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---THE VAC BLOG---


Pens for Sale: SHEAFFER Early
Flat-Top, Balance, Sub-brands
All in working order unless noted.
Pens for sale in relative scale. "Sold" pens shown with small images. 
See also  

Sheaffer 1940's:
Triumph, Tucky, Plunger
Sheaffer PFM and Snorkel:
PFM and Snorkel
Sheaffer Late:
Skripsert, Imperia, Targa, etc.





Pen 3452:  Sheaffer Balance Oversized. Carmine. Late 1930's $740 SOLD
Off-Catalogue Up-Cachet "Jeweler's" Style Cap-Band. Superb.

Overall Grade: Exc+
Metal: NM Color:  Superb
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: F-M Imprint: Superb Size: 5 5/8" 14.2 cm
PRICE: $740
COMMENTS: All Sheaffer catalogues show Balance with smooth single cap-band. A variety of off-catalogue and variably uncommon cap-bands are known. Speculation is that these were made for limited markets, even specific stores.  This one, commonly references as the "Jeweler's Band" features a wide milled single cap-band. Such cap-bands  add significant "oomph" to otherwise similar catalogued variants.  This one pretty well has it all.  Carmine celluloid in superb condition. Hefty oversized pen.  Excellent writer.  It is noted for completeness that the feed is the earlier style flat ladder style. Great writer.  Serious collector's pen.


Pen 3454 R:  Sheaffer Balance Oversized 1936-7  $645 SOLD
Roseglow Celluloid. Plunger-fill

Overall Grade: VG-F
Metal: Fine Color:  As below
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: F-M Imprint: Superb Size: 5 1/2" 14 cm
PRICE: $645
COMMENTS: The "ultimate" catalogued plastic Sheaffer, based on current collector convention.  Relatively scarce color with short product run. Differs from the other striated colors as instead of having a black substrate, the dominant fuchsia  rests on silver pearl.  Fully restored the right way by El Zorno, the plunger-fill system should outlast by far any recently restored conventional sac pen.  No "fatal flaws" but fair degree of use has rendered this lower  grade than the typical $1200 excellent example.  As with most of the vac-fill Roseglow pens, the barrel is quite ambered, dark with occasional native stripes showing through. Cap color is great.  Some brassing on trim and clip ball can be seen as is a slight bump in distal clip as seen in the three-view photo above.  


Pen 3451 R:  Sheaffer Balance Standard set. Ebonized Pearl  $255

Overall Grade: Exc
Metal: Exc Color:  Extra Fine.
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: XF-F Imprint: Nearmint Size: 5 3/8"  13.7 cm
PRICE: $255
COMMENTS: Clean set.  Clean trim to pen. Speck of brassing to PENCIL's clip at top.  Pencil with superb color, barrel with slight tint to the green side, better in fact tha pic suggests. Razor sharp manufacturer's imprint.  Not certain this is a matching set (should the pencil have a ring for this model?), but the pencil is tossed in gratis, so no harm there.


Pen 3467 NB:  Sheaffer Balance Statesman (Standard)  Set $260
Nearmint/Mint in Box.

Overall Grade: Nearmint
Metal: Superb Color:  Superb
Nib condition: Nearmint
Threads: Perfect clarity: Superb (grip)
Point: Fine Imprint: Perfect Size: 5 3/8" 13.6 cm
PRICE: $260
COMMENTS: High Line (White Dot/Lifetime) set in 2nd largest size in frankly stunning shape. Pen has remnant of circular sticker consistent with Sheaffer price sticker from that era. This one lets one see why these sold so well. Crisp all around. One of the cleanest full size Balances I've  handled.  Full one year function warranty applies, but may not be returned if inked or dipped.


Pen 3443:  Sheaffer Flat-Top "Porthole" Demonstrator $275
Jade Celluloid. mid-ate 1920's

Overall Grade: ExtraFine
Metal: Extra Fine Color:  Very Good
Nib condition: NA
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: NA Imprint: Exc Size: 5 1/4" 13.2 cm
PRICE: $275
COMMENTS: A charming item for collectors of 1920's-1930's flat-top Sheaffers. A port-hole / cut-out Demonstrator.  Show even color shift not uncommon to early Jade pens. Scratch (not crack) by cap-lip.


Pen 3469:  Sheaffer 1920's Gold Filled Pen $270
Striped Pattern. Full Size Metal Pen with #3 Nib.

Overall Grade: Extra Fine
Metal: ExtraFine Color:  NA
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: Fine Flex Imprint: Exc Size: 5 " 12.9 cm
PRICE: $270
COMMENTSI'm fond of Sheaffer's flat-top metal pens. Do see a discussion of them, with some killer pictures, over at Fountain Pen Board.

 FPB Metal Sheaffer Discussion

This one is a full size model, 5" long with #3 Sheaffer Self Filler nib that has nice flexibility. Flex nibs generally are not associated with Sheaffer, but they do crop up more frequently amongst the early, "Self Filler" nibs.  In my view pens of this sort are well less common than Waterman and Wahl metal, but I keep open mind on that point.  Most are found in rough shape. This one is not rough.  Note trace edge brassing (from posting) at very butt of pen as is shown in photo. Indicia is smooth and free from personalization. Edges are crisp. Couple pin dings (literally that size) on back of cap.  Far, far better than average for these. 


Pen 3461:  Sheaffer Gold-Filled  Metal Pen. 1920's  $135
Ring Top Chevron Pattern. Flex Nib.

Overall Grade: Extra Fine
Metal: Extra Fine Color:  NA
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: Fine. Flex Imprint: Exc Size: 3 3/4" 9.5  cm
PRICE: $135
COMMENTS: I'm fond of Sheaffer's flat-top metal pens. Do see a discussion of them, with some killer pictures, over at Fountain Pen Board.

 FPB Metal Sheaffer Discussion

This is a short squat model with chevron pattern. Clean pen with light brassing at very butt of pen from posting. Pen posts well. Nice flexible Sheaffer Self-Filler nib. A wee gem from the 1920's.


Pen 3327 :  Sheaffer "3-25" Short/Slender  (probably early 1930's)  $175
 A scarce pen with two off-catalogue features.

Overall Grade: Fine
Metal: Exc Color: Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads:  Exc clarity: Exc
Point: Fine-Med Imprint: Extra Fine Size: 4 3/8"  11 cm
PRICE: $175
COMMENTSA very uncommon variant, one I seem to have introduced to the awareness of our cadre of online flat-top Sheaffer collectors, when I found my first of these a couple years ago.  All catalogued 3-25  orange pens are standard girth.  This one is slender girth, and short.  I have identified at least  5 variants of the slender orange flat-end Sheaffers. Typical high-clip long and short pens, off-catalogue "late" low-set hump clips again long and short, and finally a short ringtop  This one of course is later style with the low-set clip.

Pen grades fine. Clean trim and nice nib, there are some fine scratches to plastic and couple quite light tooth marks and scattered tiny pin/pock marks at back end of barrel.   Below are three of these uncatalogued slender orange pens from my own collection. Note the two possible clip positions.

Pen 3252 R:  Sheaffer 3-25 Coral (straight orange) Celluloid  $ Withdrawn for now.
Anomalous/Uncatalogued Short Slender Model

Overall Grade: VG-F
Metal: Exc Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: Fine Imprint: Exc Size: ~ 4 1/3"
PRICE: $
COMMENTS: When, a mere year or so ago, in my casual pursuit of orange "Flat Top" Sheaffers, I began to encounter (uncatalogued) slender pens, I met some measure of disbelief from some of my Sheaffer-oriented pen friends who had not seen such a critter, knew it was not catalogued, and doubted I had correctly identified the pen. Since then, he has come around to a proper worldview, though ;)  The catalogues we have show only standard-girth orange plastic pens.  SInce my first find I've tracked down 5 variants: long and short clip pens with both typical high-riding 1920's catalogue-style clips (like this pen, though of course not catalogued as Slender), long and short clip pens with the low-riding post-catalogue-era "1930's" styling, and... a ringtop. This one is the early style high-clip pen.

Pen 3219 JB:  Sheaffer Flat-Top Lifetime Short-Standard size
Uncatalogued Late Production Piece. Excellent Jade  $165

Overall Grade:  Extra-Fine
Metal: ExtraFine Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Exc clarity: NA
Point: XF-F Imprint: Exc Size 4 1/2 " 11.4 cm PRICE: $165
COMMENTS:  Sheaffer was the first of the "Big- 4" to embrace celluloid, introducing pendom to green plastic pens.  Last illustrated in the 1929 Sheaffer catalogue that introduced Balance, modern research has shown that Sheaffer continued to manufacture the venerable flat-topped pens through at least the late 1930's, maybe later still.  This is one such pen, showing the blue-tinged Jade celluloid that we believe to be more stable than earlier shades, this pen also packs the low-set "humped" clip and sees the  return of the single cap-band.  Very nice color. Firm XF-to-Fine point. <10% cap-band brassing (bottom edge for about 1/3 the band)

Pen 3091  Sheaffer Flat-Top Oversized
Jet Black Celluloid. Single-Band. Mid 1920's. Plump Point  $225

Overall Grade:  Exc
Metal: Exc Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc+
Threads: Exc clarity: NA
Point:  Full Medium Imprint: Exc Size 5 1/4 " 13.4 cm PRICE: $225
COMMENTS:  Sheaffer was the first of the "Big- 4" to embrace celluloid. Conventional wisdom has it that Sheaffer introduced celluloid to pen manufacture, though of late some data have arrived suggesting that Leboeuf might have beat them to the punch.  This is a relatively early flat-top with high-riding clip and single cap-band. Very clean pen with no brassing to cap-band and lever, and just a bit to the clp-ball.  Plump wet medium point with very firm nib. Nice writer.

Pen 2028 Sheaffer sub-brand WASP Standard Size   $165  
Screaming Souls In Purgatory Pen. Green Celluloid

Overall Grade: Exc
Metal: exc Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc 
Threads:  perfect clarity:    NA Plastic: Exc
Point:   Imprint:  Exc Size: 5"
PRICE: $165 
COMMENTS:  A quite nice example of a charming cellulloid found in Sheaffer's sub-brand WASP and VACUUM series. During an on-line discussion, a collector suggested the plastic evokes screaming souls in purgatory. Hence the name. Comes in two colors at least two sizes. Decent trim is key. This one has it.

Pen 3328 R:  Sheaffer Balance Sovereign. Roseglow 1936-1938  $235
Lifetime Slender Full Length Model

Overall Grade: Extra Fine
Metal: Extra Fine Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: Fine-Medium Imprint: Exc Size: 5 3/8" 13.6cm
PRICE: $235
COMMENTS: Roseglow overwhelmingly is the Balance color of greatest  cachet to curent collectors, and in most forrms is considered the most scarce color. Sovereign is a "long, slender" pen, and at $8.75 with white dot, radius clip, and Lifetime nib, is the highest level model available in this size. Overall clean pen and quite nice writer, it has great color, sharp imprint and nice clarity to the transparent gripping section.  The tip of the clip has the usual smidge of brassing, and there is trace edge brassing to cap-band.

Pen 3336 R:  Sheaffer Balance Full Size "Jeweler's Cap-Band" 1930's $150 
Jet Black Celluloid
(pen was restored and polished after photo taken)

Overall Grade: Extr Fine
Metal: Exx Color:  NM CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: Fine Imprint: Exc Size: 5 1/2" 13.8cm
PRICE: $150
COMMENTS: The wide-lined so-called "Jeweler's Cap-band" is a well recognized factory-original cap-band for Balance, found in a small percentage of pens. It is uncatalogued and minimally documented by Sheaffer. This one is based on Admiral, a full size non-lifetime model. Nice writer, clean trim. The wide cartouche on the cap-band has not been personalized.

Pen 2279 Sheaffer Balance Oversized  $400
Marbled Marine Green Celluloid ~ 1931

Overall Grade:  Extra Fine
Metal: Extra Fine Color:  Extra Fine CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads:  perfect clarity:    NA
Point:   Fine Firm. Imprint:  Exc Size: 5 1/4" 13.2cm
PRICE: $400 
COMMENTS:   Following the Parker Vacumatic, Sheaffer Balance sees the largest representation in my own collection. Those two series targetted similar niches during the 1930's and were in fierce competition. This is the big one, in a relatively early color.  Color well better than average showing ambering on just couple pearly panels. Trim is clean noting bit of brassing at top of clip and on the clip ball. Smooth Fine Firm nib.

Pen 3251 R:  Sheaffer Oversized Balance Set 1929 $525
Black and Pearl Celluloid. "1st year/1st style". Excellent color

Overall Grade: ExtraFine
Metal: Exc Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: Minimal Red
Point: Pending Imprint: Exc Size: 5 1/8" 12.9cm
PRICE: $525
COMMENTS: For certain pens, "color is everything".  This first style Balance set (yes, just ONE pen, shown in two views, above) has the long humped clip, short cap, short gripping section, flat feed and monotone nib... all correct. Great color with minimal darkening to part of  the cap plastic. The challenges of multiple color spaces being what they are-- getting from camera to monitor-- i believe the pen has just bit more amber than shows above.  A "top 5%" if not better OS Black/Pearl Balance. Specks of brassing at usual spot (edge of clip ball of pen) and bit at very top of clip. You can see in the pics- minimal.

Pen 3094 Z: Sheaffer Balance Oversized. Jet Black Celluloid 1936-41  $235

Overall Grade: ExtraFine
Metal: Exc Color: Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NM
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point:  XF-F (2-tone) Imprint:  Extra Fine Size: 5 1/2" 14.2 cm
PRICE: $235
COMMENTS Following the Parker Vacumatic, Sheaffer Balance sees the largest representation in my own collection. Those two series targetted similar niches during the 1930's and were in fierce competition. This is the big one, in conservative black celluloid. No brassing to the metal trim. Clean imprint with a few letters a bit light at the right side. Couple light marks to plastic.  Superb correct two tone Sheaffer Lifetime smooth wet nib that is very fine (i label it between Fine and Extra Fine).  A nice daily scribbler, no doubt.

Pen 2483R Sheaffer Balance  $245 
 Jet Black Celluloid. Late 1930's

Overall Grade: Exc
Metal: Exc Color:  Perfect CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads:  Exc clarity:NA
Point:  F-M Imprint:  Exc Size: 5 1/2" 13.9 cm
PRICE: $245 
COMMENTS: Clean, smooth-writing pen. 

Pen 3018-S  Sheaffer Balance Standard $ yeah- dream on $
Scarce Uncatalogued Double-Deco Band usually found on earlier colors.
The FIRST I've seen with  "late"  plastic.
From Vacumania's "Show n' Brag" Page

Overall Grade:  Exc
Metal: Exc Color: Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: F Imprint: Exc Size: 5 1/2" 13.9 cm
PRICE: $ No way no how $
COMMENTS Yeah, Balance is my second most collected pen after Parker Vacumatic. Just picked up this gem. Figured I'd share it for show n' tell, though it will remain with me until (if/when) i ever decide to liquidate my Balance collection. Pretty thing, no?

Pen 2863-M  Sheaffer Balance Petit ("vest pocket")  $120
Black Celluloid. Lifetime (white dot).

Overall Grade:Exc
Metal: NM Color: Superb CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads perfect clarity:  NA
Point: Fine Imprint:NM Size: 4" , 10 cm
PRICE: $120
COMMENTS:  Balance is the second most prevalent pen in my personal collection. The number of variants gives Vacumatic a run for the money. The Petit model is relatively early product found in colors believed produced from 1929-1932. The girth is that of a Slender model, but the pen is markedly shorter in all proportions.  This wee charmer is in nice shape, with sound imprint and with clean trim. This is a  white dot Lifetime model. I had the cap rotated to wrong position for the photo.

Pen 2883-S  Sheaffer BalanceLong Standard $155  ('sm' image accidently doubled. will fix)
Golden Pearl Celluloid. 1936-1941

Overall Grade: Extra Fine
Metal: Extra Fine Color: Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads perfect clarity:  NA
Point: Fine Imprint: Exc Size: 5 1/2" 13.6 cm
PRICE: $155
COMMENTS:  Balance is the second most prevalent pen in my personal collection. The number of variants gives Vacumatic a run for the money. This one has very clean plastic. The cap band  has bit of brassing at edges here n' there.

Pen 3108 R:  Sheaffer Balance Admiral 1938-41
Carmine Celluloid $225


Overall Grade: Exc
Metal: Exc+ Color: Superb CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: FINE Imprint: ExtraFine Size: 5 7/16" 13.6cm
PRICE: $225
COMMENTSFollowing the Parker Vacumatic, Sheaffer Balance sees the largest representation in my own collection. Those two series targetted similar markets during the 1930's and were in fierce competition.  Carmine was introduced around 1938 and is popular with collectors. The model packs the "500" mark representing its $5 price, and eventually gained the name, "Admiral".  This one is quite clean with smooth fine point.

Pen 2445R Sheaffer Balance "1st Year"/1st Style $265  
Extra-Long early variant. Excellent colror Jade Celluloid

Overall Grade: Extra Fine
Metal: Lite brass in places. Color: Wxc  CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads perfect clarity:    NA
Point:  Fine-XF Imprint:  Exc Size: 4 5/8" 14.4cm
PRICE: $265
COMMENTS:  Balance is the 2nd most prevalent pen in my personal collection, after Vacumatic. Many variants out there. This one- in Jade celluloid- is a "first year" Balance in standard size, longer than later standard pens. This one has excellent color, probably a shade away from perfection, and quite even .   Clip-ball brassing is noted as well as speck or two on cap-band. Nice example of the first Balance.

Pen 3072-R  Sheaffer Balance Standard (5-3)) ~1930  $265
Jade Celluloid with Excellent Color


Overall Grade:  Exx
Metal: Exc Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: Medium Imprint: Extra Fine Size: 5 3/8" 13.6 cm
PRICE: $375 SOLD
COMMENTS: Jade is amongst the first three Balance colors dating to 1939. This is the largest catalogued non white dot Jade variant as the oversized pen has the white dot.   Superb color with hint of yellowing to part of barrel just by lever, as per the pic. Clear sac placed for color preservatoin.

Pen 2577TB Sheaffer Balance Golden Pearl $210 
Uncommon and Uncatalogued Semi-Stubby Standard Variant.

Overall Grade: NM
Metal: Exc Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NM
Thread: perfect clarity:  NA
Point:  Fine Imprint:  Exc Size: 5 1/4" 13.2cm
PRICE: $210 
COMMENTS:  Recognized by those who know this one is a kosher "Semi Stubby" standard girth model. Might be the first I've had that features the 1000 price code imprint, suggesting relatively late issue for this anomalous pen. The cap is stubby standard length, similar to that found on Stubby Standard pens better known in earlier colors. The barrel is not as short as the Stubby but also is not as long as the full Standard. It is... intermediate. Our speculation is that this sort of pen represented attempt to use up remaining stubby caps.  For somone who wants an esoteric Balance, something that does not come along every day.

Pen 2600 Sheaffer Balance Standard  $90
Jet Black Celluloid. Late 1930's

Overall Grade:  Fine
Metal: EFinexc Color:  Perfect CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads:  Exc clarity: NA
Point: F-M Imprint:  Exc Size: 5 1/2" 13.6 cm
PRICE: $90
COMMENTS:  Entry level full sized Balance. Late 1930s Non White Dot pen with replacement (yet upgraded) Lifetime monotone (instead of Feather Touch) nib.  Smooth Fine-Med firm point.  Bit of trim brassing. Fairly clean plastic.

Pen 2524  Sheaffer Balance Slender set $225
Carmine Celluloid. Nearmint Pen. Stickered Mint Pencil.

Overall Grade:  NM
Metal: Mint Color:  Perfect CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: MInt clarity: Superb
Point:  F-M Imprint:  Exc Size: 5 1/2" 14 cm
PRICE: $225
COMMENTSSlender ($3.50 pen) in popular Carmine Red. Late 1930's. Nearmint in the strictest sense. Dipped maybe filled. Perfect cosmetics. Mint stickered pencil. Gorgeous set.

Pen 2592 Sheaffer Balance OS Pencil AUTOGRAPH $100
Oversized Marine Green marbled. Solid Gold Trim. Early 1930's

Overall Grade: VG
Metal: Nearmint Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NA
Threads:  Exc clarity:  NA
Point:  NA Imprint:  Nearmint Size: 5 3/4" 14.6 cm
PRICE: $100
COMMENTS:   Autograph- solid gold trim, hallmarked 14k at clip, capband and cone.  Pens cost $25 back  when typical OS pen was $8.75 and one months Relief Payment from the gov't during the Great Depression ran $10. A non trivial pen. This pencil is enhanced by lack of engraving on the cap-band, uncommon on these gift/executive pens.  The flaw is  translucency and stress marks/crazing at top of pencil. Priced down to reflect. Nice color. Clean trim. 

Pen 3329:  Sheaffer Balance Oversize Pencil 1936-41 $95
Marine Green (striated) celluloid.

Overall Grade: ExtraFine
Metal: Extra Fine Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NA
Threads: Extra Fine clarity: NA barrel personalized "S.H."
Point: NA Imprint: Exc Size: 5 5/8" 14.2cm
PRICE: $95
COMMENTS: Pencil to match the big pen.  Tiny speckling of brassing. Tiny initials heat stamped neatly in barrel "S.H.". Has common slight gap between top and bottom pieces resulting from 75 years of gradual celluloid shrinkage on the metal.

Pen 3158 Sheaffer Balance Golf Pencil $90
Black and Pearl Celluloid

Overall Grade: Exc
Metal: Exc Color: Extra Fine CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NA
Threads: Exc clarity: NA
Point: NA Imprint: Exc Size: 2 1/2" 6.5 cm PRICE$90
COMMENTSAdvertised by Sheaffer in some of the earlier colors but also found uncatalogued in some middle-era colors, the tiny Golf Pencil (vest pocket pencil) fits well into Balane collections, indeed carrying more collector cachet than do many of the typical full-length pencils. This one has nice- though not perfect- color. Good amount of original eraser present. CLean trim

Pen 3176 Sheaffer Balance Golf Pencil  $115
Marine Green (mottled) Celluloid ~1930

Overall Grade: NearMint
Metal: Exc Color:  Superb CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NA
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: NA Imprint:  Superb Size: 2 1/2" 6.5 cm
PRICE: $115
COMMENTSAdvertised by Sheaffer in some of the earlier colors but also found uncatalogued in some middle-era colors, the tiny Golf Pencil (vest pocket pencil) fits well into Balane collections, indeed carrying more collector cachet than do many of the typical full-length pencils. This Marine Green example pops. Great color and imprint. Nice imprint. Still most of origin eraser under the crown. No brassing.

Pen 3177  Sheaffer Balance Golf Pencil  $Pending final adjustment
Black and Pearl Celluloid ~ 1930

Overall Grade: Extra Fine
Metal: Exc Color:  Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: N/A
Threads: Perfect clarity: NA
Point: N/A Imprint:  Exc Size: 2 1/2" 6.5cm
PRICE: $
COMMENTSAdvertised by Sheaffer in some of the earlier colors but also found uncatalogued in some middle-era colors, the tiny Golf Pencil (vest pocket pencil) fits well into Balane collections, indeed carrying more collector cachet than do many of the typical full-length pencils.


Pen 2442 R Sheaffer Balance Standard  $145  withdrawn from sale
Golden Pearl "Feather Touch" Late 1930's

Overall Grade: XF
Metal: Exc Color: Cap bit darker CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads perfect clarity: NA
Point:   Fine-medium firm Imprint:  Exc Size: 5 3/8" 13.6cm
PRICE: $145
COMMENTS:  Balance is my second most collected pen, following Vacumatic. This one is a "full size"  Long Standard, one size below OS.  Plastic, trim, imprint, nib all clean. Gripping section with excellent clarity. Clearly, the barrel is bit lighter than the cap. Proper Feather Touch nib. Typical firm fine-medium point. Nice ink flow.

Pen 2476 Sheaffer Balance Set. $195
(Withdrawn from sale  for a bit, it needs a bit more restoration)

Carmine Celluloid. Standard Size. Plunger Fill

Overall Grade:  Exc
Metal: Exc Color: Exc CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads:  perfect clarity: Extra Fine
Point:   Fine Imprint:  Exc Size: 5 3/8" 13.6cm
PRICE: $195
COMMENTS:  The second largest Balance, in non white dot trim (correct Feather Touch nib) in popular Carmine. Plunger filler in excellent working order.

Pen 1686 Sheaffer Flat Top 3-25 Ringtop  $125 
Coral Red (orange) Celluloid  

Overall Grade: Extra Fine
Trim:  Perfect Color: Perfect CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NearmInt Threads: Perfect  Plastic:  Slight posting mark at back of barrel
Point: Med
Imprint:   Perfect Size:  4 3/4" PRICE: $125
COMMENTS:   An all-correct mid-1920's Sheaffer in the Coral Red celluloid that looks disturbingly Duofold-like. A clean pen with great trim and imprint. Correct 3-25 nib.  Amongst the plastic flat-top pens, orange, whilst not rare, is less commonly seen than are black, black/pearl and jade. They also are more scarce than orange pens by Parker. Nice-writing Medium nib.

Pen 1677 Sheaffer Balance Pencil in Roseglow Celluloid   $85

Overall Grade: Exc Trim:  Excellent
CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NA Mechanism:  Perfect  Transparency:  NA Plastic: couple tiny flea bites
Point: NA
Imprint:   Perfect Size:  4 3/4" PRICE: $85 
COMMENTS:   Excellent short  Roseglow pencil, a match for either the $8.75 Lifetime pen or $5 Feathertouch. For the collector of the Sheaffer color packing the highest cachet with modern collectors. 

Pen 1679 Sheaffer Balance Gray-with-Red-Veins-Celluloid $175  

Overall Grade: Extrafine
Trim: Couple tiny marks
Color:  Superb  CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NM Threads:  Perfect. 

PointFine
Imprint:   Perfect
Size:  4 7/8" PRICE: $175
COMMENTSGray with Red Veins is a high cachet color in the Sheaffer universe. Often discolored even crazed, at risk for hairline cap-lip cracks, finding clean specimens is a nontrivial venture. This one is quite sharp, with no brassing, great color, no crazing or cracks, razor imprint,  and clean threads. The flat-ball clip on this one is the second clip style to appear on this color Balance.  Nice Balance.

Pen 1681 Sheaffer Balance Carmine Red "500"  $125

Overall Grade: Excellent
Trim:   Perfect
Color:  Exc
CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc
Threads: Perfect  Plastic:  Clean
Point: Firm Fine-Med
Imprint:   Perfect Size:  4 7/8"
PRICE: $125 
COMMENTS:   Carmine Red tends to rank just below Roseglow in the cachet heirarchy for the striped Balances produced from 1937-1941.  This one is a non-white-dot "500", the most pricey of the three levels of short slender pen below the white dot "875" model. 

Pen 1584 Sheaffer Balance "Autograph" Solid 14K Gold Trim  $245

Overall Grade: Fine Trim:  Perfect
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Nib condition: VG
Threads:  Perfect  Transparency:  NA
Point: Med+ Smooooth
Imprint:   Perfect Size:  5 3/8" PRICE: $245 
COMMENTS:    Sheaffer during the 1930's catalogued and sold far more solid gold trim pens than did other major manufacturers.  The pens we llump under "Autograph" in general packed solid 14k hallmarked clip and cap band (not lever).  This pen is the second largest size, what eventually would be called the Statesman and would eventually (in non-Autograph trim) pack the "1000" barrel imprint. This pen dates earlier, probably early-mid 1930's. Very clean shape. Sharp sharp barrel imprint. No plastic flaws. Clean trim. The smooth medium+ upturned monotone Sheaffer LIfetime nib does have one tiny nick at an edge. Lovely pen

Pen 1699-3 Sheaffer Balance Oversized. Jet Black Celluloid
Radius Clip Late 1930's  $215

Overall Grade: Extra Fine Trim:  Exc
Plastic: few light tooth mraks CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc Threads:  Exc  Transparency:  NA
Point: Fine-XF Imprint:   extrafine Size:  5.5" PRICE: $215 
COMMENTS:    The Sheaffer OS Balance is one of Vacumania's bread and butter vintage pens. Available in a plethora of colors, Black is the most stable color and of course represents a certain conservative eleganceThe OS Balance  represents the ideal mix of large size, top quality manufacture, vintage look, big name and relatively affordable price. Scattered very light toothmarks at butt of pen.  A smooth ,quite fine monotone Sheaffer Lifetime nib rounds out the package.

Pen 1703-7 Sheaffer Balance Oversized
Radius Clip Late 1930's  $220

Overall Grade: ExtraFine Trim:  One tiny capband ding.
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Nib condition: Exc
Threads:  Perfect  Transparency:  Exc
Point: Fine Firm
Imprint:   Exc Size:  5.5"" PRICE: $220 
COMMENTS:    The Sheaffer OS Balance is one of Vacumania's bread and butter vintage pens.  Available in a plethora of colors, Black is the most stable color and of course represents a certain conservative elegance.. The OS Balance  represents the ideal mix of large size, top quality manufacture, vintage look, big name and relatively affordable price.   Fine piont nib and clean plastic



See also  

Sheaffer 1940's:

Sheaffer PFM and Snorkel:

Sheaffer Late:
Skripsert, Imperia, Targa, etc.


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