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.
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. | |
Swan Jade Flat Top 242/50 | Stock number: 5361 |
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Medium to slightly broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This stylish and colourful vintage fountain pen was made by Mabie, Todd & Co. Ltd. around 1927 and marketed under their “Swan” brand. They were sold in a variety of colours this, the “Jade” version, is particularly attractive. You will note from the photographs that the cap has two thin black rings and one gold fill band at the cap top and lip. It also has the “Swan” logo impressed on the cap top which is not visible on the photographs. The “Swan” ball ended clip is in good order with the “Swan” branding at the top. The body of the pen states “Swan” Self-Filling Pen – Mabie Todd & Co. New York - “PATS JAN 26.04.MAY 21 18 PAT PDG”. The flexible nib is a “Swan No.2 14ct Mabie Todd& Co. Ltd.” with a medium to slightly broad point. The “Jade” versions of pens of this era whether Swan or Parker are known for general discolouration over the years. This is no exception but it has a fairly consistent colour variation and remains an attractive vintage pen. Condition therefore is good with only minor age wear. There is some brassing to the lever. It is a long elegant pen measuring 13.7cm with cap on and 16.8cm with cap on barrel end. An unusual and fairly rare pen to find today. Suitable for everyday writing or to add to a vintage fountain pen collection. 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.
Source: "Mabie in America", David L. Moak, Signature Book Printing.
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Waterman No.32 Bronze & Grey Marble | Stock number: 1539 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage fountain pen was made by Waterman, in Canada, between 1931 and 1938. The model is a No.32 and it has an attractive bronze and grey marble finish with metal trim on the clip, lever and single cap band. The strong imprint on the barrel states “Waterman’s Fountain Pen – Made in Canada” – with the Waterman “Ideal” logo. It has a Waterman’s 14ct W2A” nib with a fine to medium point. It is an attractive, well proportioned, vintage pen from a fine stable. Condition is good overall but with some marks to the metal trim on the clip as can be seen in the photograph. The marble effect finish is actually quite difficult to photograph and you will see that it appears to have an imperfection at the top of the cap but this is in fact just the marbling. It measures 13cm with cap on and 16.4cm with cap on barrel end. Suitable for everyday use it will, once again, provide many years of active 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. Filling instructions will be sent with your order. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Parker New Style Duofold | Stock number: 5252 |
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Broad slight oblique nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This stylish Parker Duofold vintage fountain pen was made in England at Parker’s Newhaven plant. On its launch in 1946 Parker called it the “New Style Duofold”. Easily recognisable with its slightly chunky styling, ornate cap lip band and blind cap metal tassle, it was available in two solid and three marble colours. This particular example is in a very attractive gold and black marble finish. The barrel imprint states “Geo S.Parker – Parker Duofold Reg. T.M.”. The rare to find, and exceedingly pleasant to use, 14ct medium to broad oblique smooth nib states “Parker Duofold Pen 14k N” – the “N” referring to the Newhaven plant. It is a good size vintage fountain pen measuring 13.1cm with cap on and 15.2cm with cap on barrel end. Condition is good with only minor age wear. This restored New Style Duofold will not only now provide many more years of everyday writing service but, as an excellent example of its type, will be an ideal addition to a vintage fountain pen 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. A gift box is available free of charge on request. Filling instructions will be sent with your order.
Source: “Parker Duofold” – David Shepherd and Dan Zazove | |
Swan Gold Lined gold fill overlay | Stock number: 5055 |
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Broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen was made by Mabie Todd & Co., New York under the Swan brand name in around1929. The barrel and cap are covered in gold fill overlay in a design called Gold Lined. The bottom of the barrel states “Swan Pen” “Mabie Todd & Co. New York”. The broad nib states “Swan No.2 14ct. Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd”. The cap has the original Swan ball ended clip with the text “Patent Jan 19 1915”. This is a slim, elegant lever filling pen measuring 13.2 cm with cap on and 17 cm with cap on barrel end. As you will see from the photographs there is some plating wear at the neck of the nib section and some brassing and minor marks at the end of the pen barrel. However, this does not detract from the overall quality of this vintage pen. In good condition overall it will be a fine addition to a collection and/or as an elegant vintage pen 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 and filling instructions will be sent with your order. | |
Parker Duofold Junior Pen and Pencil Set | Stock number: 5253 |
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Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage fountain pen and pencil set, in what appears to be its original box, was made by the Canadian offshoot of Parker around 1928. With its classic black and rolled gold trim it is in surprisingly good condition for its age with only minor age wear overall. Of interest to collectors will be the fact that it has the number “13” on the end of the barrel blind cap. Whilst there are references to Parker numbering for the period, in my experience, it is quite rare to find an example. The cap has two gold filled bands and Parker ball ended clip with the words “PAT. SEP. 5.16 PARKER”. The pen barrel has the words “Geo S. Parker Fountain Pen – Duofold Jr. – Toronto Canada” and the "Lucky Curve" emblem. The medium point nib states “Parker 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 pencil with its matching ball ended clip is also a junior size and an expel/repel filler. It still has its original (albeit now rather grubby) rubber and a lead in place with some in the lead storage chamber under the rubber. Refill leads are 1.2mm Yard O’Led obtainable from good stationers. The barrel text reads “Parker Duofold USA”. It is not uncommon in this period to find Canadian and American items in the same box as initially Parker sent parts to Canada to meet production needs.
The box is overall in good condition. There is age wear to the internal lining but no ink staining. The exterior also as some age wear with a small amount of scuffing on the bottom but a pleasing patina overall. It sports the “Parker” branding on the top and has a satisfying working closing clasp.
The fountain pen measures 11.7cm with cap on and 14.8cm with cap on barrel end. The pencil measures 12.3cm excluding lead length. The box measures 15.4cm. Suitable for everyday writing or to add to a vintage fountain pen collection this is a quite rare pen and pencil combination, particularly in this condition and in its original box. 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 on both the pen and pencil will be sent with your order.
Reference: Parker Duofold - David Shepherd and Dan Zazove - Surrenden Press 2006. | |
Mabie, Todd & Co. Swan Eternal ETN/44 | Stock number: 5283 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This classic vintage fountain pen was made by Mabie Todd & Co. under the “Swan Eternal” branding around 1924. The bottom of the barrel has the model number ETN/44 – indicating USA manufacture. The text along the barrel reads “Swan Self-Filling Pen. Mabie Todd & Co. Swan imprint - Trade Mark. Pat 8.JAN 26.04.MAY21.18 PAT PDG” The lower part of the barrel states “Eternal”, this was deliberately placed at this point to enable the “Eternal” branding to be visible even when the cap was posted on the barrel end for writing. On the top of the cap is an impressed “Swan” logo. The ball ended cap states “Patent JAN 19 1915” The nib states “Mabie Todd & Co. Eternal No.4” which is in keeping with the model number of 44. It has a pleasing fine to medium point. Condition is good with only minor brassing to the trim, more particularly on the lever. This vintage fountain pen in classic black and rolled gold trim is elegant in its simplicity and style – a long but not too thin pen measuring 13.7cm with cap on and 17.1cm with cap on end it is extremely stylish - a genuinely fine addition to a vintage fountain pen collection and equally at home as an everyday writer. This vintage fountain pen was not serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. but has performed well on filling, writing and bench test and we are satisfied that it will continue to do so. A further inspection will be carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. Filling instructions will be sent with your order.
Source: Mabie in America, David L. Moak, Signature Book Printing | |
Valentine Pen Company 03 Candy Stripe | Stock number: 5244 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This quite rare vintage fountain pen was made by The Valentine Pen Company in Newhaven in the late 1930’s. At the time Parker were looking for a UK manufacturing base and they acquired an interest in Valentine in December 1941. From this date it began to manufacture the popular Parker pens of the period alongside Valentine pens, with both lever and button filling pens being produced. It is believed that Parker phased out Valentine production around 1947. This particular Valentine, with its candy stripe finish, is believed to be a pre-Parker era button filler. It has the model number 03 engraved on the bottom of the barrel. The barrel imprint reads “The Valentine Pen Co. Ltd. Made in England”. The Valentine fine to medium point nib reads “Valentine 14ct First Quality”. It measures 128cm with cap on and 15.9cm with cap on barrel end. It has the original Valentine ball ended clip and a single cap band. Condition is good with only minor age wear, primarily to the cap ring as can be seen in the photograph. So a fairly long slim vintage pen with an interesting pedigree. Suitable for every day use or to add to a vintage fountain pen 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. A gift box is available free of charge on request. Filling instructions will be sent with your order.
Reference: Pen and Paper – The Story of Newhaven’s Pen Factory, Malcolm Troak, New Anzac Publications | |
Waterman No. 52 - 9ct. gold bands | Stock number: 4002 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This early vintage pen was made by Waterman in the USA around 1925. In common with other pens of its era it is made of hard rubber. This particular model is decorated, as can be seen in the illustration, with two 9ct gold bands, one containing the “FDW” initials which stand for Frank D. Waterman - thereby signifying the Waterman brand. He was a noted philanthropist and died in May 1938 having been “actively engaged in the business for 50 years. During that time he saw the number of employees increase from two to two thousand.” It has the Waterman gold fill clip on the cap. You will note a ring indentation around the bottom of the cap. This does not mean that a cap band is missing – simply the way it was designed as confirmed by advertisements of the period. The gold fill lever has the Waterman Ideal lozenge. The bottom of the barrel has a feint imprint of the model number “52” – a very popular range which came in a number of designs. At the end of the barrel is the text “Waterman’s Reg. US. Pat. Off. Made in USA”. The nib is a “Waterman Ideal” with a fine to medium point – having the usual pleasing Waterman flex. It measures 13.2cm with cap on and 16.7cm with cap on barrel end. There is slight colour variation between the cap and barrel but not a cause for concern. Overall it is in good condition - an everyday writer with a flexible nib. With its two gold bands it was obviously a cut above the rest when issued and remains so today – a fine vintage Waterman. | |
Parker Striped Duofold Speedline Fill | Stock number: 5303 |
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Medium nib, Vacumatic fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage fountain pen made by Parker in the1940’s, it is what Parker termed a “Striped Duofold” – in a material Parker called “Laidtone”. It was available in three patterns and black. This particular example has an usual pink, silver and black stripe design which is most attractive. It is an early example of this model and filled by Parker’s Speedline Vacumatic system which was originally launched in 1932 as the “Vacuum Filler” . The barrel is used as the ink reservoir rather than an ink sac which increases the ink capacity. This vacuum pump mechanism was advertised as “revolutionary in principle and perfectly marvellous in performance”. It is easy to fill as you simply place the nib in the ink and press the plunger in and out to take the air out of the barrel and allow the ink inside. The barrel imprint is very feint but reads Parker Duofold Made in USA 1”. It is likely that the “1” stands for a Parker manufacture date of 1941. The blind cap at the bottom of the barrel which, as you will see from the photograph, you take off to reveal the filling plunger, has a very slight mismatch on lining up the black stripes. The cap has the Parker tapered clip and two thin cap bands. The nib states “Parker 14K England 20 RU7” and is a medium point wet writer. It is not uncommon to have an English nib in an American pen as cap and barrel parts were shipped to England for assembly. It measures 13.1cm (5.2 inches) with cap on and 15cm (5.11 inches) with cap on barrel end. Condition, despite a feint imprint and some age wear to the cap crown, is good with very little wear overall or brassing to the trim. This unusual vintage Duofold, with its speedline filling system was discontinued in 1948 but it remains one of Parker’s most collectable and attractive finishes. Suitable for everyday writing if you prefer a wet medium point nib or to add to a vintage fountain pen collection. 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. Source: Parker Duofold – David Shepherd, Dan Zazove – Surrenden Press Limited. | |
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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.