Rare Antique Draftsman’s Ruling Pen or Lifting Nib
Pen by Cary, London c1880
This Ruling Pen would most likely have been part of a set of drawing
instruments alongside a compass, rulers, and a turn-screw. Ruling pens were
used for highly technical drawings such as architectural, engineering and
cartographic plans. This pen in particular was made for creating thin lines and
accurate drawing strokes. The tip is a flexible metal jaw which the user can
adjust by turning a dial. To use the pen, the user would dissolve a block of
black ink and painted the tip of the ruling pen black before setting it to
paper.
This drawing pen has a spring inside the point to draw the tips of
the point together when the screw is tightened to make a narrower line. The
point is also jointed, so when the screw is removed, one side of the point may
be opened to a 90° angle. This form of drawing pen is often called a "lifting-nib"
or "jointed" pen was supposed to be easier to clean than a standard
drawing pen. The nib is engraved close to the adjusting dial or screw, it has
the initials ‘B.R.C.’ The pen has beautifully turned handle with the makers
name embossed:
CARY LONDON
The ruling pen is offered in good antique condition, it
measures approx. 15.1cm in length.
This is a superb
antique draughtsman's pocket ruling pen, a collector's item that is exceptionally
difficult to find.
Please see
pictures for more details.
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