Year: 1871

The gold used for pens is of var
ious degrees of fineness, varying
from three to fourteen carats. The
best manufacturers use the latter
quality,it possessing more elasticity,
tenacity, and firmness than inferior
qualities.


The gold is received from the re-
finer in oblong pieces called ingots,
which are rolled down to a certain
size and thickness, generally about
four times that of the finished pen.
1t is then passed through a power
press containg a die, which cuts out
what are called blanks, or pieces of
an oblong shape, one end bluntly
sharpened, and perfectly fiat. These
blanks are about one-half the length
of the finished pen ..sa. 30 ~


The blank is next transferred to
the saving machine, by which the
points cut down to receive the irid-.
ium necessary to give the requisite
hardness. The iridium with small
piece Of gold is then placed on the
point, and kept in place by strong
solution of borax. 1t is then sub
jected to the action of the flames,
blowing directly upon the point. The
heat of the fire soon melts the. piece
Of gold, and the iridium is soldered
to the pen. The blank has now but
little the appearance of gold, being
of decidedly coppery hue. This
is soon set right by dipping into
chlorohydric or muriatic acid, the
color being thus restored. The
blank is now passed through steel
rollers, so constructed as not to
touch lhe point, but to condense and
lengthen the rest of the pen. 1t is
further hardened by hammering,thus
producing the spring so much like
that of a quill. ri.'..


The next process, cutting the
blank to the shape of apen, is done
by a die in q press similar to the first
mentioned. tits then stamped with
the makers name; this being the
last operation performed on it while
fat. 1t is now bent in 4 peculiarly
constructed die, and the iridium is
cut through by means of emery on
very thin copper wheel running
with a great velocity; this starts
the slit, which is then extended by
means of another machine. The
sides of the slit are now polished by
a thin iron wheel with emery, thus
making the sides smooth,preventing-
them from catching on each other,


The outsides of the points are
now ground to the desired shape,
with ery,upon soft copper wheel
with fiat surface, and the pen is
ready for what is technically called
"stoning." This operation is per-
formed by rubbing the metal with
what is called Scotch stone, which
gives it a smooth surface and rem
ders the work for the polisher much
less.


1t then goes to the polisher, who
with a wheel and rotten-stone gives
it the bright and smooth appearance
so noticeable in all new pens. The
inside of the nibs are made slightly
rough in order to cause them to
hold more ink than they otherwise
would; the points of the pens are
ground perfectly smooth and even
by means of emery on copper;
and the pen is finished and ready for
use.


One of the finest retorts on rec
ord is that made by an English am
bassador to French king, of whom
he asked the release of certain HUI
guenots who had been thrown into
the Bastile for their religion. What
would your master, the King of
England say if sued for the release
of the prisoners in Newgate?" said
the king. The answer was ready;
"Your majesty may have every one
of them, il YOU will claim them as