"Solomon" is parentheses. That's what is stamped on the pen. Maybe, somehow, an amazing transcendental experience will occur and the user will impart the wisdom of Solomon in their writing. So, what is the pen and why is it in the collection?
Those into Japanese pens will readily identify it as a kamakura-bori, a term generally applied to pens with any sort of carved decoration. It is somewhat a misnomer as kamakura-bori refers to the lacquered carved wood craft works historically produced in the Kamakura area. We've been there and came home with a few nicely decorated plates. There are wonderful shops that cater to tourists and serious collectors. A sample below.
Most bori pens are made by applying urushi lacquer over ebonite caps and barrels and scalloping the urushi and ebonite different patterns. Some patterns, as is this pens, are common. Some bori have multiple layers of urushi lacquer in different shades to provide an enhanced decorative effect. However, rare are bori made of wood and that was what made this an attractive addition to the collection. The mon on the clip increased our interest.
A challenge with almost every Japanese pen made in the 1930s (we initially guessed when it was made) is who made it, what model it is, and when was it made? Outside of Solomon on the barrel the only other identifier is the Star of David on the clip. About twenty years ago there were a few posts on the internet that associated the maker with the state of Israel. How? Why? I have no clue. We've seen the star before and knew the pen was made by Platon.
A Japanese website for pen collectors posted the following datelines for Platon with some illustrations. Note the Star Of David in the upper right corner. They are the only known maker in Japanese pendom that uses a six-pointed star.
In Japan families and companies have logos called mon, that identify the heritage or family group of a person. It is highly personal. The six-pointed star on the pen has been used by the Platon Pen Company since the 1920s. They ceased operations in 1954.
A big benefit it that it sports a nice soft 14K nib. Can't beat that!
Maybe we need a post on Platon. We have a good number of images of late model celluloid that are picturesque and provide good examples of their late production.