John Holland, one of the earliest American pen makers, was based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first lever filler was made in 1920 and, by 1925 the company was using plastics so this hard rubber pen would have been made in the early 1920s.
The pen has been restored and tested and is in excellent working condition. At 10.5 cm. capped, it is a small pen but, with a posted length of 13.5 cm. it is comfortable in use and has a well balanced feel.
It has a good surface with a clear and crisp barrel imprint, with a September 1915 patent, and good gold filling to the clip and lever. Both carry a stylised 'H' for 'Holland'. an attractive feature is the green hard rubber band inserted at the ends of the barrel and cap.
The 14Ct. Gold nib has a clear 'John Holland. Cin. O.' imprint and a heart shaped vent hole. It writes with a medium line, flexing to broad to add character to the writing.
John Holland pens do not come around very often, early ones in such good condition are very rare and highly collectable.