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Thread: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

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    Default Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    I've recently discovered my mother's Skyline with 14k nib. Purchased about 1944-45 when my Mom worked in downtown Nashville as a model for the long-gone National Stores. As the tines need repairing and installation of a new sac I've sent it to Main Street Pens for repair. Ron seems to be an excellent and conscientious restorer.

    I remember trying to use this pen about 1962 (which may account for the damage) and still have the desk that was used for my homework with ink stains in the middle drawer (probably my fault too). That 70-year-old-desk is the writing desk I use daily so set to look out my window at bamboo, hemlocks, and brilliant green moss instead of a lawn.

    I think I remember a blue ink in a knobbed-glass bottle but since that was 60 years ago I'm not certain. I'm not familiar with those old inks enough to be certain of what brand it was.

    I'm looking for those inks that would have been popular in the 1940s to use with this pen as it will become a writer again.

    Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

    Cheers.
    Sg

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    Almost without hesitation, I'd still suggest Waterman, either Serenity or Mysterious Blue. They remain great inks in any pen, the first ink I put in a vintage pen for safety reasons, and often just keep going with them. You could also use Parker Quink to keep it somewhat from that period (naturally, I'm referring to inks being made today).

    There are so many inks available today, a zillion boutique inks, but every pen owner should have at least one bottle of Waterman ink for these kind of uses, and don't be surprised if it remains a regular fill. Safe, nice-looking, easy-reading, easy to flush, low-cost.
    "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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    Senior Member jbb's Avatar
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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    I've got some vintage Waterman and Quink in my Etsy store right now....

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/7408720...op_home_feat_3
    https://www.etsy.com/listing/7532101...items_search_2
    JBBPensPaper an Etsy store

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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    BTW, good move on sending to Ron, one of the best of the best. He'd probably second the use of Waterman inks, or maybe even a Sheaffer ink, as they haven't changed much over the years and a lot of the repair people like them for testing pens and the safety level. I also like the above vintage inks from jbb!
    "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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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black and 4001 Royal Blue would also be inks which where available at that time (and still are).

    Another ink of that time which is still available would be Stephens Registrars Blue-Black which is now sold as ESS Registrars Blue-Black.
    Both Blue-Black inks are excellent iron gall inks.

    With the ESS you can almost write on toilet paper, an ink with a outstanding performance.

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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Szanto View Post
    BTW, good move on sending to Ron, one of the best of the best. He'd probably second the use of Waterman inks, or maybe even a Sheaffer ink, as they haven't changed much over the years and a lot of the repair people like them for testing pens and the safety level. I also like the above vintage inks from jbb!
    Thanks -it's good to know that Ron has a good reputation. It will be about 12 weeks before he gets to my pen, but considering the pen has been unused for at least 50 years that's not much of a wait.

    The Waterman Serenity Blue has many who sing its praises and seems to be an ink that works well in many pens. I admit to having almost used Noodler Ink for the past 15 years or more, but I need to branch out and this Waterman seems like a good place to start.

    I do have a bottle of ESSRI coming for use in a couple of pens, however I think the Waterman Serenity Blue is the best choice for my Skyline to begin with and if all goes well try the ESSRI too.

    Thanks again.

    Cheers,
    Sg

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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    Quote Originally Posted by sgphoto View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Jon Szanto View Post
    BTW, good move on sending to Ron, one of the best of the best. He'd probably second the use of Waterman inks, or maybe even a Sheaffer ink, as they haven't changed much over the years and a lot of the repair people like them for testing pens and the safety level. I also like the above vintage inks from jbb!
    Thanks -it's good to know that Ron has a good reputation. It will be about 12 weeks before he gets to my pen, but considering the pen has been unused for at least 50 years that's not much of a wait.

    The Waterman Serenity Blue has many who sing its praises and seems to be an ink that works well in many pens. I admit to having almost used Noodler Ink for the past 15 years or more, but I need to branch out and this Waterman seems like a good place to start.

    I do have a bottle of ESSRI coming for use in a couple of pens, however I think the Waterman Serenity Blue is the best choice for my Skyline to begin with and if all goes well try the ESSRI too.

    Thanks again.

    Cheers,
    Sg
    Waterman is all that I use in my 1930-mid '50's FP's. It is wet which I prefer. Congratulations on getting the pen restored.

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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    Thanks for all the help. I've ordered a bottle of Waterman Serenity Blue. Perhaps it might be worthwhile to run it through every new (at least to me) pen I get as a baseline to judge the pen and then to judge how other inks react.

    Cheers.
    SG

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    Senior Member Jon Szanto's Avatar
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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    Quote Originally Posted by sgphoto View Post
    Thanks for all the help. I've ordered a bottle of Waterman Serenity Blue. Perhaps it might be worthwhile to run it through every new (at least to me) pen I get as a baseline to judge the pen and then to judge how other inks react.
    That is a solid idea. Whether you are into vintage or new pens, having a 'benchmark' writing fluid and a couple of common papers will allow you to much more accurately assess any issues that might be present. It is so very hard to help diagnose a problem when you don't know if it is the pen, the nib, the ink, the paper, or the phase of the moon. Waterman would be an *excellent* choice for that benchmark ink, and still a lovely ink to write with. Very smart move, SG.
    "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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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    Quote Originally Posted by sgphoto View Post
    Thanks for all the help. I've ordered a bottle of Waterman Serenity Blue. Perhaps it might be worthwhile to run it through every new (at least to me) pen I get as a baseline to judge the pen and then to judge how other inks react.

    Cheers.
    SG
    It's absolutely a good idea to do this and with this ink.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Age appropriate inks for 1940's Skyline

    My Waterman Serenity Blue arrived yesterday. I've run it through several pens from a cheap Indian Oliver to an Noodler Neponset. It flows great! Easy to clean up and dries fast (as does just about anything compared to Noodler's inks).

    Thanks for all the help.

    Sg

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