I've heard stories of problems with "celluloid rot" before, a condition where the celluloid deteriorates over time and actually develops into a brittle, crystallized structure, but have never experienced it.
That is until now. I recently purchased this inexpensive, no-name pen from an eBay seller, just because I liked the look and I'm a cheap vintage pen junkie. To be honest, the seller did describe the barrel as having "crackling and bulges," so I willingly took my chances.
Here's a photo from the seller's auction ad:
I received it intact. It looked OK, but the barrel definitely had an unusual appearance that I've never seen before on a vintage pen. While cleaning it, I accidentally dropped it in the sink...only a few inches and nothing that would affect most pens.
Here's the result:
The photo doesn't show it well, but the celluloid has a sugar-like texture...very brittle and fragile. You can actually just crumble it in your hand. The interesting part is that the cap is in near-perfect condition, with no sign of deterioration or damage. At least I was able to salvage a nice nib and feed, the new sac, the filler lever, and button.
As near as I can determine, this condition is caused by long term storage in a poorly ventilated area, where gases given off by the celluloid can accumulate and eventually destroy the material. If I take anything away from this experience, it's to not store celluloid pens in a tightly sealed container (e.g., a plastic bag) for extended periods. A normal pen box or case shouldn't be a problem, but it's something to be aware of.
That is until now. I recently purchased this inexpensive, no-name pen from an eBay seller, just because I liked the look and I'm a cheap vintage pen junkie. To be honest, the seller did describe the barrel as having "crackling and bulges," so I willingly took my chances.
Here's a photo from the seller's auction ad:
I received it intact. It looked OK, but the barrel definitely had an unusual appearance that I've never seen before on a vintage pen. While cleaning it, I accidentally dropped it in the sink...only a few inches and nothing that would affect most pens.
Here's the result:
The photo doesn't show it well, but the celluloid has a sugar-like texture...very brittle and fragile. You can actually just crumble it in your hand. The interesting part is that the cap is in near-perfect condition, with no sign of deterioration or damage. At least I was able to salvage a nice nib and feed, the new sac, the filler lever, and button.
As near as I can determine, this condition is caused by long term storage in a poorly ventilated area, where gases given off by the celluloid can accumulate and eventually destroy the material. If I take anything away from this experience, it's to not store celluloid pens in a tightly sealed container (e.g., a plastic bag) for extended periods. A normal pen box or case shouldn't be a problem, but it's something to be aware of.
Last edited:
