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Thread: Why this pen is one of my favorites

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Why this pen is one of my favorites



    Once in a long while, there are pens that just check-off a lot of checkboxes in my checklist. I've been too busy to give this pen a proper showcase. And you'll find out why this pen deserve a special one. Say 'hi' to the Belmont.

    Reason #1. The right panel in the collage, the pen has a celluloid that has a pretty red marble pattern, the condition is not bad, not too pristine, but good to excellent, nothing is missing, no chips, all mechanical aspects are in tip-top shape, no unsightly blemish. The clip says: Belmont, which gives us the identity of the pen.

    Reason #2. Look at the top left panel. This pen still has the white stuff that they put on the brand engraving. And the engraving is consistent with the brand, Belmont, and it gave us the historical context, this pen was sold exclusively via Rexall drugstore chain stores. Also, since this pen survived probably close to 90 years of existence, I guess it can claim that it's "NON-BREAKABLE".

    Reason #3. Look at the mid-left panel, having seen and restored a lot of vintage pens, I have a high-degree of confidence that this pen was made by the Moore Pen Company. I can explain why, but not here. Being a pen that was made by a manufacturer hired by another company (Rexall in this case), typically the nib would either retain the original manufacturer's name, or the manufacturer would make a "generic" one that would say "Warranted 14K". But look, this pen has a nib that says Belmont, just like the barrel and the clip. How many vintage 14K nibs have you seen that says Belmont on it?

    Reason #4. Now we arrive at the bottom-left panel. This "Belmont" nib can stand toe-to-toe with a dip nib. The line variation that it can produce is astonishing.

    On their own, any of the above reasons are not that rare. But the fact that all those reasons are embodied together in one single pen, that, in my book (and I suspect in many other collector's book), put this pen high up int the totem of "collectible" pens. Plus this pen is not one of the top five popular brand, which makes it even more interesting.
    Last edited by penwash; July 30th, 2019 at 07:51 PM.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member SchaumburgSwan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Hi,

    I do understand totally why you like this pen...
    Great celluloid and the nib looks fine, too.

    Enjoy
    Jens
    .................................................. .................................................. .

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/136145166@N02/albums

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Quote Originally Posted by SchaumburgSwan View Post
    Hi,

    I do understand totally why you like this pen...
    Great celluloid and the nib looks fine, too.

    Enjoy
    Jens
    Indeed, Jens.
    If this pen were a Parker or Conklin or Wahl, no one would be surprised that it has consistent branding.
    But "Belmont" is not a popular and sought after brand.
    So even if there are other surviving samples of the same models, the chances that I would ever see another one is quite small, let alone seeing one in a similar condition.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member Deb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    I had a small green marbled Belmont some years ago. Fine flex nib, a real jewel of a pen.
    Regards,
    Deb
    My Blog

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    That is a great looking pen. I love the way it says it's non-breakable.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    I’ve never heard of or seen a Belmont fountain pen before. That nib’s gorgeous flex would make it a keeper in my stable. Your writing does the nib justice, too.
    "I am a galley slave to pen and ink." ~Honore de Balzac

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    You are spot-on, Will: Belmont was a sub-brand made by Moore. No surprise you like it, as the Moore "family" usually performed above its pay grade. Here are three pens: a Moore in the middle with two Belmonts - to the left, same pattern but different color, to the right, same material on a larger pen. The clips show the branding.

    Last edited by Jon Szanto; August 1st, 2019 at 12:35 AM.
    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Quote Originally Posted by Deb View Post
    I had a small green marbled Belmont some years ago. Fine flex nib, a real jewel of a pen.
    Deb, I seem to recall (maybe incorrectly) that there was a Belmont brand also but made in UK, not US?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Quote Originally Posted by Kudzu View Post
    I’ve never heard of or seen a Belmont fountain pen before. That nib’s gorgeous flex would make it a keeper in my stable. Your writing does the nib justice, too.
    Why thank you.
    The nib is in my view, spectacular. It's one of the reason that lead me to believe it's a Moore's nib because I have a Moore's Safety pen whose nib perform similarly to this one. As far as I'm concerned, this nib is a dip-nib, but made out of 14K gold, and it has a tipping material that I can make smooth to my preference.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Szanto View Post
    You are spot-on, Will: Belmont was a sub-brand made by Moore. No surprise you like it, as the Moore "family" usually performed above its pay grade. Here are three pens: a Moore in the middle with two Belmonts - to the left, same pattern but different color, to the right, same material on a larger pen. The clips show the branding.
    Alright! Glad my findings are backed up by your collection. I always admire your Moore collection, by the way. Now I have another reason to like them even more.

    Do the nibs also say "Belmont" on those two?
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Deb View Post
    I had a small green marbled Belmont some years ago. Fine flex nib, a real jewel of a pen.
    Deb, I seem to recall (maybe incorrectly) that there was a Belmont brand also but made in UK, not US?
    I'm not aware of a British Belmont pen but that doesn't mean there wasn't one. The pen I had was definitely American. The barrel imprint referred to the Rexall store.
    Regards,
    Deb
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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Quote Originally Posted by penwash View Post
    Do the nibs also say "Belmont" on those two?
    Indeed. As is typical for 2nd/3rd tier, the "gold plating" is more what was referred to as gold wash and much of it has come off. Anyway, the same two pens (sorry, had to do a quick potato macro with my phone):

    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    I found another Belmont. But as if to prove my point that my red one is uncommon to rare, this one doesn't have a nib that says "Belmont" on it.

    But that doesn't mean that the nib is a slouch. It's one of those Salz Bros. nib that is super deliciously flexy

    - Will
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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Nice looking pen, particularly with the ink view window.

    I like the look of the ink too. What is it?
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Very cool pen. love the ink window and the celluloid pattern. Such a primo nib too. Where the heck do you find all these gems?

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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    The ink is in one of my sample vial, probably Moss Green from Papier Plume.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    If I could rename this thread, it would be "Belmont"

    Just acquired the guy on the right. Incredible color and barrel / cap condition:

    - Will
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    That combo is possibly a George Kraker-made Belmont. Kraker made the Belmont and Monogram lines for Rexall from the flat top era into the mid 30s, when Moore took over the task. The clip looks pretty similar to some Kraker made pens that I have (one being a Belmont combo like yours, but in a different color). A shot of the lever would confirm it, as Kraker used a fairly long, slender lever that is quite distinctive.

    Bob

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    Senior Member penwash's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Quote Originally Posted by Seattleite View Post
    That combo is possibly a George Kraker-made Belmont. Kraker made the Belmont and Monogram lines for Rexall from the flat top era into the mid 30s, when Moore took over the task. The clip looks pretty similar to some Kraker made pens that I have (one being a Belmont combo like yours, but in a different color). A shot of the lever would confirm it, as Kraker used a fairly long, slender lever that is quite distinctive.

    Bob
    I think you are correct, Bob.

    I deliberately show the Belmont engraving instead of the lever because that is the only thing that identify this pen as made for that brand.

    The lever filler is long and slender, which can be lined up with the clip, no sign of celluloid swelling around the lever either.

    This is just a very nice sample.
    - Will
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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Why this pen is one of my favorites

    Will, here's a quick shot of a couple of Belmonts. These are pretty clearly made/branded after Moore took over, as the clip is the same design as the Moore clip of the time.

    "When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
    and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."

    ~ Benjamin Franklin

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