Scanning eBay, I occasionally see Esties with the box or the band intact, and I've been wondering, what is that worth? What would either or both add to the value of a pen? This isn't a mint-in-box pen, necessarily, just a pen with a box or a price band.

Also, just out of curiosity, if the price band is worth anything... what about a torn price band? I have a black Esterbrook which used to have the original price band on it, but it was (unnoticed by me) partially torn through. I moved it a bit, experimentally, to see if I could slip it off... and it split. Is it now, as I think, worthless scrap? Or is it of some interest, not necessarily increasing the price, but perhaps increasing the likelihood of a sale?

Personally, I don't care much about boxes and price bands, I just want a pen I can use. But if it means something to the collector's market... hey, who am I to argue?

Some people want collectables as complete and mint as possible. So they will spend money for bands and boxes.

Depends on the market what the going rate is. Can't remember the last auction I saw for just the items.

K

Most esterbrook boxes are pretty crappy cardboard ones which aren't worth much. There are some nicer presentation style boxes, but these are not as common. As for the price band, well, Esterbrook sales recommendations were to sell the point first, then the pen. So, if you wanted a fine point (say a 9556) and a Blue pen, the salesman would pick the nib first, then the pen. If the pen had a different nib or the price band was incorrect, they were advised to rip off the band and throw it away. I don't have it handy, but there are clear instructions to this effect on the back of some of the display cases.

Stickers are a different story as they could be easily moved to another pen, but a paper band is harder to come by. If I were to sell a pen like yours, why not include the price band? Whether it increases the price I would hesitate to speculate, but certainly might generate more interest.

Just my $.03 (adjusted for inflation)
Brian

Thanks, Brian. That's very interesting, indeed. And it saves me from making a costly mistake, trying to acquire an Esterbrook in one of those cheap cardboard boxes.

Neither one do much for me personally. I will spend a little extra if a pen is in it's nice hinged box however.