I found an old pen at a garage sale but the tines seem to be spread so far apart that it doesn’t write. This is a case of a sprung nib, where too much pressure was applied to the nib, causing it to bend past the point of springing back. A nib specialist might be able to fix it, or it may need replacing completely.
This 1933 Aurora is a Novum Faceted Large LF in Golden Pearl with Black Veins (beautiful). The largest size in which this model was made. GFT. Rare, first model, with spring loaded “Safety Clip.” Aurora Platiridio #5 fine nib. The Novum is the famous Aurora model with the lever mounted on the very bottom of the barrel. Near mint+. Item #110 in Catalog #82.
Why doesn’t my piston-filler draw up ink anymore? If the piston is not turning at all, it likely needs service in the form of cleaning and lubricating. If it is turning but no ink is being drawn up, the seal may be broken and it will need restoration/replacing.
I am a right handed writer, and have a right oblique nib but I can’t get it to work for me. Right handed writers usually use left obliques and left handed writers use right obliques – this way, when you rotate the nib into the page, it is rotating into the oblique angle and not into the tip, thus giving you a sharp, scratchy writing experience.
This is the 1992 Montblanc Ernest Hemingway – the first in Montblanc’s Writer’s Edition series. The Hemingway is a piston-filler, Limited Edition in Cardinal with a Black Cap and gold-plated trim, including a visualated barrel. This was a new-old-stock, mint condition pen with service booklet. Features a three-toned, medium nib. Item #74 in Catalog #82.
What’s the difference between a stub and an italic nib? An italic nib is a stub nib, but a stub nib is not necessarily an italic nib. Stub nibs have a blunt “stubby” shape at the end of the tines, so the tipping is shaped to get you broad down strokes. Italic nibs also have this, but the cross strokes tend to be thinner than that of a stub. In addition, the corners can …
This 1935 Salz Brothers Salesman’s Sample Case is the Cathedral Shape, signed on the inside top “Salz Brothers Inc. Manufacturers of Fountain Pens New York.” Measures 4 1’2″ x 9 ½” closed and 9 1/4″ x 9 ½” open. Contains slots for 12 pens (the original pens which were in the case are #s 54 to 65 below). I date the case at around 1935, as it was sized to easily accommodate both the smaller …
My grandfather gave me an old pen of his but it doesn’t work at all! Chances are the pen needs a good cleaning and depending on the type of pen/filling system, it may need restoration. Getting in touch with a fountain pen restorer would be a good step in assessing what needs to be done to the pen.
A 1950 Soennecken Salesman’s Sample Case in Black! Hinged, 14.25″ x 8.25″ x 1.25″ closed, with two latches. Contains 17 capped pens (no nibs or feeds) – none alike), a few pen barrels and 25 celluloid rod samples – none alike. The rod samples were originally tied together, but some of the string has not survived. A remarkable find, with some wonderful celluloid samples. A little wear to the inner fabric, otherwise near mint. Item #25 …
Do all red ripple vintage pens have matching ripple feeds? No they do not, sometimes they are black ebonite, but some truly spectacular specimens can be found with matching ripple feeds!
