Vintage Pens

What makes the Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal fountain pen is it screw-in "Signature" nib system, which allowed customers to be certain they got the nib that was best for them. This lastest vintage pen, also known as a Decoband, comes with a 14k gold nib with an F marked on the inkfeed--indicating a fine point. However, when we dipped it, we found that with a little feedback it could write from an extra fine to just short of a millimeter. Fully restored with a new ink sac, this classic pen is ready for action. You can see some discoloration in the original black and pearl design. No cracks but some wear from use. Its matching pencil is in the same condition, working with a 1.1mm lead that is red! Pen measures 13.7cm capped.

Perfection in vintage pens is such an elusive target. This Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal gets awfully close. Its "Brazilian Green" or "Bronze Green" finish is stunning without much, if any, discoloration. There is no brassing on the oversized fountain pen except for a tiny sliver on the edge of the lever. Fully restored, both the vintage pen and pencil work well. Under a bright light you can see some shallow scratches on the caps and barrels. You also can see some marks where the pen's cap rubs against the barrel when it closes. Very minor wear, but it didn't just roll off the assembly line. You will write a smooth extra-fine (or fine, depending on how you define extra-fine) line with its 14k gold nib that screws in and out of the pen. You will notice it is not a "Signature" nib, but it was likely a replacement nib the store that sold it used to customize the nib for the original owner. The pencil takes 1.1mm leads. Its biggest flaw is brassing on the nose cone. Pen measures 13.4cm capped.

Where to start?! Oversized, blue-on-blue lapis...a buttery smooth semi-flex nib! Admit it. You're already salivating over this Wahl-Eversharp Gold Seal/Decoband. It is one of the best vintage pens we have posted this year. Fully restored with a new ink sac, the fountain pen has few flaws. The barrel is clearly still blue, but it is three or four shades darker than the cap and pencil. The only brassing is on the ball of the pocket clip. No cracks nor scratches. The writing experience is second to none. It can be a buttery smooth extra-fine, but with just a little gentle pressure it can write a 1mm line. The pencil still works with a 1.1mm lead. It has a little brassing on the nose cone and pocket-clip ball. The lead only advances; you have to push it in to retract it. No eraser. Pen measures 13.55cm capped.

Ask yourself, "Why is this deal too good to be true?" For as perfect as this Waterman 56 Ripple looks, there is an inch and a quarter crack running up the back of the cap. The barrel really is just flat-out amazing. One of the larger Waterman sizes, this one has a perfect ripple pattern on "red" (i.e. orange) hard rubber. There's brassing on the cap band and the ball of the clip. We restored it with a new ink sac. You will write a sumptuously smooth...oh, yes, full-on buttery smooth...medium line with its 14k gold nib. Click the headline for a close-up. It says manifold, but the smoothness of the nib doesn't make it feel too rigid. 14cm capped.

We love that the early Parker Vacumatics didn't have a standard look. This grey-marble model is quite handsome and fully restored with a new diaphragm. You can see in the photo it is a double-jewel, lock-down filler. It shows some wear from use, but it is in good working order. The celluloid is darkly ambered, and you can barely see through it. The good news is that it has a buttery smooth, wet medium nib. It is a ton of fun to write with. Click the headline for close-ups. This is the mid-sized pen and measures 12.1cm capped.

Look at the way the vibrant green radiates on the cap of this Canadian-made Parker Vacumatic. We consider it a junior-sized pen, a little shorter and more slender than a standard model but definitely larger than a "debutante" model. Fully restored with a new diaphragm, this vintage pen is in great working order. Its lockdown filler still locks down, as you can see in the photo. The clear barrel celluloid has ambered, but you can still see your ink level in it. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a nice, fine line with its 14k gold nib. We love how the nib was labled "Vacumatic." Not a common feature in American-made Vac nibs. 11.1cm capped.

Parker introduced the last great innovation in filling system design with its capillary filler featured in the Parker 61. Unlike over-engineered Sheaffer Snorkels, the 61 had a Teflon-coated tube filled with a padding that wicked ink into the pen. Ingenius! The only trouble with it for modern collectors is that it is really hard to change ink colors. We spent several days flushing this pen clear. We love the crack- and wear-free turquoise hood and barrels on this set, but it is the RAINBOW CAPS that really stand out. Click the headline for a close up. The caps show some scuffing and wear. The clip is both loose and secure, as we can't get the jewel to unscrew. You will write a smooth fine line with the pen's 14k gold nib. The pencil is a Liquid Lead model that still writes a little.

At the depths of the Great Depression, Parker realized it needed to make pens people could afford if the company was to survive. This led to the birth of the Parker Thrift Time pen. It was a smaller, but still stylish, button-filler at a price that didn't break the bank. Our vintage pen has been fully restored with a new ink sac. Its burgundy coloring has discolored in places to an orangey hue. There's some brassing of the cap bands and clip. You will write a nice medium line with its 14k gold nib. 12.1cm capped.