Esterbrook #161 Engrossing Short Pen Nib

1874 Salesman Sample Book

There are three different 161 short engrossing pens. Two are differentiated by a B or F indicating a broad engrossing pen or a fine one. This is the one that has no such indicator, and may well be the first version, before they created two versions. It looks closer to the later Broad than the Fine engrossing pens.
Engrossing pens were mainly used for more decorative writing in formal documents like certificates, or the opening words of a will or contract.
The example from the 1873 card is particularly interesting as it is imprinted with “Philadelphia” on it. Esterbrook opened their factory in Camden in 1861, but there are indications that Richard Sr. and Jr. had begun to create the business in Philadelphia at least a year earlier. Their first warehouse was in Philadelphia, and perhaps their first offices. It is highly unusual to find pens marked Philadelphia. I’m not sure I’ve seen any outside of these two very early sample cards.

1873 Salesman Sample Card

1883 Esterbrook Catalog – bronze

1883 Esterbrook Catalog – nickel plated

1883 Esterbrook Catalog – gold plated

1887 Anderson and Krum

The existence of this pen is confirmed or surmised by the following:

Displayed on the 1873 Salesman Sample Card
Displayed on the 1874 Salesman Sample Card
Listed in the 1876 Illustrated Price List of the Esterbrook Steel Pen Company, January 1, 1876; courtesy of The Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, Delaware; contributed by Andrew Midkiff
Listed in the 1879 Trade Price List of the Esterbrook Steel Pen Company (The American Stationer, September 4, 1879) (Contributed by Andrew Midkiff)
Listed in 1883 Esterbrook Catalog
Listed in the Anderson & Krum price list in the 1887 Publisher’s Trade List

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