Need Help Iding Very Large Marble Desk Set 1930S

[burningincense]

Hi - i just purchased the largest marble desk set i have seen and want to know if anyone has seen this before or know anything about it. Its large and heavy 10 x 18 inches solid marble with bronze trim. Probably 20 plus pounds. In the art deco style with 2 really nice Parker Duofold deluxe fountain pens. Has large metal golfer in center. Excellent condition and all original. has 3 bronze lids that lift off and desk items could be put inside. Was this set sold by Parker ? any info would be greatly appreciated. Im guessing it has to have a nice value ( any guesses ? )

 

Thanks so much !! this is my first post here !!

[Redbarchettayyz]

That is one hefty desk set! I'm sorry I can't help with ID, but Congrats nonetheless and welcome to FPN!

[MKeith]

Might want to route this thread to the Parker or Pen Paraphernalia sections for better results.

[Bruno]

That's a beautiful set and the Moderne pens seem to be of excellent color. I think you've identified it well. Congratulations!

 

-Bruno

[pienaar]

The golfer looks a bit like Bobby Jones

[burningincense]

The golfer looks a bit like Bobby Jones

 

I looked up images of bobby jones and i think you are correct. It looks almost identical.

 

thanks !

[kkshadow]

Don't know Parker that well, but they did make desk sets similar to this one in bronze on wood with a clock in the late 1920's, say 1928-29. They had the same drawer configuration as yours, and sold for an amazing $100 at that time. Remember, a really good pen was I think $5-$10. The middle larger compartment was generally for cigarettes.

 

My guess, and it's only that, is this set is from the early 1930's. I say that because I know in that time frame Sheaffer sold large desk sets where you could specially order whatever sportsman you wanted - a golfer, a baseball player, a tennis player, skier, polo player and so on. I will guess that Sheaffer and Parker were in pretty stiff competition with each other, hence the date say 1930-1932.

 

Beautiful set, by the way. have the pens restored and use it!

[Roger W.]

Parker made extra large sets such as the one you are showing. Sheaffer never made such large bases with multiple compartments. Figurals, that's what these are called, were late 20's and early 30's though they were still sold quite later by the factory often into the 1940's. Sheaffer's practice was to match the base to pens and sockets when the base was shipped from the factory I suspect that Parker would likely do the same therefore, you date the piece two ways. First when the figural was cataloged (those would be late 20's or early 30's) and second when Parker used those pens. It might be the same date for both or you might have a later date for the pens. A figural golf set would be worth somewhere over $1,000. I have heard that the figural is Bobby Jones.

 

Roger W.

[Roger W.]

 

 

I will guess that Sheaffer and Parker were in pretty stiff competition with each other, hence the date say 1930-1932.

 

 

Actually, they weren't in competition at all. At the end of 1928 Sheaffer, Parker and Wahl had formed a conglomeration called the Pen Desk Set Company. This organization pooled all of the desk set patents of the three companies and controlled licensing of desk bases for other companies as well. The organization was dissolved in 1950.

 

Roger W.

[kkshadow]

I will guess that Sheaffer and Parker were in pretty stiff competition with each other, hence the date say 1930-1932.

 

 

Actually, they weren't in competition at all. At the end of 1928 Sheaffer, Parker and Wahl had formed a conglomeration called the Pen Desk Set Company. This organization pooled all of the desk set patents of the three companies and controlled licensing of desk bases for other companies as well. The organization was dissolved in 1950.

 

Roger W.

 

Thank you, Roger. I always learn from you.

 

Ken

[Mags]

So that answers the question nicely for the set from the 1930's. Also the Pen Desk Set Company conglomeration is an excellent bit of trivia.

[kazoolaw]

if someone has access to their older PenWorld magazines photos of this set appear several times. if memory (fickle thing that it is) it was a Parker set. post a photo on PenTrace and Len Provisor will be sure to pipe up and give a positive id.

 

gary

[burningincense]

Thanks Everyone or the info!! Helps alot