Tim's Bargains

Parker 61

late 1950s-1961

This 61 is a MK1 Classic, from the late 1950’s-1961. It has a Lustraloy cap with chrome clip, and a black plastic barrel. The barrel is personalized for R.O. Edwards, but the personalization is small and professionally done. The plastic is very clean, generally without marks and scratches. The capillary filler fills and drains well. Know that capillary filling 61s are best handled with one kind and color of ink. This pen’s challenge is that the section/hood would not come off for love or money; after a week of heating and attempts, I decided it wasn’t coming off. As a result, the pen’s price accommodates this condition. All of that said, this 61 is a very nice writer; the nib is a typical wet-enough fine, firm without being stiff.

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Price: $65 $59

Parker Pastel

1927-32

This Pastel is in Apple Green, a ringtop model. Its celluloid is in pretty nice, if well used, condition. There is some wear if viewed closely, and the barrel is thoroughly darkened. That said, the moire pattern is clearly visible, there is no deterioration, and it’s a handsome pen! It’s a button filler that fills strongly. It’s the typical Parker ringtop size, 4.5″ long, and feels well balanced in the hand, although admittedly better when posted. The nib writes a fast XF/F, but is a bit wonky and needs the occasional hand straightening. This is a sweet pen that is not often seen, but not a heavy duty pen.

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Price: $60

Parker VS

late 1940s

This Parker VS is a nice user pen, a very good writer. It is in black, with a very clean and shiny appearance. For some reason, there are a few small nicks at the blind cap joint and the barrel joint, but these are not obvious and otherwise the pen is in very good condition. The aluminum button assembly is strong, so this pen fills well. The Parker nib is in excellent condition, and writes a fast fine line. A good pen that can be enjoyed without worry!

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Price: $75 $69

Sheaffer Balance

late 1930s

This Sheaffer Balance is the later 1930s non-Lifetime model, in full length slender girth (price code 350), in jet black celluloid. It is in very nice user condition, with a few assorted nicks beneath the shiny exterior. It’s a lever-filler, and fills well. The amber view window is clean and clear. Its probably original 3 nib has the trace of a prior bend, but it writes a smooth fine line, firm but not roofing nail rigid. A very good pen to use all the time!

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Price: $65

Sheaffer Lifetime

1928-30

The Lifetimes were Sheaffer’s top line model in the late 1920s, just before the Balances appeared. They were made in Jade and Jet Black Radite, Sheaffer’s branded first celluloid, and came in short and oversize lengths and thin and wide girths. This pen is the short version of the oversize 85C. Although 4.5″ long, it is a full .5″ wide just below the cap edge and features Lifetime white dots in both the cap and the center of the barrel base, as well as solid 14K trim in the clip and 1/4″ wide cap band. “DK Robinson” is engraved in Sheaffer’s distinctive autograph style in the cap band. the pen is without scratches or significant marks, is very shiny and clean, with full imprint. The nib is what Sheaffer made in those days: it’s a large Lifetime, firm as can be, and it writes a fast XF/F line. Why is this pen being sold as a Bargain? It has two noticeable flaws: there is what it is believed to be a stable crack in the cap edge that extends to the base of the cap ring but not further; and the clip is a bit loose. Repairing both of these is certainly possible, but since the work would have been considerable, and neither of these issues affects the pen’s functioning or appearance, it was left as is. Nevertheless, it is an elegant, handsome 95 year old pen that can be carried and used with pleasure.

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Price: $75

Sheaffer Snorkel

1952-59

This Snorkel is a Statesman, the bottom level of the Triumph-nibbed Snorkels. It’s an attractive pen, with a ⅜” wide gold cap ring setting off the black cap and barrel; in addition, it’s in very nice condition, with only one barely visible scratch near the bottom of the barrel. Because of wear in the internal parts, this pen sometimes shows a little reluctance to extend and withdraw the Snorkel; this has been accommodated in the pen’s price. That said, it fills strongly and is a fantastic writer — fast, smooth, wet fine nib. Enjoy it!

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Price: $68

Sheaffer Touchdown

1950-52

This is a very nice Touchdown Craftsman, in green. It is in very clean condition, missing most of the wear one normally sees in these pens, a manifestation of their ability to absorb heavy use. The barrel and cap are very clean and shiny, although there is a bit of cap shrinkage, which explains its tight fit over the section. The imprint is complete. The trim is all shiny gold, and the thin cap ring denoting the pen as a Craftsman is tight. The nib is a proper 33, fine firm. This is a pen that can take a lot of use without worry.

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Price: $36

Sheaffer Touchdown TM

1951

In 1951, the Touchdown line was transitioned to Snorkels, which first appeared the next year. Some of the last Touchdowns previewed Snorkel caps and trim. This pen is one of those, a 1951 Touchdown with a non-White Dot Snorkel cap, possibly off-catalog. Although it cleaned up very nicely, this pen has seen some use, and shows its wear in micro-scratches. But, as with so many Touchdowns, that nib is wonderful!  It is a wet medium nib, writes fast and smooth.

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Price: $60

Waterman Taperite

1940's

This is the Taperite Stateleigh, the higher end of the Taperite line. It is very easily confused with a Parker 51: gold cap, black body, hooded nib. However, under the hood there is a traditional nib and feed. Waterman’s quality dropped steeply after WWII, but the Stateleighs were exceptions; they were well-made and great writers. This pen is missing a little gold plate in the cap, and has a ring of scratch marks left by an earlier attempt to disassemble the pen, a steep challenge with many Stateleighs caused by barrel shrinkage. It is a very pleasing pen to hold and use, and writes a wet fine/medium line. Enjoy this pen, give it a case to protect the softer plastic, don’t worry about it!

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Price: $75

Waterman Taperite Crusader

1949-53

This Taperite Crusader is nearly identical to the higher level Taperite Stateleigh in the For Sale listing, differing only in the cap. Stateleigh caps were more closely identified with Parker 51 caps, carrying decent gold plate over an all-black body. The Crusader was a step down in quality, with caps of a thinner gold plate with silver indented striping. There are a few nicks and pits in the cap, but the body is largely unmarked and very nice. It is a good writer with a firm f/xf nib that flows well. Like its fellow Taperite, getting this pen apart took a week of patient pushing and pulling, but the result was worth the labor. Enjoy it, perhaps use a case to protect its appearance.

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Price: $49

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