Thomas Jefferson
Author of The Declaration of Independence
Depicted is an early 19th century French figurine of George Washington with the Declaration of Independence in hand. At the base is a period quill pen and Monticello reproduction of Thomas Jefferson’s Bion principle fountain pen.
Thomas Jefferson authored The Declaration of Independence with a quill pen. Ever one to embrace technological advances, his pursuit of a fountain pen in the early 19th century fulfilled a need to write continuously.
Thomas Jefferson Silver Pen Analysis
Thomas Jefferson Silver Engraved Fountain Pen Cap
The Thomas Jefferson silver pen, the engraved top cap of which is depicted above, is perhaps the earliest known use of fountain pen technology in America. Engraved with Thomas Jefferson’s initials TJ, the enigmatic and elusive continuously writing fountain pen was considered cutting edge technology in 1824.
The depicted images are by permission of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello has been quite helpful in answering questions and providing access to high resolution photos of the Thomas Jefferson Silver Fountain Pen with Gold Pen nib.
Please donate to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello at: https://www.monticello.org .
Overall View of the Jefferson Pen
The depicted image is by permission of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello.
Overall View of the Jefferson Pen
The depicted image is by permission of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello.
Authoring The Declaration of Independence
The scene as revisions were ongoing depicts Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson with quill in hand.
The author of The Steel Pen website, Andrew Midkiff, published a series of three articles about Jefferson pens in The Pennant magazine.
Method for Performing the Analysis
Initial Questions for the Analysis
- What are the dimensions of the Jefferson silver fountain pen with Gold Pen nib?
- How did Thomas Jefferson acquire the silver fountain pen with Gold Pen nib?
Step 1 - Dimensions of the Original
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello has been helpful in obtaining high resolution photos of the original pen, however were unable to provide access for measurement and further analysis. Having purchased multiples of the reproduction Thomas Jefferson silver fountain pens, I reviewed the documentation and found the following information regarding production of the reproductions.
The Thomas Jefferson reproduction silver fountain pens were all produced by Van Cort Instruments, Inc. in Massachusetts. The vintage of the reproduction pen analyzed was indicated to have been produced in 1998.
Owner Erik Van Cort
I contacted Erik Van Cort with questions regarding production of the Thomas Jefferson silver fountain pen reproductions. His replies are as follows:
John B. Minor is JBM.
JBM: “Does the reproduction of the Thomas Jefferson silver fountain pen have the exact same dimensions as the original? Were you able to precisely measure the original 30 years ago?”
Erik Van Cort: “Thanks for your interest. Yes it does, even down to the even the thread count on the interior screw components. You are the only one ask such questions. I made many different reproductions for the Smithsonian, Colonial Williamsburg, Mt. Vernon and many others. In about 1998, newer manufacturing qualifications[specifications] took over and all products were made in China, to secure better profits.”
Analysis
Jefferson Silver Fountain Pen with Gold Pen nib reproduction dimensions: Cap 15mm/0.59in Length X 12mm/0.47in Width, Overall length 120mm/4.72in. 7mm
Step 2 - Jefferson Pen Mystery
- Who was William Cowan?
- What profession did Cowan pursue?
- Who did Cowan apprentice under?
- When did Jefferson acquire the silver fountain pen with Gold Pen nib?
- How would Cowan “produce” a personalized fountain pen for Thomas Jefferson?
- Why would Cowan sell gold and silver goods not hallmarked with his name?
Jefferson Letter Requesting the Silver Fountain Pen Crafted by Cowan
The original letter from Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton on May 13, 1824, requesting acquisition of a silver fountain pen from Cowan.
Thomas Jefferson depended on Bernard Peyton for sourcing goods and having same delivered. The exchange between Peyton and Jefferson in May 1824 resulted in delivery of the pen under analysis.
1824 May 13. (Jefferson to Bernard Peyton). "I saw yesterday in the hands of mr Dyer a fountain pen, one of the best I ever saw. he said it was made for him by mr Cowan, a watchmaker of Richmond. and cost him 5. D. the outer tube was of silver, but the two leaves of the pen were gold, and no other metal will resist the corrosion of the ink. pray get the favor of mr Cowan to make such an one for me and add this to the many kind offices you render me, and which ever entitle you to my affectionate attachment."
1824 May 17. (Bernard Peyton to Jefferson). "I will have the [pen] made for you, by [Cowan], as requested, immediately, & forwarded by some safe private hand."
1824 May 24. (Bernard Peyton to Jefferson). "I have procured the fountain Pen you wish, which shall be ford. by the first safe private hand–price $5."
1824 May 27. (Bernard Peyton to Jefferson). "Your Pencil or rather fountain Pen, I forwarded the other day, by Mr. Winn of Charlottesville, to whom I fd. your dft: in his favor."
Silversmith William Cowan
Who was William Cowan and what technical career did Cowan train for? He apprenticed to first be a clock and watch maker, and later as a silversmith. His hallmark or assay mark is depicted.
Mr. Cowan the silversmith was a bright, skilled craftsman capable of producing a pen holder and transitioning to production of a fountain pen by simply reading Nicolas Bion’s Traite.
Philippe Schilovitz on Bion Pens
After consulting with French colleague Philippe Schilovitz, perhaps the most knowledgeable expert on Bion pens he offered this opinion regarding Bion function fountain pens, having restored a number of the pens.
"Le Bion de Jefferson ressemble beaucoup aux Bion français, mais est ce que les Bion français ont bien été fabriqué par Bion, c’est une énigme qui est loin d’être résolue.
Les quelques propriétaires de Bion ont la certitude de la paternité, mais le rêve dépasse souvent la réalité.
Tous les Bions que j’ai vu ou que j’ai eu entre les mains avaient soit une plume en argent ou une plume d’oie."
English Translation:
Jefferson's Bion is very similar to the French Bion, but were the French Bion indeed made by Bion? It is an enigma that is far from being solved.
The few owners of Bion have the certainty of paternity, but the dream often goes beyond reality.
All the Bions I saw or had in my hands had either a silver feather or a goose feather,
Crafting the Gold Pen nib
Depicted is a magnified image of the Thomas Jefferson fountain pen Gold Pen nib, Courtesy of The Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello.
The Gold Pen nib of the Thomas Jefferson “Bion function” fountain pen was likely crafted by William Cowan who also engraved the initials of Thomas Jefferson onto the pen top.
Consultation with Philippe Schilovitz, Master Restorer and Mécanicien Bronzier at A l'encrier voyageur à Paris, who is one of the few in Paris with education, background, and experience with 17th and 18th century French writing instruments. Philippe is well versed in the history of Nicolas Bion’s Traite, “Traité de la Construction et des Principaux Usages des Instrumens de Mathématique”, first published in 1709.
With Philippe’s assistance, a review and analysis of the Thomas Jefferson tubular Gold Pen nib containing Bion described functionality was undertaken and his conclusion was as follows:
The manufacture of such a Gold Pen nib was a fairly simple process for a goldsmith.
Gold is a soft, extremely malleable metal, perhaps the most malleable metal found. Gold can be formed or thinned by hammering or pressure without cracking or splitting.
- The goldsmith shapes or thins a piece of gold into a sheet of the desired thickness by hammering or pressing.
- The goldsmith rough cuts the gold sheet into the desired shape.
- The goldsmith then rolls the gold sheet into a cylinder of the diameter needed.
- The junction of the cylinder is welded.
- The next step is slitting and forming the tip to form the Gold Pen nib.
- The final step is polishing the Gold Pen nib.
Technology of the Jefferson Silver Pen
Nicolas Bion’s Traite,Traité de la construction et des principaux usages des instrumens de mathématique (The Construction and Principal Uses of Mathematical Instruments) was published in 1709 with the Edmund Stone English translation published in 1723.
From the Traite, items F, G, & H represent a depiction of the Bion pen.