marcshiman

Up for auction on ebay. Started at a high bid, someone bit already. I'm figuring this goes north of $600?

Its not my pen, I'm not advertising it, but admiring it. I've got one, but I'm not sure its in this condition. The Swan lapis of blue, black and white is striking.

Coming at you live from Lagos Nigeria, near the home of my newest two-year contract (Abuja). Its going to put a serious damper on my pen buying, collecting, restoring, admiring, and selling activities. My bank account will be grateful.

My work is international development, and sadly sometimes I actually have to do that work from somewhere other than the comfort of my home. To anticipate some of the questions that I'm likely to receive - no, I'm unlikely to find vintage pens in Nigeria, and no, I'm probably not going to look for them. 

DC will hopefully be my next show (as a customer only), and I'll miss LA, Chicago, Columbus (particularly Columbus) and all the other shows that are so much fun. More importantly, I'll miss my friends that make those shows so much fun. 

I am working on a list of pens I'll bring for use - a Nozac, a Maxima, and a Deco Band are probably the vintage pens I want to have by my side. Probably a vanishing point and this cheapo Sheaffer Valor that I found on Ebay that writes really well (and takes cartridges - big for airplane travel).

Please try not to sell very tempting pens over the next two years, the internet makes it way to easy to buy.....

Find the photos of the nib in this auction

http://www.ebay.com/...=item19f7ced922

A week or so ago, I was outbid on two auctions, both with the same (reputable) seller, both Conklin Nozacs. Basically I was the second highest bidder on both, so the winning bid trumped mine by $5 for each auction.

This morning I received 2nd chance offers on both. Apparently the winning buyer had zero feedback and bailed out on the sale. I was offered the pens at my maximum bids.

I said "no" - because the next highest bids were between $60 and $80 less than my maximum. Had the zero feedback bidder not jumped in, I would have won those auctions for much less. 

I feel I'm in the right to have offered much less (closer to what I would have paid). She might ultimately decide not to accept, that's her right. But I don't think I should have to pay my maximum because someone without any intent (or means) to pay exposed my maximum.

I am NOT assuming that the seller put in a shill bid. I've bought from her before and I've been satisfied.

Anyone else watching this auction?