Shopping At Antique Stores

[Starguard]

So my local antique store has got an add on Criagslist and kind of off to one side is a box of pens, I wasn't able to blow it up or really get a good look at them, but any thoughts on what to look for and what to avoid?

[Charles Rice]

Know what the pen is worth before you buy and ask to try it out. Bring along some ink. In general, I find antique stores WAY overpriced.

 

And don't be afraid to haggle.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Charles Rice

[benbot517]

It's good to know some pen restoration before you go in, at the very least how to restore lever fillers. If you know how to do that, then you can take a pen that doesn't work and is maybe selling for cheap, and skip having to have a professional do the work. It is also helpful in figuring out what works, what doesn't and what you might have to put into a pen to make it write.

[thatotherguy1]

Know the warning signs of a shot pen (for example, if there's something that sounds significant rattling around in the barrel when you rotate the pen, it's probably not worth the effort IMHO), know how to resac pens, know how to deep clean them (they will usually have old crusty ink from who knows how many years ago in the feed and filler), know how to do some nib work and know how to haggle. I find it helpful to (politely) point out the item's faults one by one and mentioning briefly that I'm gonna have to spend time and money to fix the faults before I make my first offer. Be courteous and respectful- they're the ones cutting you a deal that they didn't have to make. Be willing to walk away from something if you can't get it for a fair price.

[Starguard]

Well, I went and they were all in pretty awful condition even to my untutored eye, they were all in a tray for $5 each. Some didn't have caps, or were missing the levers. One poor Sheaffer looked like someone had used it to hammer something nib first. Lots of rust. I did pick up a pen that said Pilot on the nib, but it's the oddest thing, I don't think it's a fountain pen. Oh it has a nib and a feed, but the feed goes right up to the tip and there is no slit, it's etched to look like it has one. Black plastic and it says apple with an apple logo on it. Standard cartridge won't fit, I don't want to try the only pilot cartridge I've got until the ones I've ordered arrive. I picked it up because I liked the juxtaposition of a high tech company with a fountain pen. If anyone in the Portland, Oregon Metro area is looking for parts pens let me know and I'll give you the address. It's in Oregon City.

[Water Ouzel]

Could you put up some pictures of the "apple pen"?

[Starguard]

Could you put up some pictures of the "apple pen"?

 

Yes I will, but I may post them on the Facebook group instead of here. I know how to upload pictures there, I haven't figured out how to do it here.

[inkeverywhere]

In Australia I find antique stores and fountain pens equal on thing - OVERPRICING!

 

I have seen for example Parker Frontiers in display cases displaying the words antique and vintage with prices you could probably expect for Duofolds, I guess eventually someone will come along and buy them.

 

 

Greg

[DJNW]

In addition to the above advice about taking kit for a dip test, you might want to pocket a loupe and a small flashlight to go crack-hunting, inspect interiors for signs of deterioration and inspect tipping material.

[Starguard]

Ok, I've put up a bunch of pictures of the Apple pen at the Facebook group page and the consensus seems to be that it's a branded Pilot Varsity disposable

[Starguard]

Ooh! Good idea about the loupe, I have a couple of them and somewhere around here I have a bore light and a flashlight to put it on too.