Latest Pens, Pencils, and Ephemera

This German-made luxury pen bares a striking resemblance to another--more famous--German-made luxury pen, but make no mistake, this is the Senator President. While it has an likeness similar to the Montblanc 149 in size, shape and general design, it is very much its own pen. Its two-tone 18k gold nib writes a very smooth, juicy medium line. You fill this pen by removing the blind cap to twist a piston-filler knob. Our pen looks close to new with only minimal wear from use. Plus, it comes with a very spiffy black-lacquered box with a working key lock. The box shows more wear than the pen. There is a crack in the lacquer on the lid. Some of the interior appointments are decaying a bit. Pen measures 14.7cm capped.

We don't think we can call this a pure-bred Parker Challenger. It seems to us that some long-ago repair person fitted it with a new cap band and section. We don't think that Parker Challengers ever came with an ink-view window. And although this section fits well in the barrel, the grip seems a size to small for the barrel. Regardless, we restored it with a new ink sac. ANNNND, it is a great writing pen with a delightfully smooth medium-point 14k gold nib! Our vintage pen shows the wear of past hard work, but there are no cracks. Ready for more hard work, this pen can make for a great daily driver. 13cm capped.

We wish we could tell you that this Rotring 600 is one of the classic ones from longer ago, but it is much more modern. You can tell by the crack in the barrel near the tail. You can see the brass beneath the black. Click the headline for close-ups. We've never seen a metal pen crack before. Otherwise, this pen is nearly perfect. The crack won't effect the writing. It has a firm, extra-fine steel nib that is reasonably smooth for an extra-fine nib. It fills with standard international cartridges. There is a silvery disc on the tail that has "EF" in black letters, indicating the nib size. 14cm capped.

Sailor Pro Gear Mini fountain pens are the perfect pen for the writer on the go. From small bags to shirt pockets, they fit anywhere. With the threaded tail, the cap screws on securely to make it a full-size pen when writing. Our preowned pen looks almost like new. Minimal wear, if any. You will write an extra-fine line with its 14k gold H-F nib. It is a very firm nib that has feedback, if you write with any pressure. BUT, it is smooth if you don't use any pressure at all. So extra fine, it is more like an accountant's nib. We think it is Sailor proprietary cartridges only. We include a few spares that are older and slightly dried out. 10.5cm capped.

Probably the most successful fountain pen model of all time is the Parker 51. Efficient, effective and easy to use these pens are elegant workhorses. Our vintage pen is in excellent working order with its original "pli-glass" ink sac. The pen shows moderate wear from regular use, but there are no cracks or scarring deep scratches. You will write a very nice, smooth fine line with its 14k gold nib. An ideal pen for someone who is vintage-pen curious or an experience pen lover who wants a pen that just won't quit. 13.8cm capped.

Bespoke Sailor fountain pens are difficult to find. However, Sailor only makes ribbed pens for special custom orders. This is the Sailor Professional Gear Ribbed fountain pen. Stunningly attractive, like the early Waterman 100-Year Pens, this pen has an extra-special feature in its 21k gold nib. (Click the headline for close-ups.) Designed for Japanese Kanji characters, this pen is known as the Naginata Togi MF nib. We aren't sure if Sailor means "Medium-Fine," but we don't think this pen was custom made for Samuel L. Jackson. (If you know, you know.) We find it to write a very nice European/American fine line, which some might find to be a Japanese medium. Minimal wear. Includes a Sailor converter. 12.8cm capped.

Some pen historians blame the Eversharp CA line of pens for effectively bankrupting the company. Spending millions on the rights to the Biro ballpoint refill patent, the company rushed their ballpoints into production without perfecting their manufacture and use. It also slapped a lifetime warranty on the pens, and nearly all the pens failed, resulting in crippling refunds. This is the Eversharp CA from the Fifth Avenue line, the second model to include a ballpoint design. Click the headline for close-ups. This pen is burgundy with golden trim. It shows light wear but no cracks or dents. The pocket clip jiggles. Notice the coiled refill? It was the company's effort to include even more ink in each pen. We don't think there is a replacement refill that will work in this pen. 13.4cm capped.

Have you ever seen close-up photos of the roiling flames on the surface of the sun? That is what the barrels of these amazing Delta Dolcevita Millennium fountain pens look like to us. It contrasts gorgeously with the black cap and tail piece. Gold accents help, and the silver laurels around the center of the big cap ring is the icing on the cake. It might not be the longest oversized pen, but it is very girthy. Our pen includes a standard international converter and booklet. We have no idea how the booklet managed to stay with it when the box disappeared. You will write a nice medium line with its 18k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. Minimal wear from use. 14cm capped.