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.
Esterbrook Slim model -nib 2556 | Stock number: 5108 |
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Firm fine to medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This lever filling vintage pen was manufactured America, around 1948. At the time it was marketed as an economy pen and they were extremely popular as general purpose and school pens. There were a number of variations available in the steel nib point, the type being denoted by the nib number. This particular model is in fair to good condition and a standard slender model with nib number “2556” – a firm fine to medium point for everyday writing. The nib is slightly unusual in that it turns up at the tip end. It has a terracotta marble finish with steel lever and cap clip with “jewel” end tassles. The barrel imprint states “Esterbrook Made in U.S.A.” The nib states “Esterbrook 2556 Made in U.S.A.” It measures 13 cm with cap on and 15.8cm with cap on barrel end. The steel nib provides less flexible writing than gold but tends to suit most hands. This is a classic economy pen which, now restored, will provide many years of writing service. It has some age wear so as you will see I have classified it as in fair to good condition and priced it accordingly. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. unless otherwise stated and are 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. Filling instructions will be sent with your order.
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Eyedropper - Silver Battle Axe | Stock number: 5163 |
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Fine nib, Eyedropper fill system. |
Sold |
This English silver eyedropper vintage pen was made in Birmingham in 1907. The manufacturer is unknown but it was marketed under the unusual “Battle Axe” name. I have seen only one other eyedropper of that name over the last thirty years but that had an ornate overlay rather than the smooth, once sleek, finish applied to this pen. As you will see from the pictures it has had rather a hard time since 1907 as I expect did its owners over the years given, apart from other calamities, it has weathered two world wars. The silver markings whilst rubbed are still reasonably sharp. It has a slip on cap and what is termed an over and under feed to the fine point nib. Also it has a thin wire inserted into the end of the feeds at the point where they sit inside the barrel. Its function appears to be to aid a firm fit between both feeds. Whilst it is in working order the nib itself is not perfect but it is usable. It measures 13.3cm with cap on and 15.6cm with cap on barrel end. Overall it is in fair to good condition and this is reflected in the price. Eyedropper pens stem from the days when pens were filled by an eyedropper rather than a lever. It has a section thread which you unscrew to reveal an empty pen barrel. You use an eyedropper to pick up the ink from the bottle and drip it into the actual barrel of the pen. It comes complete with a modern day eyedropper and is a working collector’s item. Due to the technology of the period this is not a pen to be thrown around in your briefcase or handbag - there is a possibility that in such circumstances it will leak. It is better used for a desktop, top pocket, pen pot or purchased as a working collector’s item. | |
Swan Eternal Short 444B/6 | Stock number: 5145 |
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Broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This rare vintage fountain pen was manufactured by Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd. under the “Swan” brand name between 1924 and 1929. It forms part of the “Eternal” range introduced by MT&Co. to compete with Sheaffer’s “white dot” guarantee. This particular pen is an early model from around 1926. The barrel and cap are made of hard rubber and it has the "Eternal" line addition of a gold fill broad cap lip band and slightly thinner band on the top of the cap. The “Swan” logo is also imprinted onto the very top of the cap. The gold fill ball clip on the cap states “Swan Pen” with the image of a Swan between the words. The strong barrel imprint states “Swan” self –filler Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd Made in England with the “Swan” trademark.” The model number on the bottom of the barrel is 444B/6. The nib has an excellent broad point and states “Swan No.3 14ct. Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd Made in England”. The model number would indicate that the original nib was a slightly larger No. 4 size however the No.3 is the nib which was in this vintage pen upon receipt and a fine broad nib it is too. This example is the “short” version of this model measuring 12.8 cm with cap on and 16.2cm with cap on barrel end. An excellent and rare vintage pen which will grace any collection and is also suitable for everyday use. 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 Moderne | Stock number: 5052 |
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Fine-medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen was made in Canada by Parker in 1932. Marketed as the “Moderne”, this particular model has an interesting Onyx finish and gold plated trim. It is a button filler. The colour has some ambering but this is uniform. The barrel imprint is feint but reads “Geo. S. Parker Fountain Pen” “Made in Canada”. The fine-medium nib states “Parker Fountain Pen”, “Canada 2”. It is a short pen measuring 11.5cm with cap on and 14cm with cap on barrel end. This vintage pen will provide good service however it is in fair-good condition with some age wear to body and clip and this is reflected in the price. 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. | |
Waterman 52½v | Stock number: 4184 |
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Medium - Broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen was made by Waterman around 1930. It has a smooth 18ct gold fill overlay on a hard rubber base. The model number, which is on the bottom of the barrel, is explained by 5 = lever fill, 52½ = slender size and v = short length. It measures 13cm with cap on and 16.2cm with cap on barrel end. It is not really a short pen but slightly shorter than the standard 52 model available at the time. The broad nib states “Waterman’s Ideal England”. It has a Waterman Ideal Clip Cap clip and Ideal lozenge on the barrel lever. Its condition is good overall with some surface age wear and a small ding on the rear of the cap. This is reflected in the price. An elegant pen which will grace any collection and also provide good service as a daily 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. 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 Duofold | Stock number: 5144 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This Parker Duofold vintage fountain pen was made in England at the Newhaven factory around 1941 and is a classic Parker fountain pen of the period. The finish is in a pleasing light and dark green pearl with gold fill trim. It has a barrel imprint which is unique to the Newhaven factory stating: “Parker Duofold – Geo. S. Parker – Reg. TM.” The Parker fine to medium point nib states “Parker Duofold Pen 14k N” and is a pleasing writer. The Parker cap has two thin gold fill cap bands and sports a Parker ball ended clip. This vintage pen is a button filler – you undo the cap at the end of the barrel to reveal a button – depress the button and you deflate the sac – let go of the button and the ink fills the sac – easy. It is in good condition with only minor age wear. It measures 12.5cm with cap on and 15.1cm with cap on barrel end. The barrel imprint is good. It is a pleasant vintage pen in a rare colour from a first class manufacturer – ideal to add to a collection or for everyday use. 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 | |
Mentmore Autoflow | Stock number: 4154 |
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Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This button filling vintage fountain pen was made in England c1935 by the Mentmore Manufacturing Co. Ltd.. The model is called the “Autoflow” and at the time was very popular as a middle market pen. They were available in a range of marble colours, this particular example is in blue pearl and black. The cap has the original Mentmore rolled gold ball ended clip with the Mentmore logo. The barrel imprint is feint but reads “Mentmore Autoflow – Made in England – Pat. App. For”. I have stated condition as fair to good due to the old but smooth nibble marks on the bottom of the barrel and some brassing to the trim – this age wear is reflected in the price. The nib is a Warranted 14ct with a medium point. A good - slightly chunky - vintage pen in fair to good condition it measures 12.6cm/5inches with cap on and 15.1cm/5.10 inches with cap on barrel end and is suitable for everyday use. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. unless stated otherwise 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 on request. | |
Merlin No.33 | Stock number: 1012 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This Merlin No.33 vintage pen was made in Germany around 1950. It is a very serviceable economy line button filling pen. Being 12cm (4½ inches) long with the cap on it is a good size for the smaller hand. This particular example has a red marble finish with a gold tone clip. Whilst it is a vintage pen it has not previously seen much use and therefore the fine-medium Merlin 14ct gold nib will smooth to suit your hand. It measures 11.8cm with cap on and 14cm with cap on barrel end. 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 - Wine - Rolled Gold Cap | Stock number: 4197 |
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Medium to slightly broad 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 wine coloured body and a rolled gold cap. This particular example is good condition with some surface age wear but nothing of note. The Parker 51 nib has a medium to slightly broad point. It measures 14cm with cap on and 15.2cm with cap on barrel end. The Parker rolled gold cap is in good condition with only minor brassing and a clear jewel on the cap top. 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. Filling instructions will be sent with your order and a gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
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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.