I'd like to find out how rare these sets are in complete condition. From the fact that they hardly ever appear on the market, I'd guess pretty rare - but that may be just because anyone who owns one loves it so much, they would never sell!

A complete and correct set counts as a Dinkie 548 pen, a Duropoint 2 pencil (actual style of the pencil will vary according to exact date) and a penknife (marked on one blade 'Conway Stewart' and on the other 'Made in Sheffield'), alll in the same material and enclosed in a matching leather pochette (which should be marked 'Dinkie, Conway Stewart, London' on the inside of the flap and should have a mirror on the back of the flap holding the pen).

One of my sets is pictured below. I know of at least one other set in this harlequin colour and I also have examples in lapis blue and blue marble.



So if you have one - or know anybody who does - please let me know the colour and other details (with a picture if possible) and let's see how many of these little gems still exist!

In passing, if anybody has a 'jade green' (i.e. green measles) CS penknife in good condition that they would like to sell me, I could be their friend for life!!

Andy

Hi,

The possble reason why they might not be all that common is that some of us give the knife to brother, dad, or grndpa for the matter and fill the spot with a pen. :doh:

Dillon

Thanks for your thought Dillon, but that (and the other reason often mentioned that the penknife cladding is liable to break across the rivets) doesn't explain why the three position wallets themselves are rare! Surely you would still expect to find wallets, even if not fully populated.....

Don't forget, we are talking about the 1920s and 30s here when people really respected their pens and writing equipment - which is why so many still survive for us to collect now!

Andy

I have never seen one of these, but some time ago I saw a Sheaffer pocket knife on E-bay - the handle was made with the same Green Striped celluloid as the 1930s-1940s Balances. Still kicking myself for not bidding more on that one, but it went for a pretty high price as I recall.

John