Indian Celluloid pens with a theme

[hari317]

Just fulfilling a desire to document the Vacumatic look alike pens made in India and one Skyline and Sheaffer copy.

 

The first tray shows some mini sized ED pens(4 inch to 4-1/2 inch), the first two are made by OSWAL, the rest all are of a make called "President".

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4036.jpg

 

The president nib:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4037.jpg

 

The barrel inscription:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4038.jpg

 

The folded tip type size 2 nibs used in the OSWAL:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4039.jpg

 

The second tray shows a variety of the celluloid patterns:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4041.jpg

 

The brands featured are from L-R: Oris, Ellora, Olympic, Sulekha, Champion, Wilson, Laxmi, Saffron.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4042.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4043.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4044.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4045.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4046.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4047.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4048.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4049.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4050.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4051.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4052.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4053.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4054.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4055.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4056.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4057.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4058.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Celluloid/IMG_4059.jpg

 

The last two pens: Laxmi and Saffron seem to have been made in Japan for the Indian market. The Triumph look alike nib on the Saffron is particularly interesting. Also interesting is that an American Company called "Hunt Co" made the nib for the Champion pen.

 

Cheers,

Hari

[Abhik]

Hari, as usual these are fine photos and good depiction of Indian pen manufacturers' skill of "borrowing" ideas of successful pen designs!

Kudos to you for your perseverance! Very good photos! May be this post can be another flower to the Indian Pen History bouquet you are arranging!

Keep it up dear Hari!

Best wishes,

Abhik.

[karinh]

Hari,

 

your posts about Indian pens are really interesting! We learn some historical information as well as seeing great looking pens. I've noticed, in documentaries about India (particularly one I saw about the railways) that people are using their fountain pens in their everyday lives much more so than I have noticed out and about here (Australia). Would that be true, that people there use FP more, do you think?

 

I like the Saffron pen at the end - my niece is named Saffron so I'm fond of the name.

 

Thanks again and keep up the great posts!

 

Karin H

Edited March 8, 2010 by karinh

[philm]

Hari,

 

Great photos and historical stuff. I have always been interested in the Indian and Japanese Vac clones. Yours are exceptional examples and thank you for sharing.

 

Phil

[shadowsforbars]

Thanks for another insightful photo essay.

[DHC2010]

Beautiful Indian pens, thank you for sharing. I'm envious!

[rahulg]

As usual, great job Hari!

Edited March 13, 2010 by rahulg

[maverink]

are the laxmi pens japan made or USA made in ulhasnagar sindhi association?

[kawuska]

Frankly, I had no idea that indian pen manufacture was so well developed!I wonder what the price comparison was for these lookalikes to original Parkers, Wahls etc.

[hari317]

Frankly, I had no idea that indian pen manufacture was so well developed!I wonder what the price comparison was for these lookalikes to original Parkers, Wahls etc.

Much much cheaper than the originals and the originals were simply unavailable due to import controls (150% duty)