Esterbrook Nurse's Pen - How Rare Are They?

[OakIris]

There was a very nice looking Esterbrook Transitional nurse's pen on eBay, looked to be in pristine condition from the photos and it was sold (restored) by a seller that I trust. It was white with red jewels and had a 9461 nib on it. I wanted it, even bid on it, but, it went for way more than I was willing (or able) to pay - $132.51 (USA.)

 

So, is this a typical price for this "model" of Estie, or did eBay bidders get caught up in a bidding war frenzy? (There were 11 bidders including myself.) Just curious - white pens are not really my "thing" but I sure liked the way this one looked and would love to add one to my small Estie inventory, but at this price......???

 

Here are a couple of photos from the auction:

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/RARE-VINTAGE-RED-WHITE-ESTERBROOK-TRANSITIONAL-NURSES-FOUNTAIN-PEN-RESTORED-/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/-XMAAMXQaBRRi7Oe/$(KGrHqV,!rEFF9iYQQzLBRi7OeCMQ!~~60_57.JPG?rt=nc

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/RARE-VINTAGE-RED-WHITE-ESTERBROOK-TRANSITIONAL-NURSES-FOUNTAIN-PEN-RESTORED-/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/WgUAAMXQc7ZRi7ON/$T2eC16h,!wsE9suw0PlbBRi7OMvGlw~~60_57.JPG

What is the consensus - good price or over-priced?

 

Holly

Edited May 23, 2013 by OakIris

[OcalaFlGuy]

It's the summation of a few points;

 

-The sellers are Jim and Sharon, well known Estie restorers/sellers. They have some of the best presented listings And pens that match those presentations. Better presentation and seller reputation adds money to the sale no doubt about it.

 

-It isn't Just a Nurse's pen, it's a Transitional (flat bottom) Nurses pen. Harder to find in this condition than the standard J model. Dollar Nurse and Dr. pens are even harder to find. Also, the white material stained easily and they were often used with a most stain likely red ink.

 

-NOS nib, probably $15 by itself.

 

A similar pen less well presented went last month for $73 from another seller.

Just a Tranny nurse barrel and section went for $10 recently.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[OakIris]

That makes sense, Bruce - guess you saw the auction since you know who was selling the pen. Definitely on my list of favorite vendors!

 

I still think $132+ was a bit much - but I sort of wish I could have afforded to keep bidding! Sure looked as if it was a very nice pen. Hope someone I would like bought it!

 

Holly

[GardenWeasel]

Gorgeous pen! Glad I did not see it....

[OcalaFlGuy]

i recognized their photo backgrounds and the way they shot the pen.

 

I look at A Lot of Estie listings...

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Lorna Reed]

I was 'watching' this pen too, but it went for more than I could afford. I have saved the photo's to drool over!

[pajaro]

I think this is the kind of pen you have to work your way up to. Esties seem cheap at first, then you discover there are some expensive ones, and you start to be attracted to them. This pen with its red jewels, and a transitional to boot, is attractive and not common. I am thinking that it might be a better strategy to hold off buying until you see something like this rather than buying a lot of lesser pens.

 

Ebay UK has a nice Relief pen with a gold nib right now. You'll have to seek it out, but it's pretty and worth a few minutes of looking. I like the look of these, but I don't want any more Relief nibs. I think these were made by Conway Stewart.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Or just be at the right place at the right time.

 

The one that sold the end of April went for $73 shipped. It just wasn't presented as nicely or had a NOS nib. (Nor was it from a known good guy seller.) It looked nearly as clean.

 

That was, IMO, a decent price for that pen.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Uncle Red]

That pen is in great condition. Not into Nurse's pens but it is sweet.

[OakIris]

It isn't as if I need (or even want) every color, size or type of Estie - I'm mostly just chasing nibs these days for the pens I already have - but this one certainly caught my eye. Glad to see that others think it looked like a nice one, too.

 

I will keep on the lookout for another "red and white" Transitional nurse's pen - maybe a listing with the typical blurry eBay photo will fly under the radar so it can be purchased for a better price.

 

Holly

[DanDeM]

I don't chase Estes as hard as I did, but I certainly would have taken a hard run at that

Transitional. They don't come up often, and in that condition the operative phrase is

"Seize the Day". Sorry to have missed it.

That's what I did when this set came up, and I don't regret it for a moment. Sometimes

you just have to belly-up and do It.

 

 

[pajaro]

It isn't as if I need (or even want) every color, size or type of Estie - I'm mostly just chasing nibs these days for the pens I already have - but this one certainly caught my eye. Glad to see that others think it looked like a nice one, too.

 

I will keep on the lookout for another "red and white" Transitional nurse's pen - maybe a listing with the typical blurry eBay photo will fly under the radar so it can be purchased for a better price.

 

Holly

 

Under the radar is how I like to buy pens. The nibs, the special pens, can be found with poor presentation and a description that makes you aware the seller hasn't a clue what he/she is offering.

 

The beautiful presentation and nice guy sellers, along with a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee, and will cost you 50% or so on the auction price of a pen. Find that overlooked stuff.

 

It does take a bit of familiarity with this junk before you are willing to part with serious money for Doctors Dollar pen and pencil sets or a nice nurse's transitional pen. You have to acquire the acumen to see the value in it.

 

I have noticed that chasing Estie nibs coukld be pricey if you are not lucky. Better to be lucky than good. Patience.

[pal38]

Pajaro, you really do reveal how to use eBay!

 

In March the 6th of tis year I got exactly this Transitional Nurse pen with red flat bottom and cap jewel for $32.11, $100 less than the one above. And why? Because I did exactly as Pajaro says you should do!

 

Look at this, it is still on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1940s-ESTERBROOK-SNOW-WHITE-Color-FOUNTAIN-PEN-Original-Nib-/400423525565?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D400423525565%26_rdc%3D1&nma=true&si=LGC36gJcry%252B10bmW5KCwmjonRDI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

There were only 2 pics and on no one you can see the red jewels, neither you can see that it is a Transitional. The length given in the auction was obviously wrong (There is no 5 3/4 " long Estie), so I checked with the seller. He replied to me, telling me it was 4 3/4 " long and had red jewels. So I bid on it, thinking I bid on a SJ nurse's pen (purse pens are shorter and don't come with red jewels). What a pleasant surprise when it turned out to be a Transie!

 

All in all exactly as Pajaro describes in his post!

[OcalaFlGuy]

That imprint didn't have you pee yourself just a little?

 

Very nice snag.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[pal38]

:D

[pajaro]

OMG, LUCKY and GOOD!

 

Congratulations pal38 on a real coup!