Howdy all!

I think I know the answer to this, but just looking for confirmation...

I've only been interested in the Esties for about a month, but would like to find a $1.50 pen. One closed on eBay today for $152.50. Click here for the auction. Is that a fairly typical price for these when they come up? If so, it's looking like I'll have to luck into one at a flea market or yard sale. Oh well.

Yes, it is a fair price.

If you stick with a more common Este like the one in this ebay auction you will see prices more in the $25 range. EBay auction # 160216638475 . However for $1.50 I doubt you find anything on Ebay and will have to pick one up at at flea market. It will still cost you $15 or more to get it sacked and ready to write.

I think you're misunderstanding. The $1.50 pen is the fancier version of the "Dollar Pen" like these. I'm not looking to buy a pen on eBay for $1.50. I've gotten several Dollar Pens in the past month on eBay, and am currently carrying a nice blue one with a 3668 nib as my "daily" writer, alternating with a green transitional J with a 9668.

Thanks, Antonios, that's what I was afraid of!

This is one of the few times I got lucky and found one in an antique store for $50 but $100+ is more common.

Dobro,

The $1.50 pens like shown in the link above command a particularly high price due to rarity. Even damaged pens bring a high selling price. Even harder to find are the V-clip pens in the same plastic. The pen that just sold was a fair price, and if in very good condition perhaps a bit low. I'd have been going after it if I didn't already have one. Typical damage on the early pens are broken V-clips as they were very weak, thread cracks, and crazing of the plastic in the barrel at the inner cap. The cracked ice pens are probably the hardest to find.

Todd

Thanks for the info...yes, I knew they had to be worth more, I just didn't realize to what extent. I'd also like to find a V-clip one of these days as well (black would be fine), but as a user, I'd rather have the 1.50 pen I think.

I did luck into another blue Dollar pen today in a local antique store for $2...the clip is a bit bent, but I think I can straighten it. The nib needs some work, but of course that's an easy fix! ;-)