Totem Pole Dip Pen

[jbb]

This is my newest dip pen which is carved like a totem pole. I hope my photo does this justice because the carving is quite delicate and very nice.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8030/7946278152_69cf5a9363_o.jpg

Edited September 6, 2012 by jbb

[dannyboy]

That is a really interesting dip pen! Lots of great detail in the totems. Is the pen carved from wood or cast from some other material? And what's the story behind your discovering this pen? That was a great find--and I must admit I'm possessed of some envy of it.

[jbb]

That is a really interesting dip pen! Lots of great detail in the totems. Is the pen carved from wood or cast from some other material? And what's the story behind your discovering this pen? That was a great find--and I must admit I'm possessed of some envy of it.

We believe it to be bone. I found it on Ebay last week as a buy-it-now. It was terribly photograhed. I thought that the tip was broken when in reality the animal at the top just has ears sticking up but I still wanted it. Not that much detail showed in the seller's photos. I've got a bit of a dip pen collection going on.

[dannyboy]

Thanks for the backstory, JBB. I'm glad the poor photos from the Ebay seller worked to your advantage--we all know the other side of that kind of situation, alas! How about posting sometime your "collection" of dip pens? Something to increase my envy and drooling even more!!!

[jbb]

Thanks for the backstory, JBB. I'm glad the poor photos from the Ebay seller worked to your advantage--we all know the other side of that kind of situation, alas! How about posting sometime your "collection" of dip pens? Something to increase my envy and drooling even more!!!

 

Here are some.... you did ask. (...and there are more...)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5201/5329281280_7c5a9b4933_o.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7604033592_890db534c3_o.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/7609625820_0b625bc421_o.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5009/5278341865_7fda1be151_o.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7261841216_30b13778e3_o.jpg

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1405/5168944159_07cdc77d39_o.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4044/4652932067_0445299801_o.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7240/7322841962_3d66743ef8_o.jpg

Edited September 7, 2012 by jbb

[Titanic9990]

What is this!? Aristotle on a dip pen! For a classicist-dip pen user that is a holy relic (Now if only there was one of Homer...)

[myn]

Umm . . . I thought you said "I've got a bit of a dip pen collection going on." I sure wouldn't call this a "little" collection. Totally awesome jbb. Would I be correct in assuming that the green dip pen is jade? Fantastic collection - you've got me over this. I'm referring to the one with the bands around it, not the solid green with cork section.

 

edited for clarification.

Edited September 7, 2012 by myn

[jbb]

Umm . . . I thought you said "I've got a bit of a dip pen collection going on." I sure wouldn't call this a "little" collection. Totally awesome jbb. Would I be correct in assuming that the green dip pen is jade? Fantastic collection - you've got me over this. I'm referring to the one with the bands around it, not the solid green with cork section.

 

edited for clarification.

I think the green dip pen is glass and/or vintage plastic. I frequently don't know what I'm getting (from Ebay) until I get it.

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5009/5278341865_7fda1be151_o.jpg

[jbb]

What is this!? Aristotle on a dip pen! For a classicist-dip pen user that is a holy relic (Now if only there was one of Homer...)

My theory on this set is that it was a tourist gift item for those doing the Grand Tour in the 19th century. I wonder if they touted the sets to be made from the "dust of Pompeii" to sell them. Ah, the romance of a free market economy.

 

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1405/5168944159_07cdc77d39_o.jpg

[jbb]

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4077/4771713646_8b87f94a7e_o.jpg

[Uncle Red]

That's a nice new addition to your collection JBB.

[jbb]

That's a nice new addition to your collection JBB.

Thanks Uncle Red.

[ethernautrix]

I'm glad you posted photos of your dip pens. If I ever started writing with dip pens -- and yours kindv makes me want to -- I would be giddy at the thought of using pens that looks like yours. They very much appeal to me. So far, satisfied with looking, though.

[OakIris]

You have some wonderful dip pens, jbb! Thank you for showing us photos of your "bit of a dip pen collection going on." Very cool!

 

Congratulations on your newest acquisition, the totem pole dip pen. Is the black ferrule or nib section (unsure of what it would be called) also made of bone?

 

Holly

Edited September 7, 2012 by OakIris

[jbb]

You have some wonderful dip pens, jbb! Thank you for showing us photos of your "bit of a dip pen collection going on." Very cool!

 

Congratulations on your newest acquisition, the totem pole dip pen. Is the black ferrule or nib section (unsure of what it would be called) also made of bone?

 

Holly

I can't tell what the black section is made of.

[rwilsonedn]

There are some amazing pen holders there. Now if you start showing off your inventory of pens, I'll really be drooling ...

ron

[jbb]

There are some amazing pen holders there. Now if you start showing off your inventory of pens, I'll really be drooling ...

ron

I don't really have that impressive a fountian pen collection... it's a good batch of pens but nothing compared to many around here. Dip pens are my specialty and thankfully less expensive to collect.

[N2theBreach]

Now, I git it!! It's using them thar fancy dip pen thingys that gives ya that nice handwritin'. I may have to git me some 'o them. I knew there mus' be some trick to it! :roflmho:

 

<humor off>

 

I'm fairly new to FPs, and their predecessors, and I never imagined that dip pens could be made so decorative. Although, I suppose anything that essential, and used frequently would be decorated to set it apart from the rest. Unlike Ethernautrix, I had to resist jumping straight to ebay to see what else is out there... All in good time... All in good time.

 

Thanks for sharing your collection with us.

[pen2paper]

Grand Tour, and Visconti HS of that era.

Edited September 9, 2012 by pen2paper

[smk]

jbb - the totem pole holders are really interesting - as is the rest of your collection. Thanks for sharing.

 

Salman