Magnusson Oblique Pen Holder

[supxor]

Ease up, chill. We know each other well, and have a sense of humor. Join us in that spirit.

[supxor]

Oh, make someone happy, as the old song goes. I continue my longing for a long MAGNUSSON. Oh, make this old man happy.

[supxor]

I haven't given up my wish for a decent 11-12 in. Magnusson. Alert me if you have one for sale.

[Cryptos]

There's been several recently on eBay. One sold for about $500.

[Iso*]

I am a pretty avid eBay stalker. The one Cardboard Tube was mentioning was from a seller that sold the piece about 2 weeks ago or so. It was not a true Magnusson, but rather, as the seller aptly put it, [a holder] that bears a resemblance to Magnusson oblique holders...

 

According to Joe Vitolo's infobase on zanerian.com, it seems that most Magnusson Holders bear the MAGNUSSON imprint on the foot of the holder. The aforementioned holder does not carry that imprint, nor does the one currently listed somewhere on eBay.

 

Still though, I guess that Magnusson holders are nothing more than a name when it comes to pens, aside from their aesthetics. Similar to how Waterman Pink Nibs command high prices. There are better nibs that perform just as well as them, and similarly, there are contemporary penholders that have their own flair and performance.

[Cryptos]

That's true. I have a vague recollection that the seller altered the description to say that it was 'Magnusson-like', presumably after someone informed them of the lack of supporting evidence for provenance. At the time this happened I must admit that I was deeply suspicious, thinking that whoever had contacted the seller was attempting to force the price down. Anyway, both the 'Magnusson-like' holders come from the same source, which is interesting I suppose. The other Magnusson I found went for nearly $2000.

[Iso*]

Yeah I saw that other eBay listing.

 

Thanks to the freak of nature that placed a bid of 2500 USD, Magnusson holders will now be out of reach of nearly every penman and calligrapher. (price ratcheting effect)

 

That was an incredible listing that I missed. It included the original packaging it seemed, and it seemed to be in good condition. Shame the photos were not of high res. I would have loved to look at such a fine specimen. It was only 8 inches though. Foot-long Magnusson holders are impossible to find nowadays, and considering their fragility and value these days, I wonder how much such a holder would be priced.

[dhnz]

I thought that the $2500 price would be a one-off freak caused by two people putting in ridiculously high bids to ensure that they got it, without expecting someone else to do the same. Now, however, it seems that there are multiple people out there prepared to pay high prices for old obliques. I could perhaps more understand it if they were owned by master penmen with proven provenance, but the master penman generally didn't use the flashy style of penholder anyway. At these prices, you have to start wondering if forgeries will start appearing!

[supxor]

For such reasons as you suggest, I have not been parlay to entering the EBAY market for one.

[dhnz]

The prices reached on Ebay will affect the market, whether or not a holder is sold there. After all, if a seller knows that they can potentially get a couple of thousand for a holder on Ebay (even after Ebay's commission), they're unlikely to offer it for a lot less privately. As for forgeries, I think you're actually safer buying on Ebay; there's more chance someone else will spot potential problems with a holder and you also have recourse to the protections Ebay and your credit card company offer if you get sent a knock-off.

Edited July 8, 2015 by dhnz

[Cryptos]

Okay, buyer welched on the deal, it's up again. Now's your chance!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Antique-MAGNUSON-MAGNUSSON-Turned-5-Banded-Oblique-DIP-PEN-Original-Box-/252021370090?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aada4ecea

 

 

EDIT: meant to say buyer, not seller. Too many fingers, not enough brain.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Cardboard_Tube

[kirchh]

Okay, seller welched on the deal, it's up again.

 

To be accurate, it appears it was the buyer, not the seller, who backed out.

 

--Daniel

[schin]

I like Magnussons, and I understand paying $500 for one, but $1000+ for one is crazy...! $2000+ is not feasible to my mind...

 

You may want to consider getting a clone made, there are many good oblique pen makers these days who can do so. Just make sure the shape is correct and the wood used is light, and the flange set well.. in time you will get used to it and will write wonderfully with it, your hand oils will create the patina and it will be as good as any Magnusson as you find

[supxor]

Thank you, Shin. I actually acquired an 8" Mag froom Charles Osborne, costing me just over 200 dollars. It is a beauty. I, in fact, bought about 12 historically important holders from him, and paid well less than 1800 dollars for them. Patience paid off, in my case; the stars aligned, and I was one of the fortunate individuals to reap rare holders that he sold from his important collection.

[schin]

Congratulations!!! Now put those to work, take good care of em and get lots of good letters and writing out of them!

[dhnz]

I, in fact, bought about 12 historically important holders from him, …

 

How about posting images of them in the oblique holders thread, then, so we can all see them?