1920s — Hand-ground from tip to vent hole. Most flexible model.

1930s — Hand-ground from tip to somewhere above vent hole.

1940s — Modified shape with lower vent hole. Groove stamped near tip.

1950s — Same shape as 1940s model, but no side cuts. Least flexible model.

You may also notice other, minor differences between the pens in a particular age grouping, since Esterbrook often made small changes to this pen.

Thanks to the protective coating applied to all dip pens (even new ones produced today), these 70-year-old pens are in excellent vintage condition. They’ve been checked for rust and other defects by our experts and are ready to return to service on your desk.

As with any dip pen, you will need to remove the protective coating so that ink will stick to the nib consistently. To remove the coating, simply dip your new pen in ink a couple of times and wipe it off. Repeat until the ink coats the nib completely and doesn’t bead up. This process takes about 15 seconds and only needs to be done once, before you use the pen for the first time.

Sold individually. Made in the United States.

About R: Esterbrook & Co.:

Founded in 1856, R. Esterbrook & Co. was the United States’ very first manufacturer of steel dip pens. Formerly, these important 19th century tools had to be imported from Europe, but Richard Esterbrook brought expertise and craftspeople from England and opened a factory in Philadelphia.