Platignums don’t always have the best reputation. They were built to a low price and sold in their many thousands. Now and then, though, an exceptional Platignum happens along.

Platignum had a wide and wonderful choice of plastics and this is a very attractive one. The nib looks original and in good condition which suggests little use, I can’t easily date this pen but I would guess at pre-war and it carries a debt of gratitude to the Parker Duofold so it must be after that appeared. I’m sure someone will put me right on that.

Though I concentrated on gold nib pens when I restored and sold, many Platignums came my way when I bought job lots of pens. Most were not worth restoring as they would sell for very little if at all. However the exceptions, like this beauty, will attract attention and should fetch a good price.

I came across both British and American collectors of Platignums. The US buyers often went for pen and pencil sets whereas the UK collectors were more likely to buy an individual pen like this.

eBay remains one of the best places to find individual pens. While it might seem I am providing a service to eBay sellers, the reverse is true. In giving me permission to use their photos and talk about their pens they are a great help to me. My thanks to Ross of Rossco’s Pens for permission to use his sale and photos. His auction can be found at https://rb.gy/hgldam The pen needs restoration but with lever fillers this is a simple matter.