All Pens and Ephemera

Blue Parker Vacumatics seem more difficult to find these days, but we lucked out with this Debutant-size double-jewel model from 1941. We restored its aluminum speedline filler with a new diaphragm. The barrel is too dark to see the ink, but it is working well. The pen has some wear from use and visible brassing on its cap band and jewels. Click the headline for close-ups. We tuned the nib after shooting the nib photo. You will find it writes a smooth medium line. The clip is on tightly. A great vintage pen daily user. 11.9cm capped.

You've always wanted a Parker Snakes pen from the turn of the last century, but the $10,000 price tag has scared you off. Well, here is a larger, modern version called the Danitrio Phantas I. Filling with a standard international converter (or cartridges), this pen has a two-tone steel nib. It is marked M for medium, but we find it writes more of a nice fine line. We don't believe the filigree has any precious metal, but we still like the red glass eyes of the serpents. Light wear from use. 14cm capped.

The German luxury pen market is rather flooded, and Xezo is frequently overlooked. Nevertheless, this is a really handsome pen with platinum-plated trim and a mother-of-pearl design. It is numbered 204, but we don't know how many were made. You'll fine its two-tone steel nib writes a smooth line that we think is closer to medium, though the nib says it is a fine point. It comes with a Limited Edition box, although we aren't certain it is the correct box. It also comes with a converter and polishing cloth. Minimal wear from use. 14.4cm capped.

At the turn of the 20th century the Franklin Pen Company was thriving. It was based in Philadelphia and was specializing in a "self-filling" system known today as a syringe filler. This Franklin Safety Pen has the syringe filler, as you can see in the photo. Click the headline for close-ups. Ours is not working and unrestored. Back in the day, what set these pens apart from other syringe fillers was that you could adjust the pressure of the seal as it wore out so that it didn't make a mess. Its 14k gold nib is a size 3 that is very flexible going from a fine to around 2mm wide. You can still use it easily as a dip pen. The chasing and imprint in the black hard rubber is a bit worn but still visible. There's a little brassing and discoloring of the golden decorative trim. Hairline crack in the lip of the cap going under the cap band. 12.5cm capped.

Twist the tail cap on this Lamy Logo one way, and you get a working blue ballpoint pen refill to write with. Twist it the other way, and a .5mm lead pencil emerges! I'm not sure what the official name of this writing instrument is, but we're calling it the Lamy Logo Duo. Both sides work well. It shows a little wear from use. This also is the last of our West German Lamys for a little while. Twice as fun as the other Lamy Logos! 14.2cm.

Here's a chance to get a relative bargain on a fairly rare vintage pen. Look closely. Click the headline for close-ups. Notice anything unique about this oversized Sheaffer Lifetime flattop in black hard rubber? No white dot. No serial number on the 14k gold Lifetime nib. This pen was made before Sheaffer developed its famed white dot logo for Lifetime pens! And it was before Sheaffer lost an early lawsuit to black-market dealers of its pens because the Lifetime nibs had no serial number to track the pens. There is a fair amount of brassing on the trim. Also visible is a little triangle chip in the lip of the cap that some long-ago repair person super glued. A hairline crack sprouts out of the right side of the pocket clip mount. There are scratches and faded imprints. We restored this pen with a new ink sac. You will write a deliciously buttery smooth broad line with its early original 14k gold nib. 13.6cm capped.

Persian blue is one of our Sheaffer favorites. This Sheaffer Sentinel is an especially attractive vintage pen. The vacuum-fil filling system has been restored and works well. However, we are noticing an issue with it as it writes. The firm extra-fine 14k gold nib writes nicely, but it seems to deposit a little blob of ink every couple words. There is a dent on the right side of the cap, too. The rest of the pen looks fine with a little wear from use. This pen sports its White Dot on the tip of the blind cap! Really neat feature. 12.7cm capped.

Lamy Tipo pens are great all-purpose ballpoint for work and play. Ours is red with minimal wear and a strong clicker. The only problem is that it is dried out and we don't have any replacement M66 refills. But, how often do we have pens for under $10? 12.6cm.