Cased Civil War Era Dip Pen (SOLD)

This is another nice item being offered, it is a Civil War era cased Dip Pen. It has the typical mother-of-pearl handle (common for the period) and a steel “Esterbrook and Co.” steel nib.

Richard Esterbrook (1812-1895 was a Cornish Quaker from England who saw an opportunity in the United States to manufacture steel pens. In 1856 he traveled to the U.S. to set up his business. In 1858 he was able to establish himself as the sole pen manufacturer in the USA and changed the company name to "The Esterbrook Steel Pen Mfg. Co.". Due to the demand brought on by the Civil War, Esterbrook’ s plant had 450 workers to meet the challenge.

Writing letters home was a favorite pastime for Civil War soldiers, and a pen such as this would have been typical of what they brought with them when leaving home. In my book “The Civil War Soldier – His Personal Items”, I go into more detail about the importance of letter writing. Also, in "Civil War Artifacts - A Guide for the Historian" by Howard Crouch, there are examples of these excavated pens (see pictures).

This pen comes in its original case and both swivel brass clasps are remaining, usually broken off. They go great in a display of a soldier’s personal effects, especially along side a period letter.