The Namiki No 50 Emperor Nib

[zaddick]

The top upsets pen (2003) is sporting a modern looking Namiki #50 that you would find on a maki-e decorated pen. The two-tone was never used on the plain Urushi #50 pens. I also recall that nib being used later than 2003, but that could be a faulty memory.

 

The bottom used (1999) does not look like a Namiki nib I have seen. It looks like a larger version of the fairly recent Pilot Urushi #30. The period appropriate nibs on the pens would have had plain text and no scrollwork. Maybe this was a special nib for a special maki-e pen, but I am suspicious of it.

 

If these nibs are in plain Urushi #50 pens, it might be that they are transplanted from other maki-e pens. Im not trying to set off alarm bells, but they are not what I would expect for the vintage proposed and the standard pens.

Edited October 27, 2019 by zaddick

[rebcabin]

The top upsets pen (2003) is sporting a modern looking Namiki #50 that you would find on a maki-e decorated pen. The two-tone was never used on the plain Urushi #50 pens. I also recall that nib being used later than 2003, but that could be a faulty memory.

 

The bottom used (1999) does not look like a Namiki nib I have seen. It looks like a larger version of the fairly recent Pilot Urushi #30. The period appropriate nibs on the pens would have had plain text and no scrollwork. Maybe this was a special nib for a special maki-e pen, but I am suspicious of it.

 

If these nibs are in plain Urushi #50 pens, it might be that they are transplanted from other maki-e pens. Im not trying to set off alarm bells, but they are not what I would expect for the vintage proposed and the standard pens.

 

Both the purported 2003 and the purported 1999 are maki-e pens. The possible 2003 is a "Treasure" (but I didn't think they did "Treasure" in 2003?). The possible 1999 with scrollwork is a "Hagi" Autumn Leaves. The 1999 with the suspect nib writes very nicely, so I'm not going to freak out if it's a fake. If it is, it's a fake that writes just like a real #50. The maki-e artwork on both is totally convincing to my eye: matches the Namiki product photos to the sub-millimeter so far as I can tell. The mechanism and performance of both matches my experiences with known-genuine Emperors. Again, if they're fakes, they're good enough to fool me. In any event, these are pens I am using, not squirreling away, and I'm enjoying everything about them except the LOOK of the feeds, which got me wondering.

 

I'll post some pics of the bodies later.

[zaddick]

I'm no expert on the maki-e pens. Those pens are likely not faked, especially if the spring loaded shutoff is there.

 

I'm glad you clarified they were actually emperor pens. People often use the term emperor for the vase urushi #50 pens, but the term emperor should be spied to decorated models in the lineup.

 

It is most likely a special version of the nib on the autumn leaves pen. I'll do some googling to see.

[zaddick]

Yup, google is great. Totally matches the nib you have on that model.

[zaddick]

This link has a photo of the feed that backs the same nib you have. 1999 seems to match their date too.

 

http://www.stilusaurea.com/portfolio/namiki-autumn-flowers/

[hari317]

Rebcabin, thank you for the pics. As far as I can tell, the ribbed feed is also lacquered. Congratulations on acquiring such nice pens. I am a fan of the emperor and the plain no 50.

[rebcabin]

Yup, google is great. Totally matches the nib you have on that model.

 

Heh! Well you're a genius with the Google Did you happen to notice whether the feeder also matches my non-Urushi-looking feeder?

[hari317]

 

Heh! Well you're a genius with the Google Did you happen to notice whether the feeder also matches my non-Urushi-looking feeder?

http://www.stilusaurea.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Namiki-Spring-Autumn-Printemps-Emperor-808c.jpg

 

I would say it does.

[rebcabin]

Wow! that is great news! I will sleep better tonight PROBLEM SOLVED!

 

I will still post some pictures of these treasures later.

[flashylightsmeow]

Hey, lovely pens! I just inked up a brand a new No50 and noticed the same bubbling appearing after a week and a bit. This isn't damage is it? I'm slightly worried I've damaged the pen (using Iroshizuku Kon Peki)

 

Thanks!

 

Here are a few more snaps in various light conditions showing the difference between the known genuine (smooth belly, dull lacquer look, some bubbling) and the suspect feeder (ribbed belly, reflective plastic look)

 

 

 

Edited September 3, 2020 by flashylightsmeow

[hari317]

Hey, lovely pens! I just inked up a brand a new No50 and noticed the same bubbling appearing after a week and a bit. This isn't damage is it? I'm slightly worried I've damaged the pen (using Iroshizuku Kon Peki)

 

Thanks!

Jamal

slight bubbling is normal. More like an indication the pen has been inked. Enjoy.

[flashylightsmeow]

slight bubbling is normal. More like an indication the pen has been inked. Enjoy.

Thanks Hari. If it is due to moisture when capped then there is possibly not much one can do! As long as it doesn't affect the functionality.

[tacitus]

Hello　

 

My birthday present from my wife

It came in a paulownia tree box.

You can see Mt. Fuji on the nib and how big it is compared to 149 and Dolcevita Oversize.

 

 

 

Namiki discontinued manufacturing the "with Rings" version due to the soaring gold prices (cap rings are 18K), the seller told me. Fortunately, it was left in stock.

 

Edited September 27, 2020 by tacitus

[hari317]

Congratulations. Whats the date code on your nib?

[tacitus]

Congratulations. Whats the date code on your nib?

 

Thank you! hari317

I do not know what is the "date code" like.

If it is the number of the base, it is 119.

[hari317]

Yeah that's the one. January 2019.