What's A Reasonable Price For A Working Sheaffer Imperial Iv?

[kittywonghf]

Hi all,

 

Recently I've been looking into getting myself a vintage Sheaffer imperial IV with a fine or XF nib, but the prices seem rather high on some products and I'm not sure if they are worth it / reasonable, it seems I could invest that money elsewhere, but I am rather new to Sheaffer vintage pens so I'm not sure what boundaries I'm working with. This is purely so I can decide to wait on a better offer to come up or to get something relatively soon with existing offers.

 

These are what I found so far:

• NOS with fine nib, guaranteed working $95USD (+$15 Intl' shipping)
• Used with fine nib, "seems working" according to seller, with a crack in the barrel (from grip section and a few cm up, looks like a white line) £48 (Auction price, not sure if this will hold)
• Used with XF nib, most likely working, tiny crack just before blind cap on the barrel. I don't know if this will affect the touchdown mechanism? £86

 

As I said, I'm not sure if these prices are reasonable or not, there seems to be an awfully big range, and I don't want to spend more than I need to if that money could be spent on something better instead. The first offer is from a website selling vintage pens, the other two are on eBay. If anyone have any other recommendations on where I might find a good deal, please send them my way (or maybe you want to sell me a pen ), many thanks!

[mitto]

I got a red one in mint condition a few days ago for $45 from local vintage market. Not sure about prices on eBay.

[pajaro]

Here's one: http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/sheaffer-imperial-iv-touchdown-fountain-pen-seconds-14k-nib-new-old-stock.html

 

I recently paid about $90 US for a NOS burgundy one, extra fine, resacked with a silicone sac.

 

I have paid a lot less for a couple of nice used ones.

[Maine Vintner]

Fantastic pens! A little on the lighter side by today's standards, but wonderful writers and fabulous inlaid nibs!

[pajaro]

Yes, these pens are writers, and many of today's pens are collector's items.

[Pepin]

I think it should be around $125 USD.

[pajaro]

I believe that, because the Imperials are generally easy to restore, they are about as nice to have as a Parker 51 Aerometric filler. I have several of the Touchdown fillers and they are among my nicest and best functioning pens. I bought one from Main Street Pens that has been restored with a silicone sac, which should lengthen the sac life. These are pens worth having, even if the cost is climbing.