Yep, absolutely free with purchase of a pen set was a plastic base. Starting in early 1932, a free pen base made of molded plastic could be had. Such a set today would be worth over $300 or that's what one sold for on Ebay in the past couple of days and that is probably a pretty fair price for a rarely seen set. Surprisingly, the holders did come in a larger diameter as well to receive the oversize balance. The bases themselves are worth $50 to $100 on the rare occasion when they are available. We're a day late as we are just back from the DC show with a few more exciting bases to be seen in upcoming weeks.

Roger W.

The Ads -


The first style free set - August 1932


Free set in use - September 1932


Both free sets with the pen only (pencil rest on front) sleek pyramidal shape - November 1932


Similar set as the one that closed recently on ebay - November 1933

The bases -



The circle and the square were originally where a cardboard tube was held in place with the new pen and pencil





Wouldn't be the same if we didn't have something odd - conforms in every way to the pyramidal only the design is different -