This week's vintage batch features elegantly understated black FPs with nibs whose expressive writing characteristics cannot be overstated. Highlights include a couple (Super)Flexible factory stubs, a factory "Flex" nib, and a wild, Flex/Superflex "Waverly" style nib (in an OS Vac, no less). As always, all pens are fully restored and ready to write.
Pastable link: https://imgur.com/a/ocMDTOr
Condition (n.b.): All pens listed below have been disassembled, cleaned and restored with new sacs installed in the last couple months. Each is guaranteed to fill and write as designed without leaks or other problems. Nibs have been adjusted when necessary to ensure that all lay down a smooth and consistent line.
THESE PENS HAVE NO CRACKS, CHIPS, PERSONAL ENGRAVINGS, MISSING PARTS, BENT NIBS, MISALIGNED TINES, OR THREADING ISSUES.
Line Widths and Writing Samples: To provide buyers with as much information as possible, I have started to adopt the following line width standards: XXF (.1-.2mm); XF (approx .3mm); F (approx .4mm); M (approx .6mm); B (approx .8mm). Nib flexibility is determined by variation (max line width under pressure) and softness (amount of pressure). Flexibility designations based on variation generally run as follows for an XF/F nib: Semi-Flex (approx. 1mm); Flex (1.2-1.9mm); Superflex (>2mm). All line width measurements are taken with a digital caliper but should be considered approximations providing a general guide. Width may vary slightly depending on type of ink and paper used as well as amount of pressure applied. All writing samples are on Rhodia dot paper using Waterman Serenity Blue or Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz.
1. c. 1936 Sheaffer Balance Statesman (Jet Black celluloid, GPT, lever filler, 14k F Superflex Factory Stub nib). This full-sized, standard girth model measures 5 7/16" capped. The white dot Lifetime model Sheaffer called the Statesman was at the top of the Balance lineup, eclipsed only by the oversized Premier pens. This particular pen has an interesting backstory. I was told it belonged to the bullgoose doctor at a Sanatorium that closed its doors in the 1960s, a building reputed to have become the "most haunted place on earth" (PM for further details). This pen features the streamlined "radius" clip Sheaffer introduced in the mid-30s and a very unusual 14k Lifetime nib. The vast majority of these nibs are rigid nails – as was the fashion by the late 30s – but Sheaffer offered special-order factory stubs and flex nibs, often distinguished by their lack of rhodium masking. These nibs are quite uncommon. This one is a specialty grind with the smoothness of a Stub but the greater line variation of a Cursive Italic. On top of that, it also happens to have Super-Flexible softness and variation! Unflexed, this nib lays down a smooth and consistent F line on the down-strokes and XXF line on the cross-strokes. Under light pressure, the line widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.2mm) (see WRITING SAMPLE). It's a delightfully versatile nib that adds flair to print as well as being a great choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Copperplate and Spencerian. All wrapped up in the super reliable package of a 1930s Balance. Condition: excellent [B]. The good doctor must've taken especially good care of this pen as it shows very little signs of use at all. Gold-plated furniture is entirely free of brassing. Barrel imprint is factory crisp and deep with no wear. And there's scarcely even any microscratches on the cap and barrel. I'd call the pen near mint were it not for an inconspicuous rough spot on the end of the barrel, caused perhaps by the pen rubbing up against something in the drawer where it was stored. A pen of haunted provenance with a killer nib. Price: $175
2. 1931-5 Oversized Eversharp Doric (Jet Black celluloid, GPT, lever filler, 14k XF Superflex nib). This was the largest of the Dorics in girth and length, measuring 5 7/16" capped. An oversized example of the desirable 1930s Art Deco masterpiece, featuring faceted cap and barrel, gold seal emblem signifying W-E's lifetime guarantee, and chamfered trim including lever, functional roller clip, and wide deco diamond cap band. What truly sets this Doric apart is the commensurably large 14k Eversharp Gold Seal nib marked "Flexible." Displaying more variation than most adustable nibs I've encountered, it grades well into the Super-Flexible range set forth above. The nib lays down a smooth and consistent XF line that widens to an impressive 4B+ (approx 2.6mm!) under light pressure. Thin hairlines, strong snap-back, and generous flow under pressure make it an ideal choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Copperplate and Spencerian (see WRITING SAMPLE). Condition: excellent- [B-]. Gold-plated furniture is clean aside from high point wear to the cap band and lever. As you can see, however, it shines up so well this wear is virtually invisible. Celluloid has a smooth, lustrous finish with a couple dings and short scratches here and there but nothing terribly deep or unsightly. Maker's imprint on the cap is weakened but still fully legible. A vintage icon with a nib that lives up to its reputation. Price: $340
3. 1941 Oversized Parker Vacumatic (Black w/ transparent barrel striations, GPT, Vacumatic Lockdown filler, 14k two-tone "Waverly" style F Flex/Superflex nib). This Oversized 1st-generation model has the thickest barrel and section girth of any of the Vacs and measures 5 3/8" capped. Although Parker USA ceased production of the 1st generation Vacumatic in the late 30s, 1st gen Canadian Vacs like this one are known to have been made into the 1940s. The pen has a Canadian barrel imprint with date code indicating 1941 manufacture as well as a patent number stamped on the back of the clip's tassie, a detail also distinctive of Canadian Vacs. Double black jewels and transparent barrel striations enable one to check ink level and view the operation of the filling system (see DETAIL PHOTO). Another peculiar feature of pens made in Parker's Canadian factory were the nibs, the factory producing specialty grinds and flexible nibs with greater frequency than its American counterpart. The 14k two-tone OS Vac nib in this pen is truly a sight to behold. It's rather long-tined and the tip has been shaped by the factory to resemble an upturned Sheaffer's nib in the "Waverly" style (see DETAIL PHOTO). The result is a nib that writes smoothly at a broad range of angles with subtle alterations in line width depending on the angle. In addition, it yields Super-Flexible variation with Flexible softness, laying down a smooth and consistent F line (at a normal angle) that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.3mm) under moderate pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). I sold a Canadian Vac with a similar nib to a user on here some time back. This "duckbill nib," as he styled it, fast became his A No. 1 vintage writer and the pen remained in his rotation even after he'd parted with many of his others, vintage and modern. Condition: excellent [B]. Gold-plated trim is free of brassing aside from the arrow on the clip, a spot on the very top of the clip, and a thin, short sliver on the back of the clip tassie. Celluloid has a smooth, lustrous finish with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Barrel imprint is a little weakened, but remains sharp and fully legible. King of the North Vacs! Price: $420
4. 1923-5 BHR Parker Duofold Senior (smooth BHR, GFT, button filler, 14k F nib). Measuring a hair over 5 1/2" capped, this is an earlier, oversized Sr. model in black hard rubber with large Duofold imprint – made in smaller numbers and much harder to find than the black Permanite models. This is a button filler. To fill, simply unscrew the blind cap, submerse the nib to the section, and depress the metal button once. It's a simple, durable filling system that's great for sucking the last bit of ink out of the bottle. Correct 14k Duofold Sr. nib lays down a firm yet smooth and consistent F line (see WRITING SAMPLE). Condition: excellent [B]. Fully restored with brand new pressure bar to give a strong, deep fill. Hard rubber retains its dark black hue with minimal fading. Hard rubber parts have crisp knurling and retain their dark black color. Smooth, lustrous finish with a couple light scratches to the barrel but no deep scratches or any other significant blemishes. Gold-filled trim has the typical sliver of brassing on the clip ball, a sliver around the bottom edge of the cap band, and another that extends 1/4 around the top edge of the cap band. Under a loupe, I noticed the nib has some marks on the tines just behind the tipping, but these are merely cosmetic, having no discernible effect on how the pen writes. Medium 'DUOFOLD' imprint is deep and crisp. Lucky Curve banner imprint is weaker in the center, but otherwise fully legible. Price: $190
5. 1910s Parker Jack-Knife 20 (smooth BHR, NPT, button filler, 14k XF/F Superflex nib). This short, standard girth model measures 4 1/2" capped and a comfortable 5 7/8" posted. Marked "Jack Knife Safety" on the cap with a 1912 patent date, this early Parker features a cap that was designed to be ink-tight when carried. It's made of smooth black hard rubber with nickel-plated clip and Lucky Curve "Xmas tree" feed. This is a button filler. To fill, simply unscrew the blind cap, submerse the nib to the section, and depress the metal button once. It's a simple, durable filling system that's great for sucking the last bit of ink out of the bottle. This utilitarian pen has an unadorned appearance but the nib packs quite a punch. Its Super-Flexible 14k #2 Lucky Curve lays down a smooth and consistent XF/F line that widens to a 4B+(approx 2.4mm) under light pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE). Thin hairlines, strong snap-back, and generous flow under pressure make it another ideal choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Copperplate and Spencerian. Condition: excellent [B]. Hard rubber retains its factory black color with only a couple spots of very minor * fading that are only visible except in certain lights. Hard rubber has a smooth, lustrous finish with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Clip shows light wear on the edges. "Jack Knife" imprint on the cap is sharp and deep while barrel imprint is weaker yet still mostly legible. Price: $180
6. c.1909 Conklin Crescent Filler 2NL (BCHR, GFT, Crescent filler, 14k F/M Flex/Superflex Factory Stub nib). Measures 5 1/16" capped. The same pen once touted by Mark Twain in adverts of the era to be capable of filling with one hand and of being a profanity saver, its lock-ring preventing it from rolling off a desk. This pen was pen was made as Conklin was making the transition from slip- to screw-cap pens. So early is it that Conklin deemed it necessary to stamp the cap with the word "UNSCREW" above the imprint of a hand pointing in the proper direction. A charming little detail I believe was fairly short-lived in this model's development. The pen is made of black hard rubber, chased in the ubiquitous scallop pattern. It came clipless from the factory (no holes have been drilled for a clip or ringtop in the cap) – Conklin's patented rocker clip would not be introduced until 1918. Gold-filled crescent is marked "Crescent-Filler / Trademark" on one side, unmarked on the other. The Crescent-Filler is one of the most simple and durable filling systems among sacced pens. To fill one simply rotates the knurled lock-ring to the open position and depresses the crescent once with the nib submersed. 14k Conklin Toledo #2 nib is a Factory Stub and capable of Super-Flexible variation with Flexible softness. Unflexed, it lays down a smooth and consistent M line on the down-strokes and F line on the cross-strokes. Under moderate pressure, that line widens to a 4B+ (approx 2.1mm) (see WRITING SAMPLE). It's a combination that makes for a versatile writer well suited to adding expression to one's everyday writing as it is to calligraphy. Condition: excellent [B]. Hard rubber retains its deep black color with minimal fading. Chasing is strong and crisp, with very light wear. Surface is smooth and lustrous with no notable blemishes aside from a couple light scratches on the cap (see timestamp photo). No brassing to the crescent. Hand imprint on the cap looks to be as sharp as it was when it left the factory. Barrel imprint is weaker but still mostly legible. A charming example of an early Crescent Filler and a delightful writer. Price: $180
Shipping: All pens that do not come with their original boxes are packaged in thick PVC tubes to protect them in transit. To CONUS locations the following shipping option is available on this set:
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USPS First-Class with tracking for $5
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USPS Priority with tracking for $8
International Customers: Please contact me for shipping quote if located abroad (delivery confirmation required).
New York Customers: For tax purposes, I am now required to add an 8% sales tax on any sale made in the state of NY. If your shipping address is in NY state, please let me know before payment to receive an adjusted total.
Order, Payment, & Guarantee: Pens are placed on hold for the first person to reply to the thread and PM me with firm request to purchase (no chat DMs please). A request with the words “I'd like to purchase [pen number]” would be best to avoid confusion), to which I’ll reply with payment details. If I haven't received Paypal payment within 24 hrs, then pens may become available to the next person. All pens are guaranteed to be in the condition in which I've described them. If I've missed something objectionable or the filling mechanism is not fully functional, the buyer may contact me up to 7 days after receiving the pen for a full refund (issued once I receive the pen back in the same condition as sold). I've sold pens online for over a decade. Please check my past listings here as well as on the classifieds and historical sales forums on FPN (username: Estragon) and FPGeeks (popcod) for some of my previous offerings.
Submitted September 29, 2019 at 11:19PM by popcodswallop https://ift.tt/2mSLZtw
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