Description
Craven A tobacco tin with collection of over 35 Fountian tip Nibs
Poor condition tobacco tin, with lost of rust on the inside and out.
Fountain Pen Tips, some rusty some appear in good condition. Marked W m Mitchell – Post Office 0784
What is the #0784 Post Office nib?
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Manufacturer: William Mitchell & Co., Birmingham, England—renowned dip-nib makers from mid‑20th century
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Model: #0784 M (medium) or F (fine), popularly known as the Post Office Pen nib
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Markings: Often stamped “Post Office Pen” or “Post Office” alongside Wm Mitchell branding—typically on a polished bronze‑look nib
Characteristics and usage
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Medium-point, general-purpose nib: Ideal for everyday writing, journaling, letter-writing—robust and smooth
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Elastic but firm spring: Balanced flexibility for decent line variation, stronger than small Copperplate nibs—longer tines too .
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Dip pen design: Contains “fins” or reservoirs to hold more ink; comes with a lacquer coating—dip in ink or brief warm water soak removes coating before first use
Historical context
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Birmingham’s nib-making legacy: William Mitchell was part of the massive Birmingham pen-nib industry in the 19th and 20th centuries
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Education & institutional use: The nib was mass-produced for schools, offices, and post offices—hence the “Education” or “Post Office” variants, though functionally identical
Summary
The W M Mitchell “Post Office” (#0784) nib is a mid-century, medium‑point dip pen nib in bronze (or bronze-look), built for smooth, reliable writing with moderate flexibility. It’s part of a rich legacy of Birmingham nib craftsmanship and still popular among calligraphers and artists for its durability and ink-holding capability.
Tips for using your nib
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Prep the nib by dipping in ink or soaking briefly in warm water to remove lacquer.
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Use light pressure—these nibs are sharp and can dig into paper if pressed hard
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Use with appropriate holder: fits William Mitchell multi- or slip-on holders (No. 53/57, Manuscript multi-holders, etc.)
If you’re collecting nibs, looking to write or draw with period tools, or just need a reliable everyday dip nib, the #0784 Post Office Pen is a solid find
