Very rare, pre-war
1930s "The Kure" Fountain Pen, manufactured in Japan by Kure Kinpen & Co.
(呉金ペン合名會社) of Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. Crafted from black ebonite (hard rubber) and hand-decorated with vibrant red, yellow, green and gold
maki-e floral motifs over glossy black
urushi lacquer, this Japanese eyedropper shut-off ("ink stopper") pen is complete with its original period cardboard box, original paper price band, and vintage glass eyedropper (teat is perished).
- Maker: Kure Kinpen & Co. (Kure Kinpen Gomei Kaisha), Kure, Japan
- Era: Pre-WWII / 1930s (evidenced by the pre-war right-to-left kanji script on the box lid and original price wrapper).
- Artwork & Finish: Black ebonite barrel and cap finished in glossy black urushi lacquer with traditional red, yellow/gold, and green floral maki-e artwork.
- Nib: Original 14K Solid Gold heart-hole nib stamped "WARRANTED / KURE / 14K / GOLD PEN" above the diamond Kure kanji emblem. Uninked with clean, well-aligned tines.
- Trim & Dimensions: Gold colour ball-end pocket clip stamped with the diamond Kure kanji logo. Single gold-tone cap band. Measures approximately 132.4 mm capped.
- Filling System: Traditional Japanese Eyedropper with rear shut-off valve ("ink stopper" / ink-dome).
- Included Accessories: Original brown cardboard box with trade mark graphics, original paper price band, and original glass-and-(perished) rubber eyedropper filler.
Condition & Important Mechanical Note (Please Read Carefully)
- Cosmetic / Uninked Status: The pen appears uninked/unused with bright, glossy lacquer, crisp maki-e floral decoration, and a clean 14K gold nib. There is light age-related brassing/wear to the gold-plated pocket clip and minor storage wear to the original cardboard box.
- Shut-Off Mechanism Repair (Sold As-Is / Untested for Leaks): During an attempt to service/replace the internal ink seal, the rear shut-off rod mechanism housing broke and was subsequently glued back together. While the rear blind cap and rod move and operate mechanically, the pen has NOT been water- or ink-tested since the repair, and it should be assumed likely to leak if filled with ink without further restoration.
- Collector Recommendation: Best suited as a display/collection piece in its current uninked state, or for a specialist restorer who wishes to properly rebuild the shut-off valve seal. Please inspect all photos carefully, including the close-up of the extended shut-off rod seal (it is an early - type, where the housing holding the seal unscrews from the body - this will require care) as the pictures form part of the description.
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