28 replies to this topic

[Procyon]

This pen is a Parker Pastel, which is a later pen made with celluloid. The Ivorine was an earlier pen made from casein. It was not really a very good material for a pen, and would absorb moisture, discolor and swell. Thus clean examples of the Ivorine are hard to find and quite pricey. Checkout Tony's website at Pencollector.com for a bit of history on both pens.

[Dennis Lively]

Gotcha. Thanks for the info.

[Dennis Lively]

So, is this one then?

My link

[sloegin]

Still a pastel.

From Tony's site:
Pastel
Ivorine

[Procyon]

In reality, if the pen has some sort of band it is probably a pastel - not an Ivorine. There are a few Ivorines with bands on the cap, but they are extremely rare. Also this pen is easy to identify as a pastel because of the moire pattern.

Edited by Procyon, 14 November 2012 - 05:21 AM.

[John Danza]

Yet another?

My link

This is a standard Pastel model from the late 1920s. The easiest way to tell, for me anyway if the photos are good, is that these pens have an obvious plastic look. The best way I can describe the look of the Ivorine material is that is has a bit of a granular or textured look to it. It's almost like the difference between a RHR Duofold and a Permanite Duofold.

[John Danza]

So, is this one then?

My link

No, as already noted this is a Pastel Moire pattern. Even if it wasn't noticeable by the material, the two thin cap bands give it away. That pattern of cap band didn't come along until the late 1920s into the early 1930s.

[John Jenkins]

Ok what makes them different? Different models? Sizes? Educate me please.

I'm pretty sure no Ivorine pencils were made for general sale and almost all Ivorines I've seen (admittedly a small sample)do not have a cap band.

JJ

[John Danza]

There are a few Ivorines with bands on the cap, but they are extremely rare.

They're all pretty scarce/rare, to be sure. About 20% of the ones I've seen/handled have had a single cap band. One had a wide GF cap band, similar to a couple in Tony's photos.