (which isn't the same as gold-PLATING. So don't think this thing was cheap when it was new!).

[Lion]

Very interesting conversation here on this thread and educational as well.....thanx everyone!!!

[Титан]

Originally Posted by lion

very interesting conversation here on this thread and educational as well.....thanx everyone!!!

x2

[ParisDakarBmw]

I appreciate all of the good info. I have to give it to you guys. This place is a "FOUNTAIN" of knowledge! This little pen is my first. I'm going to check into the restoration cost. I may let this one go "as is" if it cost too much. Honestly, I'm looking at a different style rollerball for my needs. I can't see me signing an arrest warrant with a 1920's fountain pen. I might get my A%% beat. I'll probably look to trade it.

I'm going to go to the websites you guys suggested as well.

I do thank everyone for the help on this one! You guys are the best!

[shandy]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

I appreciate all of the good info. I have to give it to you guys. This place is a "FOUNTAIN" of knowledge! This little pen is my first. I'm going to check into the restoration cost. I may let this one go "as is" if it cost too much. Honestly, I'm looking at a different style rollerball for my needs. I can't see me signing an arrest warrant with a 1920's fountain pen. I might get my A%% beat. I'll probably look to trade it.

I'm going to go to the websites you guys suggested as well.

I do thank everyone for the help on this one! You guys are the best!

Paul, hope you get to get the pen you need, the one Dave showed the other week would be perfect in your line of work.

I would humbly offer that if you did get it restored it would be a joy to use at home for journaling or such if you do that sory of thing.