Platinum Silver Engraved Leaf Pattern Fountain Pen c. 1930s

by Jim Mamoulides, September 29, 2023

Platinum silver engraved leaf pattern fountain pen c. 1930s

Silver Leaves

This is a Platinum silver hand engraved leaf pattern lever-fill fountain pen c. 1930s. Platinum’s design copies some of the identifying attributes of the Parker Vacumatic, including the arrow nib and arrow clip. The 14 karat gold filled clip, marked R 14 at the top, has PLATINUM stamped on a raised bar down the center of the arrow feathers, the primary difference from the Parker Vacumatic clip. The 14 karat gold nib has an arrow stamping identical to the Parker Vacumatic with 14K over PLATINUM over the Platinum logo. It’s a lever filler and with a silver lever. An identical pen is shown in Fountain Pens of Japan by Andreas Lambrou and Masamichi Sunami on page 295 with a silver clip that has no Platinum stamping. It’s not known if the clip on this pen is original to the pen or a replacement. The cap band is stamped with the Platinum company branding and PURE SILVER.

Platinum silver engraved leaf pattern fountain pen c. 1930s

The engraving work is deep and distinctive and forms parallel vine-like chains of four leaves each on the cap and barrel. The engraved panels are the same length on each, possibly indicating a pattern was used by the engraver. According to Fountain Pens of Japan, this pen is rare. It must have made an impression in the Japanese market as the design inspired copies into the 1950s.

Platinum silver engraved leaf pattern fountain pen c. 1930s

One Hundred Years

Platinum Pen Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on February 1, 1919. The company was founded by Shunichi Nakata and like other early Japanese pen makers, made writing brushes and copied fountain pen designs from American and European pen companies such as Onoto and Waterman. By 1924 the company, now called Nakaya Seisakusho (literally Nakaya Manufacturer), was making fountain pens in Ueno, Tokyo and by 1925 was offering Maki-e decorated pens by several noted artists.

Platinum silver engraved leaf pattern fountain pen c. 1930s

On November 9, 1942 the company became Platinum Fountain Pen Company, Ltd capitalized with 198,000 yen and had 50 employees. In 1946 the company released the streamlined A-S1, a pen inspired by the Parker 51 and featuring a streamlined metal cap. Today Platinum is one of the three largest pen companies in Japan.

Platinum silver engraved leaf pattern fountain pen c. 1930s

Is This a 1930s or 1950s Pen?

There was some speculation that this pen was made in the early 1950s rather than the 1930s. It is a complete design that features elements copied from the Parker Vacumatic, not just the cap and barrel shape, but specifically the recognizable arrow nib and arrow clip. The nib does not have a JIS mark, so it pre-dates 1954. The clip is similar to post World War Two clips found on certain Platinum pen models through about 1955, but pens with that clip do not have the arrow style nib as shown on this pen. The example of this pen shown in Fountain Pens of Japan is from the collection of Masamichi Sunami and he dates it to the 1930s. I don't think it's a Parker 51 inspired pen, which would point to a later date, as Platinum's first homage of the Parker 51 was in 1946, complete with a hooded nib, and the 1950s President was a straight up copy of the Parker 51 Aerometric. I’m inclined to believe that this one also dates to the 1930s and the later, different clip could be a replacement, though I can’t verify that.

A Rich and Detailed Design

The deeply engraved leaf design includes shading at the edges of each leaf and engraved lines to create a darker space between them. They are arranged in overlapping rows of four leaves around the cap and barrel and the engraved area is the same length on each. Each leaf appears to be individually engraved as none look exactly alike or overlay in exactly the same way. The pattern runs in the same direction in some places and opposite in others. The leaves are similar to a grape leaf, though the curved tips are a puzzle. If symbolizing the leaves of a grapevine, the design would wish a bountiful harvest or a long life to the owner.

Platinum silver engraved leaf pattern fountain pen c. 1930s

Fountain Pens of Japan describes the pen as rare. It must have had an impact in the market as other pen makers copied it. Similar pens in silver and gold plate exist and will be covered in future articles. This, the original, is an impressive pen. The design is beautiful and highly tactile. It would be the centerpiece of any collection of Platinum pens.

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References

Fountain Pens of Japan by Andreas Lambrou and Masamichi Sunami, 2012 Andreas Lambrou Publishers Ltd. Epping, Essex, UK, pages 290-315

Grapevine, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

History, Platinum Pen Company, LTD.