Mystery Imperial! Help Me Identify It!

[lordz]

Hey all,

 

Lord Z here! I just went pen shopping...ish. I went to an antique mall, looking for pens from people who know nothing about pens, and so miss-price them. Anyway, I found a nice vintage pen for $50, and it was gold-nibbed, so I thought I would look it up.

 

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I cannot find the pen anywhere online. So here I am.

 

What I need: Model. Price. Barrel material. Anything else you can scrounge up on it.

 

Characteristics:

MISC: I found the company: Imperial Pen and Pencil Co. Went bankrupt in 1951. Other than that, I can't find much.

Nib: 14k, fine or medium, springy, maybe minor flex.

Nib Markings: Imperial, 14k, USA

Body: Black, tapered ends, gold clip, silver band on barrel marked "Imperial" with a crown.

Action: lever fill. Large-ish ink sac.

Measurements: I have not measured the pen yet, but if you need me to, I can. It is very big, perhaps the size of a Conway Stewart Wellington and similar in shape.

Photos:

 

Thanks a ton,

 

Lord Z

Edited August 12, 2014 by lordz

[lordz]

Bump. Bump. Bumpy-bumpity-bump. Budump.

[lordz]

bump. I need an answer

[Christi0469]

I have nothing usefull to add, but I really like the cap band design. The nib needs some work though. You might try Mike Masuyama of MikeItWork.com, or any of the fine nibmeisters hereabouts. Not onlu can the fix the nib but they see an wful lot of pens and may have some insight for you.

[lordz]

Hmm. I have worked on the nib myself, and it is writing great. Not too wet, not too dry, a boldish medium and smooth. My only problem is that it has some feedback when flexed. Anyway, I like the cap band too. Do ya think it might be worth anything? When I ask that, I mean does a reasonably nice off-brand vintage pen in good condition have value?

 

Thanks,

 

Lord Z

[Christi0469]

I don't have any idea what it is worth but it looks pretty cool. Some of the off-brands have a following or are somewhat rare. Others are just off brands. Unfortunately only someone who know the brand can give you advice and they seem pretty thin on the ground. Have you tried placing this post in First Stop?

[lordz]

Huh. This pen seems quite rare. the company that made it was very small and went bankrupt in '51. I can only find one other pen by the company, which sold for about $100. (

 

I just don't know if it is a good rare. Imma go try 1st stop.