15 replies to this topic

[david i]

Hi,

Yes, I promised discussion about this great pen last month. Hospital has kept me overwhelmingly busy since.

Yes, "best" is both subjective and dependent on context.

Still... I am now catching up.

In July I encountered a large pen collection. In it is what perhaps was an example of what arguably is the best "known" (not unique, maybe 3 known to the hobby?) Wahl Eversharp fountain pen.

This video is part one- a random chat taped at the July Syracuse Pen Club meeting. Unfortunately batteries faded just before the big reveal.

Still this sets the tone. I'm at work on part 2 and on still images.

An aside to this presentation is the presence of Fountain Pen Network's Admin Gerry (next to me in the Vid), who had to travel from Canada all the way to Syracuse to see some nice fountain pens. Figured he'd have enough on his board

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY_a3ORm_Qk

Images and Part 2 soon.

Thoughts?

regards

David

[Hugh]

Interesting and informative, a worthwhile exercise and not to mention the pens.........I wait for part 2 ,so get on with it....

Regards
Hugh

[penmanila]

great story--and setup

[Viseguy]

How do you spell "cliffhanger"?

[Kelly]

Great video, but, but..... Come on!

[Jim B]

[attachment=71:tiny.jpg]So... did ja get the matching pencil also?

[david i]

[attachment=71:tiny.jpg]So... did ja get the matching pencil also?

Jim, that's a great pen set! My show n' tell isn't that one, but that one certainly a contenduh

[david i]

Hi Guys,

Here is Part 2, with the big reveal. I was quite exhausted when I shot the pens under the light box, so I apologize for the bulky 10 minute video. My killer Wahl is shown part way through. After this video is out for a bit, I will post a Part 3 that shows more detail of The Pen and will show some photos too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVAeVF-Wuqg

regards

David

[Wahlnut]

Congratulations indeed on getting the Flamingo Deco Band, David!. One of the rarest of Wahl Pens for sure. I think yours would make the number of such pens that I am aware of in known collectiors' hands come to 5. You, me and I think Cliff may even have 2 of them. I thought that the Chicago person you refer to had one, but I will take your word for it and that would make 4.

As for scarcity (which as we know does not automatically translate into value), almost equally rare is the full size Flat Top Side Clip Gold Seal in Flamingo and the soldier clip pen in this color is awfully rare too... I was told when I got mine about 5 years ago, that there may not be more than 5 or 6 known copies. Also among the ultra rare is the full size Gold Seal Flamingo Desk pen with matching humidor (base) of which I know of only 2 "published" in captivity (there could be more but folks don't mention desk pens that often)...and until desk pens are featured more highly in the minds of collectors the scarcity of those is almost of no importance by comparison to the OS Deco Bands for example. Of course the more common pens in this color are the purse pens and the lower end (non- gold seal) later era Equi-Poised pens and they are more often coming up for sale these days it seems to me.

But yours is a real "Bute"! Good for you!

Syd

[Kelly]

Very nice indeed!

[david i]

Here is the third video, with focus on the Flamingo OS (Deco Band) Wahl. Couple pics to follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_T0FnBgDy4

regards

David

[Hugh]

The whole series very informative, I rarely (if ever ...) come across Wahls . I can see the appeal of them and that knowing a bit could come in handy...I would like to hope...

Thank you

Hugh

[Paul E]

David, heck of a pen. I was even more impressed by the second u-tube video that has great application for the board. (haven't seen the third one yet) I would love to see other videos on related topics like grading vintage pens, refurbish and repair, discussions on all aspects of the hobby, etc. I know we talked about it before, and this this is certainly the time and place. Maybe it would be possible to set up a special section on the board for videos?

I would also advise 'new' vintage pen collectors not to go lusting too much after rare and exotic vintage pens. They are wonderful when they appear, but that is infrequent and for most collectors- not common. As one song put it what now seems a long while ago "love the one you're with"...and there are plenty of more common, wonderful vintage pens to enjoy- a lucky thing for all of us. Maybe we should do a video on how and what to collect, and why?

[George]

David,

I am impressed that pen really is a special one. The look of the Decoband just seems "right".

I noted the clip placement on the jade is slightly lower ? than the flamingo. I wonder if that is an important factor, along with the unfinished cap band.

Regards,
George

PS The idea of a novice collector searching for the "holy grails" of pens so to speak is one that I have no problem with. In fact, I live by it. Sure, appreciating what you have is very important, but appreciating rare or hard to find pens is an even greater experience. It is not the fact that the pens are expensive, it's the story or time that was put into getting the pen. Stemming off of this idea, I personally look for rare pens that are highly unusual or underappreciated, but still very hard to find. Though, I must add that any "style" of collecting eventually turns into a personal idea of what type of pens should be collected. I think that is what keeps us hunting.

[Hugh]

I would also advise 'new' vintage pen collectors not to go lusting too much after rare and exotic vintage pens. They are wonderful when they appear, but that is infrequent and for most collectors- not common. As one song put it what now seems a long while ago "love the one you're with"...and there are plenty of more common, wonderful vintage pens to enjoy- a lucky thing for all of us. Maybe we should do a video on how and what to collect, and why?

I'd have to agree with that in general Paul, I rarely ever chase the high end pens preferring the "middle" ground where there's any number of high quality pens at reasonable prices with plenty of scope to build a visually attractive collection that will retain and increase in value ( yes, this is a valid point....because most likely when your looking down ( or up if you where naughty ....) the kids or some other relative will cash 'em in). The best advise is to (generally) avoid the real low quality stuff , still an impressive line up of Wearevers can be put together as can some wonderful celluloid combos for a small outlay. Still it's always handy to be able to know the "good stuff" when you see it!! I've passed over a few for want of knowledge over the years.

Regards
Hugh

[david i]

Had a nice time at the Ohio Pen Show, November 2011. It was last year at this show that I first showed off the Flamingo OS Wahl I'd picked up during the summer of 2010, a true key rarity of great cachet in the Wahl series.

Note that I don't actively collect pencils and fershure don't wish to start. Simply not my thing to seek a broad-based pencil collection. Others take care of that, at least.

But, I do collect pen sets and pen series including key items related to those pen series. Thus, I do grab pencils to complete sets of interest or pencils that carry special significance to a pen series of interest.

Noting the Wahl Deco Band in Flamingo falls into that "Fewer than 5 Known" category-- yes with the caveats to such claims understood-- the matching pencil also is quite scarce.

One of my big purchases at Ohio this year was the Deco Band Pencil in Flamingo, a stretch for me, but one worthwhile as having a set of this great Wahl rarity holds some charm for me.

So, from the table of a well-known advanced Wahl collector, I bought the pencil that upgraded my pen to pen set.

The pencil:

My Set.

regards

-david