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 Moderne Bronze and Blue Marble | Stock number: 5264 |
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Broad nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This stylish button filling vintage fountain pen was made by the Parker Pen Company, Canadian plant in the 1930’s. Called the “Moderne” it is fitted with a thin gold plated clip screw and gold fill trim on the cap clip and single cap band. It was available in a range of colours and designs, this particular example is in a finish called bronze and blue marble. The Moderne is a small fountain pen measuring 11.4cm with cap on and 13.9cm with cap on barrel end. The barrel imprint states “Geo S. Parker – Parker Moderne – Made in Canada” and has the year of manufacturer stamp of “34”. It is fitted with a Parker 14k nib with a broad point. Broad nibs always write with a wetter line than fine or medium. Condition is good with only minor age wear and some brassing to the gold fill trim. It has retained its colour well. There is a slight “play” on the clip but this is not significant. It is a delightful vintage pen suitable for everyday use if you prefer a broad nib and also a good example to add to a Parker 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. | |
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. | |
Merlin No.33 | Stock number: 1016 |
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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 blue marble with black line finish and 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. | |
Waterman Lady Patricia - Jade | Stock number: 5196 |
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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 colours – this one is called Jade Green. The cap top, clip, single decorated cap band and lever are gold fill. It has a Waterman No.2A nib in a medium point. This delightful, and quite rare, 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. There is some slight colour variation between the cap and barrel as is common with this finish but not to the extent that it detracts from the pen. 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. | |
Conway Stewart No.388 | Stock number: 5089 |
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Fine-Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This classic black fountain pen with rolled gold trim was made in England by Conway Stewart around 1939. The barrel imprint states: “Conway Stewart 388 Made in England”. The nib is a Conway Stewart 14ct. gold nib with a fine-medium tip making it an easy writer. Its overall condition is good as stated in the main listing – it has very minor plating wear to the clip and lever but this is superficial due to age. An excellent classic vintage Conway 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.
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Silver Overlay Birmingham 1933 London 1939 | Stock number: 5295 |
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Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This English made chased silver overlay fountain pen and pencil come complete with presentation box. The button filling fountain pen is hallmarked Birmingham 1933 and the pencil is hallmarked London 1939. The silversmith in each case is C&C – which is a mark I have come across previously on pens/pencils of this quality. You will see from the montage above that both items are well marked and that the chased pattern on the silver overlay is relieved by smooth silver top and tail bands and pocket clips. The lozenge is clear in each case. Whilst the clip on the pencil appears to have a silver mark, the clip on the fountain pen does not so I suspect this is a metal clip to provide strength in use. The nib on the fountain pen states “Warranted 14ct 1st Quality” and it has an easy writing medium point. Both the fountain pen and pencil are a good size and length – the pen measuring 14cm with cap on and 17cm with cap on barrel end - the pencil measuring 12.5cm. The pencil has an expel/repel mechanism which is operated by the finial above the clip. It will take a standard Yard O Led refill. Both fountain pen and pencil are in good order with only minor age wear. The presentation box is not shown to its advantage in the montage but you can see the rim of the box which gives you an indication of the red and black mottled finish. The box is also in good order with a little age wear, more noticeable underneath. The clasp has a satisfying click home and, as you will see, the interior is clean. This elegant but sturdy set in presentation case, is suitable for everyday use and also to add to a vintage fountain pen collection. 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. | |
Merlin No.33 Grey Striated | Stock number: 1021 |
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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 grey striated 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. As you will see there is some wear to the cap band but overall it is in good condition. 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. unless otherwise stated 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.
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Swan with silver cap band | Stock number: 5022 |
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Medium to Broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen was made in England by Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd., under the “Swan” brand name. The unusual and pleasing broad silver ornate cap band is hallmarked London 1946 however it is possible the pen is around ten years earlier than that with the silver cap band a later addition. This would have enabled the owner to carry on using their much loved "Swan" had there been damage to the cap lip. Alternatively it could date from 1938 being a special commission for a presentation. The body and cap of the pen are in a grey/green/black marble finish with the ball ended clip and lever in nickel. The “Swan” emblem is on the cap top. There is a very small amount of body wear to the pen and some minor age on the lever. Overall it is in good condition. It has a crisp imprint which states “Swan self-filler, Mabie Todd & Co.Ltd, Made in England” with the “Swan” trademark emblem. The gold nib is a “Swan No. 2” medium to broad point. Due to the silver cap band you need to give the pen one extra turn to secure the cap to the body. It measures 12.2cm with cap on and 15.3cm with cap on barrel end. It is an exceptional and unusual vintage fountain pen, content to remain in everyday use, be presented as a special gift or be added to a collection. | |
Esterbrook J Double Jewel | Stock number: 5110 |
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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 grey marble 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.
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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. | |
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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.