Vintage Sheaffer
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 Vintage Sheaffer Lifetime Fountain Pen 14K $59.99 Time Remaining: 2h 23m |
 HARD TO FIND VINTAGE SHEAFFER INK CONVERTERNEW OLD STOCKWORKINGSTANDARD SIZE $16.99 Time Remaining: 25d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN WITH 14K GOLD NO5 M2 NIB TIP STERLING FENNNR $24.99 Time Remaining: 2h 31m |
 Vintage Red and Chrome SHEAFFERS ballpoint PEN $3.90 Time Remaining: 3h 20m |
 5 VINTAGE FOUNTAIN PENS 4 SHEAFFER 1 14K TIP 1 14K PLATED TIP JOWAY $75.00 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 8m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Vtg SHEAFFERS Green and Goldtone MECHANICAL PENCIL 07mm $9.90 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 23m |
 Vintage Gold Toned Sheaffers 133 14k Nib Fountain Pen $20.50 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 37m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Imperial 777 Fountain Pen $69.00 Time Remaining: 3d 6h 26m Buy It Now for only: $69.00 |
 Vintage Red Marbleized Sheaffers Feather Touch 5 Nib Fountain Pen $3.28 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 41m |
 Vintage Sheaffer USA Fountain Pen w Nib Marked 14K Gold NR $25.13 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 43m |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN medium point blue pen with black ink $24.99 Time Remaining: 3h 49m |
 NICE VINTAGE SHEAFFER STRIPED PEN IN BOX FOUNTAIN PEN $44.95 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 44m Buy It Now for only: $44.95 |
 Vintage Collectible Sheaffers Multi Color Fountain Pen Writing Instrument $5.67 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 58m |
 VINTAGE Gold Filled LADYS SHEAFFERS FOUNTAIN PEN $75.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4h 12m |
 Sheaffer Vintage Rolled Gold Fountain Pen $71.29 Time Remaining: 4d 3h 32m Buy It Now for only: $71.29 |
 Sheaffer vintage Lifetime oversize coral red Flat Top fountain pen $158.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 4h 56m |
 A+ Vintage Mid Century Sheaffers Neck Pencil w Chain Mechanical Pearl Swirl Pen $34.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 39m |
 VINTAGE WA SHEAFFER WHITE DOT PEN 14K TIP $50.00 Time Remaining: 6d 13h 29m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen Maroon Stripe Color Marked with a 3 $11.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 7h 21m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Junior Balance Green Marble Fountain Pen $12.95 Time Remaining: 7h 41m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Vintage Sheaffer Nonsense Cut nib Fountain pen $8.00 Time Remaining: 8h 45m |
 Vintage Sheaffer PFM III Green Fine Nib Fountain Pen NOS $359.00 Time Remaining: 24d 16h 19m Buy It Now for only: $359.00 |
 SHEAFFER BALANCE JADE GREEN CHATELAINE PENCIL VINTAGE 1920S $20.00 Time Remaining: 9h 31m Buy It Now for only: $23.00 |
 Sheaffer Targa Vintage Ballpoint Pen in Medici Line Finish circa 1980s $55.00 Time Remaining: 10h 24m |
 Vintage 14K 1950 Sheaffer Sentinel Deluxe TM Touchdown Fountain Pen Pensil Set $40.24 Time Remaining: 9d 9h 52m Buy It Now for only: $40.24 |
 Vintage Lifetime Sheaffer Fountain Pen Mechanical Pencil 14k Gold Filled Cap $49.99 Time Remaining: 11h 40m |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN LOT 1 CLR SLVR SHEFR 1 SHEAFFER JR WITH NIBS $4.50 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 15m |
 HTF VINTAGE SHEAFFER INK CONVERTER TARGA IMPERIALMINT $24.99 Time Remaining: 14d 4h 57m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 VINTAGE BLACK SHEAFFER CARTRIDGE Fill Fountain PEN F NIBSTRAIGHT CAP $6.99 Time Remaining: 12h 34m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFERS CARTRIDGE PEN AND MECHANICAL PENCIL W BOX AND INSTRUCTIONS $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 12h 45m |
 VINTAGE BURGUNDY SHEAFFER SARATOGA SNORKEL FOUNTAIN PEN RESTORED $50.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 45m |
 NICE VINTAGE SHEAFFER BLACK FOUNTAIN PEN $12.95 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 42m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 Vintage Sheaffer Chrome White Dot Pen Mecananical Pencil Set $8.99 Time Remaining: 13h 4m Buy It Now for only: $12.49 |
 VINTAGE Jumbo Sheaffers Lifetime Green Swirl White Dot Flat Top Fountain Pen R $50.73 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 3m |
 Vintage Sheaffer PFM II Black Fountain Pen NOS $359.00 Time Remaining: 16d 19h 46m Buy It Now for only: $359.00 |
 VINTAGE Sheaffers Feather Touch Black Gold Striped Fountain Pen R $19.99 Time Remaining: 14h 6m |
 Vintage Parker Jotter Ball Pen Rare Burgundy $10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 8m |
 Vintage Sheaffer PFM Green 14K Nib Fountain Pen NOS $359.00 Time Remaining: 24d 16h 20m Buy It Now for only: $359.00 |
 VINTAGE Green Sheaffers Lifetime White Dot Fountain Pen w Loop Top R $14.99 Time Remaining: 14h 10m |
 Vintage 1940s Sheaffer 875 Craftsman Burgundy Fountain Pen Gold Trim14K Nib $23.05 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 11m |
 VINTAGE Green Sheaffers Lifetime White Dot Fountain Pen Flat Top R $19.99 Time Remaining: 14h 12m |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER 14K WHITE DOT FOUNTAIN PEN BURGUNDY $39.99 Time Remaining: 23d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Vintage Sheaffers Triumph Desk Set with Lifetime 14K Gold Nib Nice $9.99 Time Remaining: 15h 8m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen Mechanical Pencil Very Nice $39.99 Time Remaining: 15h 18m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Targa 23 Carat Gold Plated Fountain Pen 14K Gold Nib White Dot $112.50 Time Remaining: 14d 56m Buy It Now for only: $112.50 |
 Vintage SHEAFFER LIFETIME Green Jade Flat Top OVERSIZE Fountain Pen $47.51 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 15h 18m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Targa Slim Ballpoint Pen $29.99 Time Remaining: 15h 19m |
 Vintage SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN TRIUMPH NIB Black 14K Gold Saratoga White Dot Ink $130.00 Time Remaining: 19d 6h 14m Buy It Now for only: $130.00 |
 226 Vintage Lot Sheaffer Cartridge Pens Original Boxes 4 $26.00 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 15h 45m |
 Vintage Shaeffer Fountain Pen Mid 1920 LIFETIME EXTENDED BALANCE SENIOR $15.51 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 16h 1m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Eversharp 14k Nib Fountain Pen Brown Gold Stripe Color $69.99 Time Remaining: 17h 27m |
 Vintage Sheaffer PFM II Fountain Pen in Mint Working Condition $259.00 Time Remaining: 24d 16h 17m Buy It Now for only: $259.00 |
 Vintage Scheaffer Fineline 34H Fountain Pen Red and Gold $14.99 Time Remaining: 17h 40m Buy It Now for only: $17.50 |
 VINTAGE BLACK SHEAFFER SARATOGA SNORKEL FOUNTAIN PEN $45.00 Time Remaining: 18h 15m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Imperial 777 Fountain Pen and Ball Pen Set with Sheaffer Box $129.00 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 3m Buy It Now for only: $129.00 |
 Collectible Vintage Slim White Dot Sheaffer Push Clip Chrome Ball Point Pen $8.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h |
 VINTAGE MOTHER OF PEARL HANDLED QUILL STUNNING $31.67 Time Remaining: 23h 29m |
 Vintage Excellent Sheaffer Targa 1007 Full Size Fountain Pen $109.00 Time Remaining: 13d 21h 55m Buy It Now for only: $109.00 |
 Vintage Fountain Pens 3 Sheaffer Parker $5.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 48m |
 Vintage Antique Mechanical Sheaffer Pencil Lead Metal Tin Holder Free Shipping $2.25 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 14m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen $10.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 36m |
 Vintage SHEAFFER Fountain Pen Pencil Set Colorful Life Time $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 11m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 |
 Vintage 1930s Sheaffer lever fill fountain pen black not restored $25.00 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 34m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Goldtone Pencil Mechanical $4.25 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 4m |
 Rare Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Ornate Sheaffer Fountain Pen $1,199.00 Time Remaining: 7d 8h 14m Buy It Now for only: $1,199.00 |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER STERLING SILVER FOUNTAIN PEN UN USED SUPER CONDITION 14K $200.00 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 5m Buy It Now for only: $300.00 |
 7 Full Boxes Vintage NOS Sheaffer Pencil Lead 12pkg per box Medium Hard $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 11m |
 Vintage Excellent Sheaffer Targa 1003 Matte Black Full Size Fountain Pen $125.00 Time Remaining: 13d 20h 39m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN USED OLD CLASSIC STYLE GENUINE $50.00 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 16m |
 Vintage NOS Sheaffer Pencil Lead 47 Individual Packages GREEN $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 23m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Fountain pen White dot USA $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 30m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Targa 1007 Full Size Roller Ball Pen Working $59.00 Time Remaining: 13d 22h 11m Buy It Now for only: $59.00 |
 Vintage NOS Sheaffer Pencil Lead 4 Full Boxes 48 Ind Pkgs Very Soft $0.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 55m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Blue White Dot Fountain Pen in Case $14.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 8h 46m |
 Nice Vintage Sheaffer Calligraphy Set $24.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 53m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Vintage Sheaffer Mechanical Pencil 5 5 8 Pearl + Black $0.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 49m |
 1975 SHEAFFERS IMPERIAL TRIUMPH 506 BOXED UNUSED VINTAGE PEN PENCIL SET MINT $23.50 (14 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 5m |
 Sheaffer No Nonsense Vintage Blue Marble Fountain Pen Gold Trim medium point $59.49 Time Remaining: 17d 13h 39m Buy It Now for only: $59.49 |
 Vintage Sheaffers Pen Pencil Set + Case $50.00 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 7m |
 Vintage Sheaffer Wearever Fountain Pens an Arnold Pen Pencil $9.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 26m |
 VINTAGE EVERSHARP FOUNTAIN PEN WITH ORNATE GT BAND CLIP GRN ABALONE ADJUST NIB $37.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 10h 45m |
 Vintage Pastel Blue Sheaffer Snorkel Fountain Pen $75.00 Time Remaining: 8d 12h 17m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 VINTAGE SCHAEFFER DESK TOP FOUNTAIN PEN WHITE DOT 14k Nib WA SHEAFFER PEN CO $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 18m |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER LIFETIME FOUNTAIN PEN $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 20m |
 Vintage IMPERIAL Fountain Pen 14K Gold Nib XLNT $58.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 55m Buy It Now for only: $58.00 |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER SKRIPSERT FOUNTAIN PEN $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 43m |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN GOLD T BAND CLIP GREEN ABALONE GOLD T NIB 5 $1.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 11h 50m |
 VINTAGE COLLECTIBLE FOUNTAIN PEN SHEAFFERS CARTRIDGE STYLE FOUNTAIN PEN $19.99 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 49m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Vintage White Dot Sheaffer Fountain Pen Lifetime Finnel Feed $43.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 2m Buy It Now for only: $51.00 |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER PEN SET WOOD HOLDER $11.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 2m |
 2 vintage NEW Old Stock SHEAFFER Fountain Pens SEALED $7.88 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 31m |
 NICE VINTAGE SHEAFFER BLACK SLANT CAP FOUNTAIN PEN $12.95 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 3 vintage NOS Sheaffer Pens SEALED on CARDS $10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 36m |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN 14 GREAT EXTERIOR CONDITION MADE USA GREAT COLORS $5.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 41m |
 1936 VINTAGE WA SHEAFFER LIFETIME FOUNTAIN PEN $60.00 Time Remaining: 29d 15h 9m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 VINTAGE SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN W WHITE DOT AND 14K NIB $14.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 43m |
 VTG 14K GOLD NIB 33 WA SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN FORT MADISON LIGHT DARK GREEN COLOR $24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 45m |
 Sheaffer Lifetime Vintage Blue Fountain Pen w 14KT Gold Nib 5 1 4 $49.99 Time Remaining: 27d 4h 38m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Vintage Shaeffer Sterling Silver Pencil $5.24 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 13h 14m |
 VINTAGE BLACK SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN 14K NIB MARKED SHEAFFER 33 TWIST TOP $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 30m |
Vintage Sheaffer
Collecting vintage writing instruments
Is there anything that better exhibits the traits of style, elegance and utility, more than antique writing instruments? From its humble beginnings as a simple reed or bird feather dipped into a concoction of plant, animal and minerals, to a fashionable statement of style and design, crafted of the finest materials, the pen and ink have for over 3,000 years applied man's thoughts to papyrus, parchment and paper.
Although there are early references, along with an undeveloped 1803 patent for metal pen tips, quills remained the primary writing instrument for thousands of years. Still common during the late 18th Century, quills were used to draft and sign the U.S. Constitution.
The first mass produced pens with metal nibs were developed and marketed by John Mitchell in Birmingham England. And, although metal nib fitted pens would quickly improve, with steel giving way to gold and still more durable iridium tips, the dip pen, with a nib attached to a simple holder would remain the height of writing technology until well into the 19th century. However, although functional in concept, the holders for the new interchangeable nibs would range from a simple straight wooden shaft, to elegant engraved instruments made of gold, mother-of-pearl and other fine materials.
Although fountain pens (any pen which can contain its own ink supply) began to appear in the mid 1800's, the available nibs did not allow for an even flow of ink to the tip. Writing with these instruments resulted in a series of skips and blots. The first practical advancement, a 3 channel feed providing a smooth flow of ink from the reservoir to the tip, was made by L.E. Waterman in the 1870's. These early Waterman's, are referred to by collectors as eyedroppers, because they would be unscrewed, and ink squirted into the reservoir dropper that came with the pen. Although prone to leakage around the seams, these were nonetheless a big advancement in writing. Waterman addressed this problem with its 1907 "Safety pen", which they would manufacture into the 1920's. Other early advances in pen technology included Conklin's "crescent filler" (a rubber sac that could draw ink into to reservoir through the nib, the Parker "button filler", and the Shaeffer "lever filler", which eventually became the system used by most pen makers.
From the late 1800's to the 1950's, famous pen makers like Waterman, Wahl, Conklin, Parker and Shaeffer would continue development and refine the fountain pen.
From the 1880's, when the first commercially viable fountain pens appeared, until well into the 1950's, the fountain pen dominated writing instruments. Early fountain pens, although occasionally found in other colors, were typically made from black, hard rubber, which could be covered with metal embellishments or decorated by engraving to enhance the pens appearance. During this time, most pen manufacturer's concentrated on the pens mechanical improvement, but as time passed, and writing quality more or less equalized between the major makers, pen company's began to compete with products featuring more status and style. Coupled with the appearance of new more versatile materials, fountain pens would become a seamless blend of art and utility
In the early 1920's pen company's began experimenting with bakelite, casein and other synthetics, abet, with little success. However, in 1924, Sheaffer would come out with a line of celluloid pens which proved immensely popular, and within a few years, most pen makers were using celluloid as their primary material. From the mid 1920's to the early 1940's is considered the golden age of the fountain pen. Along with striking changes in design and aesthetics, advancements in reservoirs and filling systems brought writers better instruments than ever before.
The elegance and grace of fountain pens would unfortunately, by the 1950's, begin to give way to the more practical and less expensive ball point pen. The invention of Laszlo Brio, a Hungarian news paper editor frustrated with filling fountain pen's and cleaning smudges. Patented in 1938, ballpoints gained popularity with the military, and in post world War II America, these low cost disposable pens were just what the doctor ordered. Just as dip pens were replaced by fountain pen's, ballpoints would quickly drive most fountain pen's from the market. Pen and paper would never be the same again.
Ink of course, is to pens, as man is to woman, one exists to complement the other, and any discussion of pens requires the mention of ink. And, while ink itself is perhaps mundane, the same cannot be said of the myriad ink bottles, wells and pen stands which complement writing instruments.
It's apparent, that since quills and other dip pens must be frequently refreshed with ink, writing with them required a convenient container. In the middle ages, scribes would use the most pedestrian clay pots, however, beginning in the 18th century, as the wealthy and educated classes began to take their own pen to paper, utilitarian wells began to give way to ornate silver inkstands, along with elaborate boxes which would include not only the ink pot, but paper, quills, sand and other writing needs. By the 19th Century, inkwells began taking characteristics of their county of origin. Ornate ormolu and porcelain in France, glass incased in rich woods from England, and cut glass in America. By the late 1800's, Victorian tastes were demanding figural inkwells, with people, animals and birds gracing elaborate stands.
Although inkwells can be found in 20th century styles such as Arts & Crafts, Art Deco and Moderne, as a practical matter, with the advent of the fountain pen in the early 1900's, the inkwell had become an anachronism. Most inkwells dating from that period tend to be pieces from desk sets, and were more decorative than functional. These however, remain quite collectible.
About the Author
Dennis Barker - About the Author:
Dennis Barker is publisher of the New Century Collector, a monthly Utah based collectors newspaper, which features collecting news, along with antiques advertising and articles related to the field. Distributed thoughout Utah and parts of Idaho, the publication can be picked up free from most antiques shops withing their distibution area. The current issue, along with past issues can be read at our website www.newcenturycollector.com.
Filling a vintage eyedropper fountain pen with a Sheaffer Snorkel