When I opened the blinds in my study this morning (very early) I noticed that I had left a tray of Sheaffer Lifetimes on my desk.
I think the morning sun puts them in quite a nice light.

Very nice indeed.
But (there is always a but) the "Too Many Pens Police" are on your trail. Suggest you send a couple to me in order to avoid the hassle.

Very nice indeed! Is that a demonstrator I see in the middle of the tray?

Dan

Thanks Dan,

Its actually a Golden Brown Striated Vac Fill OS Balance. The barrel has great transparency and the light caught it just right.
I am still seeking an OS Balance demonstrator to add to my collection. The nice ones seem to go for too much money and I'm reluctant to buy one in less than excellent condition.

.... I can wait, I am sure that there's one with my name on it somewhere !

Very nice Sarj!! They're all gorgeous! I quite like the one on the very right, the (OS?) Black and Pearl early Balance. One day I will invest in a nice Balance collection. Right now I'm sticking to easier to find Snorkels, TDs, and later lever fills. Great collection, and clever shot too!

Evan

Hi Evan,

Many thanks for your kind words. Your collecting pattern kind of reminds me of my own about 11 years ago. I started with modern Imperials, Legacies and Crests and then dabbled in Snorks, TDs and smaller Balances. I finally got my first OS Balance at the London Pen Show in 1999. It was a nicely discoloured Marine Green Marbled (which I still have).
That's when I got bitten by the OS bug and have put together a very nice satisfying collection over the past seven or eight years.

I really like the way these pens feel in the hand, the fact that the lever fills are relatively easy to restore myself and mostly because of the nice range of colours and unusual variants that are out there. Really satisfies my OCD tendencies !

You should try one if you get a chance. I am certainly glad that I did !

This one is an unusual Senior (or Standard Balance - one size down from OS) Marine Green with the uncommon double cap band. The other nice thing about this pen is the fact that it has a fantastic full flex Lifetime nib.

Wow! Beautiful pen! The flex nib sounds fantastic! Yes, maybe when (if is more like it!) I get to go to a pen show I will try and find myself a nice user. I will try and nab a pen and pencil as I can't stand writing without the pen's matching pencil. I guess I'm a tad OCD in that respect! I did own an OS pen and pencil, but it was a fairly discolored Pearl and Black and part of the cap had melted. I paid a tad more than I wanted, and so sold it here not too long ago. I'm looking right now for maybe a Grey and Red Veined, or maybe a nice Marine Green. A black one would even be fine with me!

Evan