An Interesting (At Least To Me) Discovery On A Transitional J

[fullfederhalter]

I found this black Esterbrook transitional J pen with a 3 ribbed jewel and a bandless dollar pencil at the flea market today. It was very sunny out, and when I looked down at the top of the pen cap I saw that the jewel is a very deep translucent red. It looks almost black in normal light, but strong light penetrates the jewel and reflects back from the silver of the tassie. It's hard to photograph, but I am attaching a picture taken in sunlight. It reminds me of the deep red bakelite plastic used by Parker on some of its early pens, but could be something else. I have a few other 3 ribbed caps, but all of the jewels are definitely black. I tried to search for any other mention of this without success. Does anyone have information about these jewels?

[Misfit]

That is quite interesting to see. According to people with art degrees, there is no true black. If you turn up the saturation of any color on your computer, it looks black.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Misfit

[inkstainedruth]

I have a couple of Trannies, I think (I know there's at least one toaster top jewel). I'm now going to have to get a good look at the jewels on them. And maybe on the other J series pens I have as well, because now I'm curious. I know that all the jewels are black (I don't have any of the red or green jeweled nurse's pens) but I'm thinking that the jewels are invariably a matte black and NOT something translucent looking like in the photo....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Hobiwan]

I bought a green trannie with a top like that 5 or 6 years ago. Thought it was just an anomaly. Looks like the factory got a shipment of "black" plastic stock they didn't inspect closely Adds that little extra boost to the rarity, eh?

 

Now you'll have everyone re-inspecting their trannie collection.

[FarmBoy]

This is more common than you might think.

 

I have found the more reddish or translucent the more fragile the jewel.

[Tom Heath]

got lucky at a regional flea market on Sunday

A dealer had a box of Estie Small parts, upon close examination I saw about 60 Esterbrook cap jewels

incl 5 Pastels, a couple of toaster tops, a couple screw in type remainder back jewels, oh happy day

never saw that before in 30 years of being at this

 

Naturally they came home with me.

 

I'll be sure to look for an off color black jewel.

[Runnin_Ute]

My lone transitional is the regular jewel not the toaster top. I'm pretty sure it is a matte black and not translucent at all.

[Gloucesterman]

got lucky at a regional flea market on Sunday

A dealer had a box of Estie Small parts, upon close examination I saw about 60 Esterbrook cap jewels

incl 5 Pastels, a couple of toaster tops, a couple screw in type remainder back jewels, oh happy day

never saw that before in 30 years of being at this

 

Naturally they came home with me.

 

I'll be sure to look for an off color black jewel.

Well, at least they went to a good home where they will be treated with respect!

Congratulations on your find.