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. Swan 142/53 Scarlet | Stock number: 5284 |
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Medium - flexible nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This stylish and colourful vintage fountain pen was made by Mabie, Todd & Co. in the USA in 1928 and marketed under their “Swan” brand. The model number of 142/53 is translated as 14 being the full length code, 2 being the nib number and 53 being their colour code for “Scarlet”. Their advertisement of 1928 lists the model as being available “in rich and exquisite colours” at a retail price for this model of 22/6 in old English coinage. As you will see the price has increased over the years but this rare and still vibrantly coloured vintage fountain pen is worth every penny. You will note from the photographs that the cap has three thin contrasting black rings, with two black rings and gold fill band at the cap lip. It also has the “Swan” logo on the 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” “PATS JAN 26.01.MAY 21 18 PAT P-G” The lower end of barrel states “Made in USA” and the bottom end states 142/53. The flexible nib is a “Swan No.2 14ct Mabie Todd& Co.” with a medium point. Condition is good with only minor age wear and some brassing to the lever. The colour, in particular, has remained exceptionally good and even over the years. It is a long fairly slim pen measuring 13.8cm with cap on and 16.8cm with cap on barrel end. An unusual and quite rare pen to find today, particularly in this condition. Suitable for everyday writing or to add to a vintage fountain pen collection. 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. | |
Conway Stewart No.388 Green Marble | Stock number: 5315 |
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Fine to medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This Conway Stewart No. 388 was made in England around 1939. The finish is a mix of pale and dark green marble with rolled gold trim. It has the original Conway clip to the cap with two thin and one slightly wider cap band. The body has the original Conway lever and the inscription “Conway Stewart 388 Made in England”. The nib is a Conway 14ct fine to medium point stating Conway Stewart London 14ct 5N”. Condition is good with very minor age wear. A very pleasing vintage fountain pen in good condition with an attractive finish. An ideal pen to either add to a Conway Stewart collection or use 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 come with your order. A gift box is available free of charge on request | |
Waterman No.55 Woodgrain | Stock number: 5307 |
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Medium to Broad nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This Waterman vintage pen was made in the USA between 1923 and 1927. Waterman produced a series of hard rubber red and black pens at the time, some were in what they termed a “Ripple” finish which had a wavy red and black pattern and others, such as this one, were in what was termed a “Woodgrain” finish which, as you would expect, imitates the grain of wood. It is a good example of Waterman design between the earlier plain hard rubber pens and the highly coloured plastic pens which followed it. The model number “55” is marked on the bottom of the barrel and is a larger size than the more common number “52”. The cap sports a Waterman’s Ideal ball ended “Clip Cap” clip with their trademark “Ideal” logo. The cap lip has a broad gold fill band. The barrel states “Waterman’s Fountain Pen Reg U S Pat. Off” and has the Waterman Ideal trademark. The same text is at the bottom of the barrel with the additional text of “Made in USA”. It has its original Waterman’s lever with their “Ideal” lozenge. The nib is a flexible and large “No. 4 Waterman’s Ideal England” with a medium to broad point. It is a wet writer. It is not uncommon to find an English nib in an American pen as Waterman would have supplied the body to their English distributors who made up the pens for the English market, however strictly speaking this model should have a No.5 nib and so we must assume that it has been changed over the years. Condition is good with some age wear to the trim and a colour difference as you would expect on the body, on the area which has been covered by the cap when closed. It measures 14cm (5.6 inches) with cap on and 17.8cm (7inches) with cap on barrel end. A classic vintage fountain pen from an excellent manufacturer which, if you prefer a wet writer, is suitable for everyday use and/or to add to a 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.
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Waterman 512v - Gold Striated | Stock number: 5274 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage fountain pen 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 Gold Striated with gold fill trim. The barrel inscription reads “Waterman’s Made in England 512V”. The cap has one gold fill band with a lattice work design and a “Waterman’s” clip. It has a “Waterman 14ct. 2A” medium point nib. Condition is good with only minor age wear and the combination of rolled gold trim with gold striated finish is very pleasing. It measures 11cm with cap on and 13.5cm with cap on barrel end. Suitable for everyday writing it will provide many more years of writing pleasure. 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. | |
Conway Stewart No.388 Green Marble | Stock number: 5263 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This Conway Stewart No. 388 was made in England around 1939. The finish is a mix of pale and dark green marble with rolled gold trim. It has the original Conway clip to the cap with two thin and one slightly wider cap band. The body has the original Conway lever and the inscription “Conway Stewart 388 - Made in England”. The nib is a Conway 14ct fine to medium point and it is a pleasing writer. Condition is good with only minor age wear as can be seen from the photograph. It measures 12.6cm with cap on and15.8cm with cap on barrel end. A classic vintage fountain pen with an attractive finish and an ideal pen to use as an everyday writer. 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. | |
Waterman 4521/2 - Sterling Overlay | Stock number: 5294 |
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Fine to medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This fine, elegant and slim silver filigree overlay vintage fountain pen was made in the USA by Waterman c1925. The silver filigree overlay pattern is called “Basket Weave” and was produced in both a gold fill and sterling silver overlay finish. The cap has the Waterman “Ideal” logo and their patented “Clip Cap” ball ended clip. The rim of the cap is marked “Waterman’s Sterling”. The barrel has the original Waterman lever complete with “Ideal” logo. The top of the barrel is marked “Sterling Made in USA”. 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) and bears the words “Waterman’s REG.U.S. PAT.OFF. MADE IN U.S.A” engraved into the hard rubber – however this has worn down over the years to an extremely feint imprint. The very bottom of the barrel has the model number “452½” – which translates to “4” = sterling silver cap and barrel overlay, “52” the model number and “½” = slender model. The nib is a Waterman Ideal with a fine to medium point. The barrel has a clear lozenge. This exceptional vintage fountain pen measures 13.8cm with cap on and 15.9cm with cap on barrel end. As you can see from the photographs it is a slim elegant pen and with the cap on the barrel end for writing is very well balanced. It is in good condition with only minor age wear it is 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 everyday, providing 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. Filling instructions will be sent with your order.
I appear to have managed to include a piece of "fluff" on the barrel near the lever in the photograph. I will reshoot when able but rest assured this is not damage to the pen. | |
Merlin No33 Grey striated | Stock number: 1028 |
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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, and 14cm with cap on barrel end, 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. Condition is good with minor wear to the cap band. I now have only a limited amount of these ex-old factory Merlins left to sell and they have proved to be very popular economy pens. 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 Minor No.2 | Stock number: 5200 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This Swan vintage fountain pen was made in England in 1933 by Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd. – a pen company which originated in America in 1843, opening its UK subsidiary in 1884 in Cheapside in London. At one point Swan pens were advertised as “the pen of the British Empire” as the English subsidiary bought the rights to the European and colonial business in 1915. This particular model is called the Swan Minor No.2 or SM2 and it has a lovely autumn olive green and brown marble finish with gold fill trim and stylish black lever. It is in good condition with a strong imprint stating “Swan Minor No.2 Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd. Made in England”. The bottom of the barrel has the Swan numbering and the top of the cap has the Swan logo. The ball ended clip also carries the Swan name as does the Swan No.2 14ct. fine to medium point nib. There is a small amount of brassing to the single cap band and the clip but nothing of note. An excellent vintage pen to either add to a collection or use 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. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order. | |
Parker Senior Duofold-Giant Imprint | Stock number: 5281 |
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Broad Oblique nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This exceptional vintage fountain pen was made by Parker’s Canada plant. It is a very large vintage pen measuring 14cm with cap on and 17.4cm with cap on barrel end. Despite its size the balance of the pen when writing, either with cap off or cap posted on barrel end, is very pleasing.
The Parker nib has a very smooth broad oblique point, rare to find and lovely to use. The ink flow is wet as you would expect with a broad nib. The text on the nib states “Parker Duofold Pen P-C”. The significance of the P-C is not known, the “P” is possibly a manufacturer code and as one would normally just see the “P”, in this case it is likely that the “C” refers to Canada. It has the Parker “Lucky Curve” feed.
The cap has a single well raised rolled gold cap band and a Parker rolled gold ball ended clip. The clip reads “Pat. Sep. 5-16 Parker”.
The barrel has a feint “giant” imprint which states “DUOFOLD Geo.S. Parker Fountain Pen Toronto Ont. Canada” and has the “Lucky Curve” banner – this places it between 1923 and 1928 – for listing purposes I have opted for 1924 as to my eye it appears an early model.
The barrel and cap are made from hard rubber in common with the period. When purchased new it would have been black. Hard rubber oxidises over the years and you end up with this greeny/brown age patina with the occasional area of black, primarily on the barrel under the cap. To my mind changing this in an attempt to restore its original colour would be like removing the patina on old furniture.
Condition is good overall, there is some age wear to the hard rubber and some plating rubbing on the trim and some nibble marks on the blind cap (the darker bit at the top of the cap) but this does not detract from its overall appearance.
This is a beautiful pen to handle and use, a big vintage pen which must have been much loved over the years – if it could only speak…. an exceptional vintage fountain pen suitable to add to a Parker collection or to use as an everyday writer where it 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.
Source: Parker Duofold, David Shepherd and Dan Zazove, Surrenden Pens | |
Waterman 512v Grey Lined Pearl | Stock number: 5178 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This small vintage fountain pen was made in England by Waterman in 1946 for the female hand. With its grey lined pearl finish and decorative cap band it is a most attractive example of this model. It is in good condition. The cap top, band, clip and lever are in gold fill trim with only minor age wear. The imprint on the barrel states “Waterman’s Made in England 512v”. It has a Waterman 14ct W2A nib with a medium point. This model came in various colours including, pink, blue and gold lined pearl. This particular version is rather stylish, the grey tone contrasts pleasingly with the gold fill trim. It measures 11cm with cap on and 13.5cm with cap on barrel end. Suitable as an everyday writer or to add to a Waterman 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. Filling instructions will be sent with your order. 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.