15 replies to this topic

[pen-deco]

[John Danza]

Raven.

[david i]

Golden Arrow.

 

-d

[Hugh]

An early English Duofold ? Looks classic Newhaven !!....then again...

 

Regards

Hugh

[pen-deco]

Golden Arrow.

 

-d

 

You da man,

 

 

 

[david i]

Great score. Nice imprint too. The only one I still need is the Stubby in Burgundy.

 

Must shoot them sometime.

 

-d

[pen-deco]

Yeah, definitely should. Any chance you're making it to the Michigan Pen Show? 

[penpalace]

Nice grab pen_deco, was that another eBay find?

[pen-deco]

Nice grab pen_deco, was that another eBay find?

 

No, but that'da been a heluva catch! Just one from the collection. I've accumulated a nice spread of Vacs over the years. Only recently finding this forum to talk about them.

[pen-deco]

I did receive that Vac Band I found. 

 

 

 

 

I'm going to send this one off to Mr. Zorn, talked to him this morning. The vac band is loose and needs to be re-plated... Otherwise, it's all there.

 

The lot this came in also had

 

-OS Gen 1, US emerald barrel (will have to find a cap)  

 

-a Canadian standard cap in silver pearl with reverse trim,

 

- and a complete Canadian slender burgundy.

[david i]

I would avoid plating the band.

 

regards

 

d

[pen-deco]

I would avoid plating the band.
 
regards
 
d

You thinkin' it'll take some of the detail out? That's definitely a concern of mine, but I'd love to hear suggestions.

[david i]

Hi,

 

There are not absolutes on this topic, but perspectives can be explored.  Ron does superb work.  My recollection is that the plating agents used by most of the restorers now are not Chromium based. The color of the plated material tends to be a bit more yellow-tinged than the blue-tinged chrome.  The plating tends not to look original to those who are seasoned. Too, this pen is a special item.  These turn up rarely. It is not just a "nice worn Maxima I'd like to make nice for future chronic use". This one falls heavily into the collecting end of the collector-user spectrum.

Even with some wear, I believe when the time comes to trade it to another advanced collector, or when it is seen and discussed by serious collectors, original finish will trump the slightly glitzier but probably less authentic appearing plated appearance.  By all means restore, lightly polish... use if you want. But, let the trim be.

 

regards

 

d

[david i]

As an aside, I'd have no qualms plating pens such as Sheaffer sub-brand WASPs. Smooth clip and band make for good look when done.  The pens have modest value and tend to have plastic very nicely preserved even when trim is worn.

 

All this is subjective, but collecting harbors many subjective elements.

 

regards

 

-d

[John Jenkins]

I second David's sentiments.  No plating in this case.  I'd pay less for the plated version than the original (I probably wouldn't buy the plated at all).

 

JJ

 

Great GA by the way, very crisp!

Edited by John Jenkins, 16 October 2014 - 02:41 AM.

[pen-deco]

That's great guys, thanks for the perspective. David brings up a good point with collector/user. No plating it is. May still send to Ron for the loose band.