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Tools & Supplies / Re: Nib recognition
« on: February 22, 2024, 12:25:27 PM »
Unfortunately, there really aren't many sources to learn about dip pens. Most mentions of them in books are in general books about old writing implement collecting, and are all British, and pretty much just a mention, no real in-depth info. The Writing Equipment Society in the UK did publish a collection of their articles on dip pens over the years, and that would be the best source out there for UK dip pens.
For the American dip pens, there's really just me. I've taken over The Esterbrook Project (https://theesterbrookproject.com/INDEX.html) from the original owner who has since passed which has the best info on the web about the largest pen maker in the US, Esterbrook. Then there is my website, thesteelpen.com. I started my research journey when I too went looking for more information and found little to nothing, so I started gathering it myself. The website contains my rough research notes as well as general dip pen information. I've since begun published a series of articles in The Pennant (the magazine for the Pen Collectors of America).
I have attached three pdfs of a three-part article on how the old steel pens were made, which you may find interesting. The methods of production were pretty consistent between the UK and the US up until about 1890 when the higher labor costs in the US began to make investment in automation more desirable.
And then, I'm available through the contact me page on TheSteelPen.com, and try to pop in here periodically if you have more questions. Always happy to talk dip pens!
Andrew
For the American dip pens, there's really just me. I've taken over The Esterbrook Project (https://theesterbrookproject.com/INDEX.html) from the original owner who has since passed which has the best info on the web about the largest pen maker in the US, Esterbrook. Then there is my website, thesteelpen.com. I started my research journey when I too went looking for more information and found little to nothing, so I started gathering it myself. The website contains my rough research notes as well as general dip pen information. I've since begun published a series of articles in The Pennant (the magazine for the Pen Collectors of America).
I have attached three pdfs of a three-part article on how the old steel pens were made, which you may find interesting. The methods of production were pretty consistent between the UK and the US up until about 1890 when the higher labor costs in the US began to make investment in automation more desirable.
And then, I'm available through the contact me page on TheSteelPen.com, and try to pop in here periodically if you have more questions. Always happy to talk dip pens!
Andrew