Esterbrook School Fine Flexible #815 Pen Nib (Vintage)

Made in the late 1940s, these flexible steel nibs are more versatile than other entries in the Esterbrook "School" series. During the early-to-mid-20th-century steel pen boom, manufacturers made firmer and firmer pens to appeal to students and office workers who increasingly wanted uniform lines from their writing instruments. So, most of the vintage nibs found today are firm.

The #815 was a long-running exception to that trend, with a flexible feel and a fine point that makes it a great tool for classic scripts like Spencerian and copperplate. Pro illustrators will also appreciate the #815's easy line variation.

Earlier versions of the Esterbrook #815 were called the "Interstate Pen." The change to 'school' for many Esterbrook nibs reflects the change in usage of these writing instruments—from a universal necessity at the turn of the century to a specialized tool of students and artists—increasingly rare in office settings—by midcentury.

Thanks to the protective coating applied to all dip pens (even new ones produced today), these pens are in excellent vintage condition. They've been checked for rust and other defects by our experts and are ready to return to service on your desk.

As with any dip pen, you will need to remove the protective coating so that ink will stick to the nib consistently. To remove the coating, simply dip your new pen in ink a couple of times and wipe it off. Repeat until the ink coats the nib completely and doesn't bead up. This process takes about 15 seconds and only needs to be done once, before you use the pen for the first time.

Sold individually. Made in the United States.

About R: Esterbrook & Co.:

Founded in 1856, R. Esterbrook & Co. was the United States' very first manufacturer of steel dip pens. Formerly, these important 19th century tools had to be imported from Europe, but Richard Esterbrook brought expertise and craftspeople from England and opened a factory in Philadelphia.

For over 100 years until the company finally went out of business in 1970, Esterbrook produced the finest steel pens in the country, with a level of quality and a range of shapes that would put contemporary nib manufacturers to shame. Whenever we're able to get our hands on a vintage batch of Esterbrook pens, we're excited to offer them to you. Supplies, of course, are limited.