Featured Sterling Sheaffer fountain pen

I’m usually a jewelry junkie but going through Dad’s pens and oh my, I’m in love.

 

I can see why. Such a pretty thing.

Debora

 

You have a 1920s vintage, Sheaffer "lifetime" fountain pen. Flattop, lever-filler. A ringtop variety known as a "vest pocket" fountain pen.

These are pretty rare. They stopped making them once the Depression hit.

 

Thank you! I figured 20ish and appreciate the other information. Not sure I can part with it but maybe for the right price I would. Any idea on value?

 

They're tricky things to sell.

Vest-pocket pens aren't popular these days, because they are so small (something like that is unlikely to be longer than 4 inches, capped) and have limited ink-capacity. Some people do collect them, for the historical nature and as a curiosity, but that's about it. I would add it to my collection, but then, I like silver, and I like pens. But most people probably wouldn't.

If it doesn't work, then it'd definitely be under $100.00, because it means that the pen has to be pulled apart, cleaned, re-sacced and then reassembled. The people who can do that aren't many these days, so unless the buyer does it themselves, they're not willing to pay a lot for such pens, even if it is silver. They have to factor in the cost of sending it to be repaired, and the postage on top of that. I've routinely bought antique fountain pens such as these (I've collected pens as a hobby for 20 years) for $50.00 or under. It's the repair-costs that keep the prices down.

Because of the size, even working, they don't fetch a great deal.

 

You’re right, it’s 4 inches long. I don’t know if it works and have no idea how to make it do so. I guess I’ll just have to keep it!

 

You'd need to find a pen-repair tech. to do it for you. There are a few around, but their waiting lists stretch for weeks and months in advance.

 

I’m going to find one. Its such a pretty thing and in great condition. Perhaps I’ll make it a pendant in the interim, jewelry nut that I am.

 

If you do that, for the love of god, make sure the pen doesn't unscrew and fall off. It can happen, and if it does, you may have a lot more than an ink-sac that'll need fixing.

 

Gorgeous! I got several old fountain pens and mechanical pencils from that era when an elderly relative passed away. I could get the pencils to work but not the fountain pens. Those are just too difficult and costly given the age. I just got a fancy pen holder and put them on display on my desk.

 

They can be repaired, but it's not always cheap. If you do decide, then only do the really good-quality ones / the ones you really like the look of.