Small pens - anyone?

[gregamckinney]

I don't exclusively collect small pens, but they do make up a significant part of my collection. It started with Esterbrook Purse Pens, then Sheaffer Tuckaways, and most recently, Wahl Bantams.

 

Although most of my collection are "user" pens, these little ones are generally too small to use comfortably. I find them to be generally cheaper than their bigger brothers, so putting together a wide variety of them is more reasonable, and there is something "dollhouse" fascinating about the ones that are the same proportions /models as the larger ones- Sheaffer Balances for example, that fascintates me.

 

Bantams came in a huge array of colors/patterns. Also made were commemorative versions for the 1933-34 Century of Progress, as well as a "mini-Doric" version. There is also a desk set version of the Bantam that has as yet eluded me.

http://www.gergyor.com/images/wahl_bantams.jpg

 

 

LeBoeuf pens, while only made for a short time (10-15 years) were made in a wide variety of sizes- from the Senior Duofold-sized, No. 8 nibbed model, down to these ringtops. I don't believe all the larger models were made in each of the colors in which the ringtops are found. These are two of my favorites.

http://www.gergyor.com/images/leboeuf_ringtops2.jpg

 

 

I don't collect many pencils, except when found as part of a set, but these Sheaffer golf pencils were too cute not to collect. I like the fact that they represent the colors available across the Sheaffer line at the time- especially since OS Balance versions of these five colors would cost 10-20 times what the golf pencils do.

http://www.gergyor.com/images/sheaffer_golf_pencils.jpg

 

 

Sheaffer Tuckaways were made for a long window of time compared to some of the other mini pens, resulting in a large number of colors, trim versions, and fillers. I especially like the earlier models without clips. Certainly not a convenient mode for a pen once people started carrying them in pockets instead of purses, but the lack of a clip provides a very clean, symmetric look. This first-year model was also made in a vac-filler. The carmine pen and black set are from the (approximately) third or fourth year of production when the clip had yet to be added, but using the common Sheaffer materials/colors. This wide-band model was also available in green-striated, grey-striated and brown- striated. The matching pencils are much harder to find.

http://www.gergyor.com/images/tuckaways.jpg

 

 

And a nice (married) Esterbrook Purse Pen set.

http://www.gergyor.com/images/esterbrook_orchid_purse_pen.jpg

 

Best regards, greg

[krz]

A celebration of small pens. Wow! Some great lil' pens out there.

 

I didn't know about the Conway Stewert Dinkies. They've got that candy stick factor I like Esties for.

 

I'm a big fan of small pens too. I'm not good with my camera, I'll try to get a good scan later though.

 

Sheaffer Tuckaway - I never leave home without a Sheaffer Tuckaway in my pocket. I've got a few of those. Chocolate Vac. bottom dot Tucky today.

Sheaffer Compact II Inlaid nib. The only cartridge pen I really like.

Merlin 33 - Rose Moire, probably my favorite Celluloid pen.

Speeno - My smallest.

Duke Mini-Torpedo - Good lil' pen that won't break the bank.

Balance Jr. - A couple of these. Black & Roseglow.

Wearever - A 4 1/2" Pearl Grey/Black with Red veins. My biggest surprise. I bid on another pen and the Wearever came with it. I liked the Wearever better!

Arnold - A Black & Yellow swirl '30's. Not the best writer but it looks great.

A noname White/Black Cammo. ringtop.

Edited July 12, 2006 by krz

[andyr7]

I didn't know about the Conway Stewert Dinkies.  They've got that candy stick factor I like Esties for.

 

In that case you must look at my posting of pictures of the genuine article in the CS forum here (plus numerous other places, mostly in the same forum)!

 

Greg, I like your LeBoeuf pens. I think there is a serious debate about whether LeBoeuf or CS Dinkies were the first pens in the world to be manufactured in coloured material circa 1922 / 23 which we could open in another topic sometime!

 

Andy

[Phthalo]

Pthalo, I really can't believe that (at least if you are including vintage Dinkies in your quest)! Give me a clue as to your tastes for colours or types of patterns and I'll try and find something in my collection to tickle your fancy and post a picture. It won't be for sale but I refuse to believe there's nothing there that meets your requirerments!

Andy:

 

I've looked through the archives a little, and not many older mottled Dinkie colours appeal to me... I do like some of the more recent colours, but these are all from the Dinkie Casein collection - and they are rather pricey! I also must have an XF nib. What are CS XF nibs like?

 

I have consoled myself however, with two new Laban Mini's for my small pens collection:

 

http://www.ciar-roisin.net/images/LabanWeb.jpg

 

Small pens are awesome. Small yellow pens are especially awesome.

[andyr7]

Phthalo,

 

I do have a modern casein Dinkie fountain pen & ballpoint set in 'creme de menthe' (still mint in its leather wallet, in the box, if you'll excuse the pun) that I'd like to sell some time, so contact me if your boat comes in! I have a fine nib on my modern CSDandy, which looks and writes more like a medium for me but I have no experience of a CS XF nib.

 

As for not liking the vintage Dinkie colours, I'm amazed. However, you did give me a clue with 'yellow', so these are the best I can offer!

 

First up is possibly the oldest surviving yellow pen in the world, an un-numbered Dinkie dating from approximately 1923. Strangely, it found its way to me from your corner of the globe as well!

 

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1151750/YellowDinkieclosed.jpg

 

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1151750/YellowDinkieopen.jpg

 

Then a single Dinkie 540 from about 1931 -

 

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1151750/yellow540.jpg

 

and a Dinkie 526 / Duropoint 2 set from about 1928.

 

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1151750/Blueyellow526set.jpg

 

Maybe one of these will fit the bill? Gosh, I hope so or you must be a real hard girl to please!

 

Andy

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

Hmm, you keep on tempting me with Dinkies...I don't have much disposable cash sitting around.

 

Dillon

[sonia_simone]

Love those Dinkies, so pretty.

 

My two little pens are a Speeno (such a nifty little thing that is) and a nice flexi Moore I bought from griz. I have a smallish hand, so have tended to gravitate toward pens at the smaller end of the spectrum, but by that I mean more Pelikan 405 size.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I do have a smaller hand, so smaller pens feel nicer in my hand. I am also a "small pen lover" in both ways.

 

Dillon

[Elaine]

Elaine, can you identify the makers and models, for the uninitiated - thanks!

 

Andy

1.The pen on the top is a Mabie Todd Swan gold fill. It has a matching pencil

 

2. Group shot:

Welsh Combo - some kind of plastic?

Mabie Todd in #1

Pelikan Tortoise 400NN for size comparison

Peter Pan - plastic of some sort

Aiken Lambert "the Pet" BHR

 

3. Welsh Pen/Pencil combo

 

4. Green Ever-Rite set - It looks and feels like enamel.

[andyr7]

Thanks for the names, Elaine.

 

I've just traded a very similar Swan to your top picture, absolutely immaculate, with hallmarked unusual 15ct gold overlay (dated for 1931), swapped with others for a fantastic vintage CS Dandy set! I probably did badly in financial terms but it was a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity.

 

I also like combos - unfortunately they are just a pen too far (for the cash available)!

 

Andy

[Elaine]

Thanks for the names, Elaine.

 

I've just traded a very similar Swan to your top picture, absolutely immaculate, with hallmarked unusual 15ct gold overlay (dated for 1931), swapped with others for a fantastic vintage CS Dandy set! I probably did badly in financial terms but it was a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity.

 

I also like combos - unfortunately they are just a pen too far (for the cash available)!

 

Andy

Both the Mabie Todd and the Combo were gifts from my Aunt Rebecca. :)9

[Phthalo]

Andy,

 

I DO like that early 540 Dinkie - the pattern and colours are pleasing. I like a bit of colour, but in broader areas - a mass of many colours in a complex pattern doesn't agree with me, such as in the 526.

 

Maybe one of these will fit the bill? Gosh, I hope so or you must be a real hard girl to please!

Hey, hey - my philosophy is generally very simple: Small + Pretty = Yay!

 

I do have a modern casein Dinkie fountain pen & ballpoint set in 'creme de menthe'

Now you are talking my language! Green is my favourite colour, but I am fussy about the shade - I prefer yellow-toned greens. I have seen the Creme De Menthe and it is VERY nice. I have just bought my first LE... but could you PM me the nib size and price of your Casein Dinkie set anyway? I do have a tax return coming my way...

[andyr7]

Green is my favourite colour, but I am fussy about the shade - I prefer yellow-toned greens.

Phthalo,

 

It gets even worse! OK, this is the last picture I am going to post in this topic showing the only yellow toned green Dinkie colour scheme I know on a very early 540S, plus the green version of the yellow 540 that you quite liked (not as commercial as the yellow but probably rarer).

 

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-2/1151750/lasttwodinkies.jpg

 

I have some ebay listings to tend to now but will PM you the details of the modern Dinkie sets shortly.

 

Andy

Edited July 13, 2006 by andyr7

[Phthalo]

That top colour is perfect.

 

A very nice collection Andy!

[Johnny Appleseed]

Here's my collection of shrimps. It was a quick shot this morning, so excuse the flash.

 

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/laridae/ring-tops.jpg

 

They are, left to right,

 

1. Unknown ring-top, suspected Eclipse due to feed

2. Black Eclipse ring-top

3. Red mottles Eclipse ring top

4. WilRite Gold-filled overlay ring-top

5. Good Service Pen Company Black ring-top

6. Good-Service pen, with clip

7. Unknown ring-top with B&H nib (Byers and Hayes - but not sure if the nib is original to the pen)

8. Chas Ingersoll Dollar Pen - twist-filler, ring-top

9. Craig (Sheaffer) BCHR ring-top

10. Waterman 14V PSF (from Brian, ages ago) with after-market clip

11. Waterman 52 1/2V, missing ring-top

12. Wahl Rosewood Hard Rubber ring-top, with an awesome flex nib

13. Tiny little Wahl ring-top (looking for a nib)

 

That last Wahl, incidentally, demonstrates the classic discoloration bands in Wahl caps - Wahl put in some rubber washers in the inner cap to create a tighter seal - with the unintended consequence of discoloring the celluloid in bands.

 

John

[Phthalo]

Nice shrimps John! I especially like 12 and 3.

[Carrie]

Nice shrimps John! I especially like 12 and 3.

Yeah, I like number 12 as well. Any chance of seeing a photo with the cap off? I think I could quite happily take home most of the pens that have been shown off in this topic. There's really some beautiful pens out there.

 

I'm quite happy to write with most sizes of pen, my smallest current pen is a Dinkie 540 whilst the largest is a Parker Duofold Centennial.

 

For those of you who don't venture into the Conway Stewart forum, I'll quickly show off my Dinkies in here. I also used to have a CS 550 and 570, but they've gone off to new homes.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/carrieh/dinkie1.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/carrieh/dinkie540uncap.jpg

[antoniosz]

How did I miss this post?

Wow - beautiful pens everyone!

Andy the olors of those dinkies are simply amazing

[Phthalo]

The last two weeks have been quite fruitful as far as my interest in small-sized pens is concerned. I have recently acquired the following:

 

Vintage Parker Lady Duofold, F nib.

Vintage Parker Petit Pastel, XF nib.

Vintage Waterman Lady Patricia, #2 Semi-Flex nib.

!! 2x Omas Princess, XF nibs.

 

The Petit Pastel is the most gorgeous little pen, and the Waterman has a wonderful nib.

 

I was lucky in how I came about the La Royal Blue Omas, which was NOS, and about 60% off the old retail price. I liked it so much that I wanted another, and now I also have a Saft Green Princess coming my way. Until I handled the Princess in person, I had never realized what an exquisite little pen it really was. The tassel is a bit much, but the Omas quality is just beautiful.

 

http://www.ciar-roisin.net/photos/smallpens01.jpg

Apple Green Petit Pastel, Lacquer Red Lady Duofold, Onyx Lady Patricia.

http://www.ciar-roisin.net/photos/smallpens02.jpg

La Royal Blue Princess.

[kissing]

Remember the $2 Smiggle Pens in Australia that were apparently discontinued?

 

I was browsing at a Korean Stationery/gift shop and found these pens which are EXACTLY the same as the Smiggle (Beifa) pens, except for the cuter designs:

 

They cost a bit more than the Smiggle pens though. $4.60 AU