I don't know the first thing about Wahl desk sets (or any other) but was watching this item on eBay with interest:

Floral Painted Coral Desk Set

I thought it was a pretty but unusual pen, and assumed that the painted floral pattern was an 'aftermarket' modification that would lessen its value.

To my surpirse this pen sold for $360.

Is the pattern original? If so did Wahl do other patterns? I'd love to see some pictures if some one out there has them.

I also saw that auction and was curious if these were factory sold. First one I ever saw.

That is a little more than just a "painted" pen. That is cloisonné, which is made with fired on enamels with minute wire separating the colors. It is a mult- step process requiring skill to do it well. I don't know if it is factory or after market, but it is a job that would have to be done by a jeweler, not some guy at home with a paint brush. I think cloisonné was developed in China.

This is not cloisonne to the best of my knowledge as many painted pens have almost all of the paint gone and there are no fine wires to be seen. The desk pen is quite possibly correct though, hand painted pens tend to be ring tops. These dated to the late 20's and early 30's and all of the big companies had them. Sheaffer called theirs oriental mosiacs. The Pennant had an article on these in the Spring/Summer 2005 issue. The Modern Art Guild in Chicago used home workers to paint many of them. The hand painted pens usually, in nice condition, bring the money that this auction did.

Roger W.

Indeed, that is not cloisonne -- and it isn't even enamel. The pattern may be loosely cloisonne-inspired, but it is hand-painted and surely contemporary with the pen. A very rare example, and well worth the selling price. Most of these painted pens are pocket pens, usually ringtops (along with matching pencils). The painting studio was based in Chicago, if I remember correctly, and not surprisingly, most of the pens and pencils so decorated were made by Midwestern makers: Sheaffer, Grieshaber, and Conklin, most notably.

Cool and not at all common (i've not seen Desk Pen in this style before), though pretty well known amongst pocket pens. Painted and period correct with at least some formal paperwork out there showing these were released by original makers (have a Greishaber ad lying around here somewhere).

Here are couple more of this sort to lend visuals to the chat.



conklin set in box



Don't even get me started on the last one, though this painted (?) Ivorine by Parker seems of earlier vintage than the ~1930 age of most of the painted pens.



regards

david

David,

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY COOL!

Thanks for sharing these great pics!

Syd

They are amazing, David - a little garish (especially the purple Parker!) - but amazing.

Thanks for the replies - I had no idea about these pens and certainly came to the right place to ask questions!

I know at least that the Parker has "turned down" offers of $1700, iirc correctly.

d

I hope I wasn't insensitive, David - please accept my apology if that is the case.

Oh gosh, no worries!

First, i'm hardly the king of sensitivity. Just ask... everyone.

Second, i enjoy banter and facetious and sardonic discussion.

Third, getting to the facts of that Parker Ivorine, i merely wished to convey a bit of nuance- that independent of issues of garishness (subjective and perhaps valid LOL)- this is a very... significant... old Parker, possibly the only one of its sort known to vintage pendom.

best regards

david

that Parker is way cool David. The other painted pens are not too shabby either, I personally have a couple Grieshabers but any painted pens aren't easy to come by.
that Wahl desk pen sparked my interest but I decided to let it slide, certainly a neat piece as well.
Pearce.