Sheaffer Desk Set of the Week

[Roger W.]

I thought of this a few weeks back but didn't have the time to do the pictures. I figure at one a week it will take over 2 years now to finish and by then there will be more, anyway...

 

The Sheaffer Cat is the epitome of the Sheaffer desk base. Probably the most sought after of the rare sets. Described as a "Modern pillar" it seems to have an Egyptian flair of an obelisk and the cat motif only emphasizes this. This base is the largest of a set of five figures in the catalogue including an Indian boy atop a Cobra.

 

Back in 1930 when Sheaffer introduced it I don't think they had in mind how rare this would be as it only listed for $15. It is a solid black metal figure almost eight inches high on a 3 1/2 inch square base. It is the "70 - Desk Stand". Today's value is in a range of $550 to $650 and is rarely available for sale.

 

This one was probably repaired as it has a Sheaffer sticker on the felt base but the socket is post 1942 instead of the earlier flat end jointed socket. He has a dented right ear (his right) as you can clearly see in the face picture.

 

Roger W.

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/fullcat2.jpg

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/catycat4a.jpg

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/catycat2.jpg

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/sidecat3.jpg

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/catface1.jpg

[RonB]

Wow, that is very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

 

How many desk sets do you have, Roger? (You can pm me backchannel if your wife reads this forum.)

[Sarj]

WOW !!

 

What a beautiful set !

I love the Egyptian influences in the design.

 

I even like the little missing corner on the cat's ear.

It kind of brings the cat to life.

 

What pen are you going to chose to live in the trumpet?

I think a pristine jade Lifetime with a long quill will set the whole piece off nicely.

 

Congratulations Roger, I know how focused you are on your desk set collection.

This must be a real coup for you.

 

Thanks for sharing with us here on FPN.

 

[Roger W.]

Ron;

 

Thanks for suggesting that I could hide these from the wife, however she just needs to come in the office...also "I see we got another box today..." Anyway, there are 122 unique models presently. Sheaffer catalogued over 615 from 1925-1941 so I have some more to find. Some of those catalogued I'm not sure were actually issued but, the vast majority were. The most expensive set from Sheaffer during the period was $111 - not too fancy - a brazilian marble double base with a ship's wheel Waterbury clock. It happens to be in the 1930 catalogue as well - can't say as I've ever seen one, though.

 

Roger

[Maja]

Wow, that set is impressive, Roger! That cat looks like it could wipe the floor with some of the smaller terrier Sheaffer desk dogs