(5 Pack) R. Esterbrook & Co. Vintage Calligraphy Pen Nibs - #788 Oval Point
 
The R. Esterbrook & Co. #788 Oval Point is one of the most celebrated and commercially successful dip pen nibs in history, serving as a reliable workhorse for American offices, schools, and shops for nearly a century. Introduced as a "spoon-style" writer, its distinctive design features a rounded body and a large "exclamation point" vent hole, which together provide an immense ink reservoir to minimize frequent dipping during intensive writing tasks. Historically, this model was so popular that it served as the mechanical prototype for several subsequent Esterbrook models and even formed the architectural basis for the company's famous 2788 and 9788 flexible medium fountain pen nibs. 

Modern calligraphers and illustrators prize the #788 for its uniquely "upturned" tip, which allows it to glide across various paper surfaces without catching or scratching, a quality the historic Zanerian Catalog described as "delightfully smooth". While categorized as a medium-stiff nib, the vintage New Old Stock (NOS) versions from the pre-1940s were hand-ground and offer a surprising degree of expressive flexibility compared to later machine-stamped versions. Whether used for rapid business script or modern hand-lettering, these nibs provide a controlled, consistent line that remains a superior alternative to contemporary mass-produced replacements.