Quill Pen

A quill pen has a writing point cut into the feather shaft itself, usually from a goose feather. It is dipped in ink. This distinguishes it from a decorative feather attached to a separate metal nib.

The point is cut obliquely and given a small slit to assist ink flow and variation in the stroke. Quills were common before steel pens became widespread in the nineteenth century, but that general history cannot date an individual pen.

Eton College preserves an example associated with signing its library visitors' book, illustrating the importance of provenance. Record point, shaft, any metal holder, box and written records separately. A historical-looking form or a famous name on a loose label alone does not prove age or use.

Store norske leksikon: fjærpenn; Eton College: dokumentert fjærpenn MEL.614-2010