Esterbrook 128 v1: Difference between revisions
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''Esterbrook Pens and What They Will Do'' describes this as "a fine elastic pen, a little heavier than A1 Professional. A popular pen for business colleges and fine writing." | |||
[https://theesterbrookproject.com/NIB%20SHEETS/ESTERBROOK%20128%20EF%20ELASTIC%20PEN/ESTERBROOK%20128%20EF%20ELASTIC%20PEN.html The Esterbrook Project] describes this nib as | ''The 1883 Esterbrook Catalog'' says, "#128 The Extra Fine Double Elastic Pen – Gray – The penman’s favorite. In use in the best colleges in America." Finishes include Gray and Gold. Use of the "Double Elastic" descriptor was dropped after this catalog came out. ''The 1938 Esterbrook Catalog'' says, "Extra Fine Elastic - Flexible, fine. The penman's favorite. Gray finish." | ||
[https://theesterbrookproject.com/NIB%20SHEETS/ESTERBROOK%20128%20EF%20ELASTIC%20PEN/ESTERBROOK%20128%20EF%20ELASTIC%20PEN.html The Esterbrook Project] describes this nib as having a straight body with fine, sharp point. Oval vent hole with blunt ends. "J" shoulder slits. Gray finish. | |||
''The American Stationer'' (10/31/1889) published a description of Esterbrook's 128, which foreshadowed a bit of controversy over the name. "The “Falcon” is undoubtedly the most popular form of fine pointed steel pen ever put on the market. There has been a steady call for a pen of similar style, but with a stub point. In response to this the Esterbrook Pen Company has just put on the market a pen filling these requirements. This new pen is known as the “Jackson Stub,” and an illustration of it is presented herewith. The pen has a smooth, easy action, and possesses qualities which will commend it to those who wish a thoroughly effective pen for rapid writing." As it turns out, Leon Isaacs & Co. began producing a stub version of a Falcon-shaped nib just a few years before Esterbrook, and copyrighted the name Falcon Stub. And while Esterbrook implied that they invented the new style, they also carefully avoided using the terms Falcon Stub or Stub Falcon in their advertising. (See AAAndrew's [https://thesteelpen.com/category/pen-types/ Steel Pen blog].) | ''The American Stationer'' (10/31/1889) published a description of Esterbrook's 128, which foreshadowed a bit of controversy over the name. "The “Falcon” is undoubtedly the most popular form of fine pointed steel pen ever put on the market. There has been a steady call for a pen of similar style, but with a stub point. In response to this the Esterbrook Pen Company has just put on the market a pen filling these requirements. This new pen is known as the “Jackson Stub,” and an illustration of it is presented herewith. The pen has a smooth, easy action, and possesses qualities which will commend it to those who wish a thoroughly effective pen for rapid writing." As it turns out, Leon Isaacs & Co. began producing a stub version of a Falcon-shaped nib just a few years before Esterbrook, and copyrighted the name Falcon Stub. And while Esterbrook implied that they invented the new style, they also carefully avoided using the terms Falcon Stub or Stub Falcon in their advertising. (See AAAndrew's [https://thesteelpen.com/category/pen-types/ Steel Pen blog].) | ||
Revision as of 03:56, 14 February 2021
Esterbrook Pens and What They Will Do describes this as "a fine elastic pen, a little heavier than A1 Professional. A popular pen for business colleges and fine writing."
The 1883 Esterbrook Catalog says, "#128 The Extra Fine Double Elastic Pen – Gray – The penman’s favorite. In use in the best colleges in America." Finishes include Gray and Gold. Use of the "Double Elastic" descriptor was dropped after this catalog came out. The 1938 Esterbrook Catalog says, "Extra Fine Elastic - Flexible, fine. The penman's favorite. Gray finish."
The Esterbrook Project describes this nib as having a straight body with fine, sharp point. Oval vent hole with blunt ends. "J" shoulder slits. Gray finish.
The American Stationer (10/31/1889) published a description of Esterbrook's 128, which foreshadowed a bit of controversy over the name. "The “Falcon” is undoubtedly the most popular form of fine pointed steel pen ever put on the market. There has been a steady call for a pen of similar style, but with a stub point. In response to this the Esterbrook Pen Company has just put on the market a pen filling these requirements. This new pen is known as the “Jackson Stub,” and an illustration of it is presented herewith. The pen has a smooth, easy action, and possesses qualities which will commend it to those who wish a thoroughly effective pen for rapid writing." As it turns out, Leon Isaacs & Co. began producing a stub version of a Falcon-shaped nib just a few years before Esterbrook, and copyrighted the name Falcon Stub. And while Esterbrook implied that they invented the new style, they also carefully avoided using the terms Falcon Stub or Stub Falcon in their advertising. (See AAAndrew's Steel Pen blog.)
Esterbrook Pens and What They Will Do describes this as a good stub pen for business use. Well liked by lawyers. Medium stub point.
Brandon McKinney's analysis of the markings and grindings date this version of the Jackson stub at around 1918.
Versions
There are two distinct versions of the Esterbrook #128 Elastic Pen in the Chappy's Nibs collection:
- Version 1: gray finish, Company abbreviated as "CO'S"
- Version 2: gray finish, same as Version 1, plus a third line, "MADE IN U.S.A."
(These version names are defined for this collection alone, and are not necessarily industry-wide terms.)
The nib pictured below is Version 1.
Photos
Click any image for a full-resolution photo: 1650 x 480. The image with the ruler is 2300 x 1196.




