1910s Boston Safety 12 Eyedropper Fountain Pen - SEMIFLEX FACTORY STUB

Vintage: 1910s

Make: Boston

Model: #12 flat top eyedropper

Color: Black chased

Materials: Hard rubber, nickel-plated trim

Filling System: Eyedropper filler. Threads regreased. This pen holds much more ink than does a lever filler of the same size. It’s filled by unscrewing the section and filling the barrel with ink directly by means of an eyedropper or pipette.

Length: This full-sized model measures 5 3/16” capped

Nib: 14k Boston Safety #2 nib is a Semiflex Factory Stub. Under normal pressure it lays down a smooth and consistent B line on the down-strokes and XF line on the cross-strokes. And the line widens to a 3B+ (approx 1.5mm) under moderate pressure. Versatile variation that combines sharp lines with smooth performance on the page in a way that nibmeister regrinds rarely do as well as reliable flow over its full range of flex make it a great choice for adding shading to everyday writing as well as calligraphic styles such as Italic.

Condition: Hard rubber retains its factory black color with no discernible fading. Chasing is factory sharp and deep. HR has a smooth and lustrous surface with no deep scratches or other notable flaws aside from one inconspicuous scratch to the right of the clip ball (see timestamp photo). Accommodation clip is clean aside from a slight peppering of wear on the surface and the typical spot of brassing on the clip ball. Manufacturer imprint on barrel and model stamp on barrel-end are factory deep and fully legible

Details: Founded in 1904 by Charles Brandt, Boston was a top-tier maker that was sadly short-lived, being swallowed up by Wahl in 1917. In fact, many of the design features Wahl is known for were inherited from Boston, which has garnered a small but loyal following of collectors today. The “Safety” moniker derives from the screw-cap design: an innovation at the time that ensures the cap would not come off when the pen is carried in a pocket. This cap came clipless from the factory (no holes drilled for a rivet-clip). But it’s equipped with a high quality, nickel-plated accommodation clip with a riveted design stamped “No.3” on the right side and “G.W.” on the left (unsure as to whether this is a personalization or an abbreviation of a company name).