All Pens and Ephemera

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.

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.

Semi-flex nibs usually go for a premium these days, but you can get a nice one here if you don't mind a small pen. Our chased black hard rubber Conklin 25P actually looks close to mint condition. Crisp imprints and chasing. No cracks. A piece of the crescent lock is missing, but the lock still works. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a nice line from fine to about 1mm wide with its 14k gold semi-flex nib. There's a little feedback, but it won't prevent you from making the most of the writing experience. 11.1cm capped.

If you like handsome, rugged, oversized pens, the Monte Verde Giant Sequoia is for you. Our preowned pen comes complete with its original boxes. The pen is in great cosmetic conditions with only light wear from use. Also included is a working standard international converter. The steel nib is marked fine, but we find it writes a nice, firm extra-fine line. Easy to grip for hands with arthritis and other soreness issues. 14.2cm capped.

Abalone shells from California's kelp forests of the 1930s dapple this black cap and barrel of this classic Sheaffer Balance. We believe Sheaffer called the design Ebony and Pearl, but it was really abalone. Our slender, full-length vintage pen looks pretty good for 80-odd years. You'll see some scratches, wear and brassing, but there are no cracks. We restored this pen with a new ink sac. The ink-viewing window is ambered, but you can still see through it. You will write a nice fine line that some might think leans toward medium with its 14k gold nib. You might feel a little feedback on ascenders and descenders. 13.7cm capped.