charity shop finds from today

[PaulS]

Can't be sure, but the Sheaffer pencil and biro, still in their box, may have started life as triplets and somewhere along the line the f.p. has gone walkabout. The design of the clip with its short split - vaguely reminiscent of the Targa clips - is something I've not seen before, and both pieces are substantial and very well made pieces of kit. Quite why I continue to collect pencils is unclear - I don't use them, but since a proportion of pens that I find come as pairs or rarely triplets, then I suppose it's just natural accumulation and being a hoarder I find it difficult to pass them on. Come to that I don't really use the biros either. Does anyone know if this brushed s/s flighter type of finish, plus the unusual clip, suggests a particular model or name?

The third item is the Sonnet - solid black laque I think, and with a corporate logo, which says 'PROSPECT for services to the union', whatever that means - stencilled very lightly onto the barrel, so would probably polish off, but I've yet to pluck up courage to start the rubbing. It's quite surprising - at least in the U.K. - how expensive some of the laque Sonnets can be - especially if they have real plated furniture and nibs - this one appears never to have been inked.
Nothing on the cap band or nib to indicate whether g.f. etc., so assume just a brass coloured plating

Anyway, I thought it was a good start to the week's searching - the rest will probably go downhill.

[SIR]

The third item is the Sonnet - solid black laque I think, and with a corporate logo, which says 'PROSPECT for services to the union', whatever that means - stencilled very lightly onto the barrel

Could be Prospect - the trade union?

[PaulS]

thanks for the suggestion - have to say I've been busy and not got around to investigating - it sounds quite possibly, so will see what I can turn up. thanks.

[pollyskips]

What fantastic finds ! I also thought the logo on the Sonnet was the Prospect union. I had a quick look online today but couldn't pin down the Sheaffer pen/pencil.


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[pollyskips]

my Dad found this lovely 1970's Caran d'ache Madison pen in a charity shop a few years ago for the amazing price of £1.


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[PaulS]

thanks for your sleuthing efforts on my behalf ................ I do have one or two very nice Sheaffer f.ps., but don't find this brand as often as other makes, and never really liked those firm beaked nibs, so haven't made as much effort to collect them as Parker's for example.
I have a couple of Mr. Lambrou's pen books, but suspect this particular Sheaffer model is possibly too recent to be included, so will continue to look occasionally on the web and hope I see them some time.
Don't seem to find Sonnets as often as I would have thought, but again the nibs are nails so wouldn't write with them anyway, but some of the colours are very attractive and they make for a good show............. think I only have half a dozen, but now I have the 'clear text' for year codes can decipher the French date codes, which makes for added interest.

Hope you will forgive me when I say your wonderful Caran d'ache Madison pen is not really my cup of tea (or should that be cup of pen) - I'm a dyed in the wool lover of older pens, and whilst these modern inventions are no doubt great, I'd prefer a Parker, Waterman, or Swan I presume it's another 'nail' nib - do you write with it? ...... but of course, for £1.00 even I wouldn't have left it behind.

[amk]

Lovely finds. Charity shops don't often turn up trumps... but when they do, it's worth it. I found a Parker 65 and Parker 45 flighter in Cambridge Oxfam for £7. That's £7 for *both* of them, not each :-)

[grainweevil]

The Sheaffers are a current model called the 100.

[PaulS]

thanks very much for that grainweevil - always good to have a specific model name. Will have to look out for the f.p. to complete the trio

perhaps the '100' signifies something in particular ... in the same way the Parker 51 and 45 numbers do.

[PaulS]

well, the rest of the week became more vintage. ........... these are from the wild this morning:-

The Sheaffer Lifetime nib white spot desk pen is the first desk pen I've found - it's a plunge filler (no doubt the insides long since shot to pieces), and has tiger's eye coloured striations with slightly transparent barrel, presumably to see the ink level. Going purely on the nib imprint and colourway, am assuming it's from the 1940s, but stand to be corrected. In addition to the expected barrel imprint, there's also the No. 1050 which is lost on me completely at the moment. Obviously missing it's onyx stand, so will try to locate one or at least a piece that might look appropriate, and drill the necessary cavity.

The chrome capped pen is an inexpensive looking Oz Sheaffer called apparently 'Fineline', although this not shown on transverse barrel imprint - only on nib and clip - and no idea yet as to meaning of the No. 305 on nib.

The capless pen is an Esterbrook with a 2556 nib - English made, and quite likely one of the 'ReNew Point' pens - if it is then the nib/feed unscrews for changing or repair. I have difficulty with patience - it's so tempting to try a dry unscrewing - but must resist otherwise will break pen - it's easily done, as I know.

[mrcharlie]

The chrome capped pen is an inexpensive looking Oz Sheaffer called apparently 'Fineline', although this not shown on transverse barrel imprint - only on nib and clip - and no idea yet as to meaning of the No. 305 on nib.

Fineline was a Sheaffer sub-brand. It looks like the most basic Sheaffer Cartridge Pen of the last half of the 1950s. "305" means it is a Medium nib (304 is Fine).

[PaulS]

thanks for the information - basic it certainly is, and a cartridge pen as you say, but writes smoothly enough and as to be expected rather firm.

[pollyskips]

thanks for your sleuthing efforts on my behalf ................ I do have one or two very nice Sheaffer f.ps., but don't find this brand as often as other makes, and never really liked those firm beaked nibs, so haven't made as much effort to collect them as Parker's for example.
I have a couple of Mr. Lambrou's pen books, but suspect this particular Sheaffer model is possibly too recent to be included, so will continue to look occasionally on the web and hope I see them some time.
Don't seem to find Sonnets as often as I would have thought, but again the nibs are nails so wouldn't write with them anyway, but some of the colours are very attractive and they make for a good show............. think I only have half a dozen, but now I have the 'clear text' for year codes can decipher the French date codes, which makes for added interest.

Hope you will forgive me when I say your wonderful Caran d'ache Madison pen is not really my cup of tea (or should that be cup of pen) - I'm a dyed in the wool lover of older pens, and whilst these modern inventions are no doubt great, I'd prefer a Parker, Waterman, or Swan I presume it's another 'nail' nib - do you write with it? ...... but of course, for £1.00 even I wouldn't have left it behind.

it performs better than anticipated !



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[PaulS]

Glad to hear it - would have been a real bummer if - for one pound - it let you down Like your ink by the way - good colour - does it have a name
I wonder what sort of pudding Mr. Wm. Camden was speaking of .......... spotted dick, kate and Sydney, plum pudding ...... ? Perhaps he was the guy in 'pudding lane'? Bet he'd smile to know how frequently posterity uses his quotation.

just to finish off this week's charity shop finds - and most weeks aren't this good - here is a picture of this morning's finds, although nothing remarkable and I already have most of these models:
Why are the 61s that I find nearly always black? - but to have the matching pencil is a plus....
Am fairly sure the Sheaffer is an Imperial I
the Paper Mate in S/S is quite common
the Platignum is the only one I don't already have, but not a biro to rave over, although it does have it's original refill.

I've spent no little time using the hair dryer trying to undo the Sheaffer desk pen - so far it won't budge - but at least the heat has made the piston plunger function again, and it feels as though it will suck up, so will try that soon.

[pollyskips]

Great cache of pens ! It's getting increasingly difficult to find pens at boot fairs and charity shops. My recent purchase of an unknown make (modern) blue metal pen and the Caran D'Ache, now containing a Mont Blanc purple cartridge, are slim pickings compared to your haul. Hope you can resuscitate the Sheaffer.


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[amk]

Beautiful 61s! well found!