Keuffel & Esser 551 Paragon Dotting Pen

This 5-1/2" German silver and ivory dotting pen is marked: KEUFFEL & ESSER Co. N.Y. (/) GERMANY. It is also marked: PARAGON. When the tightening screw is removed, the top blade of the point lifts up to reveal six small serrated wheels. These may be interchanged in the point of the pen to create six different types of dotted lines. The lower blade has a reservoir for ink.

Keuffel & Esser introduced the Paragon line of drawing instruments in 1901. K&E considered these to be its highest quality products and had them manufactured in Germany for the American market. Paragon instruments were unavailable during World War I but were reintroduced by 1921. By 1936 the ivory handles were replaced with wood. This pen was model 551, priced at $4.25 in 1909

References: Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 33rd ed. (New York, 1909), 42, 46, 74; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 36th ed. (New York, 1921), 52, 70; Catalogue of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 104, 127.

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