Vintage Pens

Parker 51 Specials were the pen of the every day person. They were everything that a standard 51 was, but they had a more affordable steel nib. Octanium, we believe is the correct word they used...but still basically steel. Our vintage pen is in great condition. Its lustraloy cap is dent-free, and there is minimal wear on the hood and barrel of the pen. Its original aerometric filler is still in good shape. We flushed some stubborn blue out of it, but there might still be a trace. We love the way it writes a nice medium line. It is firm with a bit of genuine feedback, but we don't find it to be scratchy. 13.7cm capped.

Many might consider the Parker 45 as the last Parker fountain pen for the everyday person of the golden age of fountain pens. Ours writes beautifully, but it has some surface wear on its blue pen barrel and hood. The golden cap has some wear, too, but no dents. It doesn't have its original filler, but these still take modern Parker cartridges and some Parker converters. We believe this pen has a 14k gold nib. You will write a nice, smooth fine line with it. 13.6cm capped.

Looking to give customers a chance to have a more affordable version of the Parker 51, the Parker 21 was developed and born. It looks quite similar to the famed vintage pen. However, it has a more basic steel cap and pocket clip along with an octanium nib. It has the same aerometric filler and silicone ink sac...sorry, "Pli-glass" ink sac. This still works well with its original ink sac. There are no cracks in the barrel or hood. Its (essentially steel) nib writes a firm medium line. Some light wear from use, but it is a very good pen, overall. 13.6cm capped.

Coming from across the puddle is this handsome red-marbled Conway Stewart No. 286 fountain pen. We aren't 100% certain when these were made, but we are guessing the 1950s. We restored it with a new ink sac. There are no cracks, but the pocket clip is completely "brassed" and the cap ring has some brassing issues, too. The barrel imprints are very faded but still legible with a little help from magnification. The 14k gold nib has an odd dent near its base by the section. You will write a dry fine line. 12.5cm capped.

Enjoy a uniquely dark copper-colored Esterbrook SJ model fountain pen. Most of these are much brighter and more vibrant, but this classic Estie has a more earnest quality. No cracks or deep scratches, only light wear from use. Both of its circular black "jewels" are complete. We restored our vintage pen with a new ink sac. Another nice feature of this pen is its upgraded 9128 steel nib. You will write about as nice and smooth an extra-fine line as any Esterbrook steel nib can write. 12cm 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.

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.

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.