Victorian Dip Pen Identification Help Please?

[tgoto]

So, I got this retractable Victorian dip pen today. It's my first dip pen. It writes nicely and I am enjoying it.

I was told this was made in late 1800's or early 1900's, but I don't have any other information.

I appreciate it if you could help me identify this pen

[Freddy]

Unmarked European ring top retracting dip pen..silver {? any hallmarks} with a scroll relief pattern.

Timeline appears to be correct.

 

Fred

[SoulSamurai]

No idea what it is, but it's very pretty!

[Goudy]

The nib is a steel replacement (Joseph Gillot). The original would have been gold.

[ENewton]

Very lovely little pen. What ink are you using so far? With a dip pen you are not limited to fountain pen inks.

[tgoto]

Unmarked European ring top retracting dip pen..silver {? any hallmarks} with a scroll relief pattern.

Timeline appears to be correct.

 

Fred

Thank you! I don't see hallmarks other than the word "sterling," but it is so fun to imagine how this pen was made, cared and came to the US

[tgoto]

No idea what it is, but it's very pretty!

[tgoto]

 

No idea what it is, but it's very pretty!

Thank you! I will need to polish a little bit (enouh to still show the relief contrast)

[tgoto]

Very lovely little pen. What ink are you using so far? With a dip pen you are not limited to fountain pen inks.

You are right! Inks are unlimited

I have only tried fountain pen inks so far, and learning that some inks are more watery and do not stay behind the nib as long as others.

 

So far Iroshizuku Tsukushi works great for this pen.

 

I will keep exploring

[Vintagepens]

What you have appears to be a cedar pencil holder, intended to hold a short wooden pencil insert, the insert usually but not always having a threaded end. Is there anything holding the nib in place other that the tube into which it fits? That is to say, something to press the nib against the tube from the inside, whether a split plug or fingerlike tabs?

[tgoto]

The nib is a steel replacement (Joseph Gillot). The original would have been gold.

Thank you!

I will look up Joseph Gillot to see if there is other kind of nibs I can replace

[tgoto]

What you have appears to be a cedar pencil holder, intended to hold a short wooden pencil insert, the insert usually but not always having a threaded end. Is there anything holding the nib in place other that the tube into which it fits? That is to say, something to press the nib against the tube from the inside, whether a split plug or fingerlike tabs?

Thank you David for your response!

Yes indeed there is a split plug in the tube holding the nib.

Do you think someone made a pencil holder into this dip pen?

 

Tai

[Vintagepens]

Tai, it's tough to say without further inspection, but I wonder if there was a conversion -- the holder portion added (threaded into?) the carrier for the pencil insert.

Normally retracting travel dip pens have a provision so that the overall length of the holder can be extended.

[tgoto]

Tai, it's tough to say without further inspection, but I wonder if there was a conversion -- the holder portion added (threaded into?) the carrier for the pencil insert.

Normally retracting travel dip pens have a provision so that the overall length of the holder can be extended.

 

Oh I see...I have seen one with both ends of the pen extend.

Whoever converted this into a dip pen has done a good job making the nib holder secured tightly in the insert.

Thank you David. If you are going to SF show, I hope to meet you there

 

Tai

[ENewton]

How are people at the San Francisco show going to recognize you? Are you the person pictured in your profile photo?

[tgoto]

How are people at the San Francisco show going to recognize you? Are you the person pictured in your profile photo?

Yes, I am the person in the photo.

If I remember, I will wear the same glasses, too.

If you see me there, just yell at me

My name is Tai Goto (as in neck TIE). I have a longer first name but will keep it short

[Bo Bo Olson]

In there is no hallmark, the original nib could have been bronze and or as well as steel. There were a lot of silver plated or the 'new' German Silver, a nickle alloy pens.

""""Nickel silver, Mailechort, German silver, Argentan, new silver, nickel brass, albata, alpacca, or electrum is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc. Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but it contains no elemental silver unless plated.""""""""""

[tgoto]

In there is no hallmark, the original nib could have been bronze and or as well as steel. There were a lot of silver plated or the 'new' German Silver, a nickle alloy pens.

""""Nickel silver, Mailechort, German silver, Argentan, new silver, nickel brass, albata, alpacca, or electrum is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc. Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but it contains no elemental silver unless plated.""""""""""

Hmmm...mystery...

I am grateful for all of the information.

It is exciting to understand this pen more and more.

Thank you!!

[Bo Bo Olson]

It's a pretty Vest Pocket pen.

 

@1895 shirt pockets and attachable clips for fountain pens came in. Attached cuffs and collars in women could sit down and peddle the wash machine; so Monday wasn't the only wash day.

Vests slowly went out of fashion.... due to the shirt pocket, and fountain pens too long for a vest pocket.

[tgoto]

It's a pretty Vest Pocket pen.

 

@1895 shirt pockets and attachable clips for fountain pens came in. Attached cuffs and collars in women could sit down and peddle the wash machine; so Monday wasn't the only wash day.

Vests slowly went out of fashion.... due to the shirt pocket, and fountain pens too long for a vest pocket.

Thank you!

 

I have some polo shirts with a pocket short enough for fountain pens but probably good for the little dip pen