Vintage Pens

Hunters of the Parker 51 are always on the quest for the elusive 1948 aerometric first-year pen in plum. Our pretty purple vintage pen is only the 2nd one we've featured in 17 years! It is in good working order after all this time. No cracks or deep scratches. There is a fair amount of light wear from use and one dimple on the back of the gold-filled cap. You will write a very nice extra-fine line with its 14k gold nib. Parker only made this color for about a year. That is why it is so sought after. 13.7cm capped.

Bonjour, Waterman #3. We love it when we get French pens from the 1940s. This Waterman #3 is a post-World War II model that we don't think was officially released here in the U.S. We restored it with a new ink sac, and it is a very attractive example. No cracks nor deep scratches. Light wear at worst. You will write a firm, extra-fine line with its 18k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.6cm capped.

SOLID 14k GOLD! That is what an Eversharp Skyline Command Performance pen is made of. Not plating or fill. It is an all gold cap and barrel. We restored this incredible vintage pen with a new ink sac. The cap and barrel have a couple of very small impressions and the lip of the cap rubs against the barrel. Otherwise, there are minimal traces of damage. You will see a rather prominent series of engravings starting with the signature of James E. Gleason and a 75th birthday message. We looked him up, and Mr. Gleason was a mechanical engineer born in 1868 who invented a series of gear-cutting machines that were ultimately heavily used in manufacturing parts for cars and airplanes. Gleason would remain chairman of the board of his company until his passing at the age 95. Set includes the box and working 1.1mm pencil, also made of solid 14k gold. The pen's gold nib writes a smooth, fine line.

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.

Orange hard rubber just looks so much better than the later "Permanite." It is more vibrant on this Parker Lady Duofold, and we love it. Better yet, this vintage pen almost looks new. Nice crisp imprint. No brassing on the wide cap band. Only a little brassing on the ball of the pocket clip. Really sharp milling on the ends of the pen. The tail cap is as black as the day it was made. The top of the regular cap has a little chocolate hazing but not much. We restored the pen with a new ink sac. In some different lighting situations the cap and barrel show a degree or two of contrast with each other. You will write a smooth fine line with its 14k gold nib. Also present is its original Christmas-tree inkfeed. 12.1cm capped.

Oh so sleek and glassy finished, our oversized Sheaffer Balance Lifetime fountain pen is a beautiful vintage pen for many a collection. Ours has been restored with a working "vacuum-fil" system. The piston rod feels a little stiff, but it pushes out air and draws in water when we tested it. Not visible in the photo is an impressive double-helix design visible through the ambered ink-viewing window. Minimal if any wear. You will write a firm, extra-fine line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. Expect a some feedback. Not terrible but noticeable. No brassing, cracks or deep scratches. Nice crisp imprint. 14cm 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.

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.