FLOATY PEN - A FUN AND AFFORDABLE COLLECTIBLE

A "floaty" or "tilt" pen is a fun and affordable collectible. My passion for collecting floaty pens started many years ago while vacationing, and this was an affordable souvenir for me to get. Some of the places I have collected floaty pens from are no longer in existence, so the pens have a historical as well as nostalgic importance. The upper half of a floaty pen has a clear plastic oil filled section with a floating image against a background. The image "floats" when the pen is tilted back and forth. The bottom half of the pen (the "barrel") is made of colorful plastic, and you can actually write with it.History: A Danish baker by the name of Peder Eskesen is known as the founder of floaty pens. In the 1940s, he perfected a way of sealing the oil which is in the upper half of the floaty pen. The Eskesen gepany makes most of the floaty pens found in the world today. New designs are always being produced, so discontinued vintage pens/designs are sought after by collectors. When buying a floaty pen, whether vintage or new, tilt the pen back and forth to see if the float moves freely. Check to see if there are any bubbles or streaks when the pen is tilted. Also check the barrel part to see if it is free from scratches, ink, or other markings. If you don't have access to the pen, make sure the description states the condition of the barrel and the float.Floaty pens can be found in every state and in almost every country. A fun, interesting and affordable collectible.