I just acquired an Oversize Balance. The clip and ring have brown corrosion and the innards are shot, but it's so nice -- so big, and with such a monster of a large 14k nib. The kink in the clip seems to imply 1929-30.

I want to use it, and I want your opinions -- who are some trusted people to replace the sac and get it working? What should it cost? How much is it to get the brass issues dealt with? Is it worth it it?

In sum, am I right that it's a great pen to use? What would you do?

Thanks!

I work with several fine restorers. Two who frequent FPN are Ron Zorn www.mainstreetpens.com and Richard Binder www.richardspens.com

regards

david

Yes it's definitely worth getting fixed. Depending on how bad the tarnish is it may be cleaned up to a presentable level. How is the colour on the pen? Another thing to check for is if the pen has any hairline cracks to the cap lip, something sadly Balances are quite prone to, often resulting from a cap being posted with a little more vigour then necessary.

I also would recommend the two restorers mentioned, but as they can be quite busy their may be some other people who could do the job much more quickly, especially if you are dying to use the pen!

Pearce.

I recommend Sherrell Tyree of Inkpen East.
She fixed my Oversized Balance in Gray Pearl with Red Veins.

Thanks, Glenn. A URL or address?

Both Sherrell Tyree and her brother Joel Hamilton can be reached at:
www.ink-pen.com

For me, typically Sherrell does Waterman and Sheaffer and Joel does Parker.

They do every kind of service on every kind of pen.

Thanks. They were very nice when I contacted them, and the pen is on its way as we speak.

Just a picture of my Oversized Balances ...

Mmmm.... nice