| The purpose of the Esterbrook
Project is to generate a complete list of dip pen nibs manufactured by
The Esterbrook Company over the years. Contributions of information to
further this are greatly appreciated. |
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| Esterbrook # 914 Radio Pen | ||
| Description: A robust nib. A straight pen with medium point and medium flex. Torch vent hole. Silver-colored finish. |
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| Remarks:
Probably a recast of the venerable #14 Bank Pen. Intended for writing but quite servicable for drawing. This pen has become legendary primarily due to Charles Schulz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. In general, the legend is reported all over the Internet and even by the Charles Schulz Museum website. The legend says Charles Schulz used the Esterbrook #914 Radio Pen for drawing his comic strip. He used a Speedball C-5 for the lettering. When Mr. Schultz heard that Esterbrook was going to cease production of their dip pen nibs, he supposedly contacted the factory and bought their entire inventory of the #914 nib so he wouldn't run out of that nib. (Artists are famous for stockpiling and hoarding art supplies that they become very attached to and feel they can't do without or find a replacement.) This legend explains the scarcity of the #914 Radio Pen, and the jacked up prices you see for it. An e-mail to the curator of the Charles Schulz Museum asking for clarification and details of this legend has gone unanswered so far. Vintage ad -1913 - Introducing the Radio Pens Description in 1938 Esterbrook Catalog "Flexible, medium. Bank pen. Popular business style. Silver finish"
Probably based on the #14 Bank Pen |
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| Reference: The existence of this pen is confirmed or surmised by the following: The American Stationer, Vol 73, #13, 3-29-1913, P 19 Listed in the 1938 Esterbrook Pen Catalog Listed in Announcement to the Trade: Esterbrook Steel Pen Mfg. Co. Standardization of Esterbrook Pens Listed in Whiteapple Multimedia Vintage Nib Chart Mentioned on Charles Schulz Museum website Seen in Esterbrook Salesman Sample Cases Listed by Internet Vendor(s) Listed in Chappy's Nibs |
| HOME PAGE |
NIB LIST |
FURTHER TOPICS |
COMMENTS RECEIVED |
REFERENCES |
CONTACT |
 |