Sheaffer's "Dry-Proof"

[FredRydr]

In the early 50's, I doubt Sheaffer was paying marketing consultants thousands of dollars to come up with a brand for their Snorkel desk pens. Dry-Proof It's to the point.

IMG_4631.JPG

IMG_4630.JPG

[jos]

That is a very nice desk set! This set (desk base and blotter) already appears in the 1940 Sheaffer catalog (page 15) (available from the PCA library), albeit with white (opal) top surface for both items. The Dry-Proof socket was introduced in 1935 and refers to the airtight seal of the socket, as explained by Roger Wooten here: https://pencollectorsofamerica.org/p...f-socket-base/.
The Snorkel-era socket on the base might thus be a later replacement, also because the decal on the base refers to the 1930-40s #3, #5 and Lifetime Sheaffer pens with open nib.

[FredRydr]

Jos, thank you very much for that information and links. The rocker blotter came to me separately from an antiques co-op south of Columbus Ohio during a foray away from the pen show. I never used that set before it sold.

My older Sheaffer Triumph Vac-Fill desk pen (always filled on my desk) has the same feature with the threaded tulip/trumpet. A quarter turn is all it takes to keep it sealed and wet. Alas, the Triumph's base lacks the Dry-Proof label.