All Pens and Ephemera

You know that scene in the Jack Nicholson/Faye Dunaway noir movie "Chinatown"? "She's my sister. She's my daughter. She's my sister. She's my daughter." Well, this handsome blue pen has a similar problem. It's an Omas. It's a Levenger. It's an Omas. It's a Levenger. We call it the Levenger-Omas Articula. It was made in partnership by Omas for the famed Levenger pen catalog company. It is much like an Omas Ogiva, though possibly a little more slender. The pen shows a little more wear in real life, but its piston works smoothly and there are no cracks. Some deep scratches and wear spots, though. You actually have tiny bit of flex in its 14k gold nib. It can go from an extra-fine to about a broad, if you are gentle. 14cm capped.

Joining springtime in an electrifying display of green is this mint-green Esterbrook J-model fountain pen. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sac. It remains youthful looking, as it has no cracks or deep scratches--just light wear from use. Holding fast is its pocket clip. Two "jewels" are complete on each end of the pen. You will write an extra-fine line with healthy feedback (not so much scratch but true feedback) with its upgrade 9550 nib. Of course, the beauty of these 1950s' Esterbrooks is that they have easy-to-replace nibs that screw in and out for more than 3 dozen point sizes. 12.8cm capped.

If you thought that the Montegrappa Modigliani was gorgeous but out of your price range, give this Levenger True Writer Select a close look. The cap and barrel design look nearly identical, without the aquamarine and gold nib. Our preowned pen comes with its original boxes and a converter. You will write a smooth medium...even if the steel nib is stamped broad. Minimal wear will be found on the pen. We think one of the nicer things about these "Select" pens is that they are larger than standard True Writer models. Click the headline for close-ups. 15.2cm capped.

Few pens taught as many American teens how to write with an "ink pen" as the humble Esterbrook. These vintage pens were often required by high schools and trade schools for secretaries and stenographers. Affordable, reliable and easily customized with screw-out nibs of more than 3 dozen point styles, it is easy to see their appeal. We just restored this classic Esterbrook J model with a new ink sac. It comes with an upgraded steel 9550 nib. You will write a firm, extra-fine line with true feedback...not scratchy scratchy. Experienced pen users might understand better. 12.6cm capped.

Feast your eyes on the Stipula I Castoni Lapis fountain pen. We believe this to be a New Old Stock pen. We dipped the nib in water, and no ink came off it. The converter is still in its little baggie with a standard international ink cartridge. The pen comes with its original boxes and papers. Silver-plated trim and this stunning blue acrylic are very attractive. You can see spots of purple like clouds at sunset mixed in with the blue. Click the headline for close-ups. Its two-toned 18k gold nib is marked fine, but we haven't dipped it, in case this is New Old Stock. No cracks or scratches. However, there are two odd small ovals imprinted into the cap. They seem more like a manufacturing defect than wear to this otherwise pristine pen. 13.8cm capped.

Here's a rare treasure from way back in 1906! We love the gold-filled filigree on this Parker 33. This pen clearly did not experience the 1906 earthquake that destroyed San Francisco. However, the top of the cap has some sizable spots of brassing from wear. There's a little brassing near the tail, too. We polished them out, but it won't stay gleaming without continued polishing. Click the headline for a close-up of the original 14k gold nib. We love the old-timey "Lucky Curve" script. There are no engravings on the initial plate of the filigree. Only slight chocolate hazing of the black hard rubber. No cracks. The section unscrews easily. You will write an extra-fine to nearly 2mm wide line with its flexible nib. It isn't a wet noodle. 13.9cm capped.

Waterman was resurgent in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This Waterman Exclusive is likely from that era. Ours comes with a box and converter. The green-marble design shows minimal, if any, wear. You will write a firm medium line with its 18k gold nib. There is a hint of feedback, and we think it writes on the fine side of medium. 14.2cm capped.

Perfection in Parker 51 Demostrators is damned near impossible to find. Yet, legendary pen repairman Stuart Hawkinson asked us to sell his vintage pen beauty. Click the headline for close-ups. No fractals. No ink stains. He added a fresh diaphragm. It looks as if there is a thin snowflake inside the ink reservoir of the pen. The steel cap has a couple little marks...really small...from just existing for 70-odd years. Its 14k gold nib is an extra-fine nail. We would never dip this pen to write with it, but the nib feels very scratchy to our finger tips. Seriously, though. Who would defile such perfection by filling it with ink? 14cm capped.