piccoli danni del overlay metallo

One of several terms used to describe the discoloration of pen parts (caps and barrels), especially those made of celluloid, due mainly to the effects of ink and rubber. This discoloration is not only superficial but affects the entire material of the pen.

Hard rubber discolors in response to outside influences, including water and light, which induce part of the sulphur to appear on the outside of the pen, thus turning it from ebony black to olive green. This discoloration is only superficial and the original black color can usually be restored.

A term used to indicate wear of gold-filled, gold-plated or rolled gold finishes. The base metal was often brass which became visible after extended use hence the term.

the part of the pen at the end of the barrel that holds the nib and feed. Sections are either threaded into barrels or are designed to friction fit.

The first successful ballpoint, invented by Lazlo Biro in 1931, was broadly introduced in the USA in 1945 as the Reynolds. Eversharp soon introduced a ballpoint as well, but it was not until the first Parker Jotter in 1954 that the ballpoint really caught on and signaled the end of the golden age of fountain pens.

a model of the Parker 51 that had a gold-filled cap and barrel.

Wahl-Eversharp's modern designed pen of the '40s. The Skyline was a very popular pen and millions were produced in hundreds of variations. They were lever-fillers and are known as very good writers. P.S. If anyone finds a white one, call me.

yet another approach to operating a pressure bar against a sac. A sleeve was moved out of the way to reveal the pressure bar which was operated by the thumb.

a popular design of the early century for eyedropper pens. Parker's snake came in silver or gold-filled. Waterman's, which is much rarer, is only known in silver. The lowest priced snakes, in good condition, will bring over $10,000.

A filling system by Sheaffer from the early '50s. A knob on the barrel caused a metal tube to emerge from the feed so that the entire nib did not have to be immersed to fill.

A celluloid pattern

a nib that has a blunt end and produces a wide line on downstrokes and a narrow one on cross-strokes. Stubs were made in fine, medium and broad widths. They are similar to calligraphy nibs and have become popular among vintage pen users.

Conklin's entry into the field of streamlined pens introduced by all the major companies in the early '30s to replace the flat-tops of the '20s.

designed by Raymond Loewy, Symphony replaced the Eversharp Skyline. It featured a metal cap but used a nib/feed assembly like that of the Skyline.