Perry & Co. was one of the best and most important penmakers in Birmingham, England — the global capital of dip pens in the late 19th and early 20th century. Perry forged an early partnership with Josiah Mason, who had become well-known for making highly refined pens under his own name, and after 1829 Perry pens were manufactured exclusively by Mason. These "Viaduct Pens" were made almost a century later – between 1915 and 1925, in our estimation, based on the box details and the historical record of Perry advertisements for this pen. There are many advertisements featuring this pen in magazines of the late 1910s, where they were heavily marketed to students and office workers. The pen itself is a popular type, even today: a medium-width, slightly rounded point that can flex slightly, producing expressive lettering in many styles. Especially suitable for loose cursive, the Viaduct Pen features a large bowl for extra ink capacity and T-shaped side cuts for flex. Like other Birmingham pen nibs of the era, it is hand-ground from tip to vent hole, which improves both flow consistency and flexibility. Our vintage Viaduct Pens are in perfect condition and have never been used. Thanks to the protective coating applied to all dip pens (even new ones produced today), they are in excellent vintage condition. They've been checked for rust and other defects by our experts and are ready to return to service on your desk. As with any dip pen, you will need to remove the protective coating so that ink will stick to the nib consistently. To remove the coating, simply dip your new pen in ink a couple of times and wipe it off. Repeat until the ink coats the nib completely and doesn't bead up. This process takes about 15 seconds and only needs to be done once, before you use the pen for the first time. Sold individually. Made in England.