THE GOLD PEN — ITS HISTORY AND MANUFACTURE. 265 



in rapid succession, until there are now in various parts of the Union some 

 twenty establishments. Of these, New York alone (City and State) contains 

 at least a dozen. The city counts some five or six in active operation, each 

 transacting an amount of yearly business governed by the demand for the 

 article they furnish. We cite one of the most extensive and celebrated — 

 that of Messrs Bard, Brothers, and Co., William street — in illustration of 

 the immense traffic now carried on in this single branch of competitive 

 industry. Mr Bagley is also a large manufacturer. 



To render the subject clear and comprehensive, we will briefly trace the 

 formation of a single gold pen, through the different stages of its manufac- 

 ture, as follows : 



First. — The gold is melted in quantities ranging from a few to many 

 ounces, as the requirements of the establishment may at the time demand. 

 The Messrs Bard find it necessary to melt three times every week; other 

 manufactories undoubtedly vary from this standard. Here Victoria 

 sovereigns are generally used in preference to all other qualities of gold ; 

 occasionally, however, fine jewellery is employed for the purpose. Usually, 

 the value of one day's melting is from $300 to $400. This amount suffices 

 the wants of the workmen for about a day and a half or two clays. The 

 metal is alloyed with silver and copper for twelve, fourteen, or sixteen 

 carats. One day, passing through the factory, we saw twenty-five ounces in 

 the crucible, which was immediately moulded into an ingot worth $360 ; 

 and we then had the curiosity to follow it, through the various processes, 

 until it came out in the form of finished pens. The whole operation is 

 performed with marvellous celerity, in the order which follows. 



Second. — The gold is rolled into strips, through a powerful machine 

 which thins and lengthens the ingot at each revolution. 



Third. — The " blocks," or angular morsels of the gold, tapered toward 

 one end, are cut by a separate workman and machine. 



Fourth. — The tapered ends are filed half through the thickness of the 

 block. 



Fifth. — In the niche thus formed the iridium point is set. This is a 

 very delicate operation, requiring a good eye and an experienced workmen. 



Sixth. — The " diamond point " is secured by soldering together the 

 iridium and the gold. A very small but intense heat is applied at the 

 point, by the agency of a minute jet of flame. 



Seventh. — The point is ground square. 



Eighth. — The pen is rolled and hammered. 



Ninth. — It is cut to the proper shape, in a small, neatly-contrived 

 machine, in which works a steel die. 



Tenth. — The pen is turned up, perfectly semicircular, as it comes to 

 the hand of the purchaser. 



Eleventh. — The point is split, having before been guarded from injury 

 by small grooves in the different machines through which it has passed. 



Twelfth. — After the nib is thus started, another workman cuts the slit 

 the necessary length. 



