18 replies to this topic

[david i]

I had the very nice opportunity recently to acquire a modest collection of metal Wahl pens. None of these are solid gold, but we have a variety of gold-filled and sterling pens, including some early long-cap ring-tops with Wahl Tempoint nibs. Original boxes and lovely patina enhance the collection. Unlike some, I am not dismissive of metal ringtops. Beautiful pens, all the quality of the big boys, jewelry from their day, and of course well more affordable than the big pens with clips. A mix of patterns is present, not just the basic Grecian Border. The hand-engraved-vine sterling silver set at left is stunning. That might even end up with me for the long haul. Whenever I stumble into a purchase of this sort, I well recall my first purchase of a ten-pen leather case... wondering how long it would take to fill.

Enjoy. These are pretty.

regards

David

[Greg Minuskin]

You know, Patina is really important these days, and is becoming even more so important with vintage cars. I was surprised to learn that now there is a class of judging of cars that is called "Preservation" class; other then consumables like hoses, tires, belts, brakes, etc. survivor cars are now being judged based on how original they are, still on the road, etc.

Greg Minuskin
greg@gregminuskin.com
www.gregminuskin.com

[Jim B]

You know, Patina is really important these days, and is becoming even more so important with vintage cars. I was surprised to learn that now there is a class of judging of cars that is called "Preservation" class; other then consumables like hoses, tires, belts, brakes, etc. survivor cars are now being judged based on how original they are, still on the road, etc.

Yes Preservation class is the hot new thing in Classic cars. Interestingly folks have decided the spare -no -cost , every nut and bolt 100 point restorations to better than new is no longer the best option.

As the former owner of a perservation Porsche good enough to win at the national Porsche Parade, I think this is a cool new trend.

[david i]

Yes Preservation class is the hot new thing in Classic cars. Interestingly folks have decided the spare -no -cost , every nut and bolt 100 point restorations to better than new is no longer the best option.

As the former owner of a perservation Porsche good enough to win at the national Porsche Parade, I think this is a cool new trend.

Alrighty then...

So, we return to Growler, my first year (in USA) year 2000 Jaguar XKR coupe , British Racing Green, one of it seems just 5000 total XKR Coupes brought to the USA during the 2000-2006 (1997-2006 for the base engine XK8 which saw another 5000 coupes to the USA), found by me in March, and purchased with just 18000 miles on it.

I plan to drive the car generally 2-4k miles/year (maybe more as time passes). And, yeah, 2000 isn't so old, but still...

So far it is all original, save that I replaced the known defective plastic chain tensioners with the metal upgrade (the plastic gave no-warning catastrophic engine failure. The metal replacements are bullet proof).

So, is my wee Jaguar no longer preservation class? Or do chain tensioners not violate terms?

I guess if I ever engage the radio (a big intervention to swap the radio in this thing), I can keep the original unit...

Here be Growler, in all its glory.

regards

david

[FarmBoy]

Chain tensioners are ok to change but who is shooting at you?

My 64 Valiant Wagon qualifies but is in rough shape. No rust but not much paint left either and a prior owner swapped out the interior for something out a Lebaron.

T

[brando090]

Great haul David!

I do like my patina'd pens

[RickB]

I very much like the leafy design on the matched set there on the left. Does anyone have the name for that one?

[david i]

I very much like the leafy design on the matched set there on the left. Does anyone have the name for that one?

While I haven't pulled my Wahl catalogues of late, such patterns generally are called "hand engraved vine", based on similar style pattern found on Waterman metal pens.

Wahl offered a large range of metal pens during the late 1910's and 1920's, when considering size, metal (at least silver-filled, sterling, gold-filled, and solid gold, some metals in limited patterns), and pattern.

regards

david

[Rocco P]

I always loved vintage sterling pens, but now that I live near baths renowned for their sulphurous waters, my silver pens go totally black in less than a week. Does anybody know how to prevent this, other than keeping the pens somewhere else?

[Roger W.]

I don't believe any of those to be tempoints but, all post 1921 models. Perhaps a tempoint is in the mix.

Roger W.

[david i]

I don't believe any of those to be tempoints but, all post 1921 models. Perhaps a tempoint is in the mix.

Roger W.

Geez, I'd believed you didn't play with non-Sheaffer. Who knew you were a man of many talents

Could be the long-cap ringies are not with Tempoint nibs. I probably... should... actually... look. Cough... cough....

-d

[Roger W.]

I don't believe any of those to be tempoints but, all post 1921 models. Perhaps a tempoint is in the mix.

Roger W.

Geez, I'd believed you didn't play with non-Sheaffer. Who knew you were a man of many talents

Could be the long-cap ringies are not with Tempoint nibs. I probably... should... actually... look. Cough... cough....

-d

David;

I believe you should look because I collect tempoints I just don't try to hold later Wahls anymore. Your date range was really sloppy as the start year is 1917 so you miss the majority of the 10's. In fact the tempoint starts at the end of '17 as Wahl played with the idea of just continuing production as Boston for several months with Boston/Eversharp trays and cases extant. I have a Boston Chicago ad dated to June 1917.

Roger W.

[david i]

I don't believe any of those to be tempoints but, all post 1921 models. Perhaps a tempoint is in the mix.

Roger W.

Geez, I'd believed you didn't play with non-Sheaffer. Who knew you were a man of many talents

Could be the long-cap ringies are not with Tempoint nibs. I probably... should... actually... look. Cough... cough....

-d

David;

I believe you should look because I collect tempoints I just don't try to hold later Wahls anymore. Your date range was really sloppy as the start year is 1917 so you miss the majority of the 10's. In fact the tempoint starts at the end of '17 as Wahl played with the idea of just continuing production as Boston for several months with Boston/Eversharp trays and cases extant. I have a Boston Chicago ad dated to June 1917.

Roger W.

Nah, the 1910's includes any start date in the decade. I didn't say "all" of the 1910's.

regards

d

[plmadding]

Hi Gang,

One last post on the car note....

Here is a very serious car collectors website. The majority of his cars would fit the preservation class for sure. This collection is simply amazing.
He has a focus on Cadillac, but has a number of other makes as well. If you have any interest in cars..I think you will enjoy this.

http://www.mcsmk8.co...lacs/mycads.htm


Preston

[matt]

I always loved vintage sterling pens, but now that I live near baths renowned for their sulphurous waters, my silver pens go totally black in less than a week. Does anybody know how to prevent this, other than keeping the pens somewhere else?

The sizes are wrong for pens, but you need something like this: http://www.universit...oduct_list&c=75 copper particles bonded to an archival plastic. When the copper turns black, it's time for new plastic. Even a plain plastic ziplock sleeve ought to slow down the sulfur for a while.

Or perhaps this http://www.universit...duct_list&c=247 inside a poly bag.

Edited by matt, 29 September 2012 - 04:21 PM.

[Greg Minuskin]

I remember seeing your Jaguar photos on your laptop in D.C.; awesome car!

All my life I have had only low powered 4 cylinder cars because living in the great L.A. area the insurance was very expensive. Janet and I still have 4 cylinder cars that are so slow; especially my VW diesel!

My dad laughs at me and my "whimpy" cars.

Greg Minuskin
greg@gregminuskin.com
www.gregminuskin.com

[Rocco P]

I always loved vintage sterling pens, but now that I live near baths renowned for their sulphurous waters, my silver pens go totally black in less than a week. Does anybody know how to prevent this, other than keeping the pens somewhere else?

The sizes are wrong for pens, but you need something like this: http://www.universit...oduct_list&c=75 copper particles bonded to an archival plastic. When the copper turns black, it's time for new plastic. Even a plain plastic ziplock sleeve ought to slow down the sulfur for a while.

Or perhaps this http://www.universit...duct_list&c=247 inside a poly bag.

Thanks. This looks like it could work :-)

[Tennpen]

I always loved vintage sterling pens, but now that I live near baths renowned for their sulphurous waters, my silver pens go totally black in less than a week. Does anybody know how to prevent this, other than keeping the pens somewhere else?

I've used this in the past to keep silver concert flutes from tarnishing. It did not have to be in direct contact with the silver, just have both in a closed container. In this case the container was the flute case.

http://www.silvergua...y-the-yard.aspx

[brando090]

I remember seeing your Jaguar photos on your laptop in D.C.; awesome car!

All my life I have had only low powered 4 cylinder cars because living in the great L.A. area the insurance was very expensive. Janet and I still have 4 cylinder cars that are so slow; especially my VW diesel!

My dad laughs at me and my "whimpy" cars.

Greg Minuskin
greg@gregminuskin.com
www.gregminuskin.com

Greg,

Once you said diesel, you got my attention. Ive recently been looking into these diesels (VW, BMW,etc) and that 40-60 mpg doesn't hurt, and id rather have that that a V8, V10, or a V12 which you have to fill up every week.