I was at a flea market this past weekend and I found a vendor who had a very nice Gray-pearl Transitional Esterbrook (single jewel.). He was asking $20.00 for it. I thought it was too high a price. Then I got home and watched several transitional pens on eBay go for $30 to $40. Now I am hitting myself for not buying it.

Are the Transitional Esterbrooks really all that valuable? Why? I figured the double jeweled Esties were of more value?

-penariffic

If it was a ribbed jewel transition you should kick yourself, if it was only a imprinted clip, smooth jewel just give yourself a stern lecture and a time out if necessary. I price transitions $10 above double jewels for rarity sake and ribbed jewel transitions $10 above that but they can go for near dollar pen prices depending on the mood of ebay.

Now this doesn't mean they are better pens, just rarer and earlier. But rare pens don't always go for a lot, you can buy safaris all day long at under $15, EVEN PLASTIC CAP FIRST YEARS! Generally, the only Esties that a vastly more than a J are dollar fifties, visumasters, pastel purse pens and rare doctors versions.

I would have walked past it unless it had a good nib at $20. When I'm in a common Esterbrook buying mood I try to pay ~10 for a pen plus an allowance for the Renew Point. I don't get many but I think I have all the common Esties at this point.

Todd

I'm with you Todd. $10 was my budget. it has a 2556 nib as I recall. I thought about going back and trying to haggle down to at least 15. Maybe he'll still have it next month.

Yeah, the jewel didn't look like anything different. It looked exactly like the Jewels on the SJs. I guess double, right? It had a standard nib, nothing special. The lever worked, but I doubt it had a sac. If he still has it next month I might try to snag it.

Maybe I'm silly but I'll take all the transitions I can get in good shape for $15 to $20. If it's got a cap and no cracks or deep scratches it's always going to sell for at least $40 restored. Now I would have a different attitude if I was trying to fill up a collection or find special nibs but for resale purposes I try to buy at around $20 including shipping if applicable and sell after resacing and polishing for $60. I've passed on pens for $25 but seriously, I'll buy any nice (non-black) transitions with common nibs you've got to sell for $20 each all day long...

Adam

Adam,

Me thinks Silly is the wrong word. It may be that one can purchase $20 Esties and restore them and sell them for $60 but I remember when you couldn't give away an Esterbrook. Instead of silly I'd call it a good business if it works.

Todd

Yeah, I get ya... I know that Esterbrooks weren't always what they are today. Last tuesday I ran into a "Hardcore Pen Collector" who, when I handed him my business card with the E-word on it, handed it back and said that he only collected "good" fountain pens like balances and "watermans". I was kind of shocked and then I just laughed, such an odd way to handle the situation and such a strange attitude when it is so rare to find anyone else who does fountain pens. I feel blessed every time I can talk to anyone who likes fps, I'd never argue brands at that point, but I guess it's a common sentiment among older collectors...