This stiff, smooth pen is a great everyday writer, manufactured sometime before 1967 and stamped with the name “M. O. Thompson,” an obscure make that we know almost nothing about.

Many pens of the early 20th century were made by large manufacturers and labeled with the names of local retailers (just as you’ll find private-label products in most stores today.) We think M. O. Thompson must have been a stationer or office supply company in Milton Junction, Wisconsin—a town that has not existed since 1967, hence our date range for this pen.

The nib itself is in excellent condition, very smooth and easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners wanting to get into dip pens without learning too much technique. There is very little line variation, excellent capacity and flow, and a stiff writing feel.

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 the United States.