PenHero.com

Sheaffer Advertisement Gallery Updated with more than 150 Ads

PenHero

June 30: Sheaffer Balance Limited Edition 1997

PenHero

June 29: Sheaffer Legacy Demonstrator nib section c1995

PenHero

June 28: Sheaffer Balance Jr. Ebonized Pearl c1937-1938

PenHero

June 27: Sheaffer Balance Ebonized Pearl c1934-1935

PenHero

June 26: Recife Andy Warhol Mona Lisa 1996 Limited Edition

PenHero

June 25: Parker 41 Debutante c1957-1958

PenHero

June 24: Postal Reservoir Pen c1925

PenHero

June 23: Sager Barrel of Ink Vacuum Pen c1926-1940

PenHero

June 22: Sheaffer PFM V c1959-1961, the two cap types

PenHero

June 21: Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl 1941

PenHero

June 20: Sheaffer PFM I c1959-1961

PenHero

June 19: Sheaffer PFM II c1959-1961

PenHero

June 18: Sheaffer Snorkel Demonstrator c1952-1959

PenHero

June 17: Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, V c1959-1961

PenHero

June 16: Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, III c1959-1961

PenHero

June 15: Japanese flat top eyedropper pen with Steady nib c1930s or 1950s

PenHero

June 14: Sailor Profit sterling silver with a $5 gold coin epoxied to cap

PenHero

June 13: Platinum silver hand engraved leaf pattern pen c1950s

PenHero

June 12: Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, IV c1959-1961

PenHero

June 11: Two Crocker Blow Fillers c1910s

PenHero

June 10: Mabie Todd Blackbird Oriental Blue BB2/46 c1933

PenHero

June 9: Parker "VS" Blue c1947

PenHero

June 8: Sheaffer Prelude Persimmon prototype color pen c2000s

PenHero

June 7: Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" c1911-1916

PenHero

June 6: Parker 61 First Edition Heritage Cap in Green c1958

PenHero

June 5: Parker 61 Presidential Waterdrop 9K UK c1966

PenHero

June 4: Aikin Lambert retracting dip pen and magic pencil combination c1880s

PenHero

June 3: Marukin red hard rubber eyedropper pen with very unusual two piece cap c1930s

PenHero

June 2: Hand engraved gold plated leaf pattern Japanese pen c1950s

PenHero

June 1: Conklin Glider? unusual pattern c1940s

PenHero

PenHero

Contact us:
Click here to send us an email!

Your on-line writing instrument magazine, featuring detailed reviews, history, news, shows, and product announcements, and more links to writing instrument focused sites than any other source. PenHero.com is tablet and smart phone compatible!

PenHero

Conklin Glider? unusual pattern c1940s. This Conklin Chicago pen is a mystery. It has the hardware and design of the Glider, but we have no information showing the Glider came in this material. It also has the very cheap gold plating and fit and finish of the Glider. Underneath the gold plate, the metal appears to be silver, which would make us think this may be a wartime pen. The material is alternating strips of black and cream lizard skin similar to Conklin Toledo pens from the late 1930s and mint green pearlized material divided by black stripes. Very unusual. The nib is probably a replacement as we would expect a Conklin Cushon point nib on this pen instead of a steel nib. A fun antique store find!

PenHero

Conklin Glider? unusual pattern c1940s. This Conklin Chicago pen is a mystery. It has the hardware and design of the Glider, but we have no information showing the Glider came in this material. It also has the very cheap gold plating and fit and finish of the Glider. Underneath the gold plate, the metal appears to be silver, which would make us think this may be a wartime pen. The material is alternating strips of black and cream lizard skin similar to Conklin Toledo pens from the late 1930s and mint green pearlized material divided by black stripes. Very unusual. The nib is probably a replacement as we would expect a Conklin Cushon point nib on this pen instead of a steel nib. A fun antique store find!

PenHero

A hand engraved gold plated lever fill pen, c1950s, of unknown make intended as a copy of a famous engraved silver leaf pattern pen model by Platinum from the 1930s. The pen has no hallmarking. It could be made of silver or another base metal. The nib was made by Kabutogi Ginjiro, a famous nibmaker of the mid-1950s. The nib is stamped STEADY and with JIS number 3233 indicating it is by Kabutogi Seisakusho, the company of Kabutogi Ginjiro. The SPECIAL stamped clip probably does not indicate the maker.

PenHero

A hand engraved gold plated lever fill pen, c1950s, of unknown make intended as a copy of a famous engraved silver leaf pattern pen model by Platinum from the 1930s. The pen has no hallmarking. It could be made of silver or another base metal. The nib was made by Kabutogi Ginjiro, a famous nibmaker of the mid-1950s. The nib is stamped STEADY and with JIS number 3233 indicating it is by Kabutogi Seisakusho, the company of Kabutogi Ginjiro. The SPECIAL stamped clip probably does not indicate the maker.

PenHero

Marukin red hard rubber eyedropper pen with very unusual cap c1930s. This Marukin red hard rubber swirl pattern eyedropper pen comes with a very unusual two piece cap. The top section of the cap, with the Warranted clip, can be removed so one can hold the pen using the black ebonite part of the cap as a wide grip. The two cap pieces can also be removed as one, as on a normal pen. The pen has a normal hard rubber section underneath that matches the pen barrel. The Marukin nib is incredibly flexible. The nib was installed very deep in the section so only the long tines show when the pen is opened this way. It's an eyedropper with a shut off valve. It operates as many other Japanese eyedropper pens by slightly opening the end cap to allow ink flow to the section. We have never seen another one like it!

PenHero

Marukin red hard rubber eyedropper pen with very unusual cap c1930s. This Marukin red hard rubber swirl pattern eyedropper pen comes with a very unusual two piece cap. The top section of the cap, with the Warranted clip, can be removed so one can hold the pen using the black ebonite part of the cap as a wide grip. The two cap pieces can also be removed as one, as on a normal pen. The pen has a normal hard rubber section underneath that matches the pen barrel. The Marukin nib is incredibly flexible. The nib was installed very deep in the section so only the long tines show when the pen is opened this way. It's an eyedropper with a shut off valve. It operates as many other Japanese eyedropper pens by slightly opening the end cap to allow ink flow to the section. We have never seen another one like it!

PenHero

A very interesting find made in a New Bern, North Carolina antique store. This is an Aikin Lambert retracting dip pen and magic pencil combination c1880s, complete with the box. Fully open, as shown, the instrument is 4 7/8 inches long. Closed, it's a tiny 2 11/16 inches long. The nib extends by pushing the slider, which looks like a raised band near the end where the nib is. On the opposite side there is a seam that has a tab that is attached to the base of the nib. The nib itself is an unhallmarked Aiken Lambert number 4 medium flexible. The magic pencil extends and retracts by twisting the knob on the opposite end from the nib. Aikin Lambert was founded in New York City to make gold pen nibs some time after the Civil War. The company began to make fountain pens in the 1880s.

PenHero

A very interesting find made in a New Bern, North Carolina antique store. This is an Aikin Lambert retracting dip pen and magic pencil combination c1880s, complete with the box. Fully open, as shown, the instrument is 4 7/8 inches long. Closed, it's a tiny 2 11/16 inches long. The nib extends by pushing the slider, which looks like a raised band near the end where the nib is. On the opposite side there is a seam that has a tab that is attached to the base of the nib. The nib itself is an unhallmarked Aiken Lambert number 4 medium flexible. The magic pencil extends and retracts by twisting the knob on the opposite end from the nib. Aikin Lambert was founded in New York City to make gold pen nibs some time after the Civil War. The company began to make fountain pens in the 1880s.

PenHero

A very interesting find made in a New Bern, North Carolina antique store. This is an Aikin Lambert retracting dip pen and magic pencil combination c1880s, complete with the box. Fully open, as shown, the instrument is 4 7/8 inches long. Closed, it's a tiny 2 11/16 inches long. The nib extends by pushing the slider, which looks like a raised band near the end where the nib is. On the opposite side there is a seam that has a tab that is attached to the base of the nib. The nib itself is an unhallmarked Aiken Lambert number 4 medium flexible. The magic pencil extends and retracts by twisting the knob on the opposite end from the nib. Aikin Lambert was founded in New York City to make gold pen nibs some time after the Civil War. The company began to make fountain pens in the 1880s.

PenHero

Parker 61 Presidential Waterdrop 9K UK c1966. This is a Parker 61 Presidential Waterdrop in 9 karat solid gold made in the UK c1966. The Waterdrop pattern is a series of three straight engraved lines followed by a line that reminds of water drops running down a string. You can also see the Parker Hallmark on the barrel, PPCo 9.375, indicating the pen is 9 karat gold. The Presidential pen was offered in the UK in both 9 and 18 karat versions. Known engraving patterns included Waterdrop, Fine Barley, Flamme, and Chevron, as well as a smooth version. This pen has the 61 capillary filler unit and a double broad nib.

PenHero

Parker 61 Presidential Waterdrop 9K UK c1966. This is a Parker 61 Presidential Waterdrop in 9 karat solid gold made in the UK c1966. The Waterdrop pattern is a series of three straight engraved lines followed by a line that reminds of water drops running down a string. You can also see the Parker Hallmark on the barrel, PPCo 9.375, indicating the pen is 9 karat gold. The Presidential pen was offered in the UK in both 9 and 18 karat versions. Known engraving patterns included Waterdrop, Fine Barley, Flamme, and Chevron, as well as a smooth version. This pen has the 61 capillary filler unit and a double broad nib.

PenHero

Parker 61 First Edition Heritage Cap in Green c1958. This is a Parker 61 we found in Maine. The cap was nearly black with tarnish when we got it. The original barrel was Rage Red, but it had lost the gold inset piece in the nib section. We picked out another First Edition 61 with a complete barrel and nib section and swapped it for this shot. It's Surf Green. As far as we know, the First Edition shield riveted to the lower face of the cap is the first time Parker ever did this and may be the first for any major manufacturer. The cap is the Heritage silver and yellow gold Rainbow cap, which when polished is really super shiny and tricky to photograph. There are three Rainbow caps, the other two are Heirloom (green and pink gold) and Legacy (nickel and silver), according to Tony Fischier's great Parkerpens.net website. The pens came in Black, Grey Charcoal, Rage Red, Surf Green and Vista Blue.

PenHero

Parker 61 First Edition Heritage Cap in Green c1958. This is a Parker 61 we found in Maine. The cap was nearly black with tarnish when we got it. The original barrel was Rage Red, but it had lost the gold inset piece in the nib section. We picked out another First Edition 61 with a complete barrel and nib section and swapped it for this shot. It's Surf Green. As far as we know, the First Edition shield riveted to the lower face of the cap is the first time Parker ever did this and may be the first for any major manufacturer. The cap is the Heritage silver and yellow gold Rainbow cap, which when polished is really super shiny and tricky to photograph. There are three Rainbow caps, the other two are Heirloom (green and pink gold) and Legacy (nickel and silver), according to Tony Fischier's great Parkerpens.net website. The pens came in Black, Grey Charcoal, Rage Red, Surf Green and Vista Blue.

PenHero

Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" c1911-1916. In the August, 1911 issue of Side Talks, the internal Parker Pen Company magazine, George S. Parker tells a story of how during the previous winter he traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico, visited the museum of the Archeological Institute of America and saw, "the most wonderful collection of Indian and Aztec relics." During his tour of the museum, Parker saw what he was told was an Aztec design called, "Awanyu," which he was told was the, "Emblem of Mystic Power," "The preserver of life," and "the guardian of springs and streams." Parker obtained permission to copy the design and set one of his jewelers to adapt it to a line of pens. This is the No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" in full 18 karat gold filled overlay and originally retailed for US $20.00. There are two articles on this pen on PenHero.com: PenHero 365: Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" and Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" c1911-1916

PenHero

Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" c1911-1916. In the August, 1911 issue of Side Talks, the internal Parker Pen Company magazine, George S. Parker tells a story of how during the previous winter he traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico, visited the museum of the Archeological Institute of America and saw, "the most wonderful collection of Indian and Aztec relics." During his tour of the museum, Parker saw what he was told was an Aztec design called, "Awanyu," which he was told was the, "Emblem of Mystic Power," "The preserver of life," and "the guardian of springs and streams." Parker obtained permission to copy the design and set one of his jewelers to adapt it to a line of pens. This is the No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" in full 18 karat gold filled overlay and originally retailed for US $20.00. There are two articles on this pen on PenHero.com: PenHero 365: Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" and Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" c1911-1916

PenHero

Sheaffer Prelude Persimmon prototype color pen c2000s. This is a Sheaffer Prelude prototype color pen that was intended as part of the varsity college book store and imprint market. Sheaffer made lots of Preludes specifically to be printed or engraved for the promotional market. Many were lacquered in one of the primary colors of major universities for their bookstores. This pen, a persimmon color, was intended for that market, but was never produced and only a few were made. When the Sheaffer factory in Fort Madison, Iowa closed, several of these pens were given out as gifts. Always interesting to find an unusual variation or prototype of a mass produced popular pen like the Prelude!

PenHero

Sheaffer Prelude Persimmon prototype color pen c2000s. This is a Sheaffer Prelude prototype color pen that was intended as part of the varsity college book store and imprint market. Sheaffer made lots of Preludes specifically to be printed or engraved for the promotional market. Many were lacquered in one of the primary colors of major universities for their bookstores. This pen, a persimmon color, was intended for that market, but was never produced and only a few were made. When the Sheaffer factory in Fort Madison, Iowa closed, several of these pens were given out as gifts. Always interesting to find an unusual variation or prototype of a mass produced popular pen like the Prelude!

PenHero

Parker "VS" Blue c1947. The Parker VS is an interesting pen, introduced in 1946. It's a kind of mash-up of previous Parker designs. With the cap on, the pen has the outward appearance of a Vacumatic Lustraloy cap Parker 51 except for the tapered clip, similar to those found on certain Challenger and 1940s Duofold models. With the cap removed, a rather plain open nib is revealed, mated to a clear feed, similar to those found on cheap Wearever pens. Removing the end cap reveals an aluminum filler button, not the expected Vacumatic plunger. The original 1946 colors, according to Tony Fischier's Parkerpens.net, were black, grey and rust, with blue following, probably the next year. The VS is simple to fill: remove the button cover, dunk the nib in ink, press the button and wait about 10-20 seconds for the ink sac to fill. Wipe and write!

PenHero

Parker "VS" Blue c1947. The Parker VS is an interesting pen, introduced in 1946. It's a kind of mash-up of previous Parker designs. With the cap on, the pen has the outward appearance of a Vacumatic Lustraloy cap Parker 51 except for the tapered clip, similar to those found on certain Challenger and 1940s Duofold models. With the cap removed, a rather plain open nib is revealed, mated to a clear feed, similar to those found on cheap Wearever pens. Removing the end cap reveals an aluminum filler button, not the expected Vacumatic plunger. The original 1946 colors, according to Tony Fischier's Parkerpens.net, were black, grey and rust, with blue following, probably the next year. The VS is simple to fill: remove the button cover, dunk the nib in ink, press the button and wait about 10-20 seconds for the ink sac to fill. Wipe and write!

PenHero

Mabie Todd Blackbird Oriental Blue BB2/46 c1933. We love the really fantastic plastic on this pen, the same plastic used on the Waterman Patrician. We're posting it primarily because we were cleaning up an old article on this pen and adding new photos. Oriental Blue Blackbirds do not appear in the 1927 to 1932 Mabie Todd catalogs, though the slim design model BB2 with no cap band and stepped clip Blackbird does. It's possible that this pen, model BB2 with color 46, Oriental Blue, first appeared in 1933. When Mabie Todd revamped their lines in 1934 to a more tapered and compact design, the Blackbird followed suit. The Oriental Blue plastic continued with the new redesigned model, which has a quite different clip, probably from 1934 through at least the end of the 1930s.

PenHero

Mabie Todd Blackbird Oriental Blue BB2/46 c1933. We love the really fantastic plastic on this pen, the same plastic used on the Waterman Patrician. We're posting it primarily because we were cleaning up an old article on this pen and adding new photos. Oriental Blue Blackbirds do not appear in the 1927 to 1932 Mabie Todd catalogs, though the slim design model BB2 with no cap band and stepped clip Blackbird does. It's possible that this pen, model BB2 with color 46, Oriental Blue, first appeared in 1933. When Mabie Todd revamped their lines in 1934 to a more tapered and compact design, the Blackbird followed suit. The Oriental Blue plastic continued with the new redesigned model, which has a quite different clip, probably from 1934 through at least the end of the 1930s.

PenHero

Two Crocker Blow Fillers c1910s. We picked up these two beautiful Crocker blow fillers in Maine. The pen holders are just gorgeous and in excellent condition with the mother of pearl shell overlay pen having one slightly open joint between two of the pieces. We are showing them closed because one is missing the nib and the other one's 14 karat gold nib is a spring mess. The mottled red hard rubber is an exceptional color, which we hope comes through in the photo. These pens have a concave depression in the top of the cap and bottom of the barrel with a hole at the center. The pen is filled by dunking the nib section into an inkwell and blowing into the hole at the base of the barrel. We believe the cap can be used to lengthen the pen for this purpose, thus the hole in the cap top. We imagine one would have to be careful filling one of these so as not to wind up with an inky mess.

PenHero

Two Crocker Blow Fillers c1910s. We picked up these two beautiful Crocker blow fillers in Maine. The pen holders are just gorgeous and in excellent condition with the mother of pearl shell overlay pen having one slightly open joint between two of the pieces. We are showing them closed because one is missing the nib and the other one's 14 karat gold nib is a spring mess. The mottled red hard rubber is an exceptional color, which we hope comes through in the photo. These pens have a concave depression in the top of the cap and bottom of the barrel with a hole at the center. The pen is filled by dunking the nib section into an inkwell and blowing into the hole at the base of the barrel. We believe the cap can be used to lengthen the pen for this purpose, thus the hole in the cap top. We imagine one would have to be careful filling one of these so as not to wind up with an inky mess.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, IV c1959-1961. The Sheaffer PFM IV has a polished stainless steel cap and plastic barrel. The clip, trim and plunger end cap are gold filled. The large Inlaid nib is 14 karat gold. The pen is the second and final use of the Snorkel filling system. You can see the Snorkel tube extended from the section under the nib. The pen fills by unscrewing the end cap, which extends the Snorkel, pulling out the plunger, dipping only the Snorkel into ink and quickly pushing in the plunger, which pneumatically compresses an ink sac inside the barrel, filling the pen. Screwing the end cap retracts the plunger and the pen is ready to write with no wiping. An incredibly complex pen that actually works as advertised!

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, IV c1959-1961. The Sheaffer PFM IV has a polished stainless steel cap and plastic barrel. The clip, trim and plunger end cap are gold filled. The large Inlaid nib is 14 karat gold. The pen is the second and final use of the Snorkel filling system. You can see the Snorkel tube extended from the section under the nib. The pen fills by unscrewing the end cap, which extends the Snorkel, pulling out the plunger, dipping only the Snorkel into ink and quickly pushing in the plunger, which pneumatically compresses an ink sac inside the barrel, filling the pen. Screwing the end cap retracts the plunger and the pen is ready to write with no wiping. An incredibly complex pen that actually works as advertised!

PenHero

Platinum silver hand engraved leaf pattern pen c1950s. We've shown two pens that are copies of this stunning pen by Platinum. Platinum is one of the three large pen companies in Japan. This is the original, from the 1950s, and it copies some of the identifying attributes of the Parker Vacumatic, including the arrow nib and clip. It has a 14 karat gold nib Platinum nib. The pen is a lever filler and even the lever is silver. The engraving work is deep and distinctive and forms parallel vine-like chains of four leaves each on the cap and barrel. According to Fountain Pens of Japan, this pen is rare. It must have made an impression to have inspired copies.

PenHero

Platinum silver hand engraved leaf pattern pen c1950s. We've shown two pens that are copies of this stunning pen by Platinum. Platinum is one of the three large pen companies in Japan. This is the original, from the 1950s, and it copies some of the identifying attributes of the Parker Vacumatic, including the arrow nib and clip. It has a 14 karat gold nib Platinum nib. The pen is a lever filler and even the lever is silver. The engraving work is deep and distinctive and forms parallel vine-like chains of four leaves each on the cap and barrel. According to Fountain Pens of Japan, this pen is rare. It must have made an impression to have inspired copies.

PenHero

Sailor Profit sterling silver with a $5 gold coin epoxied to cap. Not something you see every day and I'm sure there is a story behind it! The pen is 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches long posted. The coin is epoxied at the base of the back of the cap, opposite the clip, and is about 5/8 across and bent to wrap around the cap. It is attached just above the "STERLING SILVER" stamping at the base the cap. The gold coin itself is marked LIBERTY and 1911 and has an Indian Chief head on it. It's not known why the coin is attached, but is not crisp like a factory job so it appears to be after purchase. The cap band is stamped "SAILOR JAPAN FOUNDED 1911." The cap snaps on. The nib is a Sailor 14 karat gold.

PenHero

Sailor Profit sterling silver with a $5 gold coin epoxied to cap. Not something you see every day and I'm sure there is a story behind it! The pen is 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches long posted. The coin is epoxied at the base of the back of the cap, opposite the clip, and is about 5/8 across and bent to wrap around the cap. It is attached just above the "STERLING SILVER" stamping at the base the cap. The gold coin itself is marked LIBERTY and 1911 and has an Indian Chief head on it. It's not known why the coin is attached, but is not crisp like a factory job so it appears to be after purchase. The cap band is stamped "SAILOR JAPAN FOUNDED 1911." The cap snaps on. The nib is a Sailor 14 karat gold.

PenHero

Japanese flat top eyedropper pen with Steady nib c1930s or 1950s. This silver flat top eyedropper pen could be pre-war from the 1930s or post war, given the JIS marked nib. We are going to go with pre-war given the pen's design. It is stamped SILVER on the cap top. It has a simple floral design engraved on the cap and barrel. Many Japanese pre-war pens had gold nibs, but by 1937 gold was a restricted from commercial use in Japan and pen nibs in many cases were sold for the gold content and replaced with stainless steel nibs or after the war with new nibs. The JIS or Japanese Industrial Standards for nibs were established in 1954 and nibs would be marked with the JIS symbol and in many cases a number. STEADY was the trademark used by Kabutogi Ginjiro, considered the best nibmaker of the era.

PenHero

Japanese flat top eyedropper pen with Steady nib c1930s or 1950s. This silver flat top eyedropper pen could be pre-war from the 1930s or post war, given the JIS marked nib. We are going to go with pre-war given the pen's design. It is stamped SILVER on the cap top. It has a simple floral design engraved on the cap and barrel. Many Japanese pre-war pens had gold nibs, but by 1937 gold was a restricted from commercial use in Japan and pen nibs in many cases were sold for the gold content and replaced with stainless steel nibs or after the war with new nibs. The JIS or Japanese Industrial Standards for nibs were established in 1954 and nibs would be marked with the JIS symbol and in many cases a number. STEADY was the trademark used by Kabutogi Ginjiro, considered the best nibmaker of the era.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, III c1959-1961. We think the green PFM III has a great color. The Sheaffer PFM III has a solid color injection molded plastic cap and barrel. The clip and trim are gold filled. The large Inlaid nib is 14 karat gold. The plastic cap PFM pens have a strong taper in the cap band as opposed to the straight ended metal cap pens. As you can see on the hard plastic gift box, Sheaffer used the Inlaid nib as a symbol for this pen and also used it on packaging of other Inlaid nib pens such as the Compact and Imperial pens.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, III c1959-1961. We think the green PFM III has a great color. The Sheaffer PFM III has a solid color injection molded plastic cap and barrel. The clip and trim are gold filled. The large Inlaid nib is 14 karat gold. The plastic cap PFM pens have a strong taper in the cap band as opposed to the straight ended metal cap pens. As you can see on the hard plastic gift box, Sheaffer used the Inlaid nib as a symbol for this pen and also used it on packaging of other Inlaid nib pens such as the Compact and Imperial pens.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, V c1959-1961. The Sheaffer PFM V is the black tie pen of the Pen For Men line. We prefer this gold filled cap pen with the formal black barrel color. The PFM V has an interrupted linear engraved gold filled cap and plastic barrel, gold filled clip and plunger cap end plate, and a 14kt gold Inlaid nib. The pen was a pricey $25 when new, with the matching pencil $10 additional.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, V c1959-1961. The Sheaffer PFM V is the black tie pen of the Pen For Men line. We prefer this gold filled cap pen with the formal black barrel color. The PFM V has an interrupted linear engraved gold filled cap and plastic barrel, gold filled clip and plunger cap end plate, and a 14kt gold Inlaid nib. The pen was a pricey $25 when new, with the matching pencil $10 additional.

PenHero

Sheaffer Snorkel Demonstrator c1952-1959. This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Demonstrator. We generally date them c1952-1959, but we really think they were only made at the beginning of production for dealers and once made, were probably not re-run - what would be the need? This demonstrator has a Triumph 14 karat two-tone 14 karat gold nib with platinum mask, clear plastic cap and barrel, gold-filled clip and 3/8" wide gold-filled cap band. It's essentially a clear plastic Valiant. Produced for dealers to demonstrate the inner workings of the new Snorkel filling system. Not marketed as a for sale model. Produced only in clear plastic. Some demonstrators can be found with regular production caps. It's our belief that these are replacements. Many demonstrators have cracked plastic, possibly because the clear plastic is less able to deal with stress, and the clip spring would be a pressure point that if it broke, a cap swap would solve.

PenHero

Sheaffer Snorkel Demonstrator c1952-1959. This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Demonstrator. We generally date them c1952-1959, but we really think they were only made at the beginning of production for dealers and once made, were probably not re-run - what would be the need? This demonstrator has a Triumph 14 karat two-tone 14 karat gold nib with platinum mask, clear plastic cap and barrel, gold-filled clip and 3/8" wide gold-filled cap band. It's essentially a clear plastic Valiant. Produced for dealers to demonstrate the inner workings of the new Snorkel filling system. Not marketed as a for sale model. Produced only in clear plastic. Some demonstrators can be found with regular production caps. It's our belief that these are replacements. Many demonstrators have cracked plastic, possibly because the clear plastic is less able to deal with stress, and the clip spring would be a pressure point that if it broke, a cap swap would solve.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM II c1959-1961. This is a Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, II in black, c1959-1961. The Sheaffer PFM II second tier pen of the Pen For Men line. The PFM II has a frosted finish stainless steel cap and solid color plastic barrel, polished steel clip, and a palladium silver nib. The pen was $12.50 when new, with the matching pencil $5 additional.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM II c1959-1961. This is a Sheaffer PFM, Pen For Men, II in black, c1959-1961. The Sheaffer PFM II second tier pen of the Pen For Men line. The PFM II has a frosted finish stainless steel cap and solid color plastic barrel, polished steel clip, and a palladium silver nib. The pen was $12.50 when new, with the matching pencil $5 additional.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM I c1959-1961. This is the base pen of the PFM, Pen For Men, line, the PFM I in burgundy. The PFM I has a solid color plastic cap and barrel, polished stainless steel clip and cap band, and palladium silver nib. The PFM I is the only model without the White Dot. These pens sold for $10 and the matching pencil for $4.95.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM I c1959-1961. This is the base pen of the PFM, Pen For Men, line, the PFM I in burgundy. The PFM I has a solid color plastic cap and barrel, polished stainless steel clip and cap band, and palladium silver nib. The PFM I is the only model without the White Dot. These pens sold for $10 and the matching pencil for $4.95.

PenHero

Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl 1941. We picked up this Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl in a roadside ramshackle antique store in Maine. Like many pens we have picked up in Maine, they were part of estate auctions that local antique dealers would visit. This pen was interesting not because of its obvious wear and tear, but because it has the two-tone platinum plated 14 karat gold Parker Arrow nib. The pen has a date stamp of 1 next to the barrel imprint and a 1 with a dot is also stamped on the nib. The Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl sold for $8.75 in 1941 and the matching pencil for $4.00.

PenHero

Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl 1941. We picked up this Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl in a roadside ramshackle antique store in Maine. Like many pens we have picked up in Maine, they were part of estate auctions that local antique dealers would visit. This pen was interesting not because of its obvious wear and tear, but because it has the two-tone platinum plated 14 karat gold Parker Arrow nib. The pen has a date stamp of 1 next to the barrel imprint and a 1 with a dot is also stamped on the nib. The Parker Vacumatic Major Silver Pearl sold for $8.75 in 1941 and the matching pencil for $4.00.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM V c1959-1961. This is a detail shot of the two types of PFM V caps. The cap shells and clip appear to be the same on both versions, with the difference being in the engraved lines design. Each cap has four long and four shorter sets of parallel engraved lines. The shorter sets align with the clip. Based on the illustration in the 1962 Sheaffer repair manual, page B59, dated 10/1/59, the design of the right hand cap, showing the longer sets of engraved lines being even at the top is the earlier, 1959 version of the cap. This version has the shorter sets of engraved lines much shorter than on the later cap and starting about 1/8 inch higher from the cap lip than the long line sets. The second version, shown on the left has the middle pair of engraved lines extending out from the longer set to even with the White Dot on the clip. These lines are visible looking at the front face of the cap. Some versions of the second cap design are not marked with the Sheaffer logo and where the pen was made on the cap lip. We have one of those caps.

PenHero

Sheaffer PFM V c1959-1961. This is a detail shot of the two types of PFM V caps. The cap shells and clip appear to be the same on both versions, with the difference being in the engraved lines design. Each cap has four long and four shorter sets of parallel engraved lines. The shorter sets align with the clip. Based on the illustration in the 1962 Sheaffer repair manual, page B59, dated 10/1/59, the design of the right hand cap, showing the longer sets of engraved lines being even at the top is the earlier, 1959 version of the cap. This version has the shorter sets of engraved lines much shorter than on the later cap and starting about 1/8 inch higher from the cap lip than the long line sets. The second version, shown on the left has the middle pair of engraved lines extending out from the longer set to even with the White Dot on the clip. These lines are visible looking at the front face of the cap. Some versions of the second cap design are not marked with the Sheaffer logo and where the pen was made on the cap lip. We have one of those caps.

PenHero

Sager Barrel of Ink Vacuum Pen c1926-1940. This is a Sager Vacuum Pen we found in a New Bern, North Carolina antique store. The clear pyralin barrel that holds the ink has heavily ambered over the years, but still has some transparency in bright light. The pen has a patented plunger filling mechanism that works with a single stroke where pulling out the plunger clears the ink reservoir in the barrel and pushing it in fills the pen. Solomon Sager founded the company in the 1920s and patented this filling mechanism in 1932. Originally called the Sager Vacuum Pen, at least through 1935, Sager later added the trademark Barrel of Ink, emphasizing the large capacity and that logo can be seen on the clip. Notable is the plated white metal nib. It may be an example of Sager's 1933 patent for a nib made of chrome plated Monel metal, more resistant than stainless steel to ink’s corrosive effects. The number 4 nib is stamped PROCESSED GUARANTEE NON-CORROSIVE and clearly has a silver color plating that is wearing off. The pens were offered by mail order for only $1 in 1935.

PenHero

Sager Barrel of Ink Vacuum Pen c1926-1940. This is a Sager Vacuum Pen we found in a New Bern, North Carolina antique store. The clear pyralin barrel that holds the ink has heavily ambered over the years, but still has some transparency in bright light. The pen has a patented plunger filling mechanism that works with a single stroke where pulling out the plunger clears the ink reservoir in the barrel and pushing it in fills the pen. Solomon Sager founded the company in the 1920s and patented this filling mechanism in 1932. Originally called the Sager Vacuum Pen, at least through 1935, Sager later added the trademark Barrel of Ink, emphasizing the large capacity and that logo can be seen on the clip. Notable is the plated white metal nib. It may be an example of Sager's 1933 patent for a nib made of chrome plated Monel metal, more resistant than stainless steel to ink’s corrosive effects. The number 4 nib is stamped PROCESSED GUARANTEE NON-CORROSIVE and clearly has a silver color plating that is wearing off. The pens were offered by mail order for only $1 in 1935.

PenHero

Postal Reservoir Pen c1925. This is the larger size Postal Reservoir Pen, introduced in about 1925, and initially sold only by mail order for $2.50. Postal Reservoir Pens came in only two sizes, a larger pen with a pocket clip for men and a smaller ringtop pen for women. The Postal Reservoir Pen is a bulb filler with a long breather tube that extends well into the clear celluloid barrel. Because the barrel is the ink reservoir, the pen holds a lot of ink. The Postal Reservoir Pen is very large even by today's standards, being 5 11/16 inches long with the cap on and 6 15/16 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel.

PenHero

Postal Reservoir Pen c1925. This is the larger size Postal Reservoir Pen, introduced in about 1925, and initially sold only by mail order for $2.50. Postal Reservoir Pens came in only two sizes, a larger pen with a pocket clip for men and a smaller ringtop pen for women. The Postal Reservoir Pen is a bulb filler with a long breather tube that extends well into the clear celluloid barrel. Because the barrel is the ink reservoir, the pen holds a lot of ink. The Postal Reservoir Pen is very large even by today's standards, being 5 11/16 inches long with the cap on and 6 15/16 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel.

PenHero

Parker 41 Debutante c1957-1958. If you like 1950s colors and style, the Parker 41 Debutante is the pen for you! The cap has a fishscale pattern cut into the metal, with white paint and gold color fill. The Debutante was aimed at the female fashion market and sold for $6.00. The pen came in Black, Coral, Grey, Turquoise, Pale Green, Pink and Aqua. The clip is the same design as the later Parker 45, which was introduced in 1960.

PenHero

Parker 41 Debutante c1957-1958. If you like 1950s colors and style, the Parker 41 Debutante is the pen for you! The cap has a fishscale pattern cut into the metal, with white paint and gold color fill. The Debutante was aimed at the female fashion market and sold for $6.00. The pen came in Black, Coral, Grey, Turquoise, Pale Green, Pink and Aqua. The clip is the same design as the later Parker 45, which was introduced in 1960.

PenHero

Recife Andy Warhol Mona Lisa 1996 Limited Edition. Chaville, France based Recife (pronounced Ray-Seef) began making pens in 1987. The first pens established the principal design, a large cigar shaped swirled resin pen with a distinct clip and cap band design that echoes Waterman designs from the 1940s. This is the Andy Warhol Mona Lisa 1996 Limited Edition fountain pen, based on the Mystique fountain and rollerball pen models. The Andy Warhol limited editions began with the 1994 Marilyn Monroe pen, followed by the Mona Lisa in 1996 and the Mao limited edition in 2001. The Mona Lisa was a 5,000 unit fountain and rollerball pen Limited Edition using a black and dark blue hand cast resin to match the coloring and tone of the 1978 Warhol Mona Lisa print. The pen is hand lathe turned, making each pen a unique creation. The pens have a silver plate clip and wide cap band. The cap band is engraved with Andy Warhol's signature on the front and the Recife logo on the back. The pens are not individually numbered. They are fitted with an 18 karat gold two toned platinum masked open nib with Recife center stamped and framed with scrollwork. The pen is very large at 5 7/8 inches long capped and 6 7/8 inches long posted.

PenHero

Recife Andy Warhol Mona Lisa 1996 Limited Edition. Chaville, France based Recife (pronounced Ray-Seef) began making pens in 1987. The first pens established the principal design, a large cigar shaped swirled resin pen with a distinct clip and cap band design that echoes Waterman designs from the 1940s. This is the Andy Warhol Mona Lisa 1996 Limited Edition fountain pen, based on the Mystique fountain and rollerball pen models. The Andy Warhol limited editions began with the 1994 Marilyn Monroe pen, followed by the Mona Lisa in 1996 and the Mao limited edition in 2001. The Mona Lisa was a 5,000 unit fountain and rollerball pen Limited Edition using a black and dark blue hand cast resin to match the coloring and tone of the 1978 Warhol Mona Lisa print. The pen is hand lathe turned, making each pen a unique creation. The pens have a silver plate clip and wide cap band. The cap band is engraved with Andy Warhol's signature on the front and the Recife logo on the back. The pens are not individually numbered. They are fitted with an 18 karat gold two toned platinum masked open nib with Recife center stamped and framed with scrollwork. The pen is very large at 5 7/8 inches long capped and 6 7/8 inches long posted.

PenHero

Sheaffer Balance Ebonized Pearl c1934-1935. We've always been fascinated with the Sheaffer Balance Ebonized Pearl because Sheaffer claimed that the material was made of genuine pearl inlaid into black radite. The material was introduced in 1934. Using real mother of pearl would account for the color variations seen if you look at enough of these pens. This one shows a green hue in the pearl chips. Sheaffer claimed that the pearl would never fade because it is covered by a thin sheet of clear pyroxylin. This is an earlier example, c1934-1935, because it lacks the Visulated section introduced on lever fill pens in the 1936 catalog. It's probably a D3TC, given the size, which sold for $3.50. The nib is probably a later replacement because the correct nib would have a 3 on it.

PenHero

Sheaffer Balance Ebonized Pearl c1934-1935. We've always been fascinated with the Sheaffer Balance Ebonized Pearl because Sheaffer claimed that the material was made of genuine pearl inlaid into black radite. The material was introduced in 1934. Using real mother of pearl would account for the color variations seen if you look at enough of these pens. This one shows a green hue in the pearl chips. Sheaffer claimed that the pearl would never fade because it is covered by a thin sheet of clear pyroxylin. This is an earlier example, c1934-1935, because it lacks the Visulated section introduced on lever fill pens in the 1936 catalog. It's probably a D3TC, given the size, which sold for $3.50. The nib is probably a later replacement because the correct nib would have a 3 on it.

PenHero

Sheaffer Balance Jr. Ebonized Pearl c1937-1938. This is a later Sheaffer Balance Ebonized Pearl, a Junior, model D2V. It's a smaller pen, about 4 7/16 inches long with the cap on. The D2V appears in the 1937 and 1938 catalog, the last year Ebonized Pearl was used. The trim is chrome plated. Sheaffer says the unhallmarked Junior nib is solid gold, possibly less than 14 karat. The pen sold for $2.75 and was also available as a Vacuum-fil pen.

PenHero

Sheaffer Balance Jr. Ebonized Pearl c1937-1938. This is a later Sheaffer Balance Ebonized Pearl, a Junior, model D2V. It's a smaller pen, about 4 7/16 inches long with the cap on. The D2V appears in the 1937 and 1938 catalog, the last year Ebonized Pearl was used. The trim is chrome plated. Sheaffer says the unhallmarked Junior nib is solid gold, possibly less than 14 karat. The pen sold for $2.75 and was also available as a Vacuum-fil pen.

PenHero

Sheaffer Legacy Demonstrator nib section c1995. This is a Sheaffer Legacy Demonstrator nib section we purchased at the 2015 Triangle Pen Show. This section is for the first version of the Legacy, introduced in 1995. It was the first time we've ever seen a demonstrator section for a Legacy. After the Sheaffer factory closed, parts from the design shop started to trickle out into the market, including prototype pens. We've seen just a few more of these demonstrator sections in the past two years. We don't think they made many. This one is not glued together or sealed like the section on a finished Legacy. One thing that is surprising is how large the feed is. With the size of the Legacy section, there is a lot of room for a long feed with very wide fins. It's clear how Sheaffer Legacy nibs write as wet and evenly as they do. You can also see the tabs that secure the nib in place.

PenHero

Sheaffer Legacy Demonstrator nib section c1995. This is a Sheaffer Legacy Demonstrator nib section we purchased at the 2015 Triangle Pen Show. This section is for the first version of the Legacy, introduced in 1995. It was the first time we've ever seen a demonstrator section for a Legacy. After the Sheaffer factory closed, parts from the design shop started to trickle out into the market, including prototype pens. We've seen just a few more of these demonstrator sections in the past two years. We don't think they made many. This one is not glued together or sealed like the section on a finished Legacy. One thing that is surprising is how large the feed is. With the size of the Legacy section, there is a lot of room for a long feed with very wide fins. It's clear how Sheaffer Legacy nibs write as wet and evenly as they do. You can also see the tabs that secure the nib in place.

PenHero

Sheaffer Balance Limited Edition 1997. Sheaffer introduced the Balance Limited Edition in 1997 and followed with the new cartridge/converter Balance II line in 1998. This oversize Limited Edition lever fill pen was made as an homage to the Sheaffer Balance pens of the 1930s. The new Balance pen line featured beautiful marbled acrylics as well as solid colors. The Balance Limited Edition was 6000 pieces and a small number of lever fill clear demonstrators were also made. The Limited Edition's acrylic is a marbling of celadon green, vermilion and black. The nib is a replica of an early two-tone palladium plated Sheaffer Lifetime nib done in 18 karat gold. The clip is stamped with the Sheaffer's style logo and all trim is 22 karat gold electroplated. Each pen has its edition number stamped on the barrel.

PenHero

Sheaffer Balance Limited Edition 1997. Sheaffer introduced the Balance Limited Edition in 1997 and followed with the new cartridge/converter Balance II line in 1998. This oversize Limited Edition lever fill pen was made as an homage to the Sheaffer Balance pens of the 1930s. The new Balance pen line featured beautiful marbled acrylics as well as solid colors. The Balance Limited Edition was 6000 pieces and a small number of lever fill clear demonstrators were also made. The Limited Edition's acrylic is a marbling of celadon green, vermilion and black. The nib is a replica of an early two-tone palladium plated Sheaffer Lifetime nib done in 18 karat gold. The clip is stamped with the Sheaffer's style logo and all trim is 22 karat gold electroplated. Each pen has its edition number stamped on the barrel.