VINTAGE FS: Waterman 52 | Esterbrook Relief | Conklin Crescent 3NL | OS BCHR Chilton

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Condition (n.b.): All pens listed below have been disassembled, cleaned and restored with new sacs installed in the last couple weeks. Each is guaranteed to fill and write as designed without leaks or other problems. Nibs have been adjusted when necessary to ensure that all lay down a smooth and consistent line.

THESE PENS HAVE NO CRACKS, CHIPS, PERSONAL ENGRAVINGS, MISSING PARTS, BENT NIBS, MISALIGNED TINES, OR THREADING ISSUES.

Line Widths and Writing Samples: To provide buyers with as much information as possible, I have started to adopt the following line width standards: XXF (.1-.2mm); XF (approx .3mm); F (approx .4mm); M (approx .6mm); B (approx .8mm). These as well as line widths under full flex are measured with a digital caliper but should be considered approximations providing a general guide: width may vary slightly depending on type of ink and paper used as well as amount of pressure applied. All writing samples are on Rhodia dot paper using Pelikan Edelstein Smoky Quartz or Waterman Serenity Blue.


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1. c.1918 Waterman 52 (BCHR, NPT, lever filler, 14k XF Superflex nib). This full length, standard girth model measures 5 3/8" capped. Black chased hard rubber with nickel-plated trim, epitomizing the simple, workhorse design that put Waterman on the map. Early Watermans are known for their incredibly expressive nibs that exhibit subtle differences from one another in character. This one is exemplary in all respects. Super-Flexible 14k Ideal NY #2 lays down a smooth and consistent XF line that widens to an impressive 4B+ (approx 2.5mm!) under light pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE: https://imgur.com/Oh7Bh5l). Thin hairlines, strong snap-back, and impeccable flow over its full range of flex make this delightfully well-behaved nib an ideal choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Copperplate and Spencerian. Condition: Hard rubber is in extraordinary condition, retaining its factory black color with no discernible fading and deep, sharp chasing. The surface is smooth and lustrous but for a shallow scratch and minor nick here and there. But these are so inconspicuous that they blend into the chasing and are hard to spot. Nickel-plated furniture exhibits no wear aside from a little tarnish around the clip rivets. Barrel imprint is factory sharp and deep with no discernible wear, but the number stamp on the butt of the barrel has worn away. A lovely writer and a well-preserved piece of history. Price:$240 SOLD


2. 1930s Esterbrook Relief Model 1 by Conway Stewart (BCHR, NPT, lever filler, 14k M factory Oblique nib). Measures 5 1/4" capped. One of Esterbrook's earliest pens was the Relief model, which was made by Conway Stewart in England beginning in the 1930s. Higher in quality and much harder to come by than the later Esties familiar to most, these pens were equipped with 14k gold nibs in an array of specialty factory grinds. The Model 1 was the earliest Relief. This one is made of black chased hard rubber with nickel-plated trim and signature red casein band around the top of the cap. The nib, which is appropriately marked "Esterbrook / Relief #1 / Made in England," is a factory left-foot Oblique. When tilted at the proper oblique angle, it lays down a smooth and consistent F line on the down-stroke and M line on the cross-stroke (see WRITING SAMPLE: https://imgur.com/1DiypaU). A versatile nib well suited to adding flair to one's everyday writing. Condition: Hard rubber is a deep black color with minimal fading but chasing shows significant if even wear across the cap and barrel. Nickel-plated trim presents well but shows some high-point wear to the clip ball and sides of the lever under a loupe. Surface is smooth and lustrous with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Barrel imprint shows moderate wear, with parts of "Esterbrook" worn away but "Relief" and "No. 1" fully legible. An uncommon catch on this side of the pond for the Estie-angler. Price: $155 SOLD


3. c. 1910 Conklin Crescent Filler 3NL (BCHR, GFT, Crescent Filler, 14k XF Flex/Superflex nib). Measures 5 1/2" capped. The same pen once touted by Mark Twain in adverts to be at once capable of being filled with one hand and of never rolling off a desk. The 3NL ("Non-Leakable") was the same size as the 2NL but had a slightly larger nib. The Conklin #2 nib in this pen is a replacement, making it identical to a 2NL aside from the '3NL' marking on the barrel. It's made of black hard rubber, chased in the scallop pattern found on most Crescent-Fillers. Patented rocker clip raises at the bottom when the top is depressed. Gold-filled crescent is stamped "Crescent-Filler" on one side and is blank on the other (an earlier design that's correctly contemporaneous with the "Non-Leakable" barrel imprint). The Crescent-Filler is one of the most simple and durable filling systems among sacced pens. To fill one simply rotates the knurled lock-ring to the open position and depresses the crescent once with the nib submersed. Flexible-verging-on-Super-Flexible Conklin #2 nib lays down a smooth and consistent XF line (verging on an XXF depending on ink) that widens to a 3B+ (approx 1.9mm) under light/moderate pressure (see WRITING SAMPLE: https://imgur.com/KNEWKmp). Thin hairlines, great responsiveness, and generous flow make it another great choice for calligraphic writing styles. Condition: Hard rubber retains a deep black color with little fading – just a hint of dark brown under very bright light. Chasing shows a bit of wear but is still distinctly visible and palpable. While most of these show heavy brassing to the clips, this pen's trim is unusually clean. Just a sliver of wear to the very top-edge of the clip. The clip is also slightly flared on the sides at the pivot point, but this is merely cosmetic; the clip holds securely and pivots smoothly. Surface is smooth and lustrous with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Imprint shows moderate wear but is still mostly legible. Price: $170 SOLD[/B]


4. c.1926 Oversized Boston Chilton (BCHR, GFT, pneumatic filler, 14k M/B factory Stub nib). It's not too often that Chiltons come up for sale, and when they do it’s from online merchants who charge a premium. They're uncommon pens, made by a small, early 20th-century company in low production numbers limited in distribution to the northeastern US. It's a shame that more weren't made since their quality was on a par with the best of the Big Four and their pneumatic filling system is truly unique. This is an oversized Boston model, manufactured before the company relocated to Long Island in 1932. Its girth (12.7mm barrel diameter; 14mm cap diameter) is thicker than the standard size. But it has the same stubby proportions, the cap being much longer than usual for a pen of this size. Capped, this pen measures 4 7/8" and it's a hair under 7" posted. It's made of black hard rubber, chased in the vertical line and bar pattern distinctive of Chiltons. The pen is filled by extending the barrel backward from the section (see [DETAIL PHOTO below). When one places a finger over the hole at the end of the barrel and pushes the barrel back down, the pressure inside deflates the sac. One then submerses the nib and releases one’s finger to fill the pen. Appropriately oversized 14k Chilton Boston nib is a factory Stub that manages to yield considerable variation smoothly. It lays down a smooth and consistent M/B line (approx .75mm) on the down-stroke and XF line (approx .3mm) on the cross-stroke (see WRITING SAMPLE: https://imgur.com/Njt00Nx). A buttery smooth nib with a lot of character. Condition: excellent. Hard rubber retains its factory black color with no discernible fading. Factory crisp chasing with no discernible wear. Surface is smooth and lustrous with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. I'd grade this pen as near mint were it not for the typical sliver of plating-loss on the clip ball and one vertical sliver to the cap band on the back of the cap (see DETAIL PHOTO below). Barrel imprint with 1925 and 1926 patent dates is deep, sharp and fully legible. Another expressive writer and downright tough to find in this condition. Price: $280 SOLD





**5. c.1918 Sheaffer Clip** (BCHR, NPT, lever filler, 14k XXF Superflex nib). Measures 4 3/8" capped and 5 1/2" posted. It was Walter A. Sheaffer who first patented the lever filling system in 1908. In 1912 he founded the Sheaffer fountain pen company and his revolutionary design was met with resounding acclaim. In the 1910s, when the pocket clip and lever filler were recent innovations, Sheaffer pens were typically marked "Sheaffer-Clip" on the clips and "Self-Filling" on the nibs to distinguish them from the oldfangled clipless eyedroppers of other makers. Most of their model lineup in this period – before stiff, manifold nibs became the rage in the 20s – was comprised of simple black hard rubber pens with long-tined gold nibs. These are every bit as flexible as early Waterman's, which are more common today, but Sheaffer nibs are typically more responsive (having stronger snap-back). This is an early model with a barrel imprint that was introduced in 1918 and "Sheaffer-Clip" stamp on the clip that was phased out by 1923. Smooth black hard rubber with nickel-plated trim. No trace of a number on the end of the barrel, but based on the pen's proportions and nib it appears to be a No.2 in the vestpocket size. Super-Flexible 14k Self-Filling #2 nib lays down a smooth and consistent XXF line that widens to a 4B+ (approx 2mm) under light pressure (see [WRITING SAMPLE](https://imgur.com/lyk4BaI)). Needlepoint hairlines, strong snap-back, and impeccable flow over its full range of flex make this nib another ideal choice for calligraphic writing styles such as Spencerian and Copperplate. Compared to pen #1, it has a narrower max line width but greater responsiveness and thinner hairlines. **Condition:** excellent. Hard rubber retains its dark black color with little fading – just a hint of dark brown under very bright light. Factory crisp chasing with no discernible wear. Surface is smooth and lustrous with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes. Nickel-plated trim is clean aside from an inconspicuous sliver of wear to the top edge of the clip and some grit near the top of the lever I can try to polish off on buyer's request. Barrel imprint is sharp, deep, and fully legible. An expressive writer with a precision nib and an ergonomic feel in the hand when posted. Price: $190 SOLD



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Shipping: All pens that do not come with their original boxes are packaged in thick PVC tubing to protect them in transit. To CONUS locations buyer may opt for either:

USPS First-Class with tracking for $5

USPS Priority with tracking for $8

International Customers: Please contact me for shipping quote if located overseas (delivery confirmation required).

New York Customers: For tax purposes, I am now required to add an 8% sales tax on any sale made in the state of NY. If your shipping address is in NY state, please let me know before payment to receive an adjusted total.

Order, Payment, & Guarantee: Pens are placed on hold for the first person to contact me with firm request to purchase, to which I’ll reply with payment details. If I haven't received Paypal payment within 24 hrs, then they become available to the next person. All pens are guaranteed to be in the condition in which I've described them. If I've missed something objectionable or the filling mechanism is not fully functional, the buyer may contact me up to 7 days after receiving the pen for a full refund (issued once I receive the pen back in the same condition as sold). I've sold pens online for over a decade. Please check my past listings here as well as on the classifieds and historical sales forums on FPN (username: Estragon) for some of my previous offerings.

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