My first Estie

[Rabbit]

I got sucked in to the Estie thing just today! I bought 2 desk pens they were only $5 each! One appears older perhaps the front section is hard rubber? it has several bug bites and #2556 nib, the other is in better shape, likely newer, has a #9550 nib and I can't tell if the nib section is hard rubber or plastic. Does the direction of the name and numbers make a difference in vintage? The 2556 is across the nib where the 9550 is lengthwise down the nib. They both have had sacs replaced at some point, the 9550's is nicely done and appears to have been a professional job, where the 2556's wasn't "shellaced" in place and appears to be too long for the pen body, kinky folds at the bottom.

Nice finds!

 

I'm not 100% sure about this, but judging from several observations I've made, I have concluded that the numbers going across the nib, like your 2556, are how Esterbrook made them for the majority of their production, and then in their later years (mid 1950's perhaps?) they started doing the lengthwise numbers. I don't know the exact year though, and would love to find out the answer to that. For the longest time I thought this was exclusive to the 9xxx series of nibs but then I ran across a couple 2xxx nibs that were also lengthwise.

 

I agree, if the sac is scrunched up, it was probably too long or the wrong size. As you get more and more pens, you'll find some really horrible repair jobs. It would be a good pen for you to repair if you're new to pen repairs! (I only own a few desk pens and haven't bothered restoring them, but if I had to guess, I'd say the sac size is 16, but someone else can verify that for you.) While you have the pens apart, I'd be sure to test the other one with water to make sure the seemingly good sac is leak-free.

 

Did your pens come with pen bases/holders? You can find them on eBay often if you need one or two.

 

Enjoy!

 

--Stephen

[79spitfire]

I got sucked in to the Estie thing just today! I bought 2 desk pens they were only $5 each! One appears older perhaps the front section is hard rubber? it has several bug bites and #2556 nib, the other is in better shape, likely newer, has a #9550 nib and I can't tell if the nib section is hard rubber or plastic. Does the direction of the name and numbers make a difference in vintage? The 2556 is across the nib where the 9550 is lengthwise down the nib. They both have had sacs replaced at some point, the 9550's is nicely done and appears to have been a professional job, where the 2556's wasn't "shellaced" in place and appears to be too long for the pen body, kinky folds at the bottom.

Nice finds!

 

I'm not 100% sure about this, but judging from several observations I've made, I have concluded that the numbers going across the nib, like your 2556, are how Esterbrook made them for the majority of their production, and then in their later years (mid 1950's perhaps?) they started doing the lengthwise numbers. I don't know the exact year though, and would love to find out the answer to that. For the longest time I thought this was exclusive to the 9xxx series of nibs but then I ran across a couple 2xxx nibs that were also lengthwise.

 

I agree, if the sac is scrunched up, it was probably too long or the wrong size. As you get more and more pens, you'll find some really horrible repair jobs. It would be a good pen for you to repair if you're new to pen repairs! (I only own a few desk pens and haven't bothered restoring them, but if I had to guess, I'd say the sac size is 16, but someone else can verify that for you.) While you have the pens apart, I'd be sure to test the other one with water to make sure the seemingly good sac is leak-free.

 

Did your pens come with pen bases/holders? You can find them on eBay often if you need one or two.

 

Enjoy!

 

--Stephen

 

I did test the "good" sac and it is leak free (w00t!) I hope to find at least one of the classic "8-ball" looking pen holders, I looked today and didn't find any bargains, I'll keep looking. Anyway, I figured the nib sections were worth the cash, didn't count on the rest of the pens being in usable shape, turns out they are! I'll ink them up one of these days for a test and see how they work.

[stephl]

Got my first Esterbrook FP today. I must say it writes really well. I enjoy writing with F nibs, but this one feels like EF and it writes really well. Steph

 

[Rabbit]

Got my first Esterbrook FP today. I must say it writes really well. I enjoy writing with F nibs, but this one feels like EF and it writes really well. Steph

 

 

 

Congratulations! The condition of your pen looks very nice. It's a transitional model J which were made during the transition period between the "dollar pen" models to the "double jewel" J models. The Dollar pens were made up to around 1942, and the "double jewel" version of the J models starting selling around 1948. Transitional models, like yours, were sold in that gap of about 1944 to 1948, with yours being toward the beginning of that. If the nib on yours is a 2048, then I think it actually is classified by Esterbrook as an extra fine. Nice find!

 

--Stephen

[kreinhard]

Being new to the scene, I'm not sure if it is customary to include a photo of your first Esterbrook or not. If it is, I beg all of your pardons and will get one up after it's done soaking in a cool bath of weak ammonia and tap water.

 

My very first Esterbrook is a red M2 which I won on feePay a couple of nights ago for not a lot of money. It arrived in today's mail, but I didn't get a chance to open it until just about ten minutes ago. The auction pictures had me a bit worried, not knowing anything about the care and feeding of vintage pens. Other than some ink staining on the section around the nib, though, it is in excellent condition. No bite marks, no deep scratches or gouges, the cap (says Esterbrook on the lip, not on the clip) is bright and shiny with no dents. I pulled some tap water in to it and the ink that was still there was a gorgeous robin's egg blue. My wife even thought it was a great color; wish I knew which ink it was.

 

I think the sac is borderline, though, so once Esties number two and three show up (a black J double-jewel with a cool "BELL SYSTEM PROPERTY" embossed on the side and a minty-fresh looking M2 in olive green with the Dura 2668 label still stuck on it) I think I'll be picking up some shellac and sacs. Now, if I could just score a nice matching FP/MP M2 set in turquoise or navy or maybe a matching dark copper J FP/MP set... :embarrassed_smile:

[gregamckinney]

...

 

I think the sac is borderline, though, so once Esties number two and three show up (a black J double-jewel with a cool "BELL SYSTEM PROPERTY" embossed on the side and a minty-fresh looking M2 in olive green with the Dura 2668 label still stuck on it) I think I'll be picking up some shellac and sacs. Now, if I could just score a nice matching FP/MP M2 set in turquoise or navy or maybe a matching dark copper J FP/MP set... :embarrassed_smile:

 

The M2 is an aerometric filling pen, and does not use the same kind of sac as a normal lever-filling pen like the J-series (and most other Esterbrooks.)

Even if the M2's filler looks bad, it is (IME) unlikely to need any work.

 

Regards, greg

[kreinhard]

The M2 is an aerometric filling pen, and does not use the same kind of sac as a normal lever-filling pen like the J-series (and most other Esterbrooks.)

Even if the M2's filler looks bad, it is (IME) unlikely to need any work.

 

Thanks for the info, Greg. Actually, the sac was hardened on either side and split after about the fourth press of the bar. I have disassembled the pen for cleaning and am getting some replacement sacs. I was able to write a few lines using the leftover, reconstituted ink and I think I'm going to like that 9450 nib for writing in my journal.

[Ed Ronax]

Received my first Esterbrook today a fully restored copper J. I got it from a member here and its in wonderful condition with a 9450 nib which checking my references is a firm extra fine, filled it up and writes a treat staight away after its journey across the pond. Very impressed.

[medici]

I found my first Estie in a Missoula, Montana pawn shop last week. Of course I bought it (10 smackeroos, US). It's a nurse's pen: white with red jewels above and below. There's something about the pen that compels me to pick it up. Unfortunately, it needs a new sac, at least. The lever won't extrude and I am not forcing it. I will likely succumb to a nicer nib -- it comes adorned with a 2556 nib. There's nothing mint-ish about this pen. It just seems like a venerable well-used honest writing instrument.

Edited May 4, 2010 by medici

[ZeissIkon]

I found my first Estie in a Missoula, Montana pawn shop last week. Of course I bought it (10 smackeroos, US). It's a nurse's pen: white with red jewels above and below. There's something about the pen that compels me to pick it up. Unfortunately, it needs a new sac, at least. The lever won't extrude and I am not forcing it. I will likely succumb to a nicer nib -- it comes adorned with a 2556 nib. There's nothing mint-ish about this pen. It just seems like a venerable well-used honest writing instrument.

 

Wow, nice find. Put a new sac in that, and the nib of your choice, and you'll have a pen you can use for years and then, if you tire of it, sell for more than you have invested (the nurses' pens are desirable, at least to some).

[Phormio]

I got my first Estie today. I got it with a new sac off fleabay. And, as it has a gregg 1555 nib attached, I ordered some new nibs before the pen made it to my house.!!

 

Anyway I got a black SJ Estie and I am suprised how small the pen really is. It's sitting next to my M205 Pelikan and the Pelikan looks like it can beat it up!! The Gregg nib is as bad as everyone says so I'm waiting on the new nibs to really test this pen out and find out what you Yanks have been banging on about!

[The Anachronist]

I was in Seattle yesterday, and stumbled upon the second of two FP shops that I know of there. In the window they had several vintage pens. There are a few I've got my eye on, but the one that really caught my eye, and was in my current spending money range was an Esterbrook. Immediately upon coming home I began doing research, and I think I have enough information to ask my question. It has been fully restored, evidently this store restores all their vintage pens prior to selling. I didn't know enough at the time to try it out, nor did I have the time, so I'm assuming it works fine. It is pretty immaculate, only the smallest bit of regular wear, it seems it either wasn't used much, or was very well taken care of! Beautiful it was! At any rate, it's a fully restored, red Esterbrook, what I believe to be a J as it was the larger of three otherwise identical ones there, it has a 2556 nib, they were asking $42 for it. I'm leaving for a weekend vacation, but was thinking of picking it up when I get back next week. Does this seem like a good buy? How does a 2556 nib write? I don't know what line size that would correlate to. I'm new to fp's in general, and this would be my first vintage purchase. Any info you wonderful experts could share with me would be great.

[Rabbit]

I was in Seattle yesterday, and stumbled upon the second of two FP shops that I know of there. In the window they had several vintage pens. There are a few I've got my eye on, but the one that really caught my eye, and was in my current spending money range was an Esterbrook. Immediately upon coming home I began doing research, and I think I have enough information to ask my question. It has been fully restored, evidently this store restores all their vintage pens prior to selling. I didn't know enough at the time to try it out, nor did I have the time, so I'm assuming it works fine. It is pretty immaculate, only the smallest bit of regular wear, it seems it either wasn't used much, or was very well taken care of! Beautiful it was! At any rate, it's a fully restored, red Esterbrook, what I believe to be a J as it was the larger of three otherwise identical ones there, it has a 2556 nib, they were asking $42 for it. I'm leaving for a weekend vacation, but was thinking of picking it up when I get back next week. Does this seem like a good buy? How does a 2556 nib write? I don't know what line size that would correlate to. I'm new to fp's in general, and this would be my first vintage purchase. Any info you wonderful experts could share with me would be great.

That must be really nice to find an Esterbrook in a fountain pen store!

 

 

Since the pen is fully restored, then the price is good, especially considering that you can pick the pen up and won't have to pay for shipping. Maybe the one thing to consider is some type of guarantee on their work. As far as I know, I think a professional restorer would guarantee the ink sac for 1 year. (it should last MUCH LONGER than 1 year, but 1 year is a standard "guarantee" period.)

 

Here's a little perspective on the price: An unrestored Esterbrook on eBay would cost about $10-15, plus $5 shipping. To have a professional restore it, that would cost $25-$30 plus shipping. To do the repair yourself, you would need to order supplies which would cost about $10-$15 plus shipping, and more than double that if you order supplies to polish the pen. (Most of those supplies will last for several pens though, which would be important if you plan to buy many more unrestored pens.) So factoring all that, $42 for an Esterbrook that is restored already is a very fair price for both the buyer and seller.

 

The 2556 is a "fine" nib and was probably one of the most popular Esterbrook nibs when the pens were sold in the 1950's. If the nib is unused or lightly used, it should write very well. The nibs that start with a "2" do not have any addtional hard tipping material though so if it has been used a lot, it could be worn down which would produce a line wider than fine or be scratchy. A good restorer would notice that though and would call it out or replace it with a new nib unit. (the nibs in Esterbrook pens unscrew and are very easy to replace. You can still find unused ones and they run $8-$20 for the more common ones and $25 or more for the harder to find ones.) Esterbrook nibs that start with a "9" are Esterbrook's premium nibs and have a harder tipping material and are thus expected to last longer. You have the advantage of inspecting the nib in person before buying it though, which is nice.

 

The red Esterbrook pens are very beautiful and almost seem to glow. Let us know if you decide to get it!

 

--Stephen

Edited May 12, 2010 by Rabbit

[The Anachronist]

I was very pleasantly surprised by this store, because of their stationary selection and service that was not the somewhat snobby kind I had come to expect after a few reviews. It was an older lady who bragged to everyone that came in after me how great she thought it was that I liked and used fp's and write actual letters. It was pretty funny. They had a smaller selection of fp's but of the vintage ones four Esterbrooks of various models, two 51's, some Sheaffer's and a Waterman's which I've assumed is different than Waterman and many others. I've been thinking of (read: obsessing over) this red Esterbrook since I saw it. I can't resist it any more! I'm gonna go get it. Is there anything I should know before I purchase my first vintage pen other than what I already do as stated above?

[The Anachronist]

Well I've come home with my first Estie. It's much different than the Lamy Studio M nib I'm used to, I'll also need a new nib it looks like, there are some nicks in it but still I love it. The nicks thankfully do not affect the writing ability. I'm really surprised how smooth and full of character this nib is! The pen is great! I'm curious though, how many pulls and should it take to fill the sac, and how full does it usually get? I've noticed different inks last longer than others, I'm using Waterman South Sea Blue in my Esterbrook, how long does a typical fill last? It is all quite a change for me, not being able to see the ink level!

Edited May 12, 2010 by The Anachronist

[bardolator]

I'm in the process of buying my first--and I'm really excited! XD

[bardolator]

Hm; can't edit. I apologize for the double post.

 

My first Esterbrook is a very deep, dark copper J with a new 9556 nib. It's the deep color some people call by the name of a soft drink whose initials are R and B. I'll post pictures when it arrives.

 

 

Is it weird that the pictures make me want to, um, lick it?

[OcalaFlGuy]

Man! Lucky girl! That should be a nice nib too! You're the second person in 24 hrs I've heard is getting a Root Beer, and I *STILL* don't have one.

 

We'll be waiting on the pics!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Rabbit]

Is it weird that the pictures make me want to, um, lick it?

 

Yum! I'm the same way with the red ones--when they are highly polished they look like red candy!

 

--Stephen

[bardolator]

Bruce--maybe I'll actually be able to make the next gathering and I can bring it. Thanks for your advice, btw.