Pencils

It seems a misnomer that Parker Duofold Jr. pencils are called juniors. They are about the same length as the seniors, just a little thinner. There's only one little dimple in the golden tail topper. The rest of the vintage pencil shows a little wear from use and brassing. The tail-twist mechanism works great, advancing and retracting the 1.1mm lead. There's a spare lead but no eraser under the tail topper. 13cm.

Finding "clean" lapis blue in vintage writing instruments is difficult in our modern age. The white flecks are nearly perfect in the blue barrel. It has a nice, deep, crisp imprint, too. There are no significant dents or scratches. A little brassing can be found. The pen works well. You can easily advance or retract the 1.1mm lead with a twist of the tail cap. Remove the golden tail topper to reveal the remains of the hardened eraser with spare leads below it. 13cm capped.

Parker Duofold pencils are remarkably made and engineered devices. Nearly 100 years after its manufacture, this black-and-pearl design still works great. Senior length, this pen is a great sample of these vintage pencils. It has some noticeable wear from use. The tail topper has a little denting from a drop and a few little dimples on its side. Traces of brassing can be seen. It writes well with a 1.1mm lead that advances smoothly with a twist of the tail topper. 14cm capped.

Vintage pencil collectors might find the charm in this 1950s Esterbrook Deluxe pencil. It is a nice clutch/click pencil with a 1.1mm lead. The grey is perfect for that gray-flannel suit so popular in that era. This one comes with spare leads and a hardened eraser. It shows a little wear but nothing egregious. A nice, user-grade classic. 12.2cm.

Dignified and confident is the aura of this senior-sized Parker Duofold pencil in a burgundy and black design. It advances and retracts a 1.1mm lead with a smooth, easy twist of the tail cap. It has a little wear, but there are no cracks and minimal brassing. The streamlined black topper has a few little nicks from drops and such. A very nicely engraved signature graces the back of the cap. It appears to read "Charles M. Auriett." The last name is difficult to read; the "A" is definite the U, R, and I all look the same. Maybe it is really "Auuett," but that seems unlikely. Possibly "Arruett." Although nicely engraved, it is easy to overlook by anyone watching you write. No eraser but some spare leads. 13.1cm.

Black hard rubber Esterbrook Dollar pencils are a great early pencil, especially when they have an early clutch lead-advance mechanism. This one is a little weathered looking with wear to the nose cone. However, there are no cracks, and the click advance works well. This one comes with a 1.1mm lead preloaded. No eraser or spare leads. 12.2cm.

If you are looking for a bargain on a Parker Duofold Senior pencil, please take a closer look. Nearly 100 years old, this orange permanite beast is still working well. Twist the tail cap to advance and retract its 1.1mm lead. Click the headline to see easily that it is more than a little flawed. The pencil got dropped years ago on its twist top crown, denting it down on one side. Plus, its permanite outer shell has a bad crack under the pocket clip. 14.1cm.

Strength can be found in subtle beauty. Take this limited edition Omas Amerigo Vespucci pencil, for example. Deep shades of red Briarwood don't hold your attention with flash or gimmicks. It is looks and feels like endurance and confidence. Named for the Italian explorer who was the first "modern" European to make contact with the "new world," it is from the early 1990s. Twist the tail cap to advance or retract .7mm lead. No eraser but spare leads. Minimal wear. Looks almost like new! 14.6cm.