All Pens and Ephemera

Click the headline for close-ups. We were so focused on capturing the stellar beauty of this Wancher Dream Pen's Diamond Dust Raden, the nib didn't come out very well in the main photo. However, the close-ups show its 18k gold radiance. Our incredible pen looks almost new with minimal--if any--wear. The way the light catches the maki-e and raden design is breath-taking. We don't think this is the original Wancher box to this pen, as we got it from a different collection. Yet, it is so nice, we think it should be. You will write a firm, medium line with a little feedback from its 18k gold nib. An exquisite pen for your collection. This pen comes with a standard international converter. It is a large pen at 15.5cm capped.

If you are new to vintage pens, and you are looking for a great pen to experiment with, we highly recommend this Sheaffer TouchDown fountain pen from the 1950s. In addition to being fully restored with a new ink sac and O-ring, it is just a plain, good dependable writer. You will enjoy its smooth, 14k gold nib as it writes a standard fine line. Our vintage pen does show a little wear from use, but that means it has a bit of history and charm. It might even have a mismatched cap and barrel that fit perfectly together. BUT, we think it will show you the joy of vintage writing and pique your interest in a whole new rabbit hole to our crazy little hobby. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.4cm capped.

Don't be too quick to pass by this scratched-up Montblanc 149. It has a sweet 14k gold nib that is a WET NOODLE! No wonder it saw so much use. Remaining in great working order, its piston filler works smoothly. No cracks, just some scratches. In many ways, this offers everyone's favorite features. More than a flexi nib, it has the split ebonite feed with the 14k gold nib. Unfortunately, its silvery plating is 95% or more gone. Still, it writes from an extra fine to roughly 2mm wide! It is very rare to find a Montblanc from this era with a flexible nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 14.7cm capped.

The Sheaffer Valiant Snorkel was first released in 1952, and you know you have a first-year model when this beautiful 14k gold snorkel comes out from under the nib. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sac, O-ring and point seal. It has seen its share of action, as you can see some cracks and impressions on the burgundy plastic cap and barrel. It is imprinted with the name "F. Stanfield." You will write a fine line with its two-tone 14k gold Triumph conical nib. It digs into the paper a little if you are heavy handed and/or sometimes at the tops and bottoms of letters. 14.2cm capped.

He has been called the father of modern American literature, and it is amazing how well the work of Samuel Clemens holds up today. In 2010 he was honored with the Montblanc Mark Twain fountain pen from its Writers Series. The cap of this stunning luxury pen resembles the smoke stack of a paddlewheel riverboat he worked on, while the knot imprinted on the 18k gold nib represents the depths he would call out to alert the captain of the Mississippi River's depth. Our pen appears to be New Old Stock in mint condition. From the collection of top-selling author Bill Adler Jr., whose book "Outwitting Squirrels" would likely have tickled Mr. Clemen's fancy, Mr. Adler asserts he never filled this pristine pen. It comes with its original book box but not the papers or outer box.

If you wanted to be the coolest guy or girl at the office in the 1920s, you'd have sported a bright orange Parker Duofold Jr (or senior) fountain pen. We restored this Junior model with a new ink sac. There are no cracks or deep scratches, but it does have a fair amount of brassing. Its biggest blemish is a large capital "H" etched or imprinted by hand nearly a century ago. You will write a smooth medium line with its 14k gold nib. Under the nib is a classic, original Christmas tree inkfeed. Pen measures 11.3cm capped.

We love how Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" often gets swept into the children's books category when it is really a biting political satire for adults. Montblanc paid tribute to the great satirist in 2012 with a Writers Series pen best known as the Montblanc Jonathan Swift. Ours is in mint condition and has never been used. It comes with its book box and that is all. The pen is numbered 07675 of 12,800. You will likely write a fine line with its 18k gold nib, but we have not dipped it to verify. No sense messing up its New Old Stock status. Click the headline for a close-up.

Parker nibs that border on "wet noodle" are rare, but this little Parker Duofold Moderne (more commonly called the True Blue) has a stunner of a flexi nib. You will write from extra-fine to roughly 1mm wide with its easy-going 14k gold nib. Fully restored, this vintage pen comes with a fresh ink sac. No cracks nor deep scratches. Its biggest flaw is obviously the discoloring of the barrel and lower part of the cap. There's also a little brassing on the ball of the clip. However, that nib is second to none for hardcore Parker fans and those who love to write Spencerian script. 11.3cm capped.