Best wishes to all for the holidays and for a safe and prosperous New Year.
NOTE: De La Rue/Onoto, Mabie Todd, Montblanc, and Pelikan are listed on their own pages, as are UK and European Parkers and Watermans
4251: Ancora glassine envelope: original vintage advertising for Duplex pens, 5 x 9.5 cm, new old stock, several available, price is for a single envelope printed on both sides.
DATE: c. 1938 • CONDITION: mint • $5
16572: Ancora Cielo demonstrator in box: limited edition of 500, large transparent pale blue piston-filler, 14.6 cm long, gold-plated sterling silver vermeil trim, 18K gold nib; box top has peeled off after sticking to interior of outer sleeve, pen itself is in perfect condition, comes with hand-written guarantee certificate and anchor pin.
DATE: 1999 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: medium • $495
16571: Ancora Cielo demonstrator in box: limited edition of 500, large transparent pale blue piston-filler, 14.6 cm long, gold-plated sterling silver vermeil trim, 18K gold nib; box top has peeled off after sticking to interior of outer sleeve, pen itself is in perfect condition, comes with hand-written guarantee certificate and anchor pin.
DATE: 1999 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: fine semiflex • $495
16570: Ancora Cielo demonstrator in box: limited edition of 500, large transparent pale blue piston-filler, 14.6 cm long, gold-plated sterling silver vermeil trim, 18K gold nib; box top has peeled off after sticking to interior of outer sleeve, pen itself is in perfect condition, comes with hand-written guarantee certificate and anchor pin.
DATE: 1999 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $495
16569: Ancora 80th Anniversary Grand Complication Silver Demonstrator in box: very low number in a limited edition of only 33, transparent with complex retracting nib mechanism, sterling silver trim, 14.8 cm long, 18K white-plated nib, in elaborate transparent display box with all accessories and papers, outer box.
DATE: 1999 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: medium • $2250
16568: Ancora Cielo demonstrator in box: limited edition of 500, large transparent pale blue piston-filler, 14.55 cm long, gold-plated sterling silver vermeil trim, 18K gold nib; part of box top has peeled off (see detail -- stuck to interior of outer sleeve), pen itself is in perfect condition.
DATE: 1999 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: medium fine semiflex • $495
16565: Ancora Cielo demonstrator in box: limited edition of 200, large transparent red piston-filler, 14.65 cm long, gold-plated sterling silver vermeil trim, 18K gold nib; in black plush box with warranty certificate and ink bottle. Nib has been adjusted and smoothed, very low edition number.
DATE: 1999 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: medium semiflex • $595
11986: Astoria miniature safety: black hard rubber ringtop with Italian 18K gold filled filigree overlay, 7.8 cm long, Astoria-marked 14K nib; true filigree work in this case, with beaded wire, excellent quality, must be examined closely for full appreciation. Seals have not been replaced, not ink-tight.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: fine semiflex • $1250
16370: Aurora Etiopia: legendary Italian rarity, ivory celluloid ink-pellet eyedropper-filler, 11.7 cm long, gold filled trim, introduced in 1936 to commemorate the Italian conquest of Ethiopia. Even wear, some superficial scratches but no cracks, usual plating wear to clip. Section seal has been replaced, nib is extraordinarily flexible.
DATE: c. 1937 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine superflex • $2500
15082: Aurora 88P in box: black piston-filler, gold plated cap and trim, 13.4 cm long; barrel ink window transparency as new, seals replaced; late production with no serial number. Marks on right tine of nib do not affect function, appear to be from use of pliers for nib adjustment. With box, outer sleeve, and guarantee certificate.
DATE: c. 1963 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium • $275
13956: Aurora Optima demonstrator in box: limited edition of 1936, transparent piston-filler, 12.7 cm long, chrome plated trim, 18K gold nib, with all original packaging; internal stress marks visible in the barrel around the filler unit (see detail), do not affect function, may be covered under Aurora's guarantee.
DATE: c. 2008 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: fine • $450
14327: Butler extending pencil: early slide-action, sterling silver, 9 cm long closed, 11.7 cm extended, bloodstone seal; nozzle marked "H", denoting 0.8 mm lead, characteristic form with steel tip insert.
DATE: c. 1840 • CONDITION: fine • $220
12999: Conway Stewart Duro Point No. 7M pencil: mottled hard rubber, 11.1 cm long, good imprint with original gold infill, uses 1.1 mm lead; tiny split in hard rubber at tip, hard to spot, does not affect function as tip has a full brass liner.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • $45
15543: Conway Stewart 550 Dinkie set in box: gold-veined red pearl miniature lever-filler, 10.3 cm long, gold plated trim, matching twist-action 25 pencil uses 1.1 mm lead. Nib opens with only slight pressure, not for the heavy-handed. Lovely material is casein-based, should be kept away from water.
DATE: c. 1955 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium flex • $225
16551: Conway Stewart 15: black lever-filler, 12.8 cm long, gold filled trim; cap and barrel may be casein, do not soak!.
DATE: c. 1955 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium fine flex • $125
12702: Edward Baker ejector dip pen: sterling silver, London hallmarks worn but legible, 15.4 cm long excluding nib. The end of the taper is spring-loaded; when pushed, the nib is ejected. Plunger spring has taken a set, so plunger does not spring all the way back, slight bend to plunger, small seam split at end of taper (see detail), but all fully functional.
DATE: c. 1902 • CONDITION: fine* • $250
13432: Eversharp pump-filler: unusual black French-market model, 14.25 cm long, gold filled trim; the only parts at all in common with USA-production Eversharps are the Skyline-style feed and nib. The nib, however, is 18K gold and French-hallmarked, and the filling system with the accordion sac is characteristically French.
DATE: c. 1959 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine semiflex • $225
14332: Goldfink set in box: black piston filler, 12.2 cm long, gold plated trim, matching repeater pencil uses 1.1 mm lead; Goldfink was a prominent Berlin stationery firm, which contracted with multiple German makers for pen and pencil manufacture. This pen was surely made by Faber-Castell, as it uses that company's patented double piston ink reserve mechanism, though both pen and pencil sport Goldfink's trademark hexagonally faceted tops. Condition is near mint but for patches of pitting on the stainless steel nib.
DATE: c. 1960 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: broad flex • $175
14006: Hide penner: portable brass writing compendium, 11.2 cm tall, Sheffield manufacture, marked "W/HIDE" on the bottom of the inkwell base; reversible top with quill knife (blade tip chipped), quills would have been carried in the now-lost outer leather case. This design was made from the 18th century up into the beginning of the 19th, making individual specimens difficult to date; this example is solidly made and unusually free of dents.
DATE: c. 1800 • CONDITION: VG • $650
15734: John Sheldon dip pen and pencil compendium in box: scarce and desirable Birmingham-made combination dip pen, pencil, coin gauge, toothpick, wax seal, and letter scale (British weights and rates, ounces and pence), 10.3 cm long closed, nickel silver, clean condition noting "SHELDON" imprint nearly polished away, though February 1842 patent date stamp strong and clear.
DATE: c. 1845 • CONDITION: fine • $600
16406: Jura button-filler in box: small black-veined green pearl ringtop, 9.45 cm long, gold filled trim, a close copy of Parker's vest-pocket Duofold Deluxe; probably either German or Swiss manufacture, excellent quality, instructions in German, French, Dutch, and English. Warranted 14K nib is a European replacement of the same era.
DATE: c. 1935 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • NIB: fine flex • $165
15100: Kaweco safety in box: black hard rubber with gold filled overlay, German made, retracting nib, 11 cm long, dents to cap, seal replaced, warranted nib opens with slightest pressure, to be used with a light touch, incipient stress line from vent hole (see detail). In retailer box from the Netherlands.
DATE: c. 1928 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: medium fine superflex • $565
14127: Kaweco (?) eyedropper-filler: unmarked black hard rubber taper-cap, 16.2 cm long, very early stepped section, #1 A. Morton nib lacks tipping, has hairline cracks from slit end and from front right edge; brutally overpolished overall, Italian retailer imprint on barrel "MAGLIA - MILANO", could be Caw's manufacture.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fair* • $225
10544: Manos Ajano: smooth black celluloid piston-filler, 13.7 cm long, made in Austria, steel dip pen nib, piston mechanism turns but not guaranteed ink-tight or functional; slight barrel warpage and swelling. These pens were widely exported in the early 20th century and are found under various brand names, but are nearly impossible to repair.
DATE: c. 1912 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: medium • $40
13887: Matador Click 007 demonstrator in box: transparent blue piston-filler, 13 cm long, nickel plated trim, gold plated nib, new old stock with clip tag, some internal stress marks visible from original manufacture, two available.
DATE: c. 1960 • CONDITION: near mint • $265
12313: Mecan drop-action porte crayon: sterling silver with black and red enamel, 8.15 cm long, suspension ring on side, perpetual calendar with day letters for French (or Spanish), actuator button appears to be some smooth black hardstone (pencil slides in or out when button is pushed), high quality, very solid, marked "935" and "MECAN" with a small and unidentified hallmark (French or Swiss?).
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $350
16476: Merkurit (?) Hanseat: black chased hard rubber safety, 10,45 cm long, white casein cap dome, German manufacture; English-made replacement nib is an excellent writer.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $250
13632: Montegrappa The Elmo Pen: early production black hard rubber safety, 12.75 cm long, smooth gold filled overlay, #2 Elmo nib, Moore-style one-piece shaft and feed; cap has engraved monogram, dings to crown, cap lip has been replaced. Nib has a crack from the vent hole, usable with a light hand. The Elmo Pen was one of Montegrappa's very first models, and an overlay example is unheard of.
DATE: c. 1922 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: fine stub flex • $650
15951: Mordan pencil: early sterling silver slide-action, 11.3 cm long extended, 9 cm retracted, fluted pattern, hexagonal crown with carnelian seal stone; early markings: "S. MORDAN & CO. MAKERS & PATENTEES", "M" marked nozzle uses 1.0 mm lead. Worn but sound, light marks, fine appearance, refined design.
DATE: c. 1842 • CONDITION: VG • $265
15266: Mordan novelty pencil: silver figural magic pencil, using a genuine early 18th-century Dutch needle case; 9.2 cm long closed, 13.1 cm long extended, uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead. Mechanism in good working order, tiny and almost invisible stress line at very mouth of nozzle, needle case shows independent level of wear including minor dings and a repaired crack (see details).
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: * • $425
16262: Mordan pencil: sterling silver ringtop with porcupine quill barrel, 6.6 cm long closed, 8.8 cm with nozzle extended; nozzle marked "VS" at base but uses standard 2 mm thick lead, tip has a crack but still fully functional.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: VG* • $120
15605: Mordan three-color pencil: large sterling silver twist-pattern ringtop, 7.15 cm long closed, 9.4 cm extended. Most unusually, the maker's mark is placed under the red transparent enamel of one of the color-coded sliders. Nozzles marked "W", take 2.0 mm lead. One small ding towards the front of the barrel (see detail).
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: fine • $450
15603: Mordan three-color pencil: unusually large sterling silver ringtop, 10.2 cm long retracted, 11.9 cm extended, some minor bruises to colored enamel on sliders, nozzles marked "W", use 2.0 mm lead. Only blue nozzle propels lead properly, other two need attention to internal mechanisms. Overall condition otherwise fine or better.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: VG* • $465
15263: Mordan desk pencil: sterling silver, cable twist pattern, 15.4 cm long, fully marked, a couple of pinhead bumps at the end; uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine • $245
15939: Mordan Ejector dip pen: sterling silver, barleycorn pattern with smooth forepart, purple cabochon finial; 15.25 cm long excluding nib, gripping section is pulled forward to eject the nib without soiling the hands. Original gold plating mostly worn away, French import hallmark near end. An unusual form, could easily be replated if desired.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $465
15791: Mordan dip pen and pencil set in box: sterling silver, cable twist pattern with smooth baluster finial tapers, pen is 18 cm long, takes standard nibs, pencil is 19 cm long, uses 1.5 mm VS lead. Both pieces fully marked, pen holder has additional fine twisted wire ornamentation. Box marked with retailer name of Howell and James of London.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: exc • $595
16244: Mordan magic pencil: oversize twist pattern ringtop, sheath suspension style, 7.5 cm long closed, pencil extended 11.9 cm long, uses "VS" 1.5 mm lead. Massive construction, pencil shaft end has been repaired, mostly obliterating the maker's mark and leaving the end knob off center (see details).
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG* • $205
14418: Mordan pencil: sterling silver, 9 cm long retracted, large reeded body, plain trim, bloodstone seal, fully marked with London hallmarks for 1894-95; nozzle is for "VS" lead, has tool marks and dents, propelling mechanism not functioning.
DATE: 1894-95 • CONDITION: VG* • $95
14416: Mordan pencil: sterling silver, 9.2 cm long retracted, reeded barrel, unusually large and hefty (just under 29 g) and crisply preserved, proportionately large nozzle uses "VS" 1.5 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: exc • $265
14414: Mordan porte crayon: sterling silver ringtop, reeded body, 8.25 cm long retracted.
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: fine • $105
16222: Mordan combination dip pen and pencil: solid gold extending ringtop, not tested but appears to be 15K; fully marked, 5.75 cm long closed, 11.4 cm extended excluding brass nib. Weighs 20.5 grams, only light marks to exterior.
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: fine • $850
13017: Mordan eyedropper-filler: black hard rubber straight-cap, 13.2 cm long, barrel imprinted "MORDAN/LONDON", overfeed with unmarked ventless nib; closely resembles a Wirt, possibly Wirt-made. Mordan is best known for precious metal pencils and dip pens, but Mordan fountain pens are rare -- this is only the third that we have handled. Even fading, nib tipping is intact yet rather draggy on paper.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium fine semiflex • $365
12105: Mordan Ejector dip pen set in box: patent dip pen in solid 9K rose gold, 15.3 cm long, ferrule body slides forward to eject a used nib without soiling the fingers; matching pencil uses 1.5mm "VS" lead, both engraved with monograms, but oddly the pencil bears "JRB" and the pen, "JEB". Box will not close fully, latch needs attention.
DATE: c. 1903 • CONDITION: exc • $575
12215: Mordan chatelaine pen holder: sterling silver, full London hallmarks, 14 cm long, to carry a full-length eyedropper-filler fountain pen suspended from a woman's belt; a few shallow dings, and some partial seam separation (see details).
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: VG* • $350
15948: Mordan (?) pencil: sterling silver, hexagonal barrel, elegant acanthus trim, 10.5 cm long extended, 9.1 cm retracted; yellow faceted seal is probably glass, chip to rim. Scattered shallow dings, even wear, slender and graceful, "H" marked nozzle uses 1.0 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1860 • CONDITION: VG • $165
14858: Mordan (?) pencil bracelet: sterling silver, pencil is 4.2 cm long retracted, twist-action to extend nozzle, uses 1 mm lead, bracelet is 6.1 cm across. Unmarked, but very similar Mordan-marked examples are known.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $450
13868: OMAS Cristoforo Colombo II in box: limited edition, faceted briarwood piston-filler, 14.2 cm long, gold plated trim, two-tone 18K nib, with inner and outer boxes, instructions and semicircular papers. Tiny abraded rough spot on nib immediately behind tip (see detail).
DATE: 1992 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: fine • $950
13965: OMAS Marconi 100 Anni di Radio in box: limited edition of 154 pieces, charcoal grey with rolled gold banding, 13.8 cm long, 18K gold nib, very scarce version dedicated to the Italian Navy cruiser Carlo Alberto, used by Marconi for his early radio experiments; with all original packaging.
DATE: 1995 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: fine • $1200
13963: OMAS Marconi 100 Anni di Radio in box: limited edition of 2800 pieces, sterling silver with rolled gold trim, 13.8 cm long, 18K gold nib; with all original packaging, some warpage to box (see details).
DATE: 1995 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: fine • $895
14698: Omas Milord T2 in box: full-size facetted piston-filler, 13.5 cm long, rhodium-plated trim, cap and barrel machined from solid titanium, elegant matte finish, responsive titanium nib has been professionally smoothed and tuned; short-lived model of the highest quality and refinement, with all original packaging and instructions.
DATE: 2000 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: medium fine flex • $1250
13959: OMAS 360 Vintage in box: limited edition of 360 pieces, transparent blue piston-filler, 15 cm long, rose gold plated trim, 18K nib; mint in box with ink bottle, all papers, outer sleeve, the first of OMAS's 360 Vintage series; two available.
DATE: 2011 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: fine • $995
16252: Osmia safety: miniature in smooth black hard rubber, 8.5 cm long, warranted semistub nib, cap imprinted "CUTINO CO./GERMANY"; excellent condition but for chip and crack to cap crown emblem (see detail).
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium flex • $600
16496: Østrem dip pen in box: large and of high quality, 17.8 cm long excluding steel nib, Norwegian hallmarks for 830 fine silver, maker mark of Hans Christian Østrem; one side end of box missing.
DATE: c. 1900 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $160
13203: Paillard Semper 183: black chased hard rubber screw-cap eyedropper-filler, 13.6 cm long, marked "IMPORTE ETATS-UNIS" and with a French-hallmarked 18K nib marked "MADE IN U.S.A." Paillard was a French pen company, but like many European makers sourced nibs and whole pens from the United States.
DATE: c. 1919 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $225
15846: Parkin & Marshall quill knife: classic English design, 17.3 cm long with wooden handle, impressed with the mark of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and also bearing scratched marks added by past users; blade is sound and sharp, part of original molded cardboard case included.
DATE: c. 1860 • CONDITION: VG • $120
13912: Rotring Tikk Kuli ballpoint demonstrator: transparent dealer-only version, 12.2 cm long, German made, thin wash plating to trim mostly worn off, but condition otherwise fine to excellent.
DATE: c. 1960 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $165
13930: Stipula Suprema Nuda in box: limited edition of 351, oversize transparent plunger-filler, 13.6 cm long, gold plated solid sterling silver trim, 14K nib (white gold or white plated), in box with all paperwork, outer sleeve.
DATE: c. 2006 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: fine • $395
13902: Stipula Etruria Nuda in box: limited edition of 50 for Swisher Pens, oversize transparent piston-filler, 14.3 cm long, gold plated sterling silver trim, two-tone 18K gold nib, includes all original packaging.
DATE: c. 2007 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: medium • $650
16750: Tabo (?) safety: oversize smooth black hard rubber eyedropper-filler, 16 cm long, chrome plated trim, made in Italy, no maker's mark but closely resembling similar giant Tabo safeties; barrel imprint appears to be for a company, with only a large diamond and "METALRADIO" legible, nib is an English replacement of fine quality, a smooth and flexible writer.
DATE: c. 1939 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium fine flex • $350
13433: Unic Plextyl: large black button-filler, made in France, 14.3 cm long, gold filled trim, stainless steel Unic #6 nib; crisp imprints, clip is a replacement and of different design from the original.
DATE: c. 1945 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $120
16517: Viala Lilliput: miniature black hard rubber ringtop safety, engine-turned 18K solid gold overlay, 8.4 cm long, French made with full hallmarks, 18K Viala-marked nib; tiny, but fully functional.
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium • $365
16564: Visconti Florentia 50th Anniversary Casa Della Stilografica in box: rare and highly desirable commemorative plunger-filler in marbled teal blue and silver celluloid, perfect condition with original barrel sticker and all paperwork, green leatherette box, cardboard outer box, and corrugated outermost sleeve (some storage staining to bottom of the last). Only 365 pieces made, early in Visconti's history.
DATE: 1994 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: medium fine • $850
10574: Williamson button-filler: Vacumatic-style burgundy pearl laminate, 11.9 cm long, gold filled trim, made in Italy, very flexible long-tined Williamson nib, cap jewel appears to be a replacement (more rounded than usual conical profile).
DATE: c. 1946 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $500
15952: unmarked extending pencil: large and striking, sterling silver with hand-chased floral decoration, carnelian seal stone, 12.1 cm long extended, 9.7 cm retracted; uses 1.0 mm lead, "M" marked nozzle, unusual tab slider mechanism. Unmarked but of excellent quality.
DATE: c. 1860 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $275
15949: unmarked extending pencil: large, sterling silver, fluted line and dot barrel, 11.8 cm long extended, 9.7 cm retracted, shield-shaped bloodstone seal stone, "M" marked nozzle has dings at its end, tool marks, uses 1.1 mm lead. Styling and quality are Mordanlike, overall condition is sound but wear and dings to sliding collar and lip worn away from front end cap (see detail).
DATE: c. 1865 • CONDITION: G-VG* • $145
16004: unmarked extending pencil: gold filled miniature, 4.1 cm long retracted, 5.6 cm extended, moonstone seal, "M" on nozzle, uses 1.0 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $50
16005: unmarked extending pencil: gold filled miniature, 4.1 cm long retracted, 5.3 cm extended, purple stone in end (amethyst?), uses .7 mm lead, excellent but for seam opening on front trim band (does not affect function, could be resoldered).
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine* • $40
16261: unmarked extending pencil: probably English, horn barrel sleeve with nickel silver trim, 8.65 cm long closed, 11 cm with nozzle extended, uses 1.5 mm lead, unusual form, cracks in horn do not affect function.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: VG* • $85
10656: unmarked extending pencil: slender, 8.1 cm long, 10.3 cm extended, yellow seal stone has chip on rim, metal crisp, noting short area of seam opening at front of slider slot; nozzle marked for "H" lead, appears to be English manufacture though not hallmarked, and of solid gold with no sign of wear-through.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine* • $65
15166: unmarked extending pencil: sterling silver12.2 cm long extended, 9.4 cm retracted, French hallmarks, excellent quality with plain unengraved rectangular seal end. Nozzle unmarked, unusual propelling pin with socket end holds 1.0 to 1.1 mm lead for both extending and retracting action (may be an added feature, as the nozzle end opening is larger, around 1.4 mm.
DATE: c. 1870 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $150
15313: unmarked dip pen and pencil set: sterling silver, barleycorn pattern, clamp-action pen uses a sliding collar, 15.5 cm long excluding plated nib, desk pencil uses 1/16 inch l(1.55 mm) lead; by all appearances of English manufacture and of excellent quality, with the unusual feature of the engine turned patterning applied to the ends as well.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: exc • $650
16621: unmarked traveling inkwell and matchsafe set: high quality English manufacture, red leather covered. Inkwell is missing its pivoting safety hook, a feature not always present on these (the main latch is the push button on the front). Original rubber top seal has been replaced, is spring-loaded.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: fine* • $120
15955: unmarked extending pencil: small, sterling silver with faceted end stone, 7.9 cm long extended, 6 cm retracted, English made with line and dot engine turning, uses 1.0 mm lead; excellent quality but scattered marks and crown has been soldered in place unevenly, clearly an old repair.
DATE: c. 1880 • CONDITION: VG* • $80
15262: unmarked dip pen and pencil set: sterling silver, cable twist pattern, pen is 16.6 cm long excluding plated nib, desk pencil uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead; English manufacture, excellent quality, possibly Mordan; condition excellent but for tool marks to pencil nozzle.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $425
16697: unmarked figural spirit lamp: nickel-plated brass, 8.15 cm tall, alcohol burner in the form of a champagne bottle, for melting sealing wax (or lighting a cigar). European manufacture, bottom unscrews to fill.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: VG-fine • $120
14469: unmarked magic pencil: sterling silver ringtop, 6.1 cm long closed, 10.8 cm extended, uses 1.5 mm lead, propels and retracts; beautiful relief work with ribbons and inverted torches around an oval cartouche, appears to be French manufacture, excellent quality, one small bump at front end.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $165
15395: unmarked dip pen, pencil, and stamp compendium: nickel-plated brass, 11.1 cm long closed, made in Germany, clamp-style pencil nozzle takes standard 2 mm lead; self-inking reversing rubber stamp in end is spring-loaded.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: VG • $80
15769: unmarked dip pen: copper-plated brass holder in the shape of a quill, 23.5 cm long excluding steel nib, engraved "Ausstellung Mannheim.1907/Louis Markert". The Mannheim exhibition of 1907 was devoted to art and horticulture.
DATE: c. 1907 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $120
15581: unmarked novelty stylographic pen: large brown hard rubber eyedropper-filler in the form of an artillery shell, 10.95 cm long, sprung needle is intact, no sign of the pen ever having been filled. Tool marks to section, however, especially to the milled flange (see details). Red-brown color is original, not faded black, likely made in England.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium fine • $195
9970: unmarked safety: miniature black hard rubber retracting-nib German safety, 8.35 cm long, engine-turned silver overlay marked only "900" at the center of the cap crown; despite size, a fully functional pen, cork has been replaced, 14K gold warranted nib has considerably flex, but due to dimensions line width variation is limited.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $365
12229: unmarked sheath pencil: white metal, 10 cm long, Egyptian-themed enameled badges applied on each side; dings overall, corrosion hole in holder (see details).
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: G* • $45
10895: unmarked miniature safety set in box: beautiful ensemble, German manufacture, purple transparent enamel over silver. Black hard rubber safety pen is 7.2 cm long, fully functional, and appears never to have been used (we have replaced its cork seal and repaired a small crack in the internal spiral). The magic pencil is 5.25 cm long and bears an 835 silver content stamp on its ring; shaft and nozzle are gold-plated, and it uses standard 1.1 mm lead. The enamel is intact on pen and pencil, but is damaged on one side of the matching wax seal (see detail). Box is marked "Joyeria Zerbino", a retailer in Montevideo.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: exc* • NIB: fine • $795
14856: unmarked magic pencil: small figural novelty ringtop in the form of an Egyptian obelisk, blue enamel decoration on what appears to be gold-plated silver; 3.8 cm long closed, 6.4 cm extended, German made, uses standard 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • $150
14457: unmarked writing set in box: German-made, comprising a dip pen, letter opener, pencil, and seal, all in what appears to be casein-based plastic, salmon and black. Box is 21.7 cm wide, dip pen is 13.8 cm long excluding nib. Some loss to the leatherette on the upper front part of the box, otherwise showing no signs of use.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • $95
10568: unmarked safety: black hard rubber, small and slender with silver overlay; 9.45 cm long, French made, 18K warranted nib is serviceable but toothy, tipping scant.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $225
15231: unmarked mummy pencil: silver figural with multicolored enamel, 5.3 cm long retracted; mechanism works smoothly, screw-in nozzle tip is missing but works fine with standard 2 mm lead inserted. Scattered losses to enamel, fine overall appearance.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG* • $225
15717: unmarked dip pen: beautiful tortoiseshell pattern celluloid, hollow construction adds to the translucence of the material, 13.1 cm long excluding gold-plated nib, probably European production.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: exc • $125
12771: unmarked double-ended pencil: slender hexagonal silver barrel with colored casein cones on either side, 13 cm long, hallmarked "835", probably German manufacture, uses 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: VG • $85
15886: unmarked dip pen: large and chunky holder, 15.6 cm long excluding gold plated steel nib; beautiful blue and gold pearl material appears to be casein-based, and probably of French origin.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: exc • $95
12721: unmarked Parker 51 counterfeit: black with metal cap marked "14KR GOLD FILLED" but with only a very thin gold wash; fully marked in imitation of a real 51, sac hardened, will need to be replaced; plated nib, cap jewel is opaque silver in color. Probably made in northern Italy, quality is low but much historical interest. Unused with shop wear, several available.
DATE: c. 1949 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: medium fine • $45
