7 replies to this topic

[vintage penman]

What is the usual going rate for one of these? Presumably it is quite a rare bird compared to the TM.

[david i]

What is the usual going rate for one of these? Presumably it is quite a rare bird compared to the TM.

Not so rare, but nice pens certainly.

As we know, 1940's Sheaffers saw truly frantic evolution. In 1948, the typical post-war models transitioned (those that would survive the jump) from striped celluloid to solid-tone injection plastic. In 1949, essentially same appearance was maintained but wire-filler (plunger) was replaced by the touchdown system marking the arrival of the Sheaffer Touchdown pens. Multiple models/variants exist, pens with all plastic cap/barrel, metal caps of at least two types on plastic barrels, solid-gold Masterpiece, different nib arrangements, Tuckaways, etc. As these were produced 1949-50, with TM Touchdown (thin model) made just in 1951 before the Snorkel arrived, the "fat" or non-TM Touchdown likely is well more common than TM Touchdown. They are terrific pens of growing collectability. If I have time in the current night-shift insanity at hospital, I will post some images.

Rates... vary. One might find a nice low-cachet example on ebay (eg beadband Craftsman) for $10 raw. Retail on a nice big Valiant in grand shape can hit $175-200.

regards

David

[david i]

Some 1949-1950 "fat" (pre Thin Model) Touchdown pens:

Sentinel Deluxe

Sentinel Deluxe Tuckaway

(not really a small pen)

Valiant Tuckaway

Valiant

? Lady Tuckaway (essentially a Sovereign Tucky)

Statesman (?) Sovereign (?)... I'm losing tack. Need my catalogues...

regards

David

[Hugh]

With these colour and trim seems to determine the numbers floating around and price. In the fat the autograph is uncommon, as are Crest models. Disregarding the Craftsman ( one ugly pen..I don't bother with them) the rest seem to show up equally. With colour the brown is least common then it appears to be blue and burgundy with black and green the most . With the Triumph nib there are two variants. one with a serial no., one without which makes it difficult (impossible?) to pick a fat from a TM in a photo. Anyway, if it has a serial number on the nib and is a touchdown it's a fat. As to price you should be able to buy a decent (ie. a bit of wear but good user pen) one for between $30 and $50 on ebay (it can be pot luck at times, some have major issues..), from a reputable dealer probably around the $100, restored .
Similiar story with the TMs, all the high end models aren't common. Grey is a rare one and brown uncommon. To me the biggest surprise is that decent condition metal capped black ones are hard to find, I put this down to these being "work" pens....they must have been one of the bigger selling colours I would have thought.
Overall I feel the triumph nibs fats are less common than the TM ones, but David would see far more than me so is probably correct.

Does anyone know of any uncommon variations in these ie reverse trim, uncatologued colours etc.?

Regards
Hugh

[vintage penman]

I've just bought a Persian Blue fat Valiant with a numbered nib in superb, restored condition from a dealer (Pendragons) on e-bay for approximately £50 US.. It needs nothing, works perfectly, has no issues and will soon be in my rotation.

[Hugh]

I've just bought a Persian Blue fat Valiant with a numbered nib in superb, restored condition from a dealer (Pendragons) on e-bay for approximately £50 US.. It needs nothing, works perfectly, has no issues and will soon be in my rotation.

They are an underrated pen, I hope you will enjoy yours. The price is right as well.

Regards
Hugh

[david i]

Here's a Sheaffer Triumph (pre-Thin Model, 1949-50) that is not so easy to find. Indeed, it is the only one I've ever seen.

It is a Sheaffer Touchdown Statesman (yeah, the Statesman name, associated with Triumph nib during the celluloid post-war wire-fill pens of 1945-7, now had the open nib of what had been the Sovereign).

But, this one has reverse trim (chrome, not gold-filled, trim on black pen) in this case also an undocumented finding, as best I know.

This is the only reverse trim TD I've ever seen.

regards

David

[Hugh]

Well David, thats seriously impressive, I think we could put that in the "very rare" rather than the "not so easy to find" category . I had an inkling that the only uncatalogued pen (if there was one...now proven!!) around would be a reverse trim, although I doubted I'd ever see one!!

Regards
Hugh