Pencils

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.

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.

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.

One doesn't often find stickered, New Old Stock Sheaffer pencils from the 1920s, but this Sheaffer GN is just that. Its original price sticker is on the flat end of the tail cap. It simply states "GN $4.50." Pull out the tail cap to reveal the hardened eraser and spare 1.1mm leads. The main lead still advances and retracts. The mechanism is a little stiff but still works. Only light wear is on the Green-Gold Filled pencil. Amazing for a museum piece or daily writing. 13cm.

The granddaddy of all pencils is here: Sheaffer Titan. This is what we like to call the lemon-lime jade version, as it features bright yellow swirls and flecks in the bright jade green celluloid. Our vintage pencil is in good working order. Twist the gold-filled crown on top to advance or retract the lead. As is the case with most of these, the crown is a bit dented around its edges. There's brassing on the ball and top of the pocket clip. Overall, the pencil looks great. No cracks or deep scratches. It fills with 1.1mm lead. There's a hardened eraser plugging up the space where we can hear spare leads rattling around. 13.2cm.

Tortoise shell pens are among the most sought in the Pelikan line, and here we have an even rarer .5mm pencil. It is a clicker in good working order. Pull off the clicker to reveal spare leads and a hardened eraser. Our pencil shows some wear from use but no cracks or deep scratches. The clicker logo plating is a little thin, showing a mama pelican with a single chick. 13.6cm

Bronze and black flecks glitter in the light of this Conklin Endura pencil. In great working order, you'll smoothly advance and retract the 1.1 lead with a twist of the tail piece. You can still see yellow accent paint in the rings around the celluloid. The imprint is still legible. There isn't much brassing. However, there are scratches on the nose cone and bite marks on the tail. Spare leads are under the tail cap. 12.2cm.