Collectables -> Pens-and-Writing-Instruments -> Pens
You can walk into almost any store today and purchase a fountain pen. Technically, the modern ballpoint pen is a fountain pen, at least by definition. But the type of fountain pen most people think of is a vintage pen that’s refillable and has a distinctively shaped nib or tip that deposits the ink onto the paper through gravity. Historically, pens that contained their own ink can be traced to 10th century Egypt. And in the 17th century, description of a pen that contained its own ink was found in the notes of an inventor, describing a quill pen with another ink-filled quill inside.
Quill pens were feathers in which the quill was shaped to a point, and dipped into an ink pot in order to use it as a writing instrument. This was the common method of writing for a number of years, even though it’s inconvenient because the quill must be dipped continually, and it’s messy because of the potential for dripping ink each time the quill was dipped.
In the early 19th century, a Romanian inventor patented the first refillable fountain pen design, but only after other inventions that improved the quality and writing ability of the fountain pen, did these writing instruments become popular and widely used. These pens didn’t appear until the 1850s, but instantly people recognized the convenience and the fountain pen became a poplar writing instrument. Stylographic pens were made popular in the late 19th century, and are actually still used today for some technical drawings.
Fountain pen production became mass-production in the 1880s, with one pen manufacturer, Waterman, quickly becoming a leader in the industry, overtaking Wirt in both terms of production and sales. Other companies that also produced innovative fountain pens during the early 20th century include Conklin, Sheaffer and Parker. Any of these pens in good condition are highly collectible today, because they ‘re often the first fountain pen that used an innovate design.
The fountain pen was the most popular ink writing instrument even up through the 1950s because the new creation, the ballpoint pen, was much more troublesome to use. Ballpoint pens were more expensive than fountain pens, yet they often leaked or blotted, making fountain pens still the superior choice. It wasn’t until the 1960s when the use of fountain pens was overtaken by newer ballpoint pens that were improving all the time and becoming the more reliable, and less expensive, writing instrument.
Some things that make vintage fountain pens more desirable are the types of nibs. If you can find an iridium point nib, you’re looking at a pen that was probably one of the first to use this patented nib which made ink flow much better and helped popular fountain pens. A vintage pen with a good nib, even if it’s over 100 years old, will still work very well today. Be sure to ask about the condition of the nib when considering a fountain pen purchase, especially if you’re about to purchase the pen through an online auction.
Originally posted 2008-11-15 05:00:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Precious Moments Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Precious Moments -> Figurines With their distinctive designs and inspirational quips, Precious Moments collectibles are one of the most sought after decorative arts. Originally designed in 1975 by Eugene Freedman, it wasn’t until the mid-1980’s that the company hit full stride. Since then, these cute...... -
Doll and Barbie Collectibles There is a great deal of variety out there when it comes to collecting dolls, such as Barbie collectibles for example. There are dolls that are designed to be toys, and here are dolls that are designed to be collectibles, and Barbie dolls are no exception to the rule because...... -
Cat Collectibles Collectibles -> Animals -> Cat-Domestic The history of cat collectibles goes back much farther than you probably realize. Cats were revered in Ancient Egypt where citizens did more than collect cat-related items, they collected the cats themselves. So far, over 300,000 mummified cats have been found buried in ancient tombs....... - Surveying Equipment Collectibles -> Science-Medical -> Surveying Equipment While many people collect cat figurines, dolls, books, sports memorabilia and almost anything you can think of, fewer people collect things like surveying equipment, medical instruments, mining tools and things of that nature. But those who do collect them are enthusiastic about their hobby,......
- Tapestries Collectibles -> Linens, Fabric & Textiles -> Tapestries Tapestries are more than just beautiful wall hangings, they're woven art that served to tell stories in ancient times. The Odyssey and the Iliad were both “told” in woven form as large, rich tapestries. Every period in history has had major events......
Related Websites -
The History of the Harpsichord The history of the Harpsichord can be traced back to the 15th century, but the instrument actually got its start from the psaltery, which was a stringed instrument that the player held upright to pluck its strings (unlike the dulcimer which rested on the player's lap so the strings could...... - The Beauty of Calligraphy by Andy Li From the start of the civilization, writing styles have been greatly developed, including tools and materials. During the prehistoric period, stones and sticks were used as tools to clay tablets for cave paintings. And there were reed pens for writing on papyrus, quill pens for parchment, which......
-
Using the On-screen Pen Have you ever seen a coach in a locker room, drawing out football plays on a chalkboard? Well, you can do the same thing in PowerPoint. You can have impromptu discussions of concepts that are illustrated on slides, and punctuate the discussion with your own circles, arrows, and lines. Perhaps...... - Roughly Famous Interview with Blogger Idea This is great example to interact with others blog and blog owners. We are proud to share this quick interview questions. If you would like to use any of our ideas, please give as credit. Post our link to your page, and we will review it and publish blog spot......
-
Rock Garden Fountains 101 Rock garden fountains are capable of providing your garden space with a focal point as well as visual style for any living space that you are looking to create. Rock is a mineral that is formed naturally and available in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes, types and designs.......
