The Esterbrook 'J' double jewel series was made in three sizes the 'J', the 'LJ', this pen, was slightly longer but slimmer, and the 'SJ' was shorter. The last photograph shows the pen alongside a standard J series pen.
Introduced in 1948, the earliest pens, such as this example, didn't have the 'R' registration symbol on the imprint.
The pen is finished in solid green with stainless steel trim. The solid colours are much less common than the mottled patterns. Fully restored and tested, it has an excellent surface and a clear barrel imprint. The 'double grooved design of the clip is carried through to the cap band and the filler lever, all in good condition. It is a 'double jewelled' pen, with a black stud at the barrel and cap ends.
The pen has been restored and tested and is now in excellent working order. The nib is engraved 'Esterbrook 9128', The '9' series nibs were known as 'Master', much more expensive than the standard 'Dura'.
The 9128 is listed, in the comprehensive Esterbrook nib code document, as a 'Extra fine flexible. Fine penmanship and Pitman's Shorthand.' Pitman's was a phonetic writing system that used symbols to represent sounds, the symbols being formed with very fine and medium lines. The flexibility of this nib is therefore slight and at the extra fine end of the spectrum, nevertheless, with practice some effective calligraphic effects are available.
At 13 cm. capped and an impressive 15.5 cm. with the cap posted, this is a long and very well balanced pen with a satisfying solid feel. The stainless steel trim, thick celluloid, and good build quality make the Esterbrook LJ very practical and durable pen.