Recommend Deco-styled Pens

[Russ]

Okay. So I have numerous good pens and the justgottahaveit stage is past. Like many of you, I have learned my preferences in styling, materials, and nibs. I usually buy pens which are proven performers with dignified character (e.g., Townsend, L2K, Optima, YOL Standard, Basilea, M1000, Milord). I don't need bling, but neither am I drawn to older user-grade pens (my Symetrik and Commando get little use). I DO, however, have growing appreciation for Art Deco styling. I really like it. Last summer I got a Bexley Americana in red, and truly appreciate its nib, color, and quality. What Art Deco pen am I overlooking, priced under $325.00 (and preferably less)? Is there a pen that can pique my interest? While the Pelikan 100/100N remains a candidate for purchase, it's not exactly American Art Deco. What pens can members of the FPN community recommend? I'm sure I'm overlooking something... Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[Pippin60]

To me an Esterbrook J series is a perfect example of art deco especially the clips

[Silvermink]

How about a Wahl Doric?

[Shangas]

The Wahl company made some nice Art Deco pens. I can suggest the 1920s 'Art Deco' line as being very nice, both to behold and to write with (I have three of them, and they're all excellent!). The Eversharp Skyline is also a fine, Art Deco example. I have one of those, also, and it's certainly one of the most unique pens I have in my collection.

[JakobS]

Here is a previous topic on deco pens: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=105872&view=&hl=%22Art%20Deco%20Pens%22&fromsearch=1

 

And I agree with Pippin, I love the Art Deco look of the Esterbrook J series, and some of their other series pens! I think the SM Deluxe series pens have the look as well for example!

Edited December 5, 2009 by JakobS

[Silvermink]

The Wahl company made some nice Art Deco pens. I can suggest the 1920s 'Art Deco' line as being very nice, both to behold and to write with (I have three of them, and they're all excellent!). The Eversharp Skyline is also a fine, Art Deco example. I have one of those, also, and it's certainly one of the most unique pens I have in my collection.

 

Yeah, a Skyline or a Fifth Avenue would be nice choices, too.

[Artie]

When you say Art Deco, here are some vintage pens that I think of, especially the Wahl Eversharp at the top. There is also the Eversharp Skyline, the streamlined Parker and Parkette and the balance Sheaffer, and of course the 100 year pen from Waterman. Not sure if the Waterman would fit in your budget but the others could be found under $300.

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii101/matthewsno/DSCF1568.jpg

[Shangas]

The two central models (the Skyline & the Balance) are certainly Art Deco pens. You couldn't ask for nicer examples.

[SincerelySpicy]

My two favorites that I would say have to be mentioned when it comes to art deco pens would be the Wahl Eversharp Coronet which I have and the Parker 51 with the Empire Cap which I so want....but uhm...neither of them are typically under 325...

 

http://www.stylophilesonline.com/archive/jan03/04cor3.jpg

http://www.stylophilesonline.com/archive/jan03/04cor.htm

 

 

However, the Special Edition Re-release of the 51 is modeled after the deco empire caps. They retailed for 350 when they were released. Now, once in a while you can find the turquoise ones for about 300 but they seem to be getting quite a bit more expensive lately.

 

http://www.parker51....age1.html2.html

Edited December 5, 2009 by SJM1123

[kernando]

Dang, I got here too late. People are already mentioning Skylines. I wanted to warn "not Skyline" because it's more streamline moderne. The funny thing is that the Fifth Avenue came later and is a little more Deco.

 

Wait, what? Balances wouldn't be Deco either, unless there's a cap band that counts. Same for Parkers, flat top or streamlined. But then there are some desk bases that might be on the line between Deco and moderne. And "51"s are too late, though the cap patterns pointed out make sense.

 

There could be some overlay or all-metal patterns that turned out a little bit Deco.

 

Sheaffer Crest, even though it's '30s, for the cap, with all those lines?

[Pfhorrest]

Most celluloid pens have an 'art deco' feel to them, both in the hand and to the eye.

[FredRydr]

Now THIS is Deco.

 

http://www.pendemonium.com/pics/inky_greetings/010809/wtm_photo_5.jpg

 

It's a standard Waterman Ink-Vue in SilverRay celluloid. They aren't particularly rare.

 

I collect deco pens as well. When I think of "deco," I think of pens that would remind me of the Chrysler building in NYC. The SilverRay shouts it, while the Wahl Coronet is a more subtle and elegant example of deco.

 

Fred

[Artie]

Dang, I got here too late. People are already mentioning Skylines. I wanted to warn "not Skyline" because it's more streamline moderne. The funny thing is that the Fifth Avenue came later and is a little more Deco.

 

Wait, what? Balances wouldn't be Deco either, unless there's a cap band that counts. Same for Parkers, flat top or streamlined. But then there are some desk bases that might be on the line between Deco and moderne. And "51"s are too late, though the cap patterns pointed out make sense.

 

There could be some overlay or all-metal patterns that turned out a little bit Deco.

 

Sheaffer Crest, even though it's '30s, for the cap, with all those lines?

 

Skyline not art deco? Your definition must be different than most. Streamline was very much a characteristic of art deco as in stream lined balances and streamlined parkers.

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii101/matthewsno/skylineandtrain.jpg

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii101/matthewsno/skylineandbuilding.jpg

 

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii101/matthewsno/skylinedome.jpg

Edited December 5, 2009 by Artie

[Rufus]

To me, the Eversharp Skyline is the qunitessential Art Deco-style pen. Better yet they are quite affordable.

[Pepin]

Dang, I got here too late. People are already mentioning Skylines. I wanted to warn "not Skyline" because it's more streamline moderne. The funny thing is that the Fifth Avenue came later and is a little more Deco.

 

Wait, what? Balances wouldn't be Deco either, unless there's a cap band that counts. Same for Parkers, flat top or streamlined. But then there are some desk bases that might be on the line between Deco and moderne. And "51"s are too late, though the cap patterns pointed out make sense.

 

There could be some overlay or all-metal patterns that turned out a little bit Deco.

 

Sheaffer Crest, even though it's '30s, for the cap, with all those lines?

 

Are we talking about Art Deco as manifestation of time or principles? If time, then streamline moderne is art deco, and IMHO, the better period of this artistic movement. If principles, then you can very much argue that Sheaffer inlaid nibs expressed the principles quite elegantly even though they were made after 1940.

[SincerelySpicy]

Streamline moderne may or may not be considered part of the art deco movement... depending on what source you ask. Many consider it a late style of art deco, while others consider it a parallel but distinct movement.

 

The skyline, is very much more part of the streamline moderne movement than what would considered quintessential art deco.

 

Art Deco in its essence drew its inspiration from geometric shapes, "primitive" arts from africa, and also from art styles from the greco-roman classical period, Ancient Middle East, Egypt and Pre Columbian American cultures.

 

Streamline moderne derives its shapes from modern aerodynamic designs and principles and does not necessarily derive from the aforementioned art deco inspirations. However, streamlime moderne tends to incorporate many art deco details since the two movements were so close in time and use.

 

Art Deco lent itself more to decorative and fine arts while streamline moderne was applied more towards industrial design. Many cars and trains designed during the period, especially the one that inspired the skyline, were more streamline moderne. Architecture can fall on any point between the spectrum between art deco and streamline moderne.

 

However, to most people, the term art deco applies to both and arguing over the specifics would be pedantic.

[Rufus]

Streamline moderne may or may not be considered part of the art deco movement... depending on what source you ask. Many consider it a late style of art deco, while others consider it a parallel but distinct movement.

 

The skyline, is very much more part of the streamline moderne movement than what would considered quintessential art deco.

 

Art Deco in its essence drew its inspiration from geometric shapes, "primitive" arts from africa, and also from art styles from the greco-roman classical period, Ancient Middle East, Egypt and Pre Columbian American cultures.

 

Streamline moderne derives its shapes from modern aerodynamic designs and principles and does not necessarily derive from the aforementioned art deco inspirations. However, streamlime moderne tends to incorporate many art deco details since the two movements were so close in time and use.

 

Art Deco lent itself more to decorative and fine arts while streamline moderne was applied more towards industrial design. Many cars and trains designed during the period, especially the one that inspired the skyline, were more streamline moderne. Architecture can fall on any point between the spectrum between art deco and streamline moderne.

 

However, to most people, the term art deco applies to both and arguing over the specifics would be pedantic.

 

Thanks for that summary; I've learned something. I'd always thought streamline moderne was an offshoot or derivative of Art Deco.

[Artie]

Art Deco is a fairly modern term in and of itself. It isn't even listed as a category in art history books before the 1970's. People who differentiate between art deco and streamline moderne are considering Art Nouveau as part of the style while actually it is a forerunner of art deco.

 

The new architecture of the '20's and 30's, particularly the Bahaus rejected ornament of any kind. Pure form emerged from functional structure and required no ornamentation. Yet popular taste still preferred ornamentation, especially in public architecture. What became known, later, as Art Deco emerged as an attempt to merge industrial design with "fine art". Proponents wanted to work new materials- such as stainless steel. glass and plastics- into decorative patterns that could be machined or handcrafted and could-to a degree- reflect the simplifying trend in architecture. Art Nouveau is a remote descendant of Art Deco. Art Deco had universal applications to buildings, interiors, furniture, utensils, jewelry, fashions, illustrations, commercial products of every sort.

 

Art Deco products have a "streamlined" elongated symmetrical aspect with simple hard shapes alternating with shallow volumes as seen in the new style architecture, the Jazz age and elegance as seen in the ocean liners of the times.

 

Like it's predecessor Art Nouveau, Art Deco was an event in the history of industrial design, not in the history of architecture.

Edited December 5, 2009 by Artie

[FrankB]

So, considering that the Parker "51" barrel and section are free of ornament, but the caps could be quietly ornate, is the "51" considered streamline moderne, hence akin to Art Deco, or purely Bauhaus? I am never quite sure where Bauhaus influence begins and ends. I still think the "51" meets the OP's criteria for a Deco-style pen.

[Garageboy]

Modern Pen that is kinda art deco, Waterman Charleston?