Product Description
Type Combination bulb filling fountain pen + mechanical pencil
Product Name Unknown
Manufacturer and Year W. S. Hicks, New York -- 1930s.
Length 5-5/8"
Filling System Bulb filler. Unscrew the section from the barrel, and you will see a clear reservoir with a bulb at the end. Squeeze the bulb several times, waiting about 3 seconds after each squeeze. The pencil side takes 1.1mm (or "thick") leads, which it extends via the traditional twist mechanism (you twist the cone, which is a bit stiff). We'll include a small packet of leads. Also of note: the pencil end unscrews to reveal a small eraser nub. The one that's there is hardened, but we suspect you could find or carve a replacement to fit.
Color Gold colored, and there's a mark near the cap lip that says "Sterling + 1/4 14k", which we believe is a form of vermeil. Other than this hallmark, the surface is smooth.
Nib FINE nib is simply marked "W.S. Hicks Sons 14k". It's a smooth writer and a bit springy.
Condition Superior condition. This is a nice looking combo pen/pencil. There is light handwear and microscratching all over, but the overall impression is of a very smooth and shiny pen. There is a small ding along the join between pencil and pen. The front edge of the section, nearest the nib, is quite smooth and even. There are some marks caused by the cap lip on the barrel. The cap lip has some faint tarnish or brassing around the edge, but is evenly round. The cap has brassing around the top edge. The clip has some brassing just above the ball end and on one side of the hump near the top.
