Welsharp Unusual Celluloid

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is a Welsharp fountain pen in an very unusual confetti marble celluloid c. late 1930s. The Welsh Manufacturing Company made pens and pencils under the Welsharp name in the 1930s and when it applied for a trademark around 1938, The Wahl Company, makers of Wahl and Eversharp pens and pencils, successfully opposed this use in a 1940 decision. This 4 15/16 inch long pen came in a variety of colors. It features an arrow shaped chrome plated clip, probably inspired by the Parker Vacumatic, and a peaked cap and barrel end. It has a 14 karat gold plated stainless steel nib with no tipping, relying instead on a punched or pressed dimple in the end of the tines to act as the point.

 

Ive seen photos of some other interesting celluloids on Wesharp pens. Lets see some more!

 

 

Thanks!

[amk]

Wow, that is quite something; looks like a mashup of lizard or snake, pearl, candystripe, spiderweb and licorice allsorts - a kind of celluloid witches' brew!

[Greenie]

Is there a relationship between Welsh and Welsharp? This pen is unmarked, but has a Welsh nib.

 

[PenHero]

Yes - they are the same company - Welsharp is a brand name of Welsh.

[Greenie]

Great! Then my post is appropriate!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Welsh Manufacturing Company fountain pen in a very unusual black and cream carved celluloid c. late 1930s. The Welsh Manufacturing Company of Providence, Rhode Island made pens and pencils from at least 1929 to 1952, based on patent filings. The company also made eyeglasses and goggles. The cap is solid black celluloid, but the barrel appears to be cream colored with a thin black color surface that was carved or cut into the surface in a design of converging and spreading rays. The visual effect is similar to Japanese kamakura-bori, a decorative technique done by carving patterns in wood or lacquer revealing layers of color and then polishing to finish. This 5 3/16 inch long pen features an arrow shaped gold plated clip, probably inspired by the Parker Vacumatic, a chased gold plated cap band, and a raised disc cap top and barrel end. The clip is similar to the much later design on the Parker 45. It has a 14 karat gold plated two tone stainless steel nib with no tipping, relying instead on a punched or pressed dimple in the end of the tines to act as the point. The nib design is similar to late 1930s Sheaffer Feathertouch nibs.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/WelshCarvedBlack_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[Greenie]

Is that a layer of black over the white, with the pattern carved?

 

(and the photograph itself if really fantastic!)

[PenHero]

Is that a layer of black over the white, with the pattern carved?

 

(and the photograph itself if really fantastic!)

Yes and thanks!