Filling Mechanism: Other

At the turn of the 20th century the Franklin Pen Company was thriving. It was based in Philadelphia and was specializing in a "self-filling" system known today as a syringe filler. This Franklin Safety Pen has the syringe filler, as you can see in the photo. Click the headline for close-ups. Ours is not working and unrestored. Back in the day, what set these pens apart from other syringe fillers was that you could adjust the pressure of the seal as it wore out so that it didn't make a mess. Its 14k gold nib is a size 3 that is very flexible going from a fine to around 2mm wide. You can still use it easily as a dip pen. The chasing and imprint in the black hard rubber is a bit worn but still visible. There's a little brassing and discoloring of the golden decorative trim. Hairline crack in the lip of the cap going under the cap band. 12.5cm capped.

Classy, elegant, sophisticated. Dip pen fans will love this sterling silver repousse antique pen. We suspect it comes from around the turn of the 20th century. It could be older. The holder is marked "Sterling," but there is no formal branding. Ergo, we don't know who made it. There are a couple little marks on the pen, and one of the silver edges where the nib goes in has split just a teeny-tiny amount. We included a "new" Esterbrook Bronze Falcon 048 nib, which is NOS. You will write a firm, smooth line from extra-fine to about 1mm. This is semi-flex and far from a wet noodle. Click the headline for close-ups. Yes, our cat is holding the pen down for a nib close-up, and, no, he is not for sale with the pen. 18.5cm.