All Pens and Ephemera

Montblanc LeGrand "Document Markers" are somewhat hard to find, but ones in the discontinued "Bordeaux" color are even more difficult to find. Aside from a little light wear from use, our preowned luxury writing instrument looks pretty amazing. This one comes with a working highlighter refill. Guaranteed authentic, this one was made after the invention of serial numbers on the pocket clip band but before "Pix" was written under the cap band. We love these slightly larger sized LeGrands that don't yet cross over into oversized territory. 14.5cm capped.

At one point in yesteryear, there was no transnational travel more glamorous than the train route known as the Orient Express. Royalty and celebrity hobnobbed on its cars from Paris to Istanbul over an approximately 3-day run. It was considered "The train of kings and the king of trains." Our S.T. Dupont Orient Express pays tribute to that great locomotive. In like-new condition, we think this pen has only been dipped once or twice. Not a mark appears to have blemished the glittering blue cap and barrel. You'll write a very smooth fine line with its rhodium-plated 18k gold nib. Comes complete with its original boxes and most of its papers. (Not sure if it had a large square booklet or not.) Click the headline for close-ups. 15.2cm capped.

A ruby-red vintage pen is just what this holiday season needs. Our Esterbrook LJ has been fully restored with a new ink sac. It sports a steel 1555 Gregg nib, which meant the nib was originally for anyone who took shorthand. Think secretaries and journalists. This can be thought of as the long, slender version of the J-model pen. The cap and barrel have some wear from use, but there are no cracks or major scars. Nice, clean imprint. You will write a surprisingly smooth extra-fine line, if you have a light touch with this firm nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.8cm capped.

Earlier this year Pelikan released an M1000 Renaissance based on this original limited edition Pelikan M800 Renaissance. We love the original better, as it fits the hand more easily than the bulky oversized 1000s. Our pre-owned pen is in excellent condition with minimal wear from use. The piston filler operates smoothly. You will write a fine line with its two-tone 18k gold nib. There is a little feedback. Included with the pen are its original box and travel pouch. The inner box shows a little wear. The outer white box not pictured has some ink stains. The frosted gold logo sports a mama pelican with one chick. Click the headline for close-ups of the pen and nib. 14cm capped.

One could argue that the Parker 75 was the last of the golden era fountain pens Parker made with the intention of it being a daily luxury pen. Our preowned pen is a later model that was made in France. No dents mar the sterling silver cap and body. The top and bottom element looks like a dinner plate. We fitted this pen with a more modern Parker converter. It also takes Parker cartridges. The cap has a tight closure. You will write a nice, fine line with a little feedback while engaging its 14k gold nib. 12.9cm capped.

What are the most desirable features on a Montblanc 149 fountain pen that connoisseurs love most? 14k gold nibs and a split ebonite feed! That is exactly what our preowned luxury pen sports. The one feature it doesn't have is the brass piston fitting under the blind cap. Our pen was made during that brief window after German unification where the clip band had the word Germany but no serial number. In excellent working order, the piston fills the pen nicely. You will write an extra-fine line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. There's a little feed back from its firmness. No cracks. No brassing. Light wear from use. Click the headline for close-ups. 14.8cm capped.

Composer, conductor and pianist Johannes Brahms was one of the great romantics of classical music. This renowned German artist gets his due in this limited edition pen by Montblanc. Part of Montblanc's Donation Pen series, the Montblanc Brahms comes as a complete box set that includes a tuning fork and booklet. Our preowned luxury pen looks like new, and likely was only written with once given the minimal ink on its extra-fine, rhodium-plated 14k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. Guaranteed authentic.

At first glance, you miss the hidden awesomeness of this Canadian Sheaffer Craftsman fountain pen. More than a plain black vintage pen, it is a plain black vintage pen with a surprisingly flexi 14k gold nib! You will write a very nice fine line that flexes up to about 1mm wide. As with so many flexi nibs, there is a little feedback. We restored this pen with a new ink sac and O-ring. No cracks nor brassing. The black gleams through the light surface wear on the pen. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.2cm capped.