My Eclipse Pen

[ticoun]

i got this nice eclipse flattop at an antique store at the beginning of the month, and i'm curious about the model. the only inscription is on the clip, and is "Eclipse" written is copperplate with a patent number(PAT. 8-18-23).

the nib is not original, and is a #2 waterman's ideal full flex (almost wet noodle).

it's exactly 5 inches long capped and 6 1/4 inches posted. it's missing the sac and the j-bar is broken, but i just need to order the parts.

 

 

 

any idea?

Edited July 25, 2011 by ticoun

[DanDeM]

ticoun:

I've never seen a model name ascribed to an Eclipse pen. Yours, and a handsome specimen it is, would be called a Pearl/Black Flat Top. (But I see you know that) Probably from the late '20's/early '30's, it was made at a time when Eclipse was doing a nice job of copying styles made by more popular, first tier pens from Parker and Wahl. This would be their "standard" size. They made OS pens that were 5 1/2 long, and slender versions with thinner barrels. Unbanded, double thin bands or one wide band caps were available. Occasionally, not rarely, you will find them with a 14k Eclipse nib, (usually a nail) but undersized Warented nibs are usual. A notable flaw in their design was the clip. It is stapled (rather than riveted) into the cap, held in place by the inner cap, and prone to being easily broken. All were lever fill. I've never come across an ED. They also produced pens with the Marxton, Park Row and Jackwin brand. The lever box is a distinctive element, sometimes stamped ECLIPSE and usually with a wreath on the spoon end of the lever.

 

This was probably made in their stateside, NYC facility. Pens made in their Canadian plant...Toronto, i believe were more venturesome in their design. Button fillers, bulb fillers, striking celluloids, stepped caps, visulated sections, art deco clips...that sort of thing. But in keeping with their niche, GP Steel, tipped nibs.

 

A fun brand to chase, their early BCHR and RMHR are really good looking. This sold last night for a very low price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Edited July 25, 2011 by Blotto

[ticoun]

wow, thanks a lot Blotto for sharing your knowledge! that pen could be even older than i thought, i was thinking early 30's, but not late 20's! the pen shop of memphis on ebay has a nice one right now. same model but it's a combo. it sells for 150$ BIN(ebay link). i paid mine 50$! this sure is an interesting brand, and i'd really like to get my hands on more of them in the future.

Edited July 25, 2011 by ticoun

[DanDeM]

wow, thanks a lot Blotto for sharing your knowledge! that pen could be even older than i thought, i was thinking early 30's, but not late 20's! the pen shop of memphis on ebay has a nice one right now. same model but it's a combo. it sells for 150$ BIN(ebay link).

 

That would make the beginning of an interesting set. Why don't you concentrate on gathering the full range of Pearl/Black sizes and band treatments...and leave the rest for me. LOL

 

i paid mine 50$! this sure is an interesting brand, and i'd really like to get my hands on more of them in the future.

Edited July 25, 2011 by Blotto

[penmanila]

and now and then eclipse came out with a really swell pen, like this 1920s double-banded oversize cocobolo:

 

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/5929345292_258839a038_z.jpg

[DanDeM]

penmanilla:

 

You posted that on the FPB.

It was a knock-out there.

It's a knock-out here.

 

What's the nib?

[shadowsforbars]

I've never seen a model name ascribed to an Eclipse pen.

 

I have seen a model name on just one Eclipse, the striking looking "hooded knight". This pen looks like it was produced towards the end of the life of the company and is perhaps the exception that proves the rule.

[penmanila]

Sorry for the late reply. It's a warranted no. 8.

penmanilla:

 

You posted that on the FPB.

It was a knock-out there.

It's a knock-out here.

 

What's the nib?

[ticoun]

bad news guys, the nib has developped a crack, and it's a flex, so i can't use it. i'll have to get it repaired by greg minuskin or buy a replacement nib. what size of nib would be needed? the waterman's a #2, but it's a bit small, and the feed is wider than the nib. would a warranted #3 be better?

[DanDeM]

bad news guys, the nib has developped a crack, and it's a flex, so i can't use it. i'll have to get it repaired by greg minuskin or buy a replacement nib. what size of nib would be needed? the waterman's a #2, but it's a bit small, and the feed is wider than the nib. would a warranted #3 be better?

 

Sorry to hear about the crack. Flexies can be fragile.

Personally, I'd look for the biggest honkin' nib that would fit the section. penmanilla's Warenteed #8 would look great. But the nib/feed match is critical for consistent ink flow. If the feed has inadequate delivery, when flexed the nib will "railroad" (produce two lines, rather than one of variable thickness) Also, in my experience, not all Warentee's are full flex. Hard to know what you're getting without testing it first.

Why don't you email Greg and tell him what you're looking for. It won't be cheap, but you'll end up with one heckuva pen. (One of his Music nibs would be major, if you're after a big, strong line).

[Scrawler]

I've never seen a model name ascribed to an Eclipse pen.

 

I have seen a model name on just one Eclipse, the striking looking "hooded knight". This pen looks like it was produced towards the end of the life of the company and is perhaps the exception that proves the rule.

I think Hooded Knight are Canadian made. I bought what I thought was a Hooded Knight a few years ago, but it turned out to be a Waterman No.7 with a Pink nib, with a Hooded Knight cap.

[ticoun]

I've never seen a model name ascribed to an Eclipse pen.

 

I have seen a model name on just one Eclipse, the striking looking "hooded knight". This pen looks like it was produced towards the end of the life of the company and is perhaps the exception that proves the rule.

I think Hooded Knight are Canadian made. I bought what I thought was a Hooded Knight a few years ago, but it turned out to be a Waterman No.7 with a Pink nib, with a Hooded Knight cap.

 

yup, the hooded knight is canadian. the canadian division of eclipse ended up buying the american division in 1962.

[Ernst Bitterman]

...and still has something of an existence today, making novelty/advertising BPs, some of which are at least not unspeakably ugly.

[Scrawler]

...and still has something of an existence today, making novelty/advertising BPs, some of which are at least not unspeakably ugly.

(we need a run away smiley)

[penmanila]

sorry again, correction--my cocobolo eclipse has a gorgeous no. 8 nib with the eclipse logo and 14KY NY inscribed on it.

 

Sorry for the late reply. It's a warranted no. 8.

penmanilla:

 

You posted that on the FPB.

It was a knock-out there.

It's a knock-out here.

 

What's the nib?

[ticoun]

my repair supplies arrived this morning. i installed the J-bar, but now i'm wondering: resac now, or wait to get the nib welded? if i resac now, i'll have a bit of fun with the pen, and knowing the nib is damaged, i will be careful not to make it worsebefore getting it repaied. if i just wait to have enough money, then send it to greg minuskin, it won't be this fun, but i'm sure it won't get worse. what would you guys do?

Edited August 12, 2011 by ticoun

[DanDeM]

my repair supplies arrived this morning. i installed the J-bar, but now i'm wondering: resac now, or wait to get the nib welded? if i resac now, i'll have a bit of fun with the pen, and knowing the nib is damaged, i will be careful not to make it worsebefore getting it repaied. if i just wait to have enough money, then send it to greg minuskin, it won't be this fun, but i'm sure it won't get worse. what would you guys do?

 

High marks for the repair.

If you're sure it won't get worse, what the heck, use it. But keep in mind that if/when you send it to Greg, he will likely remove the sac so he can knock out the nib. Tell him up front that you will take care of replacing the sac. Otherwise you'll be charged for something you can do yourself.

Enjoy it.

[ticoun]

my repair supplies arrived this morning. i installed the J-bar, but now i'm wondering: resac now, or wait to get the nib welded? if i resac now, i'll have a bit of fun with the pen, and knowing the nib is damaged, i will be careful not to make it worsebefore getting it repaied. if i just wait to have enough money, then send it to greg minuskin, it won't be this fun, but i'm sure it won't get worse. what would you guys do?

 

High marks for the repair.

If you're sure it won't get worse, what the heck, use it. But keep in mind that if/when you send it to Greg, he will likely remove the sac so he can knock out the nib. Tell him up front that you will take care of replacing the sac. Otherwise you'll be charged for something you can do yourself.

Enjoy it.

 

i'm far from sure it won't get worse, but i guess that if i use a very light hand to prevent any flexing it can't be too bad. i've just installed the sac now, and i'm waiting for the shellac to dry. i have a spare sac, and, like you said, i'll tell greg not to resac it when i'll send it in for repair.