Our Sold Archive provides information to budding vintage fountain pen/writing equipment collectors and social history students.
Each fountain pen or piece of writing equipment forms part of the collective history of its period and has a history unique to that particular item. In the 1930’s a silver banded fountain pen (right) was purchased by estate workers, with no doubt hard earned wages, and inscribed to present as a silver wedding gift to the land owner. It was reported recently that, in the days before the National Health Service, when health care had to be paid for, a man pawned his fountain pen to raise funds to enable his wife to be released from hospital. A recently sold writing cabinet was originally a presentation piece to recognise 40 years of loyal service in a period when jobs were for “life”. Just three examples which only scratch the surface of the lifetime of memories held within each item. A treasure trove of history that no new fountain pen could convey.
Below, and on following pages, are all the pens in our Sold Archive, displayed in a random order. If you wish to search the sold archive, then the Search Catalogue page gives you an opportunity to do so. On other pages you can find the desktop items part of our Sold Archive, as well as lists of our current stock of pens and desktop items.
Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd. Swan Leverless Lizardskin | Stock number: 5194 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Leverless fill system. |
Sold |
This rare and unusually patterned leverless vintage fountain pen was made by Mabie Todd & Co. Limited in England around 1938 and marketed under the “Swan” branding. The finish is called “Lizardskin” and should not be confused with the “Snakeskin” model which was also available at the time but which is less rare. The beautiful finish is termed Iridescent Blue. The strong barrel imprint reads “Swan Leverless Pen – Patent No. 390585/32 – Mabie Todd & Co. Limited Made in England – Trade Mark” and has impressed figure of a Swan. The cap carries the Swan emblem on the top as does the gold fill cap clip. The cap has two thin cap bands and both the top of the cap and the bottom of the barrel have black edging – the barrel edging is what you turn to fill the pen. The “Lizardskin”’s leverless filling system provided elegance and simplicity in design but did reduce the ink capacity compared to other pens of a similar size due to the internal filling mechanism.
Condition is good with only minor age wear to the body and some brassing to the cap clip. The nib is a “Swan No.2” 14ct with a fine to medium point. This exceptional vintage fountain pen measures 13cm with cap on and 15cm with cap on barrel end. It is a fine example of its type which will be an excellent addition to a vintage pen collection or a treasured everyday writer. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. Filling instructions will be sent with your order. A gift box is available free of charge upon request.
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National Security | Stock number: 5111 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage fountain pen was made by National Security, an English manufacturer, in approximately 1948. It has a pleasing black and green marble finish to the cap and body and gold plated trim on the clip, lever and two thin cap bands. The barrel states: “National Security – Highest Grade English Manufacture”. It has a “Warranted 14ct first quality” medium point nib. There is little age wear and it is unusual to come across a pen of this manufacturer in good condition and with this pattern. It measures 13cm with cap on and 16cm with cap on barrel end and is a lever filler. An ideal pen for everyday use or to add to a vintage pen collection. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Sheaffer Targa Sterling Silver Overlay | Stock number: 5275 |
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Fine to medium nib, Cartridge fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen is one of the successful Targa range - a very popular model produced by the Sheaffer Pen Company from 1976 to 1999. This particular version - model 1006 - has a sterling silver chequered overlay with black inlay on both ends. The clip, very sensibly, is chrome to better withstand the strain of pulling in and out of a pocket. It sports the stylish Sheaffer 14ct gold inlaid nib with a fine to medium point which states "Sheaffer U.S.A. 585 14k". As you will see from the photograph there is some age wear and some crazing on the black inlay at the bottom of the barrel. So I have listed it as in fair to good condition and this is reflected in the price. As you would expect it has the Sheaffer "Lifetime" dot on the cap clip and around the cap ring states “Sterling Silver Sheaffer U.S.A.”. It has the Sheaffer ink cartridge filling system and measures 14.1 cm with cap on and 15.7cm with cap on barrel end. The Targa range is fast becoming highly collectible and with its large range of finishes is an interesting model to collect and as well as a pleasure to use everyday. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. unless otherwise advised and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request.
Ref: http://www.sheaffertarga.com
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Waterman Lady Patricia - Persian | Stock number: 5097 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen, which Waterman called the Lady Patricia, was created in 1930 for the female hand, following the successful sales of the Waterman Patrician range – a much larger fountain pen aimed primarily at the male market. The Stationery Trades’ Journal of the time (November 1930) praised its “slender careful lines and smart modish colour” It was marketed as having a “smart, modern, feminine cap clasp – holding the pen securely in place, even in the most crowded handbag.” The first Lady Patricia was presented to Miss Amy Johnson (1903-1941) the English female aviator who carried a Waterman fountain pen during her daring solo flight from England to Australia. It was marketed in a range of patterns and colours – this one is called Persian. The cap top, clip, single decorated cap band and lever are chrome fill. It has a Waterman Ideal Canada nib in a medium point. This delightful, and quite rare - particularly in this finish - vintage pen is in good condition with a crisp imprint which states “Waterman’s Fountain Pen, Reg. Made in Canada” with the Waterman’s “Ideal” lozenge. It measures 11cm with cap on and 13.7cm with cap on barrel end. It is a true reflection of its period and this Lady will not only provide many years of writing pleasure but will be equally at home in a vintage fountain pen collection. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order. | |
Sheaffer Targa - Amber Ronce | Stock number: 4143 |
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Medium nib, Cartridge fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen is one of the successful Targa range produced by the Sheaffer Pen Company during the 1980's. Its official pattern name is "Amber Ronce" but is also known as "Mother in Law's Carpet" and it is a rare finish. It is a cartridge filling pen, with gold fill trim and a stylish Sheaffer inlaid nib with a medium point which states "Sheaffer U.S.A. 585 14k". Condition of the nib and pen body is good. It has the Sheaffer "Lifetime" dot on the clip and minimum age wear overall. It measures 14cm with cap on and 15.5cm with cap on end. A matching ball pen will shortly be available in the accessories section. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Parker 51 - Jet Black | Stock number: 5016 |
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Medium nib, Aerometric fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen was made in England by Parker around 1955. Its aerodynamic design has made it a classic and the plaudits it has received over the years both in terms of design and reliability are well deserved. Its contribution to design is evidenced by its display in the Design Museum in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and it has been marketed as “51…the world’s most wanted pen”. This particular model has a jet black body and the polished steel cap Parker termed “lustraloy”. The pen is in very good condition overall and the Parker 51 nib is a medium smooth writer. It measures 14cm with cap on and 15.2cm with cap on barrel end. The aerometric filling system is often termed "squeezebox" and is a very simple method of filling the pen with ink by unscrewing the barrel to expose a metal shell covering the ink sac - just press the metal bar and release up to five times and this vintage pen is ready to use. Parker 51’s are not only a collector’s item but also an excellent everyday workhorse. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Sheaffer Targa Lacquer | Stock number: 5188 |
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Broad nib, Cartridge fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen is one of the successful Targa range - a very successful model produced by the Sheaffer Pen Company from 1976 to 1999. This particular version is one of the lacquer series – Brown Thuya - which as you will see from the pictures gives the pen covering a tortoiseshell effect which contrasts very effectively with the gold fill trim. It has the stylish Sheaffer 14ct gold inlaid nib with a broad point which states "Sheaffer U.S.A. 585 14k". Condition of the nib and pen body is good. It has the Sheaffer "Lifetime" dot on the clip with gold plating on the cap top, clip and trim. As you will see from the photograph there is minimum age wear overall. It is a Sheaffer ink cartridge filling system and measures 13.7cm with cap on and 15.5cm with cap on end. The stylish Targa model with its large range of finishes is an interesting model to collect as well as a pleasure to use everyday. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
London Hallmark Silver Overlay | Stock number: 5173 |
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Medium to broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This elegant vintage fountain pen was made in England of hard rubber and overlayed in silver in 1926. It is a clipless model and typical of the fine metal overlays of the period. Made at a time when plastic with its bright marble colours was not yet available, gold and silver overlays were used to provide a more “quality” item for the discerning customer. This particular vintage fountain pen has an attractive lined design, a clear lozenge, a strong hallmark, and very little age wear. The cap, when unscrewed from the body to reveal the nib, screws onto the bottom of the barrel to ensure it is not lost- it also provides a better balanced pen when writing. The nib is a warranted 1st quality 14ct gold with a medium to broad point. It measures 14.3cm with cap on and 17.9cm with cap screwed on barrel end – so as you can see it is a long and elegant English silver overlay vintage pen which will be a pleasure to own. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Sheaffer PFM III - Blue | Stock number: 5260 |
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Medium nib, Snorkel fill system. |
Sold |
This fountain pen was manufactured by Sheaffer in the United States of America from 1959 to 1963. Regarded by some as “the best fountain pen ever” this Sheaffer is called the PFM (Pen For Men) due to its large size and (then) new bold styling. It was advertised as “the complete pen for today’s active man”. These days it is equally popular and appropriate for females who prefer a larger size fountain pen. This model, the PFM III, has a very pleasing blue plastic cap and barrel with gold fill trim with the (at the time) newly designed Sheaffer 14ct gold inlaid nib. This particular example has a medium nib and is a slightly wet writer. The “clean” filling method is via a “snorkel” (named after the tube-breathing submarines of the Second World War) which extends from the nib end of the pen combined with a piston fill. It is in good condition with some minor age wear and measures 13.8cm with cap on and 14.4cm with cap on barrel end. An excellent vintage pen to either add to a collection or use as an everyday workhorse. It comes complete with a copy of the original filling instructions. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Parker Thrift Time Duofold | Stock number: 5226 |
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Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This ladies ring top vintage fountain pen was made by Parker in 1931. It was produced during The Great Depression when Parker marketed a line of economy pens known as “Thrift Time” models. They were in plastic colours and patterns which were not otherwise available in the rest of the Parker catalogue. This particular pen has an unusual and pleasing design resembling flakes of gold leaf on a cream background. There is some colour variation between the cap and the barrel but this is very common caused, in part, by the sulphur from the inner sac – hence it is the barrel which is affected rather than the cap. It does not detract from the overall elegance of the pen. The barrel imprint reads “Geo S. Parker Fountain Pen – Made in Canada”. The medium point nib, with a straight feed, reads “Parker Pen Canada 3”. In common with a fashion of the time it has a ring on the top of the cap rather than a clip. It was designed to have a ribbon or chain through the cap ring which enabled ladies to wear it around the neck or gentlemen to hang it from a watch chain. The standard cap version was advertised in the “National Geographic” magazine in December 1931 as “A Thrift Time…Creation by Parker”. It measures 11.6cm with cap on and 14.2cm with cap on barrel end. Whilst offered as a “Thrift” pen at the time, its rarity value and quality mean it is far from that today. This delightful vintage fountain pen will be a strong addition to a Parker collection and may also be used as an everyday writer. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. Filling instructions will be sent with your order and a gift box is available free of charge upon request.
Source: Fountain Pens and Pencils – George Fischler and Stuart Schneider – Schiffer Publishing - p.123. Fabulous Fountain Pens -Paola Maggi, Giampiero Negretti and Franco Nencini – p.75 | |
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If you would like us to try to source another copy of a previously sold item, please stating the stock number of the item in question, which you will see above its picture on the right.