Fountain Pens
04.18.06 By Lorraine NewberryBefore reliable fountain pens became available, pens needed to be frequently dipped into a small pot of ink while the writer worked on a document. Most writing with a pen had to be done at a desk where the pot of ink could be kept secure and prevented from spilling. Since the fountain pen contained its own ink, it freed up writers to pen letters while sitting outside enjoying a beautiful day or barreling through the countryside on a train.
A fountain pen is a pen that carries its own ink in a reservoir inside the pen. The writing tip of the fountain pen is called the nib and is made from metal. Ink is carried from the reservoir to the paper through a combination of gravity and a groove in the nib. There are several sites online where you can find photos of beautiful vintage fountain pens. Try The Vintage Pens Website.
While fountain pens have been around for centuries, they were unreliable and often left unsightly blots of ink on important papers, since the amount of ink flowing to the nib was difficult to control. In the late 1800s a number of innovations were devised, making fountain pens far neater and more dependable. The improved pens became wildly popular and before long businessmen everywhere considered fountain pens indispensable. New companies opened to begin making fountain pens and strove to lure customers with bright colors, different sizes and elaborate decorations. Fountain pens enjoyed popularity through the 1950s. After that inexpensive, disposable ball point pens took the place of fountain pens.
There are many different factors to look at when purchasing a vintage fountain pen. The most important is the condition of the pen. If possible, look at the piece very closely before purchasing to make certain there are no tiny cracks. If a certain style of pen was manufactured in different sizes, larger sizes will cost more, all other factors being equal. Colorful, highly decorated pens also tend to be more sought after.
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Article Tags: fountain pens, inkblot, reservoir, vintage================
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