Sheaffer Balance
mid 1930s
About This Model
Sheaffer Balances appeared in 1929 and were Sheaffer’s top production lines from the early 1930’s until after WWII. They were available in numerous lengths, girths, colors and patterns, filled by lever or plunger, and were well enough made that now, with a cleaning and filling system restoration, they make excellent and durable pens. There were two distinct levels, Lifetime and non-Lifetime, and numerous models at different times. The Lifetime designation was carried over from before the Balance's appearance, and was kept to designate higher level pens. They carried Lifetime nibs and a white dot to signify the pen as a Lifetime; in addition, they came with the Lifetime guarantee, which continued for many years until the courts struck it down. After WWII the White Dot was used to denote higher level pens, and then became Sheaffer's brand identifier. Non-Lifetime pens had lower trim levels but were made of the same components; their nibs were very good and were often much softer and easier to write with than Lifetimes. Balances were also designated with numerous sub-model names after the mid-1930s, and the use of Balance was ended altogether after WWII, with the obsolescence of lever-filled pens.
About This Pen
This Balance is actually a First Lady, from the mid-1930s, in Ebonized Pearl. At 4.8” long and just short of 1/2” wide, this is a smaller lever-filler, but not too small. It fits the hand nicely but will be more comfortable if your grip is a bit smaller. It’s a Lifetime pen, with white dot and Lifetime nib; it shows some wear. The gold trim is complete and tarnish-free. Imprint is clear and complete; there is a small, probably factory personalization that reads “Zola Matthew”. The gold two-tone Lifetime nib writes a firm, but not too firm, fine line; a fast writer.
Price: $59 Sold