All Pens and Ephemera

The granddaddy of mechanical pencils in the 1920s was the Sheaffer Titan. Ideally matching the Oversized pens of its time, this vintage pencil is in excellent condition. Its 1.1mm lead propelling mechanism works very smoothly, advancing and retracting the lead. Under the gold-plated flat-top topper is a working replacement eraser and spare leads. Cosmetically, this pencils is looking great. There's one deep scratch hard to find on the barrel, a little brassing on the pocket clip and some small dimples on the topper. Otherwise, there's only some light wear. 13.3cm.

Around the early 2000s, Montblanc created a series of really neat designs for its Classique line of pens. Our favorite was this Montblanc Doué Black & White. It has an incredible art deco vibe. This preowned luxury pen is in great working order, and it comes with a working black refill and its original box. This pen has seen some wear and use over the years, but we don't think anyone will notice it at writing distance. No cracks, dents or deep scratches. Guaranteed authentic.

Here's one you don't see every day. This is an oversized Sheaffer Balance pencil with a separation point about a full centimeter below the cap band. The pencil is in great working order, loaded with a smaller-than-customary-for-this-era .9mm lead. It has a handsome black-and-pearl design. Unfortunately, there is general wear from use, brassing on the pocket clip and a small portion on the barrel that looks as if it was sanded down. Nothing remains of the original eraser. Nevertheless, it remains a great daily writer for everyday math, crosswords, sudoku and more. 14.6cm.

New Old Stock pencils from the 1940s that still have their original price sticker are always a treat. However, this poor Wahl-Eversharp 161-R Skyline pencil has a big crack near its clicker button. Our pencil still works great. The 1.1mm lead advance smoothly with a click, a still-rare early feature and advancement on mechanical pencils at that time. Under the button is a new, hardened old eraser and spare leads. The gold plating looks good. The only problem is that damned crack. 13.3cm.

Celebrate the first 100 years of Parker pens with this 1988 Parker Duofold Centennial fountain pen. This burgundy marbled wonder has the original top "jewel," which is the gold-plated 1888-1988 Parker Centennial logo. Click the headline for a close-up. You can see the pen was put into circulation by a ring of wear around the tail and some corrosion on the section bands just behind the nib. Otherwise the pen is in very good condition and ready for way more writing. Its two-tone 14k gold nib writes a nice medium line. Also included is the original, slightly stained but working, Parker converter. 13.5cm capped.

Marine green is a desirable and less common design on the 1930s Sheaffer Balance line. Even rarer are the Sheaffer Autograph models! Sheaffer Autograph pencils have a solid 14k gold pocket clip and an extra-wide solid 14k gold band around the cap. Typically, those wide bands were engraved. This vintage pencil has no such engraving! Better, yet, it is in great working order. Twist the tail cap to advance or retract the 1.1mm lead. Pull of the tail cap to access the remains of an eraser and spare leads beneath it. Unfortunately, this pencil isn't perfect. To the right of the cap band are some dots deeply cut into the celluloid, that also has a 1/2-inch of flat spot, possibly where someone tried to polish the dots out. The remainder of the pencil has some blemishes, especially near the top of the tail cap with a bite mark and a few lines/scratches imprinted. Believe it or not, you really don't see it well unless you go looking for it, but, nevertheless, it is there. 13.2cm.

Diamond-cut wavy lines weave over pinstripes on this New Old Stock Eversharp No. 25 pencil. In mint condition since the early to mid-1920s, this sophisticated pencil looks amazing with its gold-fill completely intact. Unscrew the tail column topper to reveal spare 1.1mm leads. Our vintage pencil remains in great working order. 13.2cm.

Green gold in mint condition makes for a stunning Sheaffer GU pencil that is new old stock! Twist the top of the pencil to advance and retract the 1.1mm lead. No dents or scratches. This vintage pencil is still stickered! Pull of the pencil's topper to reveal the original hardened eraser and spare leads underneath it. No engraving in the name plate window. The decorative pattern etched into the barrel is of little wavy lines. 12.9cm.