Losers that should be winners

[Richard]

Many of the pens in my collection are models that IMHO ought to be more collectible than they seem to be. I like them for their writing qualities, their technology, or both. I'm going to start this topic with a pen that isn't formally in my collection yet (only because I haven't yet edited the Web site to add it).

 

Add your own — the only "rule" is that you have to explain why the particular pen appeals to you. Okay?

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/21_red.jpg

 

This, obviously, is a Parker "21". It was made in 1950, and it writes very nicely with its fine Octanium nib, but its appeal to me is based on the clever way in which Parker melded the advanced concept of its aerometric filler with the cost savings of an ordinary open nib (no collector), wrapping it all in a hood to appeal to the then-current rage for hooded nibs.

[Guest Denis Richard]

Hi Richard,

 

my favorite loser is the Eversharp Fifth Avenue. I think it definitely qualifies as a loser, both during its time, and today.

 

I will make you jump, but I would chose it anytime over the '51'. What I like in the Fifth, is the simplicity of the design. It also fits perfectly in my hand.

 

http://pagesperso.laposte.net/fpnet/LAFA.jpg

[John]

I too am surprised by how uncollectable Parker 21s are. I got one today, mint with sticker. in a four pens for $10 deal.

[Daniel Shih]

I'm still bitter at my Parker 21 Super...

 

When I got it off of eBay, it was in terrific condition, but that was because it was missing an inner cap. I sent it off to Viv who had a bear of a time getting it fixed, but he did and it worked for a couple of weeks--until the hood cracked. Ridiculous, considering the pen didn't even leave my desk once during that time, and I am VERY gentle with my pens.

 

That's why I'm stickin' to 51's and any other pen that's reputed to be built like a tank!

[Maja]

I think the 'Deluxe' and 'Deluxe 100' Wearever pens (pen #2 from the left - the 'Deluxe' - and pens # 3, 4 and 5 - the 'Deluxe 100s'- in the photo below ) are underappreciated to a large extent (well, not by some Wearever fanatics!)....

 

http://www.junkbunny.net/pens/wearevers.jpg

 

They are a nice size (about 5" capped), are nicely balanced in the hand--posted or not posted---and they seem to be quite durable. Oh, and the plastics are nice, esp. that abalone number (pen #2 in my pic).

 

Now, if the gold plating (gold wash?) on the trim and original nibs were of better quality, I am sure the pens would be more collectable Dennis Lively said that the old Sheaffer Feathertouch nibs and Eversharp Skyline nibs can be easily inserted in place of the original Wearever nibs, if desired...

Edited February 23, 2005 by Maja

[Keith with a capital K]

That nib swap is easily done except I have trouble finding Sheaffer pens in such distressed shape that I would consider turning them into donors. Even the lower end Sheaffers have excellent gold filled (not plated) hardware and are very robust in their construction.

 

So... one could add many of the touchdown and lever filling Sheaffer models from the late 40's and early 50's as being very under-rated by many.

[John]

Parker 17s seem to be another underappreciated pen. I have a lovely Black and Gold one with a broad stub sitting on my desk right now!

[Mike]

I'm a big fan of the Wearever Pennants (sixth pen from the lext in Maja's photo above). Much better made than some of the later, really cheap Wearevers, and with both clear feeds and ball-point overfeed nibs... I love these things. One online review dismissed them as "your generic dry writing experience", but the two (soon to be three... maybe four...) I have are not only smooth, they always start on the first try, never skip... and, hey, they're just as smooth, easy-starting, and skip-free upside down. There are even (apparently) extra-fine, broad, and semiflex nibs out there for these things.

 

For $5-10, what's not to like?

[Stompy]

I must admit that I am tempted by Wearevers - I was surprised by the quality of my Esterbrook, and if the price is right...

[Keith with a capital K]

In general, Esterbrooks are a far better pen for the money than many of their Wearever contemporaries but there are exceptions.

 

The Wearever D100 and Pacemaker models are very solid and attractive pens and about 1/10th of them were originally equipped with 14k nibs.