53 replies to this topic

[david i]

Pedro;

As the 3-25 they were made 1930-1932 - they were certainly available thru the Christmas season in 1931 so made/available into 1932. Also, consider that as a junior it was likely made a bit later than 1932. Daniel possibly has more details on these.

Roger W.

Hi Roger,

I believe we don't know the Blue Balance was made 1930-32, though it might have been. IIRC, so far there are images out showing pens during 1931-2?

regards

David

[Pedro]

Thanks for your replies but, since mine has a pinned lever, I thought it was a first year or 1929 pen.

[david i]

Thanks for your replies but, since mine has a pinned lever, I thought it was a first year or 1929 pen.

Hi Pedro,

As always, there are challenges to pinning dates on any pen.

Blue was not shown in the 1930 catalogue. I've not heard of any Sheaffer paper showing it that early. These observations do not preclude a 1930 release. I can but cite what is known to me.

Too, we need to know when the pinned lever began to cease use, and then we need to know if it ceased use across the entire product line at once... or not.

Always more to figure.

regards

david

[Roger W.]

Hi Roger,

I believe we don't know the Blue Balance was made 1930-32, though it might have been. IIRC, so far there are images out showing pens during 1931-2?

regards

David

David;

'31-32 possibly into '33 but not listed by October '33. I inadvertently pushed it up a year.

Roger W.

[Pedro]

Hi Roger,

I believe we don't know the Blue Balance was made 1930-32, though it might have been. IIRC, so far there are images out showing pens during 1931-2?

regards

David

The 1930 Catalog's Order Blank lists the Blue Balance, although it is not a pictured colour.


3-25 Line
N3TC Blue large $3.25
N3MC Blue short $3.25
N3MR Blue short with ring $3.25

Pencils
NTAC Blue regular $3.00
NMAC Blue Short $2.50
NMAR Blue with ring 2.50

So it does make sense that a Blue pen can have a correct pinned lever.

[Roger W.]

The 1930 Catalog's Order Blank lists the Blue Balance, although it is not a pictured colour.


3-25 Line
N3TC Blue large $3.25
N3MC Blue short $3.25
N3MR Blue short with ring $3.25

Pencils
NTAC Blue regular $3.00
NMAC Blue Short $2.50
NMAR Blue with ring 2.50

So it does make sense that a Blue pen can have a correct pinned lever.

The order blank is for Christmas sales in 1932.

Roger W.

[david i]

The 1930 Catalog's Order Blank lists the Blue Balance, although it is not a pictured colour.


3-25 Line
N3TC Blue large $3.25

SNIP

So it does make sense that a Blue pen can have a correct pinned lever.

Hi Pedro,

I have vague recollection, that the price sheet you mention, though included with a 1930 catalogue, had a later date on it. Have to double check... or you can.

regards

David

[Pedro]

Then why is it in the 1930 catalog?!?!?

[david i]

Then why is it in the 1930 catalog?!?!?

Hi Pedro,

That it is there, and that it is dated later, are what we have. All else... speculation.

One sound hypothesis was that it was done to give collectors headache 80 years later.

No?

Roger's reasonable model, iirc, is that with the hit from the Great Depression-- correlating to a five year gap in catalogue issue-- Sheaffer simply continued to use an already printed (at least already designed) catalogue, and simply during the next couple years released it with an updated order sheet. Makes sense, I s'pose.

-d

[Roger W.]

Then why is it in the 1930 catalog?!?!?

Pedro;

You answered your own question - the blue balances are not in the 1930 catalog so what is it doing there? As David stated I would support that this catalog was the catalog for a number of years. It had most everything in it and was updates with the retailer reviews of which I think there were a lot done we just need to find them.

Roger W.

[matt]

SNIP 1932 dated paper (illustration of course could have been done earlier), showing flat-top Jade, yellow items (known to those who know), and... blue.

Whoa! Take a look near the top of that counter-top display and note the reference to a "Catho-Glo" light, then go here http://www.bulbcolle...article005.html for an article on the actual neon bulb used in the display (I referenced this site a while back in Roger's desk lamp topic). Roger, you're going to want more than just a bulb....

[snorkelcc]

My collection of Blue/Black, it should cover all the blue/black balance models



Mostly 3-25, except the one on the right is truncated balance and the 3^rd from the right is Balance with #3 nib but I don’t have any prove whether #3 nib appeared in blue/black balance, any comment ?

Note : it should be Blue/Dark Blue as David said at the beginning, but I am still prefer to call them blue/black as the dark blue looks black to me

CC

Edited by snorkelcc, 09 January 2012 - 10:24 AM.

[Pedro]

...and we thought you only had Snorkel's
Thanks for sharing, that's a nice group. On some pens the dark blue has turned rather black but on others you can tell it's blue, hence the confusion. Mine has the 3-25 nib.

[Teej47]

Note : it should be Blue/Dark Blue as David said at the beginning, but I am still prefer to call them blue/black as the dark blue looks black to me

I believe Sheaffer just called 'em "Blue", which circumvents symantic issues entirely.



Tim