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James Safety Pen, Blue Celluloid GPT, #2 Steel GP Flex Nib
James Safety Pen, Blue Celluloid GPT, #2 Steel GP Flex Nib
📒 History/Provenance
3rd tier pen maker from France or England in a rare celluloid nitrate barrel and cap, that feels very similar to the xyonlite Mabie Todds were made from in this era (1920-1930). Uses an American safety filler mechanism holding sealing gaskets with a friction pin assembly at the end finial.
🧪 QA & Recommendation
Great snapback and super precise nib, but does feel like a carbon steel calligraphy nib, think your typical Zebra-G, but with a lot more tipping. Not a lot of flex line variation but can make for some decent downstroke flourishes, otherwise is good for bouncy everyday writing. Nib can be further smoothened down but may impact hairline abilities.
Tested on Rhodia 80gsm A5 Pad, inked with Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black.
🔧 Restoration Commentary
Celluloid treated for brittleness and lightly polished.
Hallmart imprint "James" is worn on barrel but crisp on clip trim. Some wear to clip, mainly plating loss.
Pen fully disassembled and cleaned throughly, with brand new FKM o-ring gaskets (should last lifetime of pen).
Nib heat set and tuned for flex and smoothness.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Brand: Misc French
Model: "James"
Production Year: 1930
Material: Blue Celluloid Nitrate
Trim Color: Gold
Nib Size: 2
Nib Material: Steel
Nib Grind: F
Nib Flexibility: g
Line Variation: - (5.2x)
Pen Length: 127.53
Pen Grip Section:
Restorer: Heron's Mooncake
Restoration Grade: B-
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James Safety Pen, Blue Celluloid GPT, #2 Steel GP Flex Nib
Get it between - and -.
Appendix for Listing Details
Sweating the details is fundamental to understanding, appreciating, and knowing the peice of history you have in your hands.
All pens are filled and tested, not just dipped in ink, which does not reflect writing characteristics whatsoever.
Line Variation Standard
Different restorers have different standards for line sizing and especially for vintage pens, the printed tipping size will not always be accurate due to repairs/grinds/etc. Please use this as a frame of reference for consistency.
Flexibility Standard
Nib flexibility is such a controversial topic, but there needs to be some level of consistency so please take this table as a frame of reference for my restorations and as someone who is writing in a calligraphic/spencerian style of cursive script. Without objective measurements, flexibility terms such as wet noodle are useless as someone with stronger forearms and grip strength will make even manifold nibs into a wet noodle.
Restoration Ratings
These are guidelines incorporated from various online sources not limited to Reddit, David Nishimura, etc.
