19 replies to this topic

[david i]

Traveler was a third tier pen label. Plated nib. Cheap trim. But, some pretty plastics often in very hefty pens.

I don't seek 'em.

But, I couldn't turn down this one. Another find from the Washington DC Pen Show August 2012. The price band and great condition (for this sort) didn't hurt.

Anything... interesting?

regards

David

[brando090]

David,

It's unique to say the least, very nice material, and the NOS doesn't hurt Here is one i sold a while back, nothing comes close to yours, as mine is missing the cap band. This pen is hard to photograph because of the double stamped logo.

Edited by brando090, 30 August 2012 - 04:26 AM.

[Roger W.]

David,

It's unique to say the least, very nice material, and the NOS doesn't hurt Here is one i sold a while back, nothing comes close to yours, as mine is missing the cap band. This pen is hard to photograph because of the double stamped logo.

Brando;

It isn't the make it is the plastic...

Roger W.

[FarmBoy]

As noted by Roger, is it an exact match or just close? I have seen other nth tier name in similar material.

[david i]

As noted by Roger, is it an exact match or just close? I have seen other nth tier name in similar material.

Hi Todd,

We're getting there. I believe the plastic is exact.

But, there is a bit more to the connection than just "other nth tier name", although maybe not, depending on how one defines certain words

d

[matt]

Lahn, as in Sheaffer sub-brands....

[penmanila]

looks to be the candy-stripe plastic found in valentine (and some vacumatic) pens.

[Jim B]

I also have seen that plastic with other low level names. May even have an example or 2 in my wee collection, will hafta look!
The "plastic Jobber" must have been quite successful when making the rounds.

[david i]

Hi,

Not the plastic of Valentine or Parker Victory or of the rare candy-mesh Parker Vacumatics from England though there is a similarity in the presence of multi-layer lines. The plastic in the Traveler additionally has metallic gold threads deep in the plastic.

I have seen a no-name (possibly it was in fact a Traveler again) Combo in brown plastic of this sort, and would thus not be shocked if other low/no-name pens had it here and there. But, that's not its claim to fame



The plastic indeed is the Lahn pattern, as used on Sheaffer sub-brand pens . Having found that name by Sheaffer is one of my few claims to frank discovery within pendom.

Here are a couple images of Sheaffer sub-brand pens in that plastic. I'm overdue to do a review of Lahn.

regards

David

[david i]

Couple Lahn threads here:


http://fountainpenbo...n-lahn-plastic/

http://fountainpenbo...und-in-da-wild/

Univer of course is one of the Sheaffer sub-brands.

regards

david

[Mike Kirk]

Pretty cool pen. Any background on the Traveler pens in general? Like where they were made?

[brando090]

Pretty cool pen. Any background on the Traveler pens in general? Like where they were made?

Traveler as i know was a third tier pen company, and was American made as it was a sub-tier brand of Sheaffer.

[david i]

Traveler as i know was a third tier pen company, and was American made as it was a sub-tier brand of Sheaffer.

While I agree (allowing some parsing of jargon) that Traveler was a third tier label (weak trim, plated nib), I do invite presentation of any evidence you have for a linkage to Sheaffer, as I've never seen any.

I've never heard of any connection of that sort, but would be happy to learn otherwise.

regards

david

[brando090]

Traveler as i know was a third tier pen company, and was American made as it was a sub-tier brand of Sheaffer.

While I agree (allowing some parsing of jargon) that Traveler was a third tier label (weak trim, plated nib), I do invite presentation of any evidence you have for a linkage to Sheaffer, as I've never seen any.

I've never heard of any connection of that sort, but would be happy to learn otherwise.

regards

david

Just summarizing what matt said.

[david i]

Just summarizing what matt said.

That's not what Matt said. And that's a stretch for "Traveler as I know" claims.

-d

[Jon Veley]

Travelers Pen Company, Inc., 458 Broadway, New York, NY.

[Mike Kirk]

Travelers Pen Company, Inc., 458 Broadway, New York, NY.

Interesting. Thanks, Jon.
Any other tidbits about Travelers Pen Company out there? Were they stand-alone? Was the Broadway address a Corporate one or actual manufacturing? Obviously, I'm not familiar with NYC by any stretch of the imagination.

Now where's the LIKE button on this thing.....

[david i]

Now where's the LIKE button on this thing.....

Think it was disabled way back when. Want folks to "vote" with their comments. This is a discussion forum, not the frakkin' Roman Coliseum... or Facebook

But, this is proving to be an engaging thread. And, I am overdue to put back together my Lahn essay...

MIke, you really need to join us for a Janesville Pen Club meeting.

-d

[matt]

Lahn (or lame) is a flattened tinsel wire which was produced primarily in Germany or France and subject to various tariffs in the early 1900's. Definitions here:

http://www.google.co...p2hcro_09jiKIcw

[Mike Kirk]

MIke, you really need to join us for a Janesville Pen Club meeting.

I plan to. I'm only in Wisconsin about once a quarter so I try to plan it best I can. I'm at the mercy of those incessant customers who insist on buying something from me when I work my day job.
I doubt I'll be able to make a weekend gathering so it will have to be somewhat short notice.

Lahn (or lame) is a flattened tinsel wire which was produced primarily in Germany or France and subject to various tariffs in the early 1900's. Definitions here:

http://www.google.co...p2hcro_09jiKIcw

Matt, this is very familiar. I think we've been down this road before:unsure: but there might be readers who haven't been subjected to David's Lahn teaser. Good that you brought it up as I'd forgotten the history of the word.