Approximate Value Of An Un-Restored Onoto No16?

[caseyjarryn]

Hi I can't find many listings for the No. 16 model of the 'Onoto the Pen'.

I'm new to vintage fountain pens and want to find a few to restore, and I found a pen with the following description:

 

"THE PEN HAS A 14CT GOLD NIB IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, BEARING THE INSCRIPTION "DE LA RUE ONOTO 14C LONDON" WITH THE NUMBER 33 AT THE BASE.
THE BARREL IS INSCRIBED "ONOTO THE PEN, DE LA RUE, LONDON No. 16”
FOUNTAIN PEN IS IN VERY GOOD USED CONDITION.
GOLD TRIM ALL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT FOR SMALL AMOUNT OF WEAR ON THE POCKET CLIP.
I HAVE NO IDEA OF THE CONDITION OF THE BLADDER AS I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNSCREW THE BARREL FROM THE NIB SECTION, BUT AS THERE IS SOMETHING RATTLING INSIDE I PRESUME THE BLADDER HAS PROBABLY DISINTERGRATED WITH AGE"

 

It also comes as a set with the mechanical pencil, which isn't in as good condition, and the listing is asking for AUD$100 or negotiable.

 

What would you expect to pay for this set, is this a good deal??

 

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this - as I mentioned I'm pretty new to the whole fountain pen world!!

 

Thanks for any advice!

[Guernseytim]

There's no bladder generally, they have a self-filling piston system. You should be able to unscrew the top and it should pop out, or get pulled out anyway.

 

You can get them serviced for £20-40 in the uk, presumable the same in oz.

 

Unrestored vary. The old hard rubber ones got for around £100 sterling but I don't know the model of yours.

 

I also don't know the fx rate to AUD. anything £30-60 would be okay I'd expect.

[KBeezie]

(Fully Restored Price) - (Cost of Restoring an unrestored depending on condition of item you are looking at) = Approximate value.

[caseyjarryn]

(Fully Restored Price) - (Cost of Restoring an unrestored depending on condition of item you are looking at) = Approximate value.

 

Any idea what the restored price for this model is? I couldn't find any old listings...

[caseyjarryn]

There's no bladder generally, they have a self-filling piston system. You should be able to unscrew the top and it should pop out, or get pulled out anyway.

 

You can get them serviced for £20-40 in the uk, presumable the same in oz.

 

Unrestored vary. The old hard rubber ones got for around £100 sterling but I don't know the model of yours.

 

I also don't know the fx rate to AUD. anything £30-60 would be okay I'd expect.

 

 

Thanks!!

[KBeezie]

Any idea what the restored price for this model is? I couldn't find any old listings...

I don't know about AUD prices, but I'd imaging depending on it's condition (cracks, warpage, corrosion, or missing parts, etc), can cost anywhere from around $30 USD to $80 depending on the degree of work needing to be done, and if any parts have to be replaced. If the pen primarily just needs a good cleaning and re-greased (such as in a piston assembly and such, if such method applies to that model, some like cork fillers should never see silicone grease but alternative forms of lubrication) then you can expect it to be cheaper to restore. If the parts are damaged or need replacing such as a frozen piston where the rod may have snapped or the head (whatever it's called) needs replacing the price can go up a bit from there, and even more so if there are any cracks that need to be repaired/sealed.

 

Naturally if the prices of them in fully restored condition are lower than the high end I quoted then don't go with any pen that doesn't look cosmetically sound for the most part. Tarnish/dirt and such can be cleaned, but bulging parts or cracks are a bit harder.

 

I'm usually weary of any pen that's described with a disintegrated sac, yet didn't have a sac or bladder to begin with. Means the novice seller could have fiddled with it to the possibility of damaging it. Such as doing a fill test with ink, and just leaving the ink in there while it's being listed for sale.

[caseyjarryn]

Thanks!

 

I'll see if the seller will go lower.

[johnmc2]

The 16 is a lever filler, at least my one is. Easy DIY sac replacement. Personally I would not pay more than NZ$40 for one unrestored, they are nice pens but fairly common. I recently sold a lovely Onoto 541, which I had restored, for $80 and it was a much older and nicer pen than a 16!

 

Edit: I just googled your pen, it's definitely a lever filler.

Edited January 12, 2015 by johnmc2

[Guernseytim]

Oh, as i never consider any lever fillers I forgot onoto made them.

 

I'd go for one of their piston pens, they're usially lovely. Never tried their lever pens.

[caseyjarryn]

Thanks for the advice everyone! She wasn't willing to part with it for less than $90 unfortunately. Shame, as it's a lovely looking pen: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/duncraig/miscellaneous-goods/vintage-onoto-de-la-rue-match-fountain-pen-propelling-pencil/1066421156

[KBeezie]

Thanks for the advice everyone! She wasn't willing to part with it for less than $90 unfortunately. Shame, as it's a lovely looking pen: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/duncraig/miscellaneous-goods/vintage-onoto-de-la-rue-match-fountain-pen-propelling-pencil/1066421156

It's a nice purple, but for that price I'd want some kind of assurance that it works.

 

Also while the body itself looks decent, I wouldn't buy a pen without being able to see the nib. Not sure why a lot of sellers put up pictures of the pens capped and not bother showing the nib.

Edited January 12, 2015 by KBeezie

[Guernseytim]

The colour is nice! Shame about the price.

 

I think this is similar, different clip so probably different model, and quite different price.

 

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=151545326778

[caseyjarryn]

It's a nice purple, but for that price I'd want some kind of assurance that it works.

 

Also while the body itself looks decent, I wouldn't buy a pen without being able to see the nib. Not sure why a lot of sellers put up pictures of the pens capped and not bother showing the nib.

I got her to send me some pictures of the nib - to my eye it looks repairable but the tines are definitely misaligned!

 

She spoke to her dad who she's selling the pen for and is now offering it for $80.

[caseyjarryn]

http://i.imgur.com/KRUkzT1.jpg

[Cob]

First the lever filler - tobacco colour, is a superior model with lever box - there were some Magnas thus fitted I have seen for sale.

 

As for the nib pictured above, that is interesting in that it carries the name Onoto yet is marked "33". Perhaps some of you experts could advise about the significance of the "33"?

 

I am fortunate to own two nibs just marked "Warranted 14C TDLR & Co Ltd 33" and they are glorious: better to my mind - character and flex - than any of the genuine Onoto nibs I have tried. I have one spare and the other is installed in a rather unusual Croxley; it's an excellent Frankenpen!

 

Cob

Edited January 13, 2015 by Cob

[Daddy-O]

Interesting. I have two Onoto 50 pens. Both nibs have Onoto, 14 ct, 15. No mention of De La Rue, London etc.

 

Mark

[northlodge]

looks to me like the nib needs re-tipping. If so I do not think I would pay more than £25 for the set being offered.

 

Whilst this pen has a decent build quality (as do all DLR) it is probably from the very bottom of the DLR range (excepting the Koala which sometimes looks really ropey).

[Cob]

Interesting. I have two Onoto 50 pens. Both nibs have Onoto, 14 ct, 15. No mention of De La Rue, London etc.

 

Mark

These pen makers eh!

 

Not only do we have all those pre-war Swans without model numbers, and Conway Stewart's baffling 'system' of numbers, now we have De La Rue/Onoto variations to consider

 

As I remarked in the other current Onoto thread I have two ancient ones neither of which carries a number, though they are recognisable.

 

Cob