A Sheaffer "University"

[Univer]

Hello all,

 

As some of you know, I have an interest in Sheaffer sub-brands - particularly some of the less comprehensively documented sub-brands.

 

Years back, I came across a passage from a 2001 article in the PENnant concerning the earliest Sheaffer sub-brands. That article has been generously made available online by David Nishimura at http://www.vintagepens.com/first_Sheaffers_2.htm

 

Here's the specific language in question:

 

Sheaffer’s success was founded on its lever-fillers, but from early on more economical pens were sold as well.  The patent dispute testimony records that company policy was not to sell a lever pen for less than $2.50, but other self-fillers and eyedroppers were offered at $1 under other brand names (710.400).  The main sub-brand was Craig, named after Walter Sheaffer’s son and future heir (888.578); the other sub-brand mentioned in the testimony was University, which Julius Schnell described as a coin-filler (1970.890).

 

Now, the "University" brand has interested me ever since. I had always wondered about the genesis of the "Univer" brand; by any standard, it's an unlikely name, and I reckoned there had to be a story there. So when I became aware of the "University" brand, a theory - and it's just a theory - suggested itself. There were at least two roughly contemporaneous "University" pens: one a John Holland product (a stylographic pen, I believe) and one - I think - from J. Harris. So it wasn't a stretch for me to imagine Sheaffer starting out with a "University" brand of its own, only to discover these identically-named competitors. One quick solution: simply lop off the last four letters of the name. "University" becomes "Univer," and the name conflict disappears. The timeline, sketchy as it is, seems to support that theory: "University" was one of the earliest sub-brands, contemporaneous with Craig; whereas "Univer" seems to have appeared as a sort of second-generation sub-brand, immediately following that first group. Anyway - just a theory, as I've said.

 

One difficulty has been that theories need to be based on fact, and the only "fact" concerning the "University" sub-brand - so far as I'm aware - was the passage quoted above. So I've been looking for the best possible piece of evidence: a Sheaffer "University" pen. And I think I may have found one. (Please see attached photos.)

 

The pen is nearly 5 1/2 inches long, chased hard rubber, with a screw-on clipless cap (although this one sports a "Swan" aftermarket clip). The nib is a Warranted No. 4 (The PENnant article suggests that all of the early sub-brands used Warranted nibs). The feed seems to fall somewhere between the "stick" feeds encountered on early eyedroppers and the early Sheaffer "spear" feed. The only branding is the name "UNIVERSITY," in all caps and with quotation marks around it. Perhaps most interestingly - and most tellingly - the pen is in fact a coin-filler, conforming to Julius Schnell's description.

 

I've tried to isolate points of similarity - and points of difference - between this pen and the handful of Craig pens in my collection. The section is virtually identical to the sections of some of those Craig pens, and different from others; but then again, the Craig sections differ from one another as well. The chasing pattern of the "University" is not an exact match for the chasing on any of my Craig pens - or any of my early Sheaffers, for that matter. Some of the Craig feeds are fatter and flatter, and some are much closer to the design of the "University" feed. My Craigs all have Warranted nibs fitted, as does the "University." The imprint style is generally similar, although none of my Craig imprints features the quotation marks.

 

I'm honestly not sure what to make of these similarities and differences. One would be hard pressed NOT to find a similarity or two between two contemporaneous BCHR pens of similar quality, I suppose; and since these sub-brands seem to have been assembled out of off-the-shelf components, conclusions are even more difficult to draw. As for the Warranted nib: well, there were just a few BCHR pens that used those, so here again I'm not certain how much weight to put on that shared feature.

 

I don't have the skill to disassemble the pen; so if there are clues hidden inside, I'm afraid they're still hidden.

 

Can some kind expert offer further information (or enlightened speculation)? There were apparently a few Craig coin-fillers made; does anyone own one - and if so, is its design similar to that of the "University"? Or - tackling the problem from another end - does anyone own one of the Holland or Harris "University" pens? If any of those were coin-fillers, then this may simply be a nicely-preserved Holland or Harris product. It's also perfectly possible that this is still another "University" pen, of anonymous parentage.

 

Anyway - there it is. I would like to believe, naturally, that this is one of the Sheaffer "University" pens; and such an inference probably wouldn't be too great a stretch. But I'd love to base that belief on something a little more solid.

 

Thanks!

 

Jon

Edited November 27, 2006 by Univer

[david i]

Interesting. I fear i have nothing of substance to add.

 

The Craig pens with which i've played all have warranted nibs, with a pretty distinctive curve to that word.

 

best

 

david

[Johnny Appleseed]

I have a Harris "University". It is a lever-filler, and the imprint, which is one the cap, reads:

 

"University"

Harris & Co, NJ

Trade - Mark

 

(quotes in original)

 

It also has a very different type-face. I will try to post a pic. Compare the type-face on yours with that on a Craig - I think they are similar, but I sold my only Craig.

 

John

[Univer]

Hello John,

 

Thanks for the information! I had a dim recollection that the Harris imprint went something like that, and it's great to have confirmation (love to see a photo).

 

So I guess we may be able to rule out the possibility that this is a Harris product.

 

As for the comparison between the Craig and "University" typefaces...I've tried that exercise, and I'm not sure I was able to draw any conclusions. The only letters in common are "I" and "R." In each case, the "I" is an unadorned vertical line - nothing of value there. Each "R" is a simple sans-serif capital letter: very similar, but I'm not sure the two are exactly the same.

 

The typefaces are close, certainly. But then again, the "University" typeface is much more condensed, to allow for the greater length of the name; the word "University," done in "Craig" fashion, probably wouldn't fit on the barrel. So I can't really say they're identical, and I'm not sure they could be.

 

Anyway - great to have the Harris info. If some kind soul can confirm that the Holland "University" pen was in fact a stylographic model, then we might be able to narrow this pen down to either {a} the Sheaffer sub-brand; or {b} some other anonymous maker.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

Edited November 29, 2006 by Univer

[Dennis B]

Jon,

 

Here's a recently acquired eyedropper in smooth BHR, Warranted nib, imprinted "THE UNIVERSITY PEN." Seems your's being a coin filler makes it more likely to be a Sheaffer pen produced by Schnell than this one, but it also seems no one really knows what a Sheaffer/Schnell University looks like.

 

What do you think of this one?

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/otherhr/universitypenmulti.jpg

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/otherhr/universitypennib.jpg

 

Dennis B

[Univer]

Hi Dennis,

 

Thanks for the photos. Very interesting...at a glance, this pen has the look of those BHR eyedroppers that seem to have "name du jour" imprints - things like "The Reliable Pen," or "The Faultless Pen." The feed and section, in particular, don't seem Sheaffer-ish to my eyes; and the "The XXXXX Pen" nomenclature doesn't have a Sheaffer ring either.

 

That said...the 1908 Sheaffer lever-filler patent drawing shows a pen with a section very much like your University's; and Sheaffer did conform to the aforementioned naming convention with respect to at least one sub-brand: some Prosperity pens were imprinted "The Prosperity Pen/Made by Sheaffer." And the PENnant article does allude to known examples of Craig eyedroppers. (Of course, I readily acknowledge that the patent drawing does not prove that pens conforming to the design shown therein were ever manufactured.)

 

So (to echo your own remarks): who can say? We may have early Sheaffer sub-brands in our collections without even knowing it; there were, apparently, brands other than Craig and University, although their names are now forgotten.

 

If nothing else, the existence of your pens supports the notion that there were any number of other "University" pens out there - lending weight to the idea that Sheaffer may have abandoned the brand because of conflicts or confusion.

 

For my part, absent evidence to the contrary, I've granted my own University provisional Sheaffer status, and it lives in the same drawer as my Craigs. Maybe someday we'll find out if it really belongs there...or if it's a squatter.

 

Thanks again! Fascinating to see another early "University"!

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

[DWL]

Just to try & deepen the mystery a bit more is this pen a friend of mine gave me. (Thanks S!)

 

Capped: 4 3/4"

Posted: 6"

OD Cap: 1/2"

OD Barrel: 7/16"

 

I'm not surer if it's BCHR or plastic right now. My nose is out of commission right now. (Head colds suck BTW) The clip & lever are nickel. It's got a very nice Warranted 14Ct Mader In England nib.

 

Any thoughts?

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/DennisLively/100_1645.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/DennisLively/100_1646.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/DennisLively/100_1647.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/DennisLively/100_1653.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y14/DennisLively/100_1648.jpg

 

 

 

Dennis

[Guest PeteWK]

QUOTE (Univer @ Feb 3 2007, 11:38 PM)

Hi Dennis, Thanks for the photos. Very interesting...at a glance, this pen has the look of those BHR eyedroppers that seem to have "name du jour" imprints - things like "The Reliable Pen," or "The Faultless Pen." The feed and section, in particular, don't seem Sheaffer-ish to my eyes; and the "The XXXXX Pen" nomenclature doesn't have a Sheaffer ring either. That said...the 1908 Sheaffer lever-filler patent drawing shows a pen with a section very much like your University's; and Sheaffer did conform to the aforementioned naming convention with respect to at least one sub-brand: some Prosperity pens were imprinted "The Prosperity Pen/Made by Sheaffer." And the PENnant article does allude to known examples of Craig eyedroppers. (Of course, I readily acknowledge that the patent drawing does not prove that pens conforming to the design shown therein were ever manufactured.) So (to echo your own remarks): who can say? We may have early Sheaffer sub-brands in our collections without even knowing it; there were, apparently, brands other than Craig and University, although their names are now forgotten. If nothing else, the existence of your pens supports the notion that there were any number of other "University" pens out there - lending weight to the idea that Sheaffer may have abandoned the brand because of conflicts or confusion. For my part, absent evidence to the contrary, I've granted my own University provisional Sheaffer status, and it lives in the same drawer as my Craigs. Maybe someday we'll find out if it really belongs there...or if it's a squatter. Thanks again! Fascinating to see another early "University"! Cheers, Jon

Jon, have you ever come across a Prosperity Pen that didn't also have Sheaffer impressed on it?

 

PeteWK

[Univer]

Hi Pete,

 

Yes. I've got a really diminutive Prosperity: >4.5" and very slender, in an unusual peach marbled finish. This one has a "Prosperity" clip, but no barrel imprint at all. Interestingly, the nib - which is damaged - is marked "Univer Pen Co./Made in Canada." (It looks to be 12K or 14K, unlike the other Prosperity nibs I've seen; they all seem to be iridium-tipped steel.)

 

Sometimes the Sheaffer sub-brands can really give you a headache.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

[Guest PeteWK]

QUOTE (Univer @ Feb 18 2007, 03:35 AM)

Hi Pete, Yes. I've got a really diminutive Prosperity: >4.5" and very slender, in an unusual peach marbled finish. This one has a "Prosperity" clip, but no barrel imprint at all. Interestingly, the nib - which is damaged - is marked "Univer Pen Co./Made in Canada." (It looks to be 12K or 14K, unlike the other Prosperity nibs I've seen; they all seem to be iridium-tipped steel.) Sometimes the Sheaffer sub-brands can really give you a headache. Cheers, Jon

Thanks Jon. I'll post a picture of one that I purchased at a local L.A. Antique Mall. It also has a damaged (cracked) nib but the rest of the pen is in nice shape. Its in the typical gray and pearl with red veins Sheaffer type plastic.

 

PeteWK

[Guest PeteWK]

This is a Prosperity Pen that I picked up locally here in Pasadena. Interesting in that its a gray pearl with red veins. Also, Jon typically finds them with steel nibs and this one is 14k. I don't know much about them personally but I couldn't leave it in the shop knowing it was a rare Sheaffer sub-brand.

 

The Whole Pen

 

PeteWK

[Guest PeteWK]

And the Prosperity Pens NYC imprint. Sorry for the off picture. It really is a nice imprint.

[Guest PeteWK]

And finally the nib. Sadly it has a nice crack in it. Ah well.

 

PeteWK

[Johnny Appleseed]

But "Made in NYC"??? Would a Shaeffer Sub-brand be made in NYC?

 

John

[kirchh]

QUOTE (Johnny Appleseed @ Feb 19 2007, 01:46 PM)

But "Made in NYC"??? Would a Shaeffer Sub-brand be made in NYC? John

It doesn't say "Made in NYC" -- just "N.Y.C."

 

--Daniel

[Guest PeteWK]

QUOTE (Johnny Appleseed @ Feb 19 2007, 05:46 PM)

But "Made in NYC"??? Would a Shaeffer Sub-brand be made in NYC? John

As Daniel pointed out it merely denotes N.Y.C. That could be where the sub-company office was. Don't know. Jon might be able to shed some light there. As for the rest of the pen, it certainly contains many Sheaffer, Prosperity and other sub-brand elements.

 

 

 

PeteWK

[Univer]

Hi,

 

Actually, one Sheaffer sub-brand - Univer - did in fact specify "New York" as its primary location for purposes of barrel imprints. If memory serves, some of the earlier (c. 1920s) Univers were imprinted "Univer Pen Co./New York, NY - Fort Madison, IA" (the hyphen represents a blank space). I figure Sheaffer's New York office must have served as the nominal Univer "HQ."

 

Not all 1920s Univers have imprints, of course, and relatively few 1930s Univers have them (those that do simply bear the name "Univer").

 

Now, as to the specific pen at hand...frankly, I'm not sure whether this is a Sheaffer product or not. I need to do a little hunting around through my collection, and then a little bit of thinking. With prosperity "just around the corner" all through the Depression, there might well have been multiple pens by that name.

 

Thanks,

 

Jon

[Johnny Appleseed]

Well, all above are correct, I did misquote the imprint. And I just did a bit of digging to find the previous post where Jon displayed his "Univer Pen Company, New York - Ft. Madison, IA U.S.A." - so it doesn't seem so far-fetched.

 

It would be interesting though to see if there were other "Prosperity Pens". The tapered design looks Sheaffer, but also like some later Sheaffer imitations as well.

 

John

[Guest PeteWK]

QUOTE (Univer @ Feb 19 2007, 06:17 PM)

Now, as to the specific pen at hand...frankly, I'm not sure whether this is a Sheaffer product or not. I need to do a little hunting around through my collection, and then a little bit of thinking. With prosperity "just around the corner" all through the Depression, there might well have been multiple pens by that name. Thanks, Jon

Hi Jon. I'm certainly no expert, that's for sure. It could be that some company was trying hard to emulate various aspects of Sheaffer. And they certainly would have been a good company to copy. But I'm leaning toward authenticity myself for several reasons. Referring to a collection of pens you put up last year. I'll put up my pen again and comment on the design similarities.

 

PeteWK

[Guest PeteWK]

To start with the color matches very favorably to the other Sheaffer pens and pencils I own in gray and pearl with red veins. The Prosperity Pen has very deep translusence rather than just color like in cheaper brands. I should mention that I'm not certain as to whether Sheaffer's supplier also sold that color to other companies or not.

 

As for the similarities, the pens body has the same shape as the blue and copper Univer pen in the above photo. The clip has design aspects of Jon's pen #s 4 and five. Also, the overall quality of the pen is very high. The lever is also the same design as on the redish Prosperity in Jon's picture kind of like a tiny shovel. And as Jon noted, the NYC mark is similar to what he found on some (one?) Univer pen.

 

I could easily imagine that this would have been their top of the line what with the 14k nib, Balance look-a-like cap and twin bands.

 

Jon, if you could post a photo of the feed fins and section assembly that would be helpful.

 

Regards,

 

PeteWK

Edited February 19, 2007 by PeteWK