I don’t think anyone has made a breakthrough since I last wrote about Golden Guinea (http://wp.me/p17T6K-u2). It’s still not known with certainty who made them.
Looking at this 1930s example, I strongly suspect that they were made by Mentmore. The whole impression of the pen reminds me strongly of Platignum at this time, especially the beautifully boxed colourful pen and pencil sets. Richly-coloured plastic unlike anything anyone else was using at the time, cap bands that are none too secure, tiny 14ct gold nib and button filling system – all are very like the Platignum output of the time. Was Golden Guinea one of Mentmore’s many sub-brands, or were these pens made for another company? For the moment we can’t tell, but I have no doubt all will come out one of these days.
Be that as it may, this is a lovely pen, if only for the exceptional plastic that it’s made from. The filling system is efficient and the little nib is a smooth semi-flex.
I have a CBHR Golden Guinea with a very sad nib, certainly beyond my repair. It’s a tiny nib – do you know what I could replace it with? Is there a “Warrented” nib size I could look out for?
Best wishes
Robin
Yes, Robin, many of the low-cost nineteen-thirties pens have tiny nibs that would fit your Golden Guinea. They’re often unbranded or made by obscure companies, but Wyvern and Platignum made pens with tiny nibs.
Thanks!
I’ve just managed to get the nib out & rinse off some of the accumulated crud. This one has a William Mitchell nib, numbered 0585 (which I’m assuming is 14 ct gold?)
In getting the nib and feed out I can see the feed is also broken – it looks like it’s about half as long as it should be. Looks like I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for a donor pen!
Yes, that’s 14ct gold. Have a good look at that feed. It may not be broken. Mine has a very short feed.
It’s both short, and jagged at the inside end, which was the other thing that suggested “broken” to me – or do feeds sometimes have non-flat ends on the inside?
Some aren’t all that well finished, but “jagged” suggests a break to me too.