(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)
He writes:
"It always interests me to what extent department stores in the past have gone to, to have a range of their products to satisfy all of their many customers' needs. In some cases, they had to satisfy their budget-minded shoppers but, at the same time, there are those who wanted an item of real quality. Such is the case with this beautiful Webster 14K Gold filled filigree overlay lever filler. Looking back in time, Webster pens were a brand exclusively sold by the Sears Roebuck department stores throughout the US. And during the very early 1920s, which is the Circa of this lovely treasure, Sears had gained considerable market share and was, in turn, able to upgrade the quality of their exclusive lines of products.
But I have to ask myself, who actually manufactured this pen for Sears? The answer is, The National Pen Products Company. National also supplied Gold Medal fountain pens to Sears and, from the ones I have had along these lines, their quality was quite responsible. In this pen’s case, the filigree work on the barrel and cap is truly an Art Nouveau statement and, with so many of the fountain pens of that early 1920s period, the base with both cap and barrel was made up of black vulcanized rubber. The 14K Gold No.2 nib that sits proudly in a jet black section is Warranted and probably a later dated replacement, but in no way takes away from the pen’s writing ability: I would have to say it's quite flexy, and an exceptional writer. The clip, which is also 14K Gold filled, sits well down on the cap and is tapered and ball ended; it also sports the Webster branding. The lever filler is flat round ended and works extremely well. All in all, a very good writing instrument and a perfect candidate to join the vintage pens in my collection."
Hope you have a great weekend,
~Maja
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