Pelikan, Montblanc, Soennecken, Goldfink, UHU and Mabie Todd

Rose Marbled Monte Rosa #4 Lf/mp Set Or is it a Waterman Patrician?

2010-09-13T15:52:00.000-07:00

I had the good fortune to find this on the bay the other week.

It's a rare marbled Monte Rosa with non too subtle design leanings on the Waterman Patrician.

As a Montblanc and Waterman fan I feel its done a pretty good job of combining the best of both worlds!

I love the flexible very large No 4 nib and the quirky clip and lever design. The cap band needs no mention - gorgeous!

Burgundy Marbled Soennecken Rheingold 1917 Largest of the Top-Line Range from 1938

2010-09-13T13:33:00.002-07:00

The Rheingold series was Soennecken's finest line of pens, inspired by the name of the treasures of the saga of 'DerRing des Nibelungen' by Wagner. The Rheingold was Soennecken's reply to the colourful Duofolds and other celluloid pens emerging from America. As well as in classic black, Rheingolds came in blue, green, burgundy and brown marbled as well as a special model in Pearl and Black.

The new models in celluloid were available in three sizes, 912, 913 and 916, accompanied by the economy model, the Seneca (also an extremely rare pen to find these days). These pens were produced in wonderful celluloid but did not have an ink window. In 1933 the Rheingold series was revised and produced in four different sizes, with beautiful yellow ink windows, and the models took the numbers 1911, 1913, 1915 and 1917.

The Rheingold series was characterized by an ingenious take on the button fill system. To operate it you would turn a hard rubber collar to reveal the button, which could then be decompressed to operate the pressure bar within. This system meant there was no need for a blind cap (which would often get lost when removed) and so marked an improvement on the Duofold button fill design. Another emblem of the Rheingold was the decoration on the head of cap consisting of an "S" surrounded by a white circle in turn surrounded by rays.

In 1935 model luxury Präsident series was introduced, marking the new top line of Soennecken pens. However these pens were only produced in black so the marbled Rheingolds remain arguably the most sought after pens by Soennecken collectors.

The 1917 is a beautiful, large pen. As mentioned, it is the largest of the fours sizes produced in the second series of Rheingolds. It can be seen pictured next to a modern Montblanc 149 to give you an idea of just how big it is ( 5 & 5/8 inches when closed ) !

The pen presents like new, the plastic is bright glossy with little or no signs of age. The hard rubber parts are again glossy and bright and the cap top in particular looks like new. There are none of the usual scratches and marks that you find on vintage pens.

The hard rubber collar has the '1917' heat imprint and also 'BB' Indeed, the original Soennecken B nib is fitted. It is a beautifully crafted nib with a finely chiselled tip and with the responsiveness associated with 1930s goldcraft. A real delight!

The original pressure bar and breather tube can still be found inside the pen and are in working order. I have removed the ossified sac to remove any risk of oxidation to the barrel.

The 1917really looks perfect at first glance. Indeed, this pen would be mint were it not for the following matters. There is a helical hairline running through the ink window (it does not leak), and one of the fins is missing from the feed. The good news is that all of these things are quite easily fixable. For example, you can easily replace the feed and the section for the section (including the ink window on these pens) can be unscrewed so that a donor part from an inferior pen (eg a black or damaged pen) can be used to replace the ink window on this pen.

All in all a superb example of a top of the line Soennecken Rheingold !

Montblanc 22 1/2 Chef D'Oeuvre in Burgundy

2010-09-13T13:12:00.001-07:00

This is an extremely rare Montblanc made for export to France c. 1930.

It is essentially a #20 in style and design but has the 22 1/2 imprint (presumably to denote the price it was being sold for in France). The other signs that this was intended for the French market are the super rare Chef D'Oeuvre imprint on the cap and the 18 kt gold nib.

This is an extremely rare pen from the golden age of Montblanc. A standard #20 in Burgundy is rare as it is. This Chef D'Oeuvre # 22 1/2 is certainly the only one of its kind that I have ever seen.

Mint First Year Pelikan 101N Tortoise

2010-09-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

A mint Pelikan 101N in tortoise. It's a scarce First Year 101N, as can be determined by the yellow ink window. It doesn't look anything like all those made up 101N pens that you find on eBay. This is the real thing, and is the reason why Pelikan has such a strong name till this day for quality.

It has been my great fortune to add this perfect piece to my Pelikan collection.

Montblanc 149 with Solid 18 KT Overlay - Le Fevre

2010-08-13T14:11:00.000-07:00

I have for your consideration something really very special.

I have here an extremely rare 1950s Montblanc 149 with solid 18 Carat Oerlay. This is a substantial, hefty, top end product produced by Montblanc with the gold overlay work applied by the celebrated French master jeweller, Lefevre, who was offcially commissioned with the work by Montblanc.

The Lefevre boutique created a very limited number of overlay Montblanc 149s between the 1950s and the 1990s but few ever surface for sale in respect of pens from the pre-1970s period. The 1990s Lefevre pieces do occasionally get offered at the $8000 - $9000 mark but they don't remain for sale for very long! So when presented with the opportunity yo buy a 1950s overlay piece I snapped it up immediately without hesitation.

This pen is in superb condition without any dents or damage. The overlay is a wonderful plain and striped design reminiscent of a watermelon !

The 149 has a typical 1950s orange ink window with still fairly clear black bars. The only real signs of wear to this pen are light pocket scratches and light marks to be expected of a vintage piece. It's in very good condition indeed as can be seen in the numerous photographs I've taken!

The 149 has 18 Carat hallmarks stamped on the cap and on the barrel (the two small impressions you can see in the photos on the overlay by the ink window that looks like small dings are in fact a pair of hallmarks! The same two hallmarks can be found on the cap band) The cap band is imprinted with the legend "MONTBLANC 18 CTs MADE IN FRANCE"

The nib is the original 1950s 14 C Montblanc with an oblique medium tip. It is a fairly flexible writer and lays down a rich, wet, line. The piston mechanism has been professionally restored by Montblanc and fitted with a new cork. This pen will make a superb user and an even better collector's piece! The 149 comes complete with its period felt covered presentation box.

For perfection, and there surely can be no doubt that this is a perfect piece for the serious Montblanc collector, there is a price, and my price is $8,950.

Please just drop me a PM if you have any questions or would like to arrange a viewing.

Many thanks

Pelikan 700 - a Pristine 14 Karat Solid Gold Pen from the 1950s

2010-08-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

I have something rather special up for your consideration in the form of a top of the range Pelikan 700 from the 1950s. It's for me Pelikan's finest pen from the 1950s to date.

The Pelikan 700 is made of solid gold with 14C 585 hallmarks on each constituent part. So a hallmark can be found on the cap, the clip, the domed clip screw and even on the twisting knob. The scalloped guilloche is exquisite.

It is fitted with a pristine 14kt Pelikan logo nib with a Medium tip. It is a smooth and responsive writer as can be expected from a 1950s writing instrument .

The 700 has been inked but it has rarely if ever been used and it really is about mint! Even the ink window is glass-like in its pristineness and the barrel and cap are free of any defects or dents. Its basically a perfect collector's grade piece.

Now after all the good news I have to say there is a price for perfection and that price is £2,950 including the original Pelikan satin-lined carry case.

Enjoy the pictures!

Soennecken Rheingold 1913

2010-06-28T13:39:00.001-07:00

A wonderful high quality celluloid pen this by Soennecken, the Rheingold 1913.

A great, larger pen (13, 7 cms when closed) that has been restored with a new in sac fitted. The mechanism itself is renowned among pen collectors, being a unique twist on the button filler. To operate you unscrew the black hard rubber collar to reveal a white casein button which can then be clicked to press on the ink sac inside.

Nice clear ink window and generally in excellent order. Deep and crisp imprint of "Soennecken Rheingold" and the famous sunburst logo on the barrel. No signs of brassing to the pocket clip or cap rings.

Some browning of the hard rubber collar and cap top which can be polished back to black. Please note that, as so often happens, the small insert in the cap top has dropped out. I've done a quick fix insert of my own to mirror the insert.

The 1913 is fitted with its original Soennecken Pargo (Palladium Argentium) nib with a medium tip. This nib is so flexible that it actually feels like you are writing with spaghetti. The imprint states Soennecken Bonn Pargo. Nice deco lettering and design too.

So, a nice, rare pen that can be yours for $475 plus shipping.

Vintage Montblanc Nibs c 1940s

2009-11-29T07:49:00.000-08:00

I have sourced a major lot of Montblanc nibs dating from the 1940s.

This marks a truly amazing find given they are all NOS (new old stock) and in fine order. All nibs sports a medium point, some with the responsiveness that is the very hallmark of vintage Montblanc nibs, while some are a little bit firmer.

These will make for excellent replacement nibs or for fitting to all but the very largest of vintage pens. The nibs measure 2,8 cms in length so on the large-ish side!

My price is £24 per nib plus shipping. Quite a bargain really!

Click on the photos to enlarge.

Get some while you can as once they're gone, they're gone!

UHU Vintage Bottles - 30 mls Blue Black - 15 euros a pop

2009-11-09T16:20:00.000-08:00

Wonderful Gold Filled Overlay Partner Button Filler - 160 euros plus shipping- a bargain !

2009-11-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

Pelikan First Year in Original Leather Box

2009-08-29T11:20:00.001-07:00

Scrumptious !

A Trayful of Pelikans from my collection !

2009-08-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

>>> I think they're wonderful - let me know what you think?

Superb 4 colour ballpoint by Goldfink c.1950s

2009-08-02T05:33:00.000-07:00

A super Goldfink ballpoint with 4 colours, red, blue, black and green. In perfect working condition and in NM condition. Goldfink did not actually manufacture their own pens and many were made by Tropen or Fend among other companies. This pen was clearly made by Fend as can be evidenced by the fact the pocketclip still has the "F" on it, being the Fend imprint. So this is basically a Fend pen that was later modified with Goldfink imprint on the barrel and then marketed as a Goldfink. This is typical of the metal pens most of which appear to have been made by Fend (market leaders in metal and overlay pens at the time) for Goldfink.
Looking for £50 plus shipping.

1930s GOLDFINK 21M, NM 1930s BHR Button Filler from Berlin !!

2009-08-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

A superb example of a black hard rubber button filler from Goldfink of Berlin dated c. 1936.

Lots of nice details from the trademark Goldfink hexagonal clip screw to the multiple crisp imprints on the barrel, cap and pocket clip. Barrel imprint states "Fullfeder Industrie Goldfink Berlin W8 Friedrichstr.74 Gestlich Geschutzt". No signs of brassing on pocket clip or cap bands. Fitted with a nice responsive Swan No 3 nib also from 1936 (I know this as it came from a Swan Visofil).

In perfect cosmetic and mechanical condition and fitted with a new ink sac.

Looking for 160 euros plus shipping

2009-07-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

A super pen by Sheaffer this, an oversized Sheaffer Flat top in jade. A good solid pen with a huge 14 kt Sheaffer Lieftime nib with a fine point!

In restored condition with a new ink sac fitted. A super pen to use. There is the obvious browning of the barrel and cap but otherwise all good!

£75 plus shipping

2009-07-25T03:42:00.000-07:00

2009-07-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

2009-07-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

2009-07-19T04:50:00.000-07:00

Stephen's Lever Fill No 106 - Green Marbled

2009-07-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

>>> For your consideration is a green marbled Stephens's Lever Fill no 106. In restored working condition with a new ink sac fitted. Not a mint pen but no cracks, hairlines or other damage as such. Pen measures 12,9 cms when capped so quite a large pen. Fitte with a wonderful respnsive 14 kt warranted nib with a medium point. Only looking for £22 plus shipping

Conway Stewart Executive Model 60 - Largest made vintage Conway Stewart model

2009-07-18T05:22:00.000-07:00

>>> For your consideration is a Conway Stewart Executive Model 60 in classic black. This is the de luxe model and the largest vintage pen that Conway Stewart of London made with the wide gold filled cap band. It is 13cms long when capped and quite a fat pen in the hand. In good, restored condition with a new ink sac fitted. No cracks or hairlines etc. Could do with a polish up but otherwise a sound pen. There is a name engraving 'L.M. Braddock' on the barrel but it is tastefully rendered. The CS 60 is fitted with its original very large 14kt Conway Stewart Duro nib. I'd guess it has a medium to fine point on it.

Was looking for £75, will now accept £56 plus shipping. This is a bargain price for a big pen with big gold nib like this!

Fend Truxa 4 coloured Ballpoint

2009-07-18T04:12:00.000-07:00

>>>>> A nice mechanical ballpoint with choice of 4 colours actioned via levers in the barrel.

In faultless condition. Insides will have dried up but I understand the tubes can be readily replaced.

Fend were of course considered the premier manufacturer of metal and gold filled pens of the 1940s to 1960s. They actually made many of Montblanc's gold filled pens and Pix series of gf pencils.

£35 plus shipping

Dove Grey Sheaffer Snorkel for only £29 plus shipping !

2009-07-17T15:53:00.000-07:00

Perfect Vintage Conway Stewart 84 'Basket Weave' Pen/MP Boxed Set

2009-07-17T04:51:00.000-07:00

Perfect, beautiful, Conway Stewart 84 'Basket weave' set complete with original box with matching basketweave design. The celluloid is amazing, perfect lustrous green with intense golden streaks.

No signs of use, even the barrel threads are completely clean with no residue or old ink. The pen is in restored condition with a new ink sac fitted. The pencil works perfectly as well.

This is a museum grade set and a Conway Stewart collector's dream. £250

Click on photos to enlarge !

Vintage Columbus 68 -Black Celluloid from 1960s

2009-07-17T04:40:00.000-07:00

Columbus 68 piston filler with a classic understated look. A sweet, perfect Columbus 14kt nib is fitted and it is in perfect working condition. There are some fine hairlines to the cap lip but these are barely perceptible and stable and otherwise the pen is about perfect. £85