Quill Pen

ca 1750

The Copp family used these quill pens in their home in Stonington, Connecticut during the 18th and 19th century. Quill pens were generally made from the five outer feathers of a goose or swan’s wing. The end of the feather was shaped to a point, with the hollow shaft of the feather serving as an ink reservoir when dipped in an inkwell. Quill pens served as a primary writing instrument prior to the mass production of dip pens around 1820.