Other pens with unusual features:
A.A. Waterman (twist-fillers, middle-joint eyedroppers), Chilton (pneumatic-fillers), Conklin
(crescent-fillers), and John Holland (hatchet & pull-fillers)
14254: A. A. Waterman twist-filler: black hard rubber slip-cap, rare and desirable hand-chased high-relief gold filled overlay, 14.25 cm long; #3 Modern New York nib has lost its tipping and has the beginning of a stress hairline extending from the right side of the vent hole. Condition is otherwise excellent -- a spectacular pen, with patent dates of 1899 and 1903.
DATE: c. 1903 • CONDITION: exc* • NIB: medium fine • $2450
11926: A. A. Waterman twist-filler: gold filled filigree slip-cap, 14.6 cm long, hard rubber glossy and unfaded with strong imprints, only slight posting scratches, metal crisp and unbrassed, monogram skilfully engraved in indicia; #2 nib with distinctive three-lobed vent hole.
DATE: c. 1912 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • NIB: fine flex • $850
15096: Aikin Lambert sleeve-filler: black hard rubber self-filler, gold filled overlay, 13.6 cm long, barrel sleeve rotates to provide access to pressure bar (Waterman's first sleeve-filler patent of 1905, but used only on subbrand pens and Aikin Lamberts, after Waterman's takeover of Aikin Lambert c. 1907); #3 nib is very flexible, noting the beginnings of a stress crack from the vent hole (see detail). Elegantly engraved monogram on sleeve, very clean with only trace brassing at the edge of the cap top, a high quality pen with an unusual filling mechanism and excellent overall appearance, especially uncommon with a plain smooth overlay.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine flex • $865
15788: American Fountain Pen Co. sleeve-filler: rare and peculiar, black chased hard rubber, 12.6 cm long, to all external appearances a standard Moore safety, but instead the barrel sleeve must be unscrewed to reveal the opening in the barrel and the pressure bar. Bar is imprinted "LICENSED UNDER/PATENT 781.649" -- Robert A. Hamilton's US patent of 1905. Overall condition would be excellent plus, but for now-repaired cracks in both the sleeve and barrel, surely due to rough handling as they are not in locations normally subject to much stress..
DATE: c. 1914 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $365
10508: Arnold Fountain Safety Razor: patented portable razor in the form of an oversized black chased hard rubber pen, complete with gold filled cap band; 15 cm long, crisp chasing and imprints, moderate fading; blade holder unscrews to allow blades (not included) to be replaced.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: exc • $120
10790: Autofiller twist-filler: oversize black chased hard rubber slip-cap, 15.7 cm long, crisp and glossy, bold imprints, big #8 Autofiller nib is toothy, much like a Victorian dip pen, wide double-vented feed, twist knob is a replacement copy in hard rubber to original dimensions.
DATE: c. 1914 • CONDITION: near mint* • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $595
13072: B. B. Stylo stylographic pen: black chased hard rubber with unusual "swing-filler" (the lever pivots sideways), apparently invented by Julius Held (read more here); 13.2 cm long, nickel plated trim. New old stock, but a stress marks from the clip hole, heat distortion to the cap, fading to hard rubber with shadow from now-missing original price band on cap.
DATE: c. 1921 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: fine • $110
13074: B. B. Stylo stylographic pen: black chased hard rubber with unusual "swing-filler" (the lever pivots sideways), apparently invented by Julius Held (read more here); 11.2 cm long, gold filled trim. New old stock, but slight swelling to cap above clip, end of barrel out of round.
DATE: c. 1921 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine • $105
13065: B. B. Stylo stylographic pen: black chased hard rubber with unusual "swing-filler" (the lever pivots sideways), apparently invented by Julius Held (read more here); 11.2 cm long, nickel plated trim. New old stock, but slight heat distortion to cap, fading to hard rubber with shadow from now-missing original price band on cap, nick to surface right below.
DATE: c. 1921 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine • $90
13064: B. B. Stylo stylographic pen: black chased hard rubber with unusual "swing-filler" (the lever pivots sideways), apparently invented by Julius Held (read more here); 11.1 cm long, nickel plated trim. New old stock, but heat distortion to cap, end of barrel slightly out of round, fading to hard rubber with shadow from now-missing original price band on cap, stress mark from clip hole.
DATE: c. 1921 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: fine • $70
14569: Byers & Hayes Pencil-Quill: scarce and unusual black chased hard rubber lever-filler with triangular nib, over and underfeed; 13.1 cm long, gold filled trim, hard rubber is crisp and glossy with sharp imprints, clip can wiggle from side to side, which appears to be a function of the small size of the inner cap.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium • $275
14662: Cattaraugus knife pencil: black celluloid body, chrome plated trim, 13.6 cm long, one cutting blade and one nail file, good snap to both; tool marks on nose cone, mechanism is propel-only, appears to have been converted to use 1.4 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1935 • CONDITION: fine* • $105
16232: Century No. 40 sleeve-filler: black hard rubber screw-cap, 13.6 cm long, nickel plated clip, section is turned to rotate internal sleeve, exposing or concealing the pressure bar; hard rubber is black and glossy with strong imprints, #3 Century nib offers notable line width variation.
DATE: c. 1915 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $265
14773: Chilton pneumatic-filler: black hard rubber ringtop, 11.4 cm long, gold filled trim, Boston-era production, even wear and moderate fading, stress line at base of nib is stable and does not go all the way through.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: extra-fine firm • $145
15295: Chilton Seth Sears Crocker: black pneumatic-filler, 13.1 cm long, gold filled trim, cap imprint for LaSalle and Koch (a Toledo, Ohio department store), hole-less end knob with inner valve, 1933 patent number on barrel, warranted nib is correct, has semistub tip one fin missing from feed; a scarce model from a breakaway Chilton family member.
DATE: c. 1938 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: fine flex • $385
16047: Crocker Ink-Tite 22: black chased hard rubber end-lever-filler, 13.8 cm long, gold filled trim, clear imprints, slight even fading and wear, original price band on cap, #2 Crocker nib is a very broad factory italic.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: extra-broad italic semiflex • $295
16044: Crocker Ink-Tite desk pen: black chased hard rubber end-lever-filler, 18.75 cm long, gold filled trim, #2 Crocker nib opens easily for a wet shaded line; only a few Ink-Tite desk pens have been found to date -- this is the first we have ever had.
DATE: c. 1922 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $450
16046: Crocker Ink-Tite 2S: black chased hard rubber end-lever-filler ringtop, 11.95 cm long, gold filled trim, Zain Crocker #2 nib is long-tined with a semistub tip, writes an elegant line. Hard rubber of cap and barrel evenly faded with chasing more worn on cap, decent barrel imprint.
DATE: c. 1924 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: fine flex • $150
16243: Cross umbrella pencil: novelty figural, 11 cm long, gold plated brass and black hard rubber, uses standard 2.0 mm lead; the exact model is illustrated and discussed in Lambert's Writing History, pp.76-8. Fully functional, lead propels, but if handle is pulled the mechanism will come out. This is the larger version of the design, and especially uncommon.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: VG* • $175
12827: De La Rue bottle stylo: black hard rubber novelty pen, 7.4 cm long, eyedropper-filler, imprinted "FROM/ALDERMAN A. BYRNE.T.D./DUBLIN" -- famous Irish politician Alfie Byrne, later Lord Mayor of Dublin. "TD" stands for Teachta Dála, a member of the lower chamber of the Irish Parliament.
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine • $165
15688: Eagle glass cartridge pen: black lacquered brass, 11.95 cm long, one of the earliest cartridge pens made; barrel imprinted "PATENTED", untipped plated brass nib is flexible but toothy. An historic relic, not currently in working condition, original glass cartridge damaged at mouth, rubber section seal is age-hardened.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: G* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $95
15968: Eagle glass cartridge pen: lacquered brass, 11.9 cm long, one of earliest cartridge pens made, fully imprinted, original rubber cartridge seal is hardened in place, original glass cartridge present complete with cork stopper; handling wear to the lacquer finish but appears not to have been used much if at all, sold as an historic relic -- cartridges cannot be mounted without replacement of the seal.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine flex • $125
11839: Eagle pull-filler: large black chased hard rubber screw-cap, 14.8 cm long, gold filled trim, unusual filling system is like a reverse button-filler, end knob is pulled to flatten sac (US patent 680117 of 1901). Excellent quality, pen is unusually big, equivalent to a Waterman #6-size, nib has Eagle shield imprint, Masonic imprint on barrel for Martha Washington Lodge; cap more worn than barrel, two small stable hairlines in lip (see detail), front portion of barrel from barrel band forward has been restored.
DATE: c. 1903 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $400
15108: Eagle Snap Shot: rare all-metal thumb-filler, 14.3 cm long, black lacquered and nickel-plated brass, untipped plated nib; end knob is turned to reveal pressure bar with target design (US patent 1051670, issued Jan 28, 1913). This example is marked "PAT. APPL'D FOR".
DATE: c. 1912 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine semiflex • $265
14857: Eagle combination: rare late-production example of one of the first mass-produced combos, in woodgrain celluloid rather than the usual hard rubber, but retaining the original eyedropper-filler design; 15.5 cm long, nickel plated trim, hard rubber pencil nozzle uses 2 mm lead, Eagle nib is a precise and responsive writer.
DATE: c. 1927 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $450
13629: Edward Todd telescoping ruler pencil: sterling silver ringtop, 11.3 cm long, square body ruled to 3 5/8 inches, extends to 32.5 cm to measure a full 12 inches; hand-engraved numbers, 1897 patent date, uses standard 2 mm thick lead. Early production, unusual size, only example we have handled that is three-draw, rather than two. Ringtop attachment appears to have been resoldered in the past (see detail).
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: fine* • $350
14898: Edward Todd telescoping ruler pencil: sterling silver, 13.15 cm long, extends to 32.3 cm; square body ruled to 4 1/2 inches, 12 inches extended. Older production version has hand-engraved numbers, full imprints with maker's mark and 1897 patent date, uses standard 2 mm lead, mechanism propels only, does not retract lead. Name engraved on side, some light marks, nozzle tip somewhat out of round, stress line does not affect function (see details).
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • $250
16204: General Manufacturing Co. Snap-Fil: black chased hard rubber ringtop, 14.1 cm long, unusual filling mechanism with reverse jointed lever, hinged tab is extended to depress internal pressure bar when lever is pushed; imprints worn but mostly legible with 1911 and 1918 patent dates, nickel plating worn off brass lever. Distinctive ribbed feed, warranted #3 nib is a high quality contemporary replacement, the gold nicely toned.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: medium flex • $180
16678: Halco lighter pencil: gold plated and black, 13.7 cm long, uses 1.1 mm lead, unused but some storage wear; uses standard flints and lighter fluid.
DATE: c. 1948 • CONDITION: exc • $80
14702: Ingersoll twist-filler: black Bakelite, 13.4 cm long, gold filled trim, original price band with filling instructions, barrel has a brass liner, so hairline in Bakelite from age shrinkage at front of barrel does not affect structural integrity (see detail); 14K nib is small but flexible with some tooth.
DATE: c. 1928 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: fine flex • $150
16056: John Hancock cartridge-filler: jade green ringtop, 11.1 cm long, gold filled trim, olive green casein trim band, long-tined nib is a notable writer. Original color has faded as is common with early green celluloids, material is sound. Comes with a refillable original blue lacquered copper cartridge restored with an added hard rubber reinforcing end plug and an O-ring seal (screws in; handle with care, as the copper walls are thin). Original black suspension ribbon and fittings included.
DATE: c. 1928 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: extra-fine flex • $225
12691: John Holland 75: uncommon oversized black chased hard rubber hatchet-filler, 15 cm long, nickel plated hatchet, wide gold filled cap band; originally clipless, came to us with a 1910-patent slip-on clip, included. Even fading and wear, imprints all legible, Holland #15 nib takes deliberate pressure to open up, more of a semiflex for ordinary use.
DATE: c. 1916 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium fine flex • $395
13572: John Holland 73: large black chased hard rubber hatchet-filler, 14.9 cm long, nickel plated trim; good imprints and chasing, responsive #3 nib writes an elegant line, moderate even fading, unusual size.
DATE: c. 1916 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine semiflex • $385
15552: John Holland 72: long black chased hard rubber hatchet-filler with solid 14K gold cap band; 14.5 cm long, even wear and fading, slender #12 nib and narrow feed, chip missing from cap lip (see details) does not affect function, lip could readily be invisibly restored if desired.
DATE: c. 1916 • CONDITION: G-VG* • NIB: medium fine flex • $325
15276: John Holland 72: black chased hard rubber ringtop hatchet-filler, 11.4 cm long, gold filled cap crown; good clear imprints, Holland #12 nib is a good writer but has visibly been restraightened.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: medium fine flex • $225
12602: John Holland 72: black chased hard rubber ringtop hatchet-filler, 11.9 cm long; gold filled ringtop fitting may be a post-factory addition. Strong imprints, Holland #12 nib.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine semiflex • $205
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
13894: LeBoeuf Holy Water Sprinkler in box: black sleeve-filler,12.6 cm long, gold filled trim, new old stock, size of #8 pen, usual slight age shrinkage around barrel end plug (see detail).
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: exc • $500
13916: LeBoeuf Holy Water Sprinkler in box: black sleeve-filler,12.5 cm long, gold filled trim, new old stock, size of #8 pen, usual slight age shrinkage around barrel end plug (see detail).
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: exc • $650
13813: Mabie Todd Swan Military Safety: uncommon screw-cap black chased hard rubber ink-tablet eyedropper-filler, 14.5 cm long, nickel plated trim, New York production but bearing retail imprint on cap top of Mark Cross of London; even fading, imprints legible, marked "PAT. APPL'D FOR", typical flakes off very end of ink compartment knob (see detail).
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: medium broad stub flex • $495
10461: Mabie Todd Swan Military Safety: rare screw-cap black hard rubber ink-tablet eyedropper-filler, 14.2 cm long, gold filled overlay. New York production, imprints and chasing crisp, some erosion around cap vent holes, feed shows signs of having been overheated during nib setting, but the pen is otherwise like new -- was found as part of a group of mostly new old stock Swans. Plain black hard rubber Swan Militaries are uncommon; examples with overlays are rare.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $1450
15119: Mabie Todd Swan Self-Filling cutaway demonstrator barrel: black chased hard rubber lever-filler, 9.3 cm long, nickel plated trim, New York production, shows classic Swan locking lever action.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: exc • $95
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
15665: Moore Fingertip 96-B: striated "Autumn Pearl" lever-filler, 12.8 cm long, gold filled trim, earlier production, distinctive inlaid nib in stainless nose cone housing is a smooth and wet writer with a turned-up tip, perfect for writing at steep angles. Good imprint on barrel, personalized with name. Fingertips are uncommon, but examples in patterned celluloid are truly rare.
DATE: c. 1946 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium • $595
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
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
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
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
13117: Namiki Pilot Nomikomi-shiki in box: rare "easy-drink" filler in orange pearl and black celluloid, 12.2 cm long, gold filled trim, 14K gold export nib, original price band on cap. New old stock, fills by inserting pen into special inkwell (not included), inverting inkwell and pen together. Transparent celluloid internal reservoir tube has split with age (see detail), but a replacement could readily be made; outer barrel fully intact, original factory grease still present at section joint. In original box with instructions. From the Oakland Japantown hoard.
DATE: c. 1940 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: fine • $645
14456: Norma 104 four-color pencil in box: chrome-plated brass, engine turned, 14.4 cm long with tips retracted, uses 1.1 mm lead, made in USA; as new, small scrape on barrel by red slot (see detail) may be a factory finish defect.
DATE: c. 1956 • CONDITION: near mint • $120
14268: Parker 25 Click-Filler: extremely rare oversize hard rubber slip-cap self-filler, Parker's first (patent number 791,466); 15.3 cm long, good barrel imprint, #5 Lucky Curve nib has been retipped and is a wet and flexible writer, cap is an excellent replacement, an exact copy of an original example and indistinguishable without internal inspection. To fill, push front of nickel plated pressure bar with fingernail to unlock while depressing rear protrusion to flatten sac; pull same protrusion back to allow sac to reinflate and to relock the pressure bar with a "click". #5 was the largest size sold, and rarely seen.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: medium-broad flex • $1500
12238: Parker 20: rare slip-cap button-filler with transparent Bakelite barrel, hard rubber cap; 14.1 cm long, nice clean imprints on both barrel and blind cap. No sac, can be installed upon request at no additional cost.
DATE: c. 1915 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine semiflex • $485
8772: Parker 70: rare gold filled telescoping ringtop, 10.8 cm long, extends to 12.7 cm (with cap off, which is not designed to post onto the barrel); fully and crisply marked, typical dings to bulbous barrel end, intact Lucky Curve feed with #3 Lucky Curve nib; note short axial hairline from vent hole.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine semiflex • $875
11536: Parker 70: rare gold filled telescoping ringtop, 10.5 cm long, extends to 12.75 cm; intact Lucky Curve feed, #3 Lucky Curve nib has been retipped, usual multiple shallow dings to the bulbous barrel end.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium fine flex • $965
15413: Parker Zaner-Bloser: rare black button-filler, 13.2 cm long, gold filled trim, specially shaped hourglass barrel and long section; these normally have a special large imprint on the cap, but in this case it appears to have been removed, as the cap is slightly out of round and has evidently been sanded and then polished.
DATE: c. 1935 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: fine semiflex • $985
14842: Parker Pencopen: red-spotted grey pearl bulb-filler, 11 cm long, gold plated trim, steel nib with most of original two-tone gold wash plating worn off, imprint with 2nd quarter date code, ink window with excellent transparency, sharp barrel imprint. Penco was a house brand of J.C. Penney; this is a most unusual filling system for Parker.
DATE: 1936 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine • $165
15496: Parker VP holy water sprinkler in box: black with frosty Lustraloy cap, gold plated trim, made in USA, filling unit intact; scarce special production item, the first example we have seen in its original box.
DATE: c. 1962 • CONDITION: mint • $465
8370: Parker Jotter saccharine dispenser: hard to find pocketable sweetener carrier, 11.4 cm long, transparent barrel, brushed steel cap, chrome 45-style clip; new old stock.
DATE: c. 1965 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • $65
15639: Parker Wood Pen in box: rare German-made limited edition cartridge filler, 14.3 cm long, gold plated trim, cap and barrel in Peruvian rosewood, section band bears number 746. Cap is not made to post on the barrel end. Reportedly production of this line was halted by Parker USA before the intended 2000 were made (in all woods). 14K ventless nib is a lively writer, Pau Rosa wood box with brass plaque with matching number.
DATE: c. 1980 • CONDITION: near mint • NIB: fine • $1100
16264: Rip Van Winkle blow-filler: rare and unusual large black hard rubber taper-cap with glass barrel, 16.8 cm long, gold filled trim, strong imprint with 1911 patent date, hand-written advertisement on card stock mounted inside barrel. Excellent condition, noting replaced warranted nib and newly-made cap. Read more about the short-lived Van Winkle company here.
DATE: c. 1912 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium flex • $950
13555: Ruxton Multi-Vider slide rule pencil: black bakelite with silver-filled trim, 16.5 cm long, uses 1.1 mm lead, lead reservoir revealed by sliding open the body; some plating wear, used but not abused, fully functional. Instructions and further info here..
DATE: c. 1929 • CONDITION: VG • $145
14735: Ruxton Multi-Vider slide rule pencil: black bakelite with silver-filled trim, 16.5 cm long, uses 1.1 mm lead, lead reservoir revealed by sliding open the body, eraser cover locks in place with a partial twist. Instructions and further info here..
DATE: c. 1929 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $165
15995: Sanford & Bennett Automat: black chased hard rubber screw-cap sleeve-filler, 13.35 cm long, rotating hard rubber sleeve strongly imprinted with name and US patent number 698,859 issued 1902. Raised barrel threads, clean surfaces with only slightest fading, Aikin style narrow squared feed, tipping on #2 warranted nib is scant but functional.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $265
15576: Security Self-Filling: black chased hard rubber, #4 size, 14.8 cm long, gold filled trim, made by Greek immigrants Kritikson Brothers in Chicago; high quality with distinctive end knob actuated pressure bar filling system, check protector at top of cap (rotating blades were rolled over a signature, making any attempt at alteration immediately apparent since the ink would bleed along the cuts in the paper). Condition excellent but for fine scratches on nib.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $495
16379: Seth Crocker pneumatic-filler: black, 12.1 cm long, gold filled trim, imprint on cap, hole-less end knob with inner valve, warranted nib; scarce and desirable Chilton family offshoot, most of these were made for sale at various large department stores and are marked accordingly; these pens came with warranted nibs, this one is notably calligraphic, noting the beginnings of a stress crack from the vent hole (see detail).
DATE: c. 1936 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: fine stub flex • $350
14641: Seth Crocker pneumatic-filler: red snakeskin, 12.1 cm long, gold filled trim, cap imprint for Capwell's, hole-less end knob with inner valve, patent number on barrel, correct warranted nib; scarce and desirable Chilton family offshoot, most of these were made for sale at various large department stores and are marked accordingly; plunger operates smoothly and seal feels sound, original sac has not been replaced so pen not functional as sold..
DATE: c. 1936 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium flex • $650
12405: Sheaffer Craig: rare full length black chased hard rubber coin-filler, 13.7 cm long, warranted #3 nib, narrow keel feed, crisp and glossy, condition like new but nib is cracked at the heel and is not suitable for use as is. The coin-filling system was never used by Sheaffer for its own-brand pens, and is seldom seen in their Craig sub-brand either.
DATE: c. 1914 • CONDITION: exc* • NIB: fine • $265
15757: Sterling sleeve-filler: black chased hard rubber, 13.6 cm long, made in Boston, good Davidson Rubber imprint with patent dates of 1899 and 1900, warranted nib is a high quality smooth writing replacement; raised barrel threads are an early feature, even moderate fading to hard rubber. Sterling is best known for their middle-joint dropper-filling pens, which this closely resembles when closed.
DATE: c. 1913 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium • $275
16545: Stratford Magnetic: unique and futuristic design, with the cap held in place at either end of the barrel by magnetic action; burgundy button-filler, 13.1 cm long, gold plated trim, typical plating losses (see details); 14K gold Stratford nib, barrel imprint includes "PAT. PEND." indicating manufacture prior to Feb. 15, 1949 issuance of patent D152717.
DATE: c. 1948 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium fine flex • $165
16057: Stylomine 303: black French pump-filler, 12.8 cm long, gold filled trim, semi-hooded 18K gold nib, chalk marks on both cap and barrel, original accordion sac is intact and in good working order, pen has been dipped but not filled.
DATE: c. 1965 • CONDITION: mint • NIB: medium • $165
16391: Waterman 16P: rare large-size pump-filler, black chased hard rubber, 14.6 cm long, nickel plated trim, even wear and fading, all imprints clearly legible, last patent date 1910 on clip, one small stable hairline in cap lip (see detail). Waterman pump-fillers are scarce in any size, but particularly hard to find any larger than #2 or #4.
DATE: c. 1912 • CONDITION: G-VG* • NIB: fine semiflex • $800
16610: Waterman Signagraph eyedropper-filler: black hard rubber, made specifically for use in Waterman's Signagraph check-writing machine -- a pantograph-based device that enabled the user to sign multiple checks at once, or to make multiple copies of a handwritten document; moderate fading, shadow from Signagraph clamp.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium stub flex • $295
16644: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber with 18K gold filled "Sheraton" pattern overlay, with an early and noteworthy left-handed mechanism; 13.1 cm long, simple "WATERMAN'S" imprints, name engraved in barrel cartouche. Mechanically perfect, externally similar to the earliest Waterman pencils introduced in 1922 but lead can be advanced by turning either the nose cone or the knob at the top of the barrel, which is attached to the interior mechanism. Extremely rare -- we have seen only a handful of other examples to date. In uncommon British-market hinged box. Extended discussion here.
DATE: c. 1921 • CONDITION: exc • $365
13299: Waterman combination: rare model, not catalogued or advertised, based upon the 32, black celluloid lever-filler, 14.7 cm long, chrome plated trim, barrel threaded at both ends, fully imprinted, pencil mechanism uses 1.1 mm lead, nib is a classic Waterman semistub, smooth and responsive. Overall appearance excellent, but clip slightly loose.
DATE: c. 1932 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: medium semiflex • $950
15999: Waterman Ink-Vue demonstrator: transparent celluloid with black ends, 12.85 cm long, clipless version without end globe or cap band specially furnished for use with Signagraph check-signing machine; not much used but fine network of stress cracks over the inner cap (see details), band of wear to barrel where clamped in Signagraph; original sac has not been replaced.
DATE: c. 1939 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium semiflex • $395
12946: Waterman Hundred Year set in box: very rare white Lucite doctor's pen with matching pencil and thermometer case, lever-filler, 13 cm long, gold filled trim; pencil uses .9 mm lead, thermometer holder lacks thermometer, has depression in barrel right below bands. Pen has stress marks in cap threads and at top of cap, very typical for this material. In original box with papers and gift card (the spelling of the recipient's name appears to have been a bit off, as there is a partial effort to scratch away an extra "S" on both pencil and thermometer case.
DATE: c. 1941 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: medium fine semiflex • $800
14007: Weidlich Simplofiller: black hard rubber slip-cap matchstick-filler, 15.2 cm long, gold filled scroll pattern overlay, #4 Weidlich nib.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium fine semiflex • $895
11815: unmarked magic pencil: a rare and desirable American-made ringtop figural novelty pencil in the form of an owl, 3.3 cm long retracted, 6.1 cm extended, gold filled trim, lapis blue celluloid body, red (ruby?) eyes; excellent detail and workmanship, probably Fairchild or Aikin Lambert, uses standard 1.1 mm lead. Action is a bit sticky but mechanism fully functional, usual age shrinkage to body has led to the side seam opening on one side and partially opening on the other (see details).
DATE: c. 1885 • CONDITION: VG* • $565
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
14769: unmarked dip pen, pencil, and stamp compendium: nickel-plated brass, 11.7 cm long closed, clamp-style pencil nozzle takes standard 2 mm lead; reversing rubber stamp in end is self-inking..
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: VG • $120
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
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
7189: unmarked dummy display pen: heavy solid rubber, 13.9 cm long, looks like slip-cap eyedropper-filler but does not open.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: exc • $75
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
14188: unmarked mummy and obelisk magic pencils: silver (?) with multicolored enamel, mummy is 6.1 cm long closed, obelisk 6 cm; mechanisms work smoothly, traces of gold wash visible on mummy. These are larger than typical examples, especially the obelisk. Mummy uses 1.5 to 1.7 mm lead, obelisk 1.1 mm.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • $495
16422: unmarked Graf Zeppelin dip pen: rare figural holder, probably made to commemorate the Graf Zeppelin's visit to Estonia in 1930; .875 fine silver, Estonian hallmarks, 14.6 cm long excluding nib, nicely detailed, excellent quality, scattered nicks and dings.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: VG • $450
16398: unmarked Graf Zeppelin dip pen: rare figural holder, probably made to commemorate the Graf Zeppelin's visit to Estonia in 1930; .875 fine silver, Estonian hallmarks, 14.6 cm long excluding nib, nicely detailed, excellent quality; engraved monogram on top, a few shallow nicks, much better condition than is typical.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: fine • $650
16692: unmarked novelty pencil: wood and nickel-plated brass, 13.1 cm long with nozzle retracted, uses standard 2 mm lead held in a clamp-style holder; pull the trigger and nozzle assembly springs out of the barrel.
DATE: c. 1955 • CONDITION: fine • $40
