Sheaffer Desk Set Of The Week #2

[Roger W.]

Actually two this week, the #10 and it’s big brother the double #19. This basic base made of radite was introduced in 1926 and used into the 40’s though early 30’s was more typical of the range. In 1928, the base was mated to the bankers’ lamp which cost $25 for the single or $35 for the double base lamp models. These lamps today are worth in excess of $400 with the double base being a little more difficult to find.

 

The first models were fixed sockets and the base will be imprinted “Sheaffer’s” on the top. These are far less common than the jointed socket models which were out by 1928. These are part of the first sets offered as Sheaffer had only introduced desk sets the year before in 1925.

 

The pens came in two flavors initially, all black or with a full red quill. A Jade pen with a black quill was added next. None of these had a gold band so that you will know it is early if the nib is single toned and there is no band on the pen with the typical patent date imprint. The sockets also do not have a decorative ring either the early fixed style or the later jointed socket. The red quill pen was mated with a socket the mouth of which was red. By 1928 the red quill was dropped for a red spacer ring before the quill. Gold rings found their way into bases two ways. One way was a decorative ring which a chain could be attached from pen to base for obvious purposes. The other was the three rings on the pen and base (though the #10 and #19 did not receive such sockets). Late in 1928 a single gold band was found on the black pens and the sockets (only black pens were ever mounted such). This single gold band on the socket remained standard and placed in the middle until the early 40’s when the band was moved to the top of the socket.

 

Pens were only ever of small or medium diameter, Sheaffer never made an oversize desk pen, much the pity. The difference is small around 4 hundredths of an inch (.40” small and .44” medium) therefore most pens will fit most bases so that the “right” pen is often not found with the base today. All early pens were lifetimes per the catalogues but 46 Special nibs are encountered in jade and three ring models. So there is a “right” pen for most sockets though they will generally take any pen.

 

Well, here are the pics and I will show the right pens in their sockets. Also, as we move through various bases an emphasis on the proper pen will be made.

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/10fixedsocket1.jpg

#10 Fixed Socket

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/10jointedplainsocket1.jpg

#10 Jointed Plain Socket

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/10jointedbandsocket1.jpg

#10 Jointed Band Socket

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/10s3style.jpg

All three typical #10's including early red quill pen

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/10late.jpg

Very late #10 with touchdown filling pen

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/19angle2.jpg

#19 Typical Set

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/19retrofit.jpg

#19 Actually retrofitted as this base has the drilling for the fixed sockets - early 1930's

 

http://www.sheafferflattops.com/images/4earlypens2.jpg

The four early pens circa 1925-28

 

Roger W.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Univer]

Hi Roger,

 

Thanks, as always, for the wonderfully informative post (and the images!).

 

Is this the banker's lamp double base (pics attached)? The left-hand socket doesn't have a red mouth, but it has two red diamonds just inside (bottom image). The red-ring pen shown with it isn't original to the base, but it seems like a reasonably good match.

 

Based on your dates, I assume this is a later base. Can you estimate the year?

 

Thanks,

 

Jon

 

PS I owe you a reply about my jade 46 specials - I'll send it via email.

Edited April 21, 2007 by Univer

[Roger W.]

Jon;

 

How interesting - your scrool foot is painted black. This is not the bankers lamp (my avatar is the bankers lamp) but is a lamp from the not too well known 1933 brochure. The red diamonds are much less common and the more attractive personally. I would agree that your pen is a reasonable match to the set. I used to think this lamp was a put together kit sort of thing until I found the brochure - who knew?!?

 

Roger W.

[Roger W.]

I forgot to mention value. These sets have held their own. Issued at $10 typically with a pen the #10 is worth $10 without a pen. The #19 is generally worth $20 for the base alone.

 

Roger W.

[Maja]

Thanks for taking the time to do this tutorial (complete with informative photos), Roger!

Much appreciated.

 

Just one question for you: were the sockets threaded on the inside to accomodate a pen with a threaded barrel.....or were they both unthreaded?

 

I have some Sheaffer desk sets but none as early as the #10 or #19 (as far as I know )

 

Thanks in advance,

~Maja

Edited April 21, 2007 by Maja

[Roger W.]

Maja;

 

Great question and one that feeds into a basic Sheaffer problem. Sheaffer went through three main iterations of the dry proof base from 1935 to early 1940's ultimately with little success (the #10 generally predates this and is simply a holder without trying to function as anything else). Sheaffer finally settled on the screw in type socket which was used on the #10 touchdown pictured, so from the early-mid 40's they were a screw in socket. I think the later 60's don't screw in so we're back to simply a holder.

 

Roger W.

[Maja]

Maja;

 

Great question and one that feeds into a basic Sheaffer problem. Sheaffer went through three main iterations of the dry proof base from 1935 to early 1940's ultimately with little success (the #10 generally predates this and is simply a holder without trying to function as anything else). Sheaffer finally settled on the screw in type socket which was used on the #10 touchdown pictured, so from the early-mid 40's they were a screw in socket. I think the later 60's don't screw in so we're back to simply a holder.

 

Roger W.

Thanks for the reply; I thought I might be asking a silly question, but I have some Sheaffer desk pens with threaded barrels, some with threaded sockets and I don't even know if I have the "right" pen in the "right" socket

 

Looking forward to finding out more about Sheaffer desk pens from you....

Thanks again,

~Maja