How To Buy A Vintage Fountain Pen?

[Needhelp]

So, I am finally ready to enter the vintage fountain pen world and buy my first vintage fountain pen. Problem is that I am not looking for one specifically, but on how to find one. I don't want something too expensive but not something pathetic. I feel that I have acquired more knowledge about vintage pens, nibs and etc. but the problem i faced before was not the price, but the payment method. Ebay only used paypal which at the time my dad did not know about. I did not know how to explain it to him but as I started acquiring more knowledge , today I found an idea on how to explain it to him. There was an ad about the Indian version of paypal called paytm which my father knew about (yes, I am an Indian but live in Kuwait) and when I told to him about it, he agreed.

What I want to know is when you are going to look for a vintage pen, how do search for one? I want to buy one that is not restored so I can restore it myself. I know where I can get most of the parts. Say I wanted an unrestored Esterbrook or Parker 51 fountain pen, but I cant find one that easily.

Also any tips on finding,restoring and maintaining one would be very helpful. Some risks that are involved would also be great help for me.

Thank you for any help and would love to buy my first vintage pen and restore it.

[mana]

"Ah... the beginning of a wonderful journey is at hand. Tread carefully, but also remember that bounties worth more than their weight in gold wait ahead... as do bitter disappointments for those not wise enough not to seek the favour of the masters and their advise... And wise you are, indeed, for you are here."

First things first

Restoring pens... as you might already know, it all really, really depends. Some pens (of certain era/model/type) are completely P.I.T.A. to restore and you risk breaking them even if you know what to do (vintage celluloid or casein anyone?) even with the right tools and techniques at hand. The risks are largely dependent on the materials used and the design of the pen.

I, for example, have gone through enough vintage Pelikan 100 & IBIS 130 to know that if I wanted one I would go for one that was already test proofed (i.e. one that survived the restoration). Plenty of other examples out there that are too often too deteriorated to chance rescue by other than experts with multiple encounters (10-20+) with that type of pen.

Some pens are on the easier end of the scale such as the fabled Parker 51 Aerometric. If that pen wasn't abused (broken on purpose) and was fortunate enough to end up being stored empty and clean (sometimes even when not) the only thing you need to do to restore it is to flush it a few times and give it a filling of... say, vintage Parker Quink or whatever else you might fancy.

 

The point here is that no one pen is alike but there are varying degrees of difficulty you might encounter with various models/types of pens. Some pens are also more abundant and easier/cheaper to acquire. Some are on the other side of the spectrum and plenty in between. You need to find something you are comfortable starting with (knowing there is a fair enough chance of success without major investments) and just give it a go.

Instead of looking for any pen you might want to start with *a pen*. Something that you think you might like to use or to gift forward.

Of the pens that you mentioned a Parker 51 Aerometric is a nice no brainer starter as there is little to be done most of the time (very nice success rate). A Parker 51 Vacumatic on the other hand needs special tools and parts but you know this already... Nothing too risky there but the cost of restoration gets ramped up. But then again, if you get those tools you get access to restoring a bunch of them (do note that Vacumatic fillers come in two sizes and you need that special wrench for each).

So, where to look?

Ok... I look for pens everywhere. I scour local flea markets (online and offline). I always visit second hand or antique stores. I pester often ask my Facebook friends and especially older relatives for unwanted "treasures" they might have stored unused somewhere. Local online auction sites are cool also, remember to check ones found in the neighboring countries. Ebay... is nice when you know what you are buying. Facebook groups, now that is another place where to ask unrestored pens for, look at the main ones and also ones that specialize in trading/selling pen parts.

Now, where has all of that led me during the last 20 or so years in this hobby (and I do buy pre 1960 pens pretty much solely nowadays)? I have accumulated a lot of knowledge about all things fountain pens. I have also found the types of pens that I really, really like. No, scratch that, not just like but instead love. Love to restore, love to use, love to play with. Those are the ones that I look for nowadays 99% of the time. It has also led me to acquire a small box full of pens & loads of pen parts, another box of pens in need of restoration and then, a bunch of pens that work and that I occasionally ink to write with.

The point here is that buying unrestored vintage pens always carries a risk. The ticket price does not need to be that high though and you learn a lot during that journey. But you know that already so I am just rambling...

Few more vintage pens that might be relative easy to find... hard rubber pens with sacks such as the Waterman's 52 are often nice and easy restoration projects, their construction is simple and the hard rubber parts are more forgiving (provided you do no default to using force instead of brains and patience).

Parker Vacumatics, yes, provided you have the tools and spare parts. Should be quite abundant.

Post-WWII vintage Pelikans such as the 100N, 140, 400/N/NN are often very easy to restore and those are superb pens with superb nibs. Pelikans before that such as the 100 or early 100N are more tricky, they most often need their piston seal replaced and as those are made of cork you are in for a bit of precision work. Plus the celluloid bodies are most of the times extremely delicate.

Same applies to other European pens of that era such as vintage Montblancs, Soenneckens etc.

Esterbrooks? Should be easy to restore? US made though so I have no idea how abundant they are there (the same of course applies to the other pens mentioned too).

Maybe one of the local collectors or fountain pen enthusiasts could chime in, they might have pens in need of restoration? Also, you might want to make a trip to one of the local pens stores and have a chat with their owners? You never know...

As in, found this via google/reddit googling for vintage pens and Kuwait: "This shop is on Al-Gharabally street in Souq Almubarakiya by the currency exchange kiosks. Its called AlMunaifi pens. The guy who works there is Gomes, he's very nice and knowledgeable. If you go there, show him this photo and tell him you found it on the internet, he'll have a good chuckle!" The place is this one > https://248am.com/mark/interesting/pen-specialist/

He might be able to guide you in person.

Anyway, sorry for rambling and the best of luck!

Edited November 15, 2018 by mana

[penwash]

I have dedicated my time and money in this hobby to help those who wants to get to know vintage pens. I invite you to my Instagram stream which is designed to showcase what vintage pens can do after they are restored, as well as showing the different variety of vintage pens.

I have been told by people who visited that it helped them a lot to see the various vintage pens and their descriptions, so they can better orient themselves in their purchases. Look for @redeempens on instagram.

 

Hope this helps.

[Needhelp]

Thanks for the wonderful advice. I have already started looking for one. When I get it I will share it.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Esterbrook was also, like Parker and Sheaffer made in Great Britain, if you are looking in English Ebay.

 

Spend a lot of time learning how in the Repair Section.

 

Chase the nib..........which comes with more experience. Which pens made nails and when, which made regular flex...what models, in some Sheaffers were regular flex for a long time.

 

Swan's are real tricky***............I spent six weeks chasing Swan's so slowly I didn't win any. Just when I decided to buy a simple '48-55 Torpedo sac pen, I found a first stage superflex in the next town over, in a 'junk' shop....not high enough up to be an antique........good 'no name' solid piston pen....no repair needed.

***They had to get around patents, so made some convoluted hard to repair solutions, that held less ink than the other patents. Swan has a large array of nib flexes.

Most sellers on English Ebay have no idea....so I'd stay away from them for a while.

Swan made three levels, Swan, Blackbird and Jackdaw................and one of the most beautiful pens I've seen on the com, was a Blackbird.

[BrandonP]

I don't know how does ebay delivery & paypal work in India or Kuwait, but my friend from Thailand had such kind of problem as you.
First of all he recomend to look for some local forums of fountain pen lovers. Be sure, there are lots of such communities in your area.

Also, try to find some antique shops. I've found my first pen there)
Good luck, my dear friend!

[PaulS]

IMHO there are less than honest sellers around the world, not just on English ebay - the U.K. does have many genuine and honest on line sellers of f.ps.

I'd not recommend any beginner to buy on line - too many pitfalls in the way of splits in cap and barrel mouths, missing internal bars, and sections that have no intention of parting company with the barrel - even seasoned collectors come unstuck when buying unseen from internet auctions because they forget the golden rule of 'don't let your heart rule your head'. Wait until you have made some mistakes before buying on line - it's mistakes that are the best teachers.

There are honest and reputable professionals on FPN, who will advise on a first purchase - failing which visit antiques centres and sellers of f.p;s., in person and handle potential purchases - ask sellers to explain how the pen works, ask them to take the pen apart to show which filling method is involved.

best of luck.

Edited December 4, 2018 by PaulS

[sidthecat]

When I sought Vacumatics I found them in antique shops. When I sought flexible nibs I’ve mostly found them online.

If you’re just getting into the fancy, I’d suggest you bite the bullet and buy a restored pen from a reliable vendor (I’m thinking of Peyton Street, Five-Star, Main Street, etc.) just so you can experience a really good pen without the delay and angst of having to turn around and restore it.

Learn as much as you can...superior knowledge can often help you on auction sites and can add to the pleasure of finding a treasure that everyone else has overlooked (my area of interest is ringtops, which are still somewhat undervalued compared with larger pens, so one can be very smug).

Someone said ‘chase the nib’ and that’s a good idea: a wrecked-looking pen with a great nib can be a better experience than a high-status nail. Have fun!

[mitto]

Fello member athar201 is based in Kuwait and is a Indian national. He collects vintage pens from all over middle east as well from egypt and India.

 

May be he is of help to you.

 

He also has a store somewhere in Kuwait.

 

No affiliation, whatsoever. Just a fellow FPNer. If you deal with him, deal on your own risk.

Edited December 26, 2018 by mitto

[JotterAddict62]

I guess it depends on where you live and what you like.

 

For me it is vintage Parkers. I do not hit the antique shops as often now, as I think I have picked them to the point of

that it will be a hit or miss if I see anything of interest. Now I wait for a good local estate auction that advertises fountain pens [ Parkers ].

 

Like others have said price, condition will determinant what I am willing to pay.

 

Some on FPN know that I live near where the Parker Pen Company started.

I have picked up most of my Parker Vac's & P51's [ unrestored ] on averaged of $30-$35.

 

Good luck on your pen hunting.

[afern401]

Is there a best practice for inspecting a pen at a flea market/yard sale/antique shop etc? Obviously you can’t ink it, but just how much disassembly is allowed or would you be comfortable with? Is it best to operate under the assumption any pen parts you can’t inspect need replacing?

[wags]

I would say, start with lever fillers. They are plentiful, cheap, and fairly easy to repair. Replacement sacs are cheap, you can buy them by the dozen.

 

I rarely pay more than $20 for solid name brand gold nib lever fillers on ebay.

 

I'd say that 9 times out of 10, I can repair them in a couple of hours, and have a lovely functional old pen! Every now and then, it doesn't work out, but if you spent less than the cost of a Lamy Safari, you just chuck it in the parts bin. It might come in handy later...

[AAAndrew]

Is there a best practice for inspecting a pen at a flea market/yard sale/antique shop etc? Obviously you can’t ink it, but just how much disassembly is allowed or would you be comfortable with? Is it best to operate under the assumption any pen parts you can’t inspect need replacing?

 

Only disassemble any part that is easily taken apart with just normal finger pressure. If it doesn't easily come out, don't force it.

 

The main thing you need to inspect is the nib. Check tipping, check for cracks, check for alignment. Then check the body for cracks, especially around the rim of the cap or where the section meets the body.

 

If it's a lever filler or button filler check for rust. Rust visible on the outside most likely means ink leakage which leads to rust on the inside and most likely having to replace parts.

 

I always assume you will have to repair/replace the filler mechanism. But if the body is sound, with no cracks, and the nib is in good shape, then the rest is fixable.

[mitto]

+1 for what is said above.

 

In short one must have at least the basic knowlege of the working (filling mechanism etc) of the pen one is buying.