I had this Ingersoll dollar pen that dates from the late twenty's (1929ish) for a few months now and here's what i think of it.
Appearance I must say I'm not a fan of flat top or cylindrical cap style, this is why I give it a 4/5.It is a very simple design. It has a reddish brown bakelite body with steel clip and twist button at the end of the barrel. This one still has the sticker with $1.00 and instructions how to fill. The top of the cap has a very strong imprint that reads: CHAS. H. INGERSOLL (scrolled) E. ORANGEN.J. The button/dial at the end of the barrel shows you how to turn the knob to fill the pen. With two arrows: counter clock wise to empty and clock wise to fill. Size and weight Very comfortable light weight, but by all means, not a small pen. It measures 4 7/8 capped and 6 1/8 posted.
Filling system Twist Fill. Im not to sure how convenient this system is, but I tell you is very interesting. Apparently, the sac is glued to both the section and the knob at the end of the barrel. When one twists the knob/dial counter clock wise, the sac twist releasing the air and emptying the sac. When twist the other way, obviously, takes the ink in the sac. Fascinating! Will see how it holds.
Nib Medium 14K. the iridium tip is worn out, but not completely. Still writes ok. It reads CHI and 14K. Although not toothy at all, you can feel the paper under it.
Cost and Value I was told by the seller that these pens were not very expensive when they were made heck, the sticker says $1.00. I was able to acquire this baby for $24 USD (plus $4 shipping charges). Im very happy that I was able to get a pen that is rare and in such a good condition.
If you ever get a chance to own one of this and for the price I got it... don't hesitate... grab it!
Thats a very nice find & awesome price for a stickered Dollar pen. Heck, nice price for a stickered anything...lol.
The twist filler is a major PITA to service because it, like you mentioned has an ink sac thats pretty much an open on both ends tube thats shellaced to the section nipple & a plug that's attatched to the 'upholstery tack' looking twist filler. I thought I was going to lose my mind the first time I tied to sac one of these up. I won in the end, but man....what a learning experience that was...lol.
If you know anyone going to the DC show, you can have them score you an ingersol nib for a $20 spot +/- a few $$. Judging from the pics & your description &. as it sits, I'd say it's probably worth at least 3 times what you paid for it.
Nice score bud. Dennis
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Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito ~Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them
thanx dennis. yeah... it would nice to see how much it's worth. but truly, i'm just happy to have it and believe it or not i take it out from time to time and use it... only to sign docs. since it lost a lot of the iridium tip it's not the best writer in my humble collection. still, i consider it to be in great shape.