Hi - I have just purchased an Esterbrook Desk Set and trying to establish it's date of manufacture. The desk set is very art deco being a shiny black base with one clear and one red pen which have "Esterbrook 9048" imprinted on the nibs. Inked into the leather on the base is "Esterbrook Dip-Less Desk Set No.487 Pat.653391 Other Pending Made in England". The circular paper disc with the instructions are stiill in the wells. Can anyone help with a date of manufacture or a website that will answer the question as I have had no luck so far.
Thanks
Innes

Brian Anderson has a wonderful resource (http://www.esterbrook.net). Take a look around there!

You're probably looking at late 1950's there, particularly if the base is all plastic as it appears to be and not glass. For whatever reason The UK versions were 487's while similar US versions where 484's. The difference could be the plastic vs. glass.

Best-
Brian

Thanks for the reference. Yes, the base is plastic - any indications what a fair value would be?

Regards
Innes

Penquinmaster has been buying up desk sets so he might know. I for one would not. Nice find by the way. Congrats.

Edit - I just noticed penquinmaster already replied to this post so maybe I'm wrong about the above statement. It is Monday you know.

I'd comment but I don't have a clue when it comes to the desk sets like that. Speaking of desk sets though, have another in the mail...nowhere near catching up to Brian with them, but one of these days. Thanks for the referal though!

Price can vary widely. I've seen these sell for as little as $25 or as much as $40 or more. Personally I think the glass based ones are nicer and should fetch more, but they are more common than the plastic variants.

It all depends who wants one at the time I suppose. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Best-
Brian

I ended up spending a little over $70 for my accountants set but it was brand new and never inked and needed to be bought in three parts (base, red pen and clear pen). It's well worth it IMO as it sits right here in front of my keyboard for all to admire

Stephen

Yep the base set still had the cardboard "tear this off when ready to fill" rings on the reservoirs. The red pen I picked up was still in the box and the clear was new but had no box. The base was I think $42 shipped and the red pen was like $22 shipped and the clear pen which are abundant on eBay was around $8-10 shipped. They sit on my desk now inked and seeing daily use. I internally debated for some time as to whether or not I was going to ink them but figured I bought them for their good looks and their functionality not just as a center piece. Aside from the silver icicle I have available for trade all my Esties get regular use (well except maybe my copper SJ, but that's only because it's so short!)

Stephen