RARE Wilrite 14K Gold Filled Inlaid Fountain Pen Nice

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RARE 1925 Wilrite 14K Gold Filled Fountain Pen - Great Condition For auction today from a great estate collection in Upstate New York is this lovely 1925 Wilrite 14K Gold Filled Fountain Pen. This piece is in lovely, undamaged condition and would make a great addition to any collection. This piece comes from the estate of a longtime antique collector. The pen has some mild wear as seen in the photos. The fill is marked Wilrite, the barrel is marked 14K gold filled and Pat Pend., and the tip is marked warranteed 14KT. The fill looks as if it is slightly pushed in. The pen measures 4 inches long and includes the link on top to attach to a chain. The following information was found concerning the Wilrite pen company: The Wilrite Fountain Pen Company was founded in 1924 as a 'successor' to a company owned by William Rappeport that manufactured silverware. Little is known of this company but, it seems they decided the pen business would be more lucrative than silverware. Incorporators were J. Hanks, H. Klosner and Gustave Rappeport. Not mentioned in the incorpoaration papers, a William Rappeport was the Secretary/Treasurer. They were located at 312 Lafayette Street, which is caddy-corner accross Houston Street w Eclipse was headquartered. It appears they took part of a floor in what is now called a loft building.Wilrite appears to have been a 'jobber' buying completed pens or parts for assembly.Some of their early production are identical to those made by A.A. Waterman. A.A. Waterman ceased operations in New York in the early 1920s and remaining stock and/or parts may have been bought out and labeled Wilrite. It is also possible the same machinery and dies continued to be used to produce identical pens. Gold fill was thick and often at 1/10. Of the several gold-filled Wilrite pens I have personally seen, few have traces of brassing. Wilrite was also known for their gold-filled overlays over colored plastic. On one of my pens a patent date of November 17, 1925 is noted on the clip. Orange-red, black, yellow, and blue plastics are known. Most are marked 14K GOLD FILLED and brassing occurs at the usual raised areas. All I have seen are of the same design. The patent of the clip was not owned by Wilrite, but was granted to Charles Hardy, an inventor with AMSCO Products, Inc. of New York, a metals fabricator. Mr. Hardy also invented a modification to lever fill mechanisms for pens and a method for clip attachment, as well as components for various types of machinery. Patent numbers are 1562326, 1612918, and 160233) I''m unaware of Mr. Hardy's relationship to Wilrite, although a similar clip was used by Salz.Wilrite was in operation for well over a year before the patent for the clip was granted and early models were marked PAT. PEND This piece looks great and would certainly complement any collection. Please see our store for many other fine collectibles and unique items. All auctions have a low starting bid and no reserve. Once they are gone, they are gone. Please feel free to ask questions or to request additional photos. Please visit or store at: /Adirondack-e-Commerce All purchases will be shipped USPS Priority Mail or UPS the business day after clear payment so they will arrive quickly and safely. We will combine shipping and offer a discounted rate for multiple purchases so please feel free to browse our store. Please feel free to ask any questions. Shipping and handling for this auction is $7.50 USPS Priority Mail Insured. Most all our auctions start below ten dollars even if they are appraised for hundreds, we run true auctions. Please also see our other auctions for more antique, collectible, every day, interesting and just for fun items. We accept checks (7-10 business day waiting period), money orders, all major credit cards, and Pay Pal and will ship USPS or UPS, whichever we deem necessary. Please see below as our shipping costs are always listed in our auctions. Buyer to pay shipping ... read more

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