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.
Parker Victory - Geometric | Stock number: 5334 |
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Very Fine nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage button filling pen was made by Parker around 1939. It has an unusual finish in brown marble and black which Parker termed “Geometric” but today it is more commonly known as the “Toothbrush” pattern – if you look in the picture at the black area within the pattern you will see why. A fairly uncommon finish it is normally found on the Parker Duofolds of the period made in America. This is a Parker “Victory” which was made in Canada around the same period and it is unusual to find a Victory in this pattern. It features a tapered clip with Parker branding and a broad cap band. You will note in the clear portion of the section (the part where the nib fits into the barrel) it has a black breather tube going down into the barrel. This is in fact a dummy and oddly was never intended to be used as part of the filling mechanism. The text on the barrel reads “Parker Victory, Made in Canada, REGD T.M.S”. The nib has a very fine point and states “Parker Fountain Pen 14k W”. It is a small, slender pen measuring 12cm with cap on and 14.7cm with cap on barrel end. It is in good condition but with some brassing to the trim a small amount of "play" on the clip and some“nibble” marks on the blind cap which covers the filling button at the bottom of the barrel – it was obviously a well used and no doubt well loved pen - but these imperfections are reflected in the price. So an interesting and unusual Victory from an excellent period in Parker’s history. As such it is suitable both to use as an everyday writer (if you prefer a very fine nib) or to add to a vintage fountain pen collection. This vintage pen was not serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. but has passed our quality tests and will be further bench tested before despatch. Filling instructions will be sent with your order and a gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
London Hallmark Chased Silver Overlay | Stock number: 5297 |
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Medium nib, fill system. |
Sold |
This elegant silver overlay vintage fountain pen was made in England and overlaid in silver in London in1939. The assay mark is on the clip, cap and cap crown with full markings at the barrel neck. The chased silver overlay design is very pleasing and typical of the fine metal overlays of the period, produced for the more discerning customer. The chased pattern is pleasantly relieved by the smooth silver at the top of the cap, on the clip and at the top and bottom of cap and barrel. The personalising lozenge is clear. You will see from the photograph that it has strong hallmarks it also, unusually, has some “handwritten” marks which are barely visible just at the neck of the barrel and above the hallmark. It is difficult to tell what these are but they could have something to do with probate. The silversmith is C&C – which you tend to see fairly often but I am afraid I do not know their full name. The nib is a “Warranted 1st Quality 14ct” with a medium point. This fine vintage fountain pen, which has a good balance in the hand, has very little age wear, a very minor indention in the cap crown and is in good condition overall. It measures 13.4cm with cap on and 16cm with cap on barrel end. A stylish, slim and elegant vintage fountain pen which will provide many more years of service either as an everyday writer or as an addition to a collection. 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. Filling instructions will be sent with your order. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Parker Lady Duofold - Lapis | Stock number: 5286 |
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Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This delightful “Lady Duofold” vintage fountain pen was made by the Parker plant in Canada around 1926. The colour is known as “Lapis” – short for “Lapis Lazuli” and is an exotic and brilliant blue. Often this colour has faded and become patchy with age but in this particular example the colour has remained strong and consistent. It is a button filling pen which means that you unscrew the cap on the bottom of the barrel to reveal a button which you press to expel the air in the sac and depress to let ink into the barrel. A popular and easy filling method of the period.
The cap has three rolled gold cap bands and a Parker rolled gold ball ended clip. It states: “Pat. Sep. 5-16 Parker”. The barrel has a strong imprint stating: “Parker Lady Duofold Geo. S. Parker Fountain Pen Toronto Canada” and the “Lucky Curve” feed banner. The Parker nib states: Parker Duofold Pen – Canada – B” which has a medium point and is a smooth writer. A small pen it measures 11.5cm with cap on and 14.9cm with cap on barrel end.
It is in good condition with only minor surface wear and some nibble marks around the blind cap (the darker bit at the top of the cap) but this does not detract from its overall appearance and it has retained its colour exceptionally well. The white flecks near the nib are simply dust picked up by the camera and not imperfections.
It is rare to find in this condition and it is suitable to add to a Parker collection or to use as an everyday writer. This lovely vintage fountain pen will provide many more years of writing service. 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. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order. | |
Esterbrook J Double Jewel | Stock number: 5102 |
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Medium - 9460 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 good condition and a “J Double Jewel Model” which is the full size with nib number “9460” - a medium point. It has a jet black finish with steel lever and clip with jewel end tassles. The barrel imprint states “Esterbrook Made in U.S.A.” The nib states “Esterbrook 9460 Made in U.S.A.” It measures 13cm with cap on and 15.8cm with cap on barrel end. The steel nib provides less flexible writing that gold but suits most hands. This is a classic economy pen to add to a collection and/or provide many years of writing service. 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 Lapis - Blue on Blue | Stock number: 5324 |
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Medium to slightly broad nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
Parker opened their Canadian plant in 1923. The “Duofold Special” was first launched in 1923 and advertised as “A well balanced pen, as long as the Senior but smaller in diameter.” It measures 13.6cm with cap on and16.6cm with cap on barrel end. This example was made in Canada around 1928. The colour is a brilliant blue termed “Lapis” or “Lapis Lazuli” and was designed to reflect the appearance of the gem stone of the same name. It was originally available in a “blue on blue” version and subsequently in “blue with white flecks”. (You will see an example of the “blue with white flecks version at stock number 5220). They are both quite rare but this particular example is of the most rare – the “blue on blue”.
The cap has one raised rolled gold cap band and the Parker rolled gold ball ended clip. It states: “Pat. Sep. 5-16 Parker”. The barrel has a strong imprint stating: “Duofold Special - Geo. S. Parker Fountain Pen Toronto Canada” and the “Lucky Curve” feed banner. The blind cap at the bottom of the barrel which covers the filling button has the numbers 116. The Parker nib states: “Parker Duofold Pen – Canada”. It has a medium to slightly broad point and is a smooth writer.
This rather special vintage fountain pen is in good condition with only very small amount of age wear, a minor colour difference where the cap has covered the barrel and some brassing to the rolled gold trim. It is a button filling pen which means that you unscrew the cap on the bottom of the barrel to reveal a button which you press to expel the air in the sac and depress to let ink into the barrel. This was a popular and easy filling method of the period.
It is rare to find a “blue on blue” version and also to find one in this condition. It is suitable to add to a Parker collection or to use as an everyday writer. This vintage fountain pen will provide many more years of writing service. 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. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order. | |
Waterman 412 PSF - Basketweave | Stock number: 5321 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This sterling silver filigree overlay vintage fountain pen was made in the USA by Waterman around1915. The silver filigree overlay pattern is called “Basketweave” and, being a clipless model, it is one of the earlier lever filling silver filigree overlays.The rim of the cap is marked “Waterman’s Ideal Fountain Pen”. The barrel neck is marked “Sterling” and the around the bottom of the barrel overlay are the words “Waterman’s Ideal Fountain Pen”. The barrel has the original Waterman lever complete with “Ideal” logo. The silver is overlaid on hard rubber, the basic material used for a large number of fountain pens at the time. You will note that the far end of the barrel is clear of overlay (as it should be) – it has a feint imprint on the hard rubber which I believe reads “Waterman’s REG.U.S. 3.18.99 & Aug 4-1903” with the Waterman “Ideal” logo. The very bottom of the barrel has the text “412 PSF” – “412” is the model number and “PSF” stands for “pocket self filler”. The lever has the Waterman “Ideal” logo – the lever itself is sitting slightly low in its box but it is operating normally. The barrel lozenge is clear. The nib has a medium point and states “Waterman’s Ideal England”. This is the nib which came with the pen but it is possible that it is not the original Waterman nib – however it is very pleasing to use. This exceptional vintage fountain pen is in good condition with very minor age wear, some indentations on the top of the cap and a small nick out of the back of the feed. It measures 13.4cm (5.5 inches) with cap on and 16.7cm (6.6 inches) with cap on barrel end so whilst it is an elegant pen it is also a good size and a pleasing weight in the hand. An added advantage is that this classic and quite rare Waterman, comes complete with a Waterman’s leather case with working clasp, purple silk lining to the lid (with “Waterman’s Ideal Fountain Pen” in gold fill lettering) and a velvet tray on which the pen sits. I believe the box is even earlier than the pen and most likely dates from 1905. An excellent example of a top quality Waterman pen of the period. It will grace any vintage fountain pen collection and is also suitable to use every day, providing many more years of writing service. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. unless otherwise stated and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. Filling instructions will be sent with your order. | |
Parker No.51 - Grey with lustraloy cap | Stock number: 5126 |
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Medium nib, Aerometric fill system. |
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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 stylish grey body and the polished steel cap Parker termed “lustraloy”. The pen is in very good condition overall whilst the cap has some age wear as is evident from the photograph. This is reflected in the price. The Parker 51 nib is a medium 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 | |
Conway Stewart No.60 | Stock number: 5087 |
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Medium to slightly broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This Conway Stewart No.60 vintage pen was made in England in the early 1950’s. No. 60 was the flagship of the Conway range at its time of issue. It is in a lined grey and black finish called hatched black and is an excellent example of the coloured and patterned pens issued by Conway at the time. It has rolled gold trim to the single broad band and original Conway clip and lever. The barrel states “Conway Stewart 60” “Made in England”. The original large Conway Stewart Duro 14ct gold nib has a medium to slightly broad point. The pen measures 13cm with cap on and 16cm with cap on barrel end. The condition of the pen is good, as stated in the main listing with minor surface wear due to age. This excellent flagship pen is suitable for everyday use and/or as an addition to a 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. | |
Parker Canadian Duofold Special | Stock number: 5121 |
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Broad nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This striking Parker Duofold Special “Red” fountain pen, was made in Canada around 1929 and is a classic Parker fountain pen of the period. It is a large vintage pen measuring 13.8 cm with cap on and 17.2cm with cap on barrel end. The “Canadian Special” is usually described as being almost as long as a Duofold Senior but with the width of a Duofold Junior - so slightly slimmer than the “Big Red”. The cap sports the original gold plated Parker ball ended clip with the text “Pat.Sep. 5 16 Parker” and a single raised cap band. The barrel imprint is good and states “Duofold Special - Geo S. Parker Fountain Pen – Toronto – Canada – Lucky Curve” The “Lucky Curve” relates to the type of feed which was used by Parker until August 1928. From that date the “Lucky Curve” feed was replaced, as in this case, by a more conventional feed but the barrel imprints continued to be used until stocks were exhausted*. The combination of the single raised cap band and an imprint slightly lower down the barrel than you would expect, leads me to believe that this may be what has been termed a “rogue” refitted Duofold Senior”. Parker on launching their new streamlined Duofold in 1929 encouraged dealers to send their old Duofolds back to the factory to be “streamlined” and returned to them for sale – sometimes with the original old style cap - with one gold filled cap band. If that is the case with this "Special" then it probably dates from slightly earlier than the "Streamline" launch date. It has an excellent broad and large Parker 14ct nib which reads “Parker Duofold Pen Canada”. It is a button filler and fills by unscrewing the blind cap at the bottom of the barrel and pressing in the metal button – then releasing – leaving the nib in the ink for 5-10 seconds to allow ink to enter the interior sac. This classic Parker vintage pen is in good working order with some brassing to the top of the cap lip but with very minor age wear and is an excellent purchase either for everyday use or to add to a vintage fountain pen collection. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. unless advised otherwise 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.
* Reference: Parker Duofold - David Shepherd and Dan Zazove - Surrenden Press 2006 p.p. 52-55, p.85, p140.
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Waterman 512v Pen and Pencil Set | Stock number: 5157 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This delightful “Ladies Writing Set” was made by Waterman in England in 1946. The 512v model, as it is known was made particularly for the smaller hand. It is in a finish called Blue Striated with gold fill trim and, as you will see from the photographs, it comes within its original cardboard presentation gift box. The set is in good order with only minimum age wear. The fountain pen medium nib states “Waterman 14ct. England 2A”and the barrel inscription reads “Waterman’s Made in England 512V”. The cap has two thin gold fill bands and a “Waterman’s” clip. The pencil is also in good working order with a Waterman’s clip, two gold fill bands, a lead in place and a barrel inscription stating “Waterman’s Made in England”. The combination of rolled gold rim and blue striated finish is very pleasing. The fountain pen measures 11cm with cap on and 13.7cm with cap on barrel end. The pencil measures 11cm. There is a small amount of foxing to the box but nothing of note. The box comprises the base where the pen and pencil sit and the lid, with a small rope tag on the top, which sits over the base. The box is made of cardboard with a cream floral decoration on a pink background covering the lid. This fine writing set, in its original presentation box, comes complete with filling instructions for both the fountain pen and pencil. 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. | |
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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.