how to value desk sets

[Yanroy]

Hi,

Lately in my ebay browsing I've come across several desk sets (primarily sheaffer). I think I'd like to buy one or two to actually use on my desks (home and work). What kind of value do these sets have? How will I know if I'm getting a deal or ripped off? Is there a general rule, such as 20% on top of the value of the pen that' s included (a number I made up)? What about sets that don't have pens? Would I be better off with a pen without a set plus a set without a pen and combining them? Is there any way to know which pens fit which sets?

 

I've always been told not to store my FPs nib-down (not quite sure why), so I always keep them nib-up in a cup on my desk when they're inked. Wouldn't the desk sets seem to violate that rule by having them held nib down all the time? Also, how long can I expect them to go between uses without drying out? Same as a normal FP, I'd imagine, but I'm irrationally hoping it might be longer due to something I'm not aware of -- the one at work would be primarily used if I forgot to bring another from home that day (right now I'm forced to use a terrible bic ballpoint from the supply locker if I forget a real pen).

 

Sorry for the flood of questions -- if there are any other factors I've overlooked, I'd love to hear about those too. This is even newer to me than FPs in general. Thanks for your input.

 

PS - If this topic doesn't belong in Writing Instruments, I apologize... I didn't see a forum that looked like a better fit, considering these sets contains pens.

Edited January 28, 2009 by Yanroy

[jbb]

Hi Yanroy and welcome to FPN. I have three desk pens in holders on my desk. My favorite writer is a Waterman Ideal. Clearly you need to buy a bunch of fountain pens and hide that bic in the back of a drawer. You'll need desk sets and other fourntain pens too. Then there's the ink....

 

Desk pens will fit their own holder best but I've got my three in mis-matched holders and they're working.

 

 

[Anne-Sophie]

Pendemonium.com has many desk sets and they are priced fairly.

 

Go to the writing instrument menu then the desk set link.

 

 

You can always email and ask for more information on desk sets, the owners are wonderful!

 

 

I personally avoid ebay, there is really no way to find out what one is getting until one receives the pen.

 

Sometimes the pen gets "lost" or is damaged in the mail.

In either case, the buyer is out the money and good luck proving that the USPS did something wrong, let alone making it pay for the damage.

 

Then there are the sneaky sellers who jack up shipping price at the last minute.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 28, 2009 by Anne-Sophie

[Roger W.]

Ebay is certainly a risk as I've received more than one base in pieces. A common looking Sheaffer will be less than $40. From 1925-1941 they made over 660 models. Other good pen makers will generally bring more money on their bases as they made fewer of them - Conklins about always go for good money. The pens will probably need refurbished to use. If you get a lever fill pen that will be easy but, Sheaffer made a lot of vac fills that are a lot harder to repair and snorkels bother some people too. Most desk bases are a deal. Sometimes you do run into the rare auction where a couple bidders are nuts - seen a $25 common base go over $250. I show some bases on my website (none for sale) www.sheafferflattops.com

 

Roger W.

 

PS - If you want a value on an early Sheaffer base just drop me a line, be glad to help.

Edited January 28, 2009 by Roger W.

[Pepin]

Currently, I own about 6 double fountain pen desk sets and a few single pen desk sets, all from Sheaffer. I got most of my desk sets through ebay and to date only 2 out of the 14 or so desk pens I got work like new upon delivery--a painfully small success rate. The base is usually in much better condition than the pens but they do weigh a ton so shipping can be quite high. The pens often have missing/dried bladders, need further restoration, or otherwise un-usable, esp. those with triumph wrapped around nibs. The prices are hit and miss. I've seen some going from $30 to $200 but the actual condition, as described by many sellers, is often misleading and downright dishonest. Many pens advertised as "take and expel water" actually don't even have a bladder. Snorkel desk pens can be quite problematic as all the ones I've received do not work right. I would pay $200 for a top of the line snorkel double fountain pen desk set with calendar and professional restoration. However, it's really a waiting game before one does show up, and even then, it's hard to know if the restoration is done right. Very few people offered restored desk sets for sale. My first desk set was a white dot double pen triumph snorkel set. Both pens have issues and seeing that the cost of restoration is almost the amount I paid for the set, I tried to get another desk set just for the pens...and the next thing I know, I've got more desk sets than I have space for.

 

 

[Nabster]

I have my great grandfathers' Parker 51 desk pen and base, with the blue Quink I've currently had in it since before Christmas, it writes as soon as I pick it up, even after a two week vacation. I find it very handy for quick notes. If you can find a 51 desk pen I'd surely recommend it.

[Kimo]

Generally desk sets typically sell for significantly less than comparable model fountain pens. The reason is desk sets are much less useful - you have to have a desk on which to use it where an individual fountain pen anyone carry around on a daily basis for their regular use. Also, desk sets take up a lot more room and if you have more than one you have to have a storage place or display shelving or something to keep it while individual pens take up little space so you can have many more.

If you have a desk, then having a desk set on it can be a lot of fun though.

 

Buy how you like, but you would do best to find a desk set with everything original - pen(s), holder, base, and decoration (little statues or the like if you appreciate a desk set with such additional adornments). Trying to buy a base here and an pen there or other replacement parts will be a major problem and you will likely wind up with a franken-set where everything is okay but doesn't quite exactly go together the way it was originally made. Full original desk sets are not hard to find.

 

Also, do not be bamboozled by some flim flam artist who tries to sell you a damaged set where the onyx of the base is broken or the pen holder has a chip out of it or such and they tell you that these parts are easy to replace for just a small amount of money. They are not easy to replace. A piece of replacement onyx will not look the same and it will cost you more than most people think. Just wait until to find a nice set in original undamaged condition, then get the pen refubished (new sac and whatever).

Edited January 28, 2009 by Kimo

[wednesday_mac]

You might try your local antique/collectible stores to look for desk sets. I've been able to pick up a pen in one store and a matching base in another, and have seen matching sets as well for good prices.

[Paddler]

It doesn't hurt a pen to be nib-down all the time. Desk set pens are no different inside from pens with caps on them. The only reason you should store pens nib-up is that they will warm up in your shirt pocket. If the pen has been nib-down or on its side all night, the air in the reservoir will expand with the heat and maybe push a drop or two of ink into the cap, down the side and into your pocket.

 

Desk pens do not dry out if they make a tight fit in the pen cup. My three can go for months before the ink begins to get thick. There is one by the computer, one by my easy chair, and one on my desk. They all have tight-fitting cups and they all write at first jot.

 

At a flea market, you can buy a black Sheaffer Touchdown pen in a matching black glass stand for $5 - $10. You will have to soak the old ink out of it and replace the sac. In an antique shop, you will pay $20 - $40 for the same item and still have to repair it. An Esterbrook desk pen will usually fit a Sheaffer stand. Don't buy an Esterbrook "eight ball" stand; they don't fit anything.

 

Paddler

 

[lapis]

Just as you can easily keep any FP (with a cap closed) lying down flat on your desk, you can always keep a desk set pointing down, or, if you have an extra cap or similar for it, lying down too. It shouldn't dry out any faster than a "normal" FP is expected to, unless it is a lemon.

 

Mike

[Yanroy]

I just snagged this one on ebay... it says new old stock, and the price seemed reasonable enough to take a gamble on the scant info... thoughts? Also, what kind of cartridge does a sheaffer of this era take? Any chance I could get a converter? Or, since it's NOS, should I keep it pristine and not use it?

 

Paddler, Lapis: I was unaware that the nib-up thing was for when it was in contact with your body... I have vague memories of bad things happening to FPs I left nib down or horizontal, but that could just be because I kept it in my pocket that way back before I was told otherwise. Good to know!

Edited January 30, 2009 by Yanroy

[ANM]

I just snagged this one on ebay... it says new old stock, and the price seemed reasonable enough to take a gamble on the scant info... thoughts? Also, what kind of cartridge does a sheaffer of this era take? Any chance I could get a converter? Or, since it's NOS, should I keep it pristine and not use it?

 

Paddler, Lapis: I was unaware that the nib-up thing was for when it was in contact with your body... I have vague memories of bad things happening to FPs I left nib down or horizontal, but that could just be because I kept it in my pocket that way back before I was told otherwise. Good to know!

 

It takes the same cartridges that modern Sheaffers take. It should take the same converter that modern Sheaffers take too. I see no reason not to ink it up and enjoy it.

[Hugh200au]

I've got a Conklin twin set (from the '20s) on my desk, really don't use it that much but it looks nice. From my experience not worth the effort, a good slip cap that is transportable is better in the long run. Of course your situation might be different, that aside nice collectable items.

Regards Hugh