Conklin Mark Twain Fountain Pen

Conklin® proudly celebrates Independence Day with the American pen that started it all for the Conklin® Pen Company back in 1898, by introducing New Colors in the Mark Twain Crescent Filler® fountain pen collection. Roy Conklin invented and patented the self-filling pen known as the Crescent Filler™, and now it is recognized as the world’s first practical self-filling fountain pen.

In 1903, Mark Twain, the legendary American author, expressed the virtues of this unique self-filling fountain pen by saying, “I prefer it to ten other fountain pens, because it carries its filler in its own stomach and I can not mislay even by art or intention.” Becoming the official spokesman for The Conklin® Pen Company, Mark Twain discovered yet another benefit to Conklin’s Crescent Filler™ stating, “Also, I prefer it because it is a profanity saver; it cannot roll off the desk.”

In fact, the crescent that protrudes from the side of the pen is a forerunner of the button- or lever-filled fountain pen, inasmuch as it is pressed into the pen to squeeze the ink sac, which latter then fills with ink when the crescent is released. As a handy touch, there is a keeper that can be twisted under the crescent to prevent it being squeezed accidentally, so you don’t end up squirting ink across the room. The ink sac is made of silicone for better durability. The cap features a Conklin ‘rocker’ clip – pressing on the top of the clip opens the bottom to allow the pen to be clipped to pocket, handbag liner, or pen loop.

Each Mark Twain Crescent Fountain pen is painstakingly engraved with a distinctive chaise pattern, echoing techniques utilized in fine pen production for over a century. The filler crescent is engraved “Conklin” on one side and “Crescent Filler – Trade Mark” on the other. The Mark Twain is fitted with the Cushion Point flexible steel nib, available in Fine, Medium or Broad.