I was watching an auction on a small and not overly significant set. In fact, the pen is a complete mismatch to the base. So a new ebayer in the States and a relative newbie from Spain have driven it up to $94. I thought this a wonderful opportunity to discuss desk set value. Many people have only one or two sets or are looking to get one set that appeals to them. The vast majority of Sheaffer bases are worth about $20-30. This base is no exception. It has a few nicks and a pen that is probably a vac filler that needs repaired, that ultimately doesn't belong to the base anyway. One of the other problems is there is not much information out there on bases. I'm working on that for Sheaffer and with Sheaffer as probably the largest issuer of bases this will cover some ground. If you are in the market for a Sheaffer base I'd be glad to give you an opinion of value. I have what I believe to be a complete listing of bases from 1925-1941 so any of the early bases I should be able to give you a complete accounting.

The seller is certainly hitting a home run with this one!

Roger W.

Ebay auction

I've seen this bidder on a few auctions I've looked at. He or she always bids strong, to say the least!

I've also noticed all sorts of craziness on bids for Sheaffer Snorkels lately. (I had lost my favorite black Valiant--common, I know, but what a great writer--and wanted to replace it; while I was at it I thought I'd see if I could fill in the blanks in my Snorkel collection.)

Here's an example: auction 320103825243 Signature set. $510!!! Incredible. I should be a seller. My impression is that there are a handful of relatively new-to-the-hobby bidders battling each other. Sooner or later they will get their fill, I hope.

Anyway, more to your point about desk sets: I have about 40 to 50 (my wife thinks I am crazy), mostly double, some single, from vacuum-filler through Snorkel and Touchdown eras on up through the 1960s. I have a few earlier, as well. Only one or two of my bases has chips--the desk bases of the era I've been playing in are fairly easy to find in perfect condition. One thing I like about the desk sets is that they (usually) can be had for so little money. Great pens, too. I've given several working desk sets away to some delighted co-workers and friends.

I've been enjoying the descriptions and pictures you've provided about your desk sets, Roger, and I've learned a lot, too. You've encouraged me to go back a little earlier in my collection.

I hope others take you up on your offer.

Good luck,
Don

Good news! These two idiots have it up to $132! Less money for them to buy something good that's what I say!

Don;

Sounds like you have an excellent continuation from where I leave off. I do have a few snorkel sets otherwise I do not venture much past 1942.

Roger

This suzjamie859 character has bid up everything I have looked at lately. Even overpayed by $100 for a Parker 100 from the Benz collection. Someone with tons of money to spend on pens and no head for going prices. 152 pens bought by an ebay newbe only 22 days

Roger, I can beat that:

Check out eBay #170105962183. Snorkel single desk set $217.50.

Simply unreal.

Don;

Good Lord! You have to wonder what some people are thinking. The snorkel set was certainly common. It should not have gotten more than $50 on a very, very good day.

Roger W.

I've also noticed this 'suzjamie859'. The person joined in April of last month and has been winning multiple pens on nearly a daily basis since. REALLY bidding like a crazy person, all across the board (Montblanc, Pelikan, Pilot, Waterman, Sheaffer, Parker, Esterbrook, etc.). Maybe they've been a vintage pen afficionado who was completely ignorant of eBay until now? Maybe they're terminally ill and want to go out in a blaze of glory buying every decent pen they can find until they pass on? Who the heck knows. Of course, you can't inquire--eBay blocks you from that now.

So Roger, what did you think of this auction?

Item # 290114361118

That one went for "a bit" higher than I thought it would!

Don

Certainly a beyond realistic price. As Don pointed out on Pentrace this set was offered in Chicago for $750 with no takers. Honestly, I think it is a $450-$550 set personally but we've seen this set bring much more so the $750 level wasn't really out of line. Now, what the auction ended at was pure fantasy and I suspect they will not be able to resell it for that - well, barring a couple new idiots...Newbies owe it to themselves to get educated and not to pay rediculous sums just because they've got it in the bank.

Roger W.