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View Full Version : My Eversharp Navy Blue Skyline Demi (Red/Green Derby Cap)



KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 02:51 PM
Just received my Eversharp Skyline Demi in a deep navy blue, with the center of the cap covered in a red+green striated celluloid and derby style top (which is also navy blue) and a wide cap band. I don't know if there's an exact year on it, just that it's going to be somewhere in between 1941 and 1950.

Some pictures, click to enlarge them to the 1280x960 copy.

I'm still trying to decide on which ink to put into it. Bought this one off Sean (he has quite a few more (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=880985991931531&set=pb.208871225809681.-2207520000.1405630464.&type=1)), I was tempted to go with the honey colored cap one, but it was already spoken for, and it was hard to decide between this one or one of the larger solid navy blue ones.

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/720/capped1.jpg (http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/capped1.jpg)

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/720/capped2.jpg (http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/capped2.jpg)

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/720/cap.jpg (http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/cap.jpg)

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/720/uncapped.jpg (http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/uncapped.jpg)

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/720/posted.jpg (http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/posted.jpg)

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 03:19 PM
That's an unusual color combination. I wonder if that was really a catalog offering, or a Frankenpen? These are all such good pens! The nibs are great, no matter whether you want a nail or a flex (you can find both), and they seem to have used a higher grade of plating on the hardware, as it always seems to clean up very nicely. Have fun.

mhosea
July 17th, 2014, 03:34 PM
That's an unusual color combination. I wonder if that was really a catalog offering, or a Frankenpen?

Looks legit to me (solid barrel color matches derby), but it is an interesting color scheme, to be sure. There's a lot more contrast there than the same pen with the burgundy barrel and derby. I guess black goes with anything, and navy blue with almost anything.

KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 03:50 PM
That's an unusual color combination. I wonder if that was really a catalog offering, or a Frankenpen? These are all such good pens! The nibs are great, no matter whether you want a nail or a flex (you can find both), and they seem to have used a higher grade of plating on the hardware, as it always seems to clean up very nicely. Have fun.

A decent number of the Skylines are the same way, solid color bodies with solid color at the tip of the cap, with striated celluloid in between.

As I understand it the 'wide band' caps aren't that common.

Also for it to be a frakenpen it would have to be a mix-n-match of different brands or different models. Because even around the top of the cap it says Eversharp Skyline Made in USA, the rest of the pen is clearly a Skyline Demi.

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 03:53 PM
That wasn't what I meant, I know striped cap / solid barrel. I meant the blue derby/barrel with red/green cap body. Since those are all separate parts, they can be mixed, and I had not seen that combo, and am wondering if it a rare variant or a mashup.

KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 03:57 PM
That wasn't what I meant, I know striped cap / solid barrel. I meant the blue derby/barrel with red/green cap body. Since those are all separate parts, they can be mixed, and I had not seen that combo, and am wondering if it a rare variant or a mashup.

According to the seller (Sean Nicholson) it's more than like a special order.

You can see the rest of his collection on this post
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=880985991931531&set=pb.208871225809681.-2207520000.1405630464.&type=1

The one I purchased was the 6th one from the right. Initially I was going to try to grab the second one from the left (brownish body with a honey striated celluloid cap), but that was already reserved.

Personally I think the color scheme is rather stunning especially on deep navy blue when you got enough light to see the blue.

Far as being made originally like that, the dome on top of the cap is a perfect match in color to the rest of the pen, so I'm pretty sure they were made to go together.

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 04:14 PM
Yeah, Karl, I know these pens, and it isn't surprising that the derby and barrel match well. It is more a matter if that striped cap was part of the original pen, or if it was a 'new' combination. Just a curiosity for me, and part of pen history.

KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 04:46 PM
Yeah, Karl, I know these pens, and it isn't surprising that the derby and barrel match well. It is more a matter if that striped cap was part of the original pen, or if it was a 'new' combination. Just a curiosity for me, and part of pen history.

You mean the celluloid stripping being a part of the skyline line in general (when the whole pen isn't a celluloid mix)?

Only info I could find showing a lot of the offerings is off this page, of which both the navy blue and the red/green striated celluloid are listed.
http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/profiles/skyline.htm

It's certainly one of my shorter pens...

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/cased.jpg

Note to self: don't wear stripped shirts when taking pen pics.

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 04:48 PM
I am trying to be very clear about all this, but I am failing.

Yes, I know Richard's page, and I know all those colors.

Solid color barrel pens could have either a cap and derby in the same solid color, or caps with many possibilities, including a matching derby with gold cap, gold cap with gold derby, and so on. For the pens that included a striped cap body with a solid color derby, I thought they paired the stripe color with the solid color in combinations that were aesthetically pleasing. I find it surprising to see something red/green mixed with something blue, and don't think I've seen that before. This means nothing, because it may have come from the factory that way and I just never saw an example.

But, as I said, these caps come apart into pieces, and it is a complete possibility to mix parts from different pens. I'm curious to know if this is the case here, or if there is a factory color combination that I was heretofore unaware of.

I hope that is clear. I can't do any better. ;)

KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 04:51 PM
I am trying to be very clear about all this, but I am failing.

Yes, I know Richard's page, and I know all those colors.

Solid color barrel pens could have either a cap and derby in the same solid color, or caps with many possibilities, including a matching derby with gold cap, gold cap with gold derby, and so on. For the pens that included a striped cap body with a solid color derby, I thought they paired the stripe color with the solid color in combinations that were aesthetically pleasing. I find it surprising to see something red/green mixed with something blue, and don't think I've seen that before. This means nothing, because it may have come from the factory that way and I just never saw an example.

But, as I said, these caps come apart into pieces, and it is a complete possibility to mix parts from different pens. I'm curious to know if this is the case here, or if there is a factory color combination that I was heretofore unaware of.

I hope that is clear. I can't do any better. ;)

Oh yea I couldn't say with any certainty, best assumption is a special order from the manufacture as I've seen that done with a few brands (ie: Sheaffer) but I don't know enough about Eversharp to say one way or another. And it's not like they have a catalog out there to say that only these colors will be paired with these cap inserts.

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 04:58 PM
And it's not like they have a catalog out there to say that only these colors will be paired with these cap inserts.

Well... that's not an assumption I'm willing to make. I'm interested in how the pens were normally sent out. Everything else is a little beside the point with that beautiful wide band!

KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 05:04 PM
And it's not like they have a catalog out there to say that only these colors will be paired with these cap inserts.

Well... that's not an assumption I'm willing to make. I'm interested in how the pens were normally sent out. Everything else is a little beside the point with that beautiful wide band!

But I thought you "Knew" these pens?

RayCornett
July 17th, 2014, 05:08 PM
Could it not be an off catalog model? Sheaffer has a lot of those. Wahl could, too.

reprieve
July 17th, 2014, 06:10 PM
David Nishimura has one for sale in his Eversharp catalog (http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Skylines.shtml). He calls it an "uncommon Army-Navy configuration." (http://www.vintagepens.com/morepics.php?id=11362&pics=7)

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 06:25 PM
But I thought you "Knew" these pens?

I meant that I knew all the various colors, as you mentioned listed on Richard's site. But very poorly communicated on my part.


Could it not be an off catalog model? Sheaffer has a lot of those. Wahl could, too.

Yes, this is what I was wondering about, the provenance of this pen.


David Nishimura has one for sale in his Eversharp catalog (http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Skylines.shtml). He calls it an "uncommon Army-Navy configuration." (http://www.vintagepens.com/morepics.php?id=11362&pics=7)

Yo! Now this is some good info! I've posted a question where he might see it, too. Thanks, Reprieve.

Crazyorange
July 17th, 2014, 06:34 PM
That's a beautiful pen. The colors are awesome.

KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 07:03 PM
David Nishimura has one for sale in his Eversharp catalog (http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Skylines.shtml). He calls it an "uncommon Army-Navy configuration." (http://www.vintagepens.com/morepics.php?id=11362&pics=7)

I noticed that one has the name on the wide band where as mine does not, it's just clean all the way around. If the one pictured there is "fine" condition, then mine must be "like new"/"excellent".

Have you seen any other site, seller, retailer, catalog mention it as an "Army-Navy" configuration, or just that online catalog?

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 07:08 PM
There's a lot more contrast there than the same pen with the burgundy barrel and derby.

Indeed. I have that precise pen, in the demi size. I like Karl's pen!

Jon Szanto
July 17th, 2014, 07:11 PM
I noticed that one has the name on the wide band where as mine does not, it's just clean all the way around.

It looks like an engraving (personalization), not a brand. I always value the clean models over anything with a name engraved on. Yours is pristine.

KBeezie
July 17th, 2014, 07:15 PM
I noticed that one has the name on the wide band where as mine does not, it's just clean all the way around.

It looks like an engraving (personalization), not a brand. I always value the clean models over anything with a name engraved on. Yours is pristine.

That would make sense, especially if you wanted to put in an order for the shop or jeweler to personalize that band for you. On a brand new pen I could see that being a popular 'gifting' option, but knowing now what some people didn't consider back then, the collectors among us wouldn't have that done. (Though I wouldn't mind doing it if I intended to make it a family heirloom where the value is more sentimental than it is monetary).

It's probably only pristine because Sean made it that way. I'm not sure what state it was in when he originally purchased it for himself (he mentioned that this particular skyline was his most beautiful).

I'm still kind of surprised that one catalog is selling the less-than-pristine version for $150 when I paid $100 for mine (he's selling his standards for $100, and Demis for $80, with the exception of the one I purchased). All of them should be in about the same condition as the one I got.

Newjelan
July 18th, 2014, 02:07 AM
What a beautiful pen. I'm so jealous.

Lady Onogaro
July 18th, 2014, 08:03 AM
What kind of a nib does it have on it? Did you get a writing sample, or have you had a chance to ink it up and give it a try? :)

reprieve
July 18th, 2014, 02:12 PM
David Nishimura has one for sale in his Eversharp catalog (http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Skylines.shtml). He calls it an "uncommon Army-Navy configuration." (http://www.vintagepens.com/morepics.php?id=11362&pics=7)

Yo! Now this is some good info! I've posted a question where he might see it, too. Thanks, Reprieve.

I'm curious to find out more. If he answers (or if you get any other info), I hope you will post it here as well. :)

KBeezie
July 18th, 2014, 04:22 PM
What kind of a nib does it have on it? Did you get a writing sample, or have you had a chance to ink it up and give it a try? :)

It's an Eversharp Banner Nib. 14K Gold, writes somewhere around a western fine (with Akkerman Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indigo, which I only had so much left in the bottom of the sample vial), using Monteverde/Faber-Castell Fine (and Pilot Medium) and Goulet Extra-Fine as a point of reference.

Initially I was thinking in between a western EF and F. A did an initial sample between some of my vintage pens here (before I tuned up the Sheaffer Lady Balance some).

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/write.jpg

Then my latest writing sample later in the day basically cataloging all the pens I have inked here (with the sheaffer lady balance finally tuned up and using noodler's blue steel... which it does well with) on some Staple's Arc paper (for their disc-based Arc notebooks).

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/inked_july18_2014.jpg

Currently the Eversharp is not inked as I just had a tiny bit of Oost-indigo left and debating what else to ink it with, I got a tote to pick from...

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/inktub_july18_2014.jpg

If I pick one I'll try to get a dedicated write sample scanned.

Edit the tub contains :

Sample List
Akkerman #3 Blauw 2ml
Akkerman #4 Nassaus Blauw 2ml
Akkerman #5 Shocking Blue 1ml
Akkerman #6 Binnehof Blues 3ml
Akkerman #9 Laan van Nieuw Oost-Indigo 1ml
Akkerman #13 Simplisties Violet 2ml
Blue Amber 8% 1.5ml
Callifolio Baikal 4ml
Caran d'Ache Electric Orange 11ml
Caran d'Ache Hypnotic Turquoise 6ml
De Atramentis Apple Blossom 2ml
De Atramentis Atlantic Blue 2ml
De Atramentis Red Brown 2ml
Delta Black 2ml
Diamine Maroon 2ml
Diamine Poppy Red 2ml
Diamine Presidential Blue 2ml
Diamine Royal Blue 2ml
Diamine Salamander 2ml
Diamine Turquoise 1ml
Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo 2ml ("T" on cap)
Iroshizuku Tsutsuji 1.5ml
J.Herbin 1670 Ocean Bleu 1ml
Kaweco Royal Blue 2ml
Kaweco Midnight Blue 1.5ml
Noodler's Blue-Black 3ml
Noodler's Sequioa Green 1ml
Montblanc Royal Blue 2.5ml
Omas Red 2ml (more of a light pink...)
Pelikan Aventurine 2ml
Pelikan Violet 2ml
Private Reserve Buttercup 2ml
Private Reserve Ebony Brown 2ml
Private Reserve Shoreline Gold 2ml
Private Reserve Spearmint(w/ Flow enhancer) 3ml
Platinum Blue-Black 2ml
Platinum Earth Brown 4ml
Platinum Leaf Green 2ml
R&K Helianthus 3ml
R&K Salix 1ml
Sheaffer Red 2ml
Thistle (unknown brand) 1.5ml
50/50 mix N.Black Eel + D.Eclipse 3ml

Some bottles (most around 50-80% full, some sample vials set aside for filling from them)
Noodler's Texas Blue Steel 90ml
Noodler's Black Eel 90ml
Noodler's Liberty Elysium 90ml bottle (pending store exchange)
Diamine Eclipse 80m
Diamine Grey 30ml
Diamine Syrah 30ml
Diamine Saddle Brown 30ml

wahlnut
July 20th, 2014, 09:28 PM
The red, whitish and blue pen was a standard model in the late war years and a little beyond. There are a few Saturday Evening Post advertisements showing this pen from that time frame, and if memory serves a Walt Disney endorsement Advertisement showing this pen in his hands. The color in the ads is more definitely red white and blue. Aging plastic on the cap has yellowed/browned/greened out the white on most of the survivors, so it may not look like the pen in the ads, but it is. This red white and blue pen was an all purpose patriotic pen without allegiance to any one service. There were separate Army and Navy pens made in Blue and gold and Brown and Gold too. The government bought a very large quantity for Skyline pens for servicemen/women during the war. It is not known how many were sold to the government nor how many were issue or sold in government military stores aboard ship or at bases, camps and training facilities. Also, if memory serves me tonight, the pen in question bright work should be gold filled and not gold plated.
Syd

Jon Szanto
July 20th, 2014, 09:33 PM
Thanks, Syd. I consider your take on this pretty definitive, and a great bit of info to have. Looking forward to seeing you in SF in a few weeks!


The red, whitish and blue pen was a standard model in the late war years and a little beyond. There are a few Saturday Evening Post advertisements showing this pen from that time frame, and if memory serves a Walt Disney endorsement Advertisement showing this pen in his hands. The color in the ads is more definitely red white and blue. Aging plastic on the cap has yellowed/browned/greened out the white on most of the survivors, so it may not look like the pen in the ads, but it is. This red white and blue pen was an all purpose patriotic pen without allegiance to any one service. There were separate Army and Navy pens made in Blue and gold and Brown and Gold too. The government bought a very large quantity for Skyline pens for servicemen/women during the war. It is not known how many were sold to the government nor how many were issue or sold in government military stores aboard ship or at bases, camps and training facilities. Also, if memory serves me tonight, the pen in question bright work should be gold filled and not gold plated.
Syd

KBeezie
July 20th, 2014, 10:32 PM
The red, whitish and blue pen was a standard model in the late war years and a little beyond. There are a few Saturday Evening Post advertisements showing this pen from that time frame, and if memory serves a Walt Disney endorsement Advertisement showing this pen in his hands. The color in the ads is more definitely red white and blue. Aging plastic on the cap has yellowed/browned/greened out the white on most of the survivors, so it may not look like the pen in the ads, but it is. This red white and blue pen was an all purpose patriotic pen without allegiance to any one service. There were separate Army and Navy pens made in Blue and gold and Brown and Gold too. The government bought a very large quantity for Skyline pens for servicemen/women during the war. It is not known how many were sold to the government nor how many were issue or sold in government military stores aboard ship or at bases, camps and training facilities. Also, if memory serves me tonight, the pen in question bright work should be gold filled and not gold plated.
Syd


Thanks for that information. It makes sense,and I could certainly see that white aging to a color like that, makes me wonder what the color scheme would have looked like in person.

If I were to quote you on this information (since there's not much to go around in particular), what name/website would I link to for credit?

earthdawn
July 20th, 2014, 11:07 PM
The red, whitish and blue pen was a standard model in the late war years and a little beyond. There are a few Saturday Evening Post advertisements showing this pen from that time frame, and if memory serves a Walt Disney endorsement Advertisement showing this pen in his hands. The color in the ads is more definitely red white and blue. Aging plastic on the cap has yellowed/browned/greened out the white on most of the survivors, so it may not look like the pen in the ads, but it is. This red white and blue pen was an all purpose patriotic pen without allegiance to any one service. There were separate Army and Navy pens made in Blue and gold and Brown and Gold too. The government bought a very large quantity for Skyline pens for servicemen/women during the war. It is not known how many were sold to the government nor how many were issue or sold in government military stores aboard ship or at bases, camps and training facilities. Also, if memory serves me tonight, the pen in question bright work should be gold filled and not gold plated.
Syd


Thanks for that information. It makes sense,and I could certainly see that white aging to a color like that, makes me wonder what the color scheme would have looked like in person.

If I were to quote you on this information (since there's not much to go around in particular), what name/website would I link to for credit?

LOL... The Owner of Wahl~Eversharp Co. Thats the one and only Syd Saperstein providing the info. www.WahlEversharp.com

wahlnut
July 21st, 2014, 12:04 AM
Yep. That's me
Syd "The Wahlnut" Saperstein
www.pensburymanor.com (Vintage)
www.wahleversharp.com (New)

And Yep, see you in San Francisco, Jon. Carey, you oughta take off a few days and drive down too.
Syd

KBeezie
July 21st, 2014, 12:39 AM
LOL... The Owner of Wahl~Eversharp Co. Thats the one and only Syd Saperstein providing the info. www.WahlEversharp.com

:P Considering this is my first ever Eversharp pen... it's not like I was expected to know that (in regards to "LOL"). Thanks for the detailed information.

I'm curious to find pictures of those advertisements showing the 'patriotic' design, would be awesome to find that specific ad/flyer/page one on ebay or something (or at least a nice replica that can be framed).

Jon Szanto
July 21st, 2014, 12:44 AM
Considering this is my first ever Eversharp pen... it's not like I was expected to know that. Thanks for the detailed information.

Stick around. We're happy to help. It's moments like these that I hold back until I have pretty good info before I offer up Authoritative Information - there is always the chance that one of the Real Deal people are around.

If this is your first introduction to Syd, I really urge you to check out the website. What Mr. Saperstein has done to not only resurrect a venerable brand, but offer up new variations and improvements, is something not short of remarkable. Karl, you've gotten yourself a wonderful older pen. Take a look at the new trajectory of that pen, living once again in our times. This is good stuff!

KBeezie
July 26th, 2014, 03:30 PM
I inked it up with Noodler's Liberty Elysium. It seemed fitting given the history Syd described.

http://static.karlblessing.com/pens/eversharp_skyline_demi/write_elysium.jpg