All Pens and Ephemera

The backbone of vintage pens has to be the ever-popular Parker 51. The flagship of Parker production for 30 years, this aerometric-filler comes from the very peak of production and popularity in the 1950s. There are a couple little dents on the back of the gold-filled cap and a little wear on the body of the pen. However, this vintage pen remains a fantastic writer with its original "pli-glass" ink sac! You'll love the smooth fine line it lays down. 13.6cm capped.

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.

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.

Looking like it just danced out of the souvenir shop in Emerald City from "The Wizard of Oz" is this stunning Technicolor green Bexley Gemstone fountain pen. At least we think the model name is "Gemstone;" we aren't certain. Borrowing a bit from the Waterman 100-Year Pen in design, it is an absolute knock-out. It shows some light wear from past use, but it is generally pretty amazing. Better yet, you'll write a buttery smooth medium line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. Included is a standard international converter. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.9cm capped.

Due to their unique filling systems, Parker Vacumatics remain a perennial favorite for us. We restored this World War II era vintage pen with a new ink sac and really went to town wet-sanding it to restore its factory luster. No cracks. No brassing. No deep scratches. The only imperfection is an impression on the cap where the pocket clip dug into the celluloid. The blind cap aligns with the barrel about 99% of the way it should. You will write a wet, fine line with its 14k gold nib. The lighter your touch as a writer the less feedback you will feel. We can get it to be almost feedback free, but if you are more heavy handed you will feel a little more. Made in 1944, this one is a beaut that should work well for decades to come. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.8cm capped.

New Old Stock fans, rejoice. Check out this still-stickered Sheaffer Admiral from the 1940s! We restored this chocolate-brown beauty with a new ink sac. The rest is as it was and has always been. There is definitely some shop wear from rattling around for nearly 80 years, but there isn't any egregious damage. The ink-view window is still its factory fresh yellow-green clarity. You will write a nice, smooth fine line with its two-tone 14k gold "Feather Touch" nib. The sticker says it is a medium, but it only seems to write something we think is closer to a fine on a dip. Its matching pencil also is stickered. Similar light shop wear as the pen. Works perfectly. Includes spare .9mm leads. The eraser has hardened and shows a little use. Click the headline for close-ups.