Counter pen
Encyclopedia
A counter pen is a pen
designed to be affixed to the counter or table of an institution, such as, typically, a bank
or post office
by some means, typically a chain, ball chain
or plastic cord, complicating the accidental or purposeful removal of the pen from the counter. As an alternative, cheap ballpoint pens frequently have an artificial flower attached to the shaft of the pen by wrapping both items in florists' tape. This had the dual purpose of making the pen serve as part of a somewhat tacky but acceptable counter decoration when several similar pens are grouped together in a glass container to serve as a "flower vase", but it makes the pen harder to accidentally steal when the user obviously notices that the pen is adorned with an inconvenient decorative accoutrement.
Pens in banks and other financial organisations may also be affixed to avoid potential harm to staff.
Artist Daniel C. Boyer has used counter pens to make drawings that have appeared in several exhibitions; the unweildy, attached cord influences the drawing by hampering it.
Pen
A pen is a device used to apply ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Historically, reed pens, quill pens, and dip pens were used, with a nib of some sort to be dipped in the ink. Ruling pens allow precise adjustment of line width, and still find a few specialized uses, but...
designed to be affixed to the counter or table of an institution, such as, typically, a bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
or post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
by some means, typically a chain, ball chain
Ball chain
A ball chain is a type of chain consisting of small metal balls connected together via short lengths of wire.The balls are hollow and have two small antipodal holes. These holes accept a short length of wire deformed on the end like a rivet so that the end is bound inside the ball. The wire is...
or plastic cord, complicating the accidental or purposeful removal of the pen from the counter. As an alternative, cheap ballpoint pens frequently have an artificial flower attached to the shaft of the pen by wrapping both items in florists' tape. This had the dual purpose of making the pen serve as part of a somewhat tacky but acceptable counter decoration when several similar pens are grouped together in a glass container to serve as a "flower vase", but it makes the pen harder to accidentally steal when the user obviously notices that the pen is adorned with an inconvenient decorative accoutrement.
Pens in banks and other financial organisations may also be affixed to avoid potential harm to staff.
Artist Daniel C. Boyer has used counter pens to make drawings that have appeared in several exhibitions; the unweildy, attached cord influences the drawing by hampering it.