Tim's Bargains

Pens listed here are generally either priced at less than $70 or priced at a significant discount for that model because of a noted flaw or repair. A purchase of two Bargains will give you a 10% discount on both, a Bargains purchase in addition to a main For Sale purchase will give you 15% discount on the Bargains purchase, and if you buy 3 or more pens from either category you will receive a 20% discount on the Bargains.
Every pen listed for sale has been disassembled, repaired as needed, thoroughly cleaned, and hand-polished. Pens with sacs receive new sacs, and all filling mechanisms are cleaned, polished, repaired, and replaced as needed. Nibs and feeds are thoroughly cleaned, flushed, and tuned to write smoothly. Additional restoration needed for a particular pen is noted in that pen’s description. I do not use any waxes or finishes, and do not touch up pen color.

How to buy

To purchase or inquire about a pen, please click on the Contact page above and send me a note.

Also, note that I have many more pens than those listed here; if you are seeking a particular pen or characteristic in a pen, don’t wait for that pen to appear here, let me know!

How to buy

To purchase or inquire about a pen, please click on the Contact page above and send me a note.

View purchase, return, and warranty policies

Diamond Point

1940s

This is a Diamond Point, has the appearance of a 1940s pen, in marbled blue celluloid. It has the later Diamond Point imprinted clip, with the name printed lengthwise across both sides of the clip’s center ridge. This is a very pretty pen, with what appears to be decades of shelf and box wear, most of which was removed, but no use wear. The view window is an extension of the gripping section, which is made of extruded plastic and is completely clear and clean. The pen has a slender appearance, a straight cylinder just under 5″ long capped and just over .25″ wide below the cap edge. The trim shows its history as a cost-saver: gold metal plated without crown or tassie trim. It carries an interesting nib — marked “New Diamond Deluxe”; the slit and tip are adorned by engraved lines to create the appearance of a feather. The nib also shows no wear, and writes a smooth wet fine/medium line. A pretty pen that can be enjoyed without worry.

CLICK IN THE TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS!

Price: $48 SOLD

Esterbrook Dollars and Transitional Js

1930s-1946

This is a group of Esterbrooks from the early 1930s until just after WWII, before the more usually seen J’s emerged. Dollar pens are from 1934-42, when they cost $1. They are easily identified by two holes in their clips, and there are some size and clip detail differences over their lifetimes. I’m very fond of the Dollars; their size fits my hand perfectly. The “Transitionals” (not Esterbrook’s name…) were Esterbrook’s literal transition from the war era to the new J family, so look like J’s with no jewel at the end of the barrel, and are more substantial than the Dollars. There are also a few of the wartime pens, which are shaped like Dollars but do not have cap rings, the use of metal ornamentation having been minimized for the war effort.

CLICK THE TITLE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PICTURES

Price: $60

Esterbrook Icicle

early 1960s

It seems that every time I sell an Esterbrook Icicle, another appears in its place. Are they watching for vacancies? One of the more special forms of the classic Esterbrook J family is the “Icicle” (the name was given to these pens in modern years; it was not Esterbrook’s.), a later LJ size pen with long dark streaks in its plastic body. These pens are not the heavy celluloid of the earlier pens, but they are very attractive and solidly made. They were made in the US and in Mexico; imprints can be along the barrel or at the top of the barrel. A handsome Esterbrook that can be used every day; and a little different! This pen is a red/pink (from a non-colorblind person), in pretty good condition; its cap threads are a bit rough but the cap holds. Its Mexico imprint is complete and easily read.

Be sure to visit the Esterbrook Nibs listing to pick your nib! The nib shown in the picture is for illustration only.

CLICK INTO THE TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS!

Price: $50

Esterbrook J Family

1946-59

Esterbrook J fountain pens, from after WII through the 1950s, are perhaps the best value and most numerous vintage fountain pen available, with their solid construction, good looks, and interchangeable nibs. As many who frequent Timsvintagepens know, a few years back a bushel of Esterbooks found me, and I’ve been restoring and selling them ever since. However, good things come to an end, and having to tell customers “sorry, don’t have that any more” has made me realize that it’s time to update the listing and show what is actually still available. Click on the title for detailed inventory, and remember that Esterbrooks are NOT restored when they’re committed for sale, unlike every other pen on Timsvintagepens, but once purchased are fully restored before being shipped.

CLICK THE TITLE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PICTURES

Price: $50

Esterbrook M2

1960s

The M2 line appeared in 1959, a step forward from the J family and the Deluxes in that it is an aerometric pen. If it looks something like a Parker 51 ala Esterbrook, surely that is no coincidence. The Aerometric 51s were a big hit, causing repetition by most of the pen makers within the decade. It is a long (5.25”) and slim (.4” below the cap edge) pen, giving it something of a Snorkel look, so copying both Parker and Sheaffer! This pen is believed to be unused; its aero filler is fresh and supple. The plastic barrel and section are unmarked. It is a solid pen, although the plastic will scratch a bit easier than Esterbrook’s celluloid did. Purchase it with any of the Esterbrook nibs, as listed and priced in the nibs listing.

CLICK ON THE TITLE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PICTURES

Price: $60

Esterbrook Nibs

Esterbrook nibs, with a few exceptions, generally come in three levels, 9xxx, 2xxx, and 1xxx. 9xxx are iridium tipped and excellent writers.  2xxx nibs are not tipped with iridium so are a bit softer, but with a little tuning and a chance to get accustomed to your hand, become very smooth one-user nibs (2556 and 2668 are among my favorites). 1xxx are also not tipped and not as soft as 2xxx, but are very serviceable nibs.  1xxx, except for those listed below, are included as bonuses with a pen purchase.  Feel free to ask if you have one in mind.

Price: $

Esterbrook Pastels

1950's

Esterbrook Pastels, called Purse Pens, are shorter J family pens. They are of SJ girth but shorter, well balanced and feel good in the hand. There were two generations, generally splitting the 1950’s. The first generation had the two black jewels of the J family pens, while the second generation had jewels in colors that matched their pens. These pens have not proved as durable as the J’s, however. They are made of a softer plastic, scratch easily, and often evidence minor cracking at the barrel and cap edges. The pricing is specific for each pen.
Note that the photograph is new, including four in unused condition, no cracks, no marks.

CLICK ON THE TITLE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PICTURES. NOTE THAT SOME OF THE PENS HAVE SOLD.

Price: $50

Parker “Duofold”

mid-1920s

This is a Lucky Curve that has resisted typically precise identification (note: Parker arcane detail warning!!) : it has the imprint of a Duofold still using the Lucky Curve name, the appearance of a mid-1920s petite Duofold in a color not found in any Parker catalog. It looks something like an early 1920s Ivorine, Parker’s short-lived casein output, but it does not have the defining Jack Knife cap and, of course, isn’t made of casein. It looks something like the 1927-32 Pastel, but the Pastels usually had moire celluloid and their own characteristic Parker imprint. So, in the absence of a defined model identification, it has been named a lower level Parker Duofold Lucky Curve and was most likely one of the late 1920s “Depression” pens.
All of that said, it’s a nice smaller pen, 4.4″ long and slim, a classic button filler that looks like a small Duofold. It is largely unmarked and quite clean, although the barrel is darker than the cap from its early years holding a latex sac. There is one very small, old crack in the cap edge; it appears to be stable so was not repaired. Crown and tassie are both hard rubber and unmarked; the trim is gold and very nice. Finally, it’s a very nice writer: smooth, wet medium, some shading. This pen won’t withstand heavy duty use, but it can be a very attractive regular user for a smaller hand.

CLICK IN THE TITLE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PHOTOS!

Price: $69 SOLD

Parker 21

1951-60

This is the classic Parker 21, a 1950s pen with a dark blue plastic barrel and hood, Octanium tubular nib under the hood, “valley” 21 clip, and Lustroloy cap. This pen has gotten almost no use over the years, so does not have the layer of use wear, and the Pi-Glass tube in the aerometric filler is unstained. Its nib is a fast and smooth XF, again typical for the 21. Matching price with useability and durability, the 21 is one of the best buys in all of pendom. Enjoy it, use it hard, toss it in your bag.
Note: the dark spot near the bottom of the cap in the photos is an artifact of light in the photo booth.

CLICK IN THE TITLE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PHOTOS!

Price: $49

Parker 45

1960s

Several nicer 45s have come in and are listed here. The remaining 45s that are not in as fine condition and are priced lower have been moved to Clearance.

CLICK ON THE TITLE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND PICTURES

Price: $46

View purchase, return, and warranty policies