Sheaffer
Pens and Ephemera

We love a great name imprinted on a fountain pen, and "Nevada A. Jenia" sounds like a keeper. We think we found her obit online. If this is the same woman, Nevada was born in 1919 and graduated from her high school with honors. It would stand to reason that this Sheaffer Lifetime Balance was her high school graduation gift. She went on to college and ultimately played violin in the San Diego Orchestra! She passed away in 2006. She also took good care of her pen. No cracks, no brassing, just a little wear from use. We restored it with a new ink sac. Be gentle on the lever, as it seems to come off its tracks every now and again. You will write a smooth medium line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. 13.9cm capped.

Carmine (red) striated Sheaffer Lifetime Balance fountain pens are on the less common side of the Sheaffer color spectrum. We restored this one with a new ink sac. The imprint lists an "875." People used to think that was a model number, but it was really the original price of the pen: $8.75, which was pretty expensive in the 1930s and '40s. Our vintage pen is crack-free but has a slightly dulled luster from use and wear. There are a couple of significant spots of brassing on the cap band. The ink-view window is darkly ambered but you can still see through it with a light. Its two-tone 14k gold nib writes an extra-fine line with some feedback. 13.8cm capped.

We love this deep bronze metallic finish on this Sheaffer Prelude. Likely one of the last American-made Preludes, it remains in excellent condition, with minimal wear. A Sheaffer converter is included with this pre-owned pen. It also takes modern Sheaffer cartridges. You will write a dry, extra-fine to fine line with its two-tone steel nib. It does not appear to have been written with much. The more you write with it and "break it in" the flow should improve a bit, though it likely will always be a dry writer. 13.2cm capped.

Looking for a bargain on a user-grade vintage pen? Check out our Sheaffer Admiral from the 1940s. Its golden brown striated design remains striking after more than 70 years. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sac. However, there are some serious cosmetic problems. There is a hairline crack in the threads of the barrel, which we believe we have stabilized. A past repairman in the 1950s or '60s used a pair of pliers to open the pen and really mangled the section grip. The rest of the pen is A-OK. You will write a wet-fine (some might say medium) line with its two-tone 14k gold nib. 12.6 cm capped.

Sheaffer Imperial pens remained in production for nearly 40 years. They were one of the last of the great golden era fountain pens released by Sheaffer. We believe this stunning Sheaffer Imperial to be from the mid-1970s. Close to mint condition, this rarer sterling silver model sports a barley corn pattern. You have to look insanely hard under the right light to find a kiss of a dimple in the cap. The rest is pretty surprisingly nice. It comes with its original aerometric style converter, and it also can take Sheaffer cartridges. You will write a nice broad line with its 18k gold inlaid nib. We actually filled this one up and wrote with it all the way dry. The nib is smooth, but it does have some hard starts, which can get annoying. 13.1cm capped.

Simultaneously luxurious while also designed for intense daily use. The Sheaffer PFM-IV was the last great pen released while the Sheaffer family still owned the company. Ironically, it wasn't the hit then that it is today. Nevertheless, this vintage pen remains a masterpiece in form and function. Our pen has been fully restored and is ready for more action. Yes, it shows a little light wear and light scratching, but there are no dents or cracks. It is a pretty handsome pen, if we do say so ourselves. You might really love its 14k gold inlaid nib that writes a smooth fine line. 13.6cm capped.

The rarest among the standard colors of Sheaffer Pen for Men was the grey. Our guess is that the men of the late 1950s and early '60s wanted a pen that contrasted with their grey-flannel suits. Nevertheless, this Sheaffer PFM-III set was quite the luxurious writing instrument of its day. It has been fully restored to great working order. The fountain pen is free of cracks and deep scratches. There is only light wear from use. You will write a very pleasingly smooth fine line with its inlaid 14k gold nib. Its matching vintage pencil is almost new old stock! The remains of a pricing "chalk" mark is still on the barrel. No cracks or scratches. Just light shop wear. Advance and retract the lead with a twist of the tail cap. It comes loaded with a lead but has no spares. Its original blue eraser still feels fresh!

Sheaffer PFM V pencils were the pinnacle of the line. One of the rarest colors of PFMs is gray. Our vintage pencil has the bonus of being ALMOST New Old Stock. Click the headline photo to see where we turn over the pencil to reveal its pricing sticker! Maybe NOT QUITE NOS, the eraser seems to have been completely worn down. Nevertheless the pencil shows little more than shop wear and works great. 13cm.