I purchased this pen for $129.00 a few years ago on an eBay auction. I restore and collect Italian micromosaics and I am dating this pen as being made between 1850 and 1890 based on other micromosaics (brooches) with similar tile designs, patterns, colors and workmanship.
The body apperas to be made of brass and the nib is steel. The split tip nib originally came to a sharp point but one of the tips was chipped. I have carefully filed the nib tip so the points are equal in length and match in shape. I have attempted to write with this pen using water and it leaves an even straight line width of 1mm or slightly smaller. The only marking on the pen is stamped into the nib and reads, "No1", "KURTZ BROS", "COLLEGIATE".
The nib is easily removable from the pen. There is a light turquoise surface residue on the brass sleeve of the inner nib retainer that I did not attempt to clean.
I have cleaned the pen to remove the black, somewhat oily residue that covered the pen and the glass micromosaic tiles. There was no sign of verdigris, corrossion or tarnish anywhere on the pen. I probably removed any patina that may have been present over the brass handle.
I cleaned the pen gently with a product called "BRASSO" (a petroleum & ammonia concoction) and washed it with a mild (dishwashing) detergent.
This pen is 200 mm (8") long (not including the nib) and the handle is 5 mm in diameter at the round barrel and 7 or 8 mm across at the widest part of the flat, mosaic tiled handle (3 mm thick) .
This pen is a well made "Grand Tour" souvenir of Rome, Italy.
