Pen 3120  Sheaffer Balance Standard DEMONSTRATOR $775 A Scarce and Un-catalogued Variant. Nib Somewhat Flexible
Overall Grade: Extra-Fine	Metal: Exc	Color:  Extra-Fine	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads: Perfect	clarity: NA
Point: Fine Flex	Imprint: Exc	Size: 5 3/8  13.3	PRICE: $775
COMMENTS: Yeah, yeah... here's the screed. In the seven years since I first encountered the clear-green Standard Demo, I've seen maybe 4-5 total; the Demo is grossly more rare than any of the catalogued colors.  The oversized Demo carries a yellow tint; standard size is green. All i've seen in green carry mid-1930's trim/imprint. Like most of these, this has internal stress marks at either end, likely reflecting underlying manufacturing process (even colored pens often show stress marks at tips, when examined via loupe).  This one has nice color,with ambering only at cap tip. Imprint is sharp. Threads are clean. Trim is clean.

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 3164 -NB  Sheaffer "Truncated Balance" non-Balance Jr. $140 Gray-with-Red-Veins Celluloid. Lever Filler ~ 1934-1935
Overall Grade: Fine	Metal: Extra Fine	Color:  Exc	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads: Perfect	clarity: NA
Point: Fine Flex	Imprint:  Exc	Size: 4 1/2" 11.5 cm	PRICE: $140
COMMENTS: For year (or two... or three?) prior to the appearance of a true Balance Junior (with chrome trim, clip marked "Jr", "Jr" nib, etc), Sheaffer produced a non-Balance Junior. Not quite a flat-top the ends have taper that looks as if they were made from chopped Balance stock.  I've seen them in Black, possibly  Blue "marble",  Gray-with-Red-Vens, and Gray-Black.  Black and Grey-Black can be found as wire-pens (plunger filler) too.  Humble pens costing about $2.75 back in the day, they are not so prevalent now, and are hard to find clean, what with a couple of "sensitive" celluloid colors and that chrome trim> This one is well better than average. Nice color. Clean clip. Bit of brassing to cap-band.  Nib with more flex than found on most Sheaffers.

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
COMMENTS: Advertised 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
COMMENTS: Advertised 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: $
COMMENTS: Advertised 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 3100 R  Sheaffer Balance Standard (5-30) Set ~1929  $250
Overall Grade:  Exc	Metal: Exc	Color: Exc	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads: Perfect	clarity: NA
Point: fine-med	Imprint: Exc	Size: 5 3/8" 13.5cm	PRICE: $250
COMMENTS:  Following 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.  This is an early set, with "first style" features. Unlike later years in which Lifetime and non-Lifetime models would have the same contour, the early non-White Dot pens (5-30 and slender 3-25) had slightly shorter barrels than did the White Dot pens.  This one has the long humped clip and short gripping section that mark early pens. Color is excellent, better than most, with slight ambering to parts of the pen barrel. Probably did so well as it had a broken nib and might have been rendered unusable early on. Ron Zorn fitted it with a proper "5-30" nib from my stock and adjusted it for smooth excellent writing, with a fine-medium point.  Pen grades full excellent. Pencil is relatively clean but the pearl panel just above the clip does show a bit of internal separation (gives bit of texture to just that 1/4" panel). Great pen.

Pen 3069 R.  Sheaffer Balance Oversized 1929  $685 First style Extra Long. Jade Celluloid with Superb Color Preservation.
Overall Grade:  Nearmint	Metal: Superb	Color:  Superb	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Extx	Threads: Perfect	clarity: n/a
Point: Med	Imprint:  Superb	Size: 5 3/4" 14.4 cm	PRICE: $685
COMMENTS: Where to start?  One of the best five OS Jade pens I've handled in ten years. Part of a pair recently acquired.  This one has all correct early style elements, including short non-streamlined section, and monotone nib.  This pair matches the pen I've had in my personal collection for 7 years. Clear Sac has been placed for color preservation. As the pic shows, the distal half inch or so shows only excellent instead of "staggering" color. Go figure.

Pen 3097 Sheaffer Balance Pencil  $45 SOLD Ebonized Pearl. Standard Size.
Overall Grade:  Extra Fine	Metal: ExtraFine	Color:  Exc	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NA	Threads:  ExtraFine	clarity: NA
Point: NA	Imprint:  Exc	Size: 5 1/4" 13.2cm	PRICE: $45
COMMENTS: A decent Ebonized Pearl pencil that can be matched with standard size White Dot or non White Dot pen to make a set.  Nice color and clean plastic. Trim shows bit of brassing only at bottom edge of clip (typical first spot). Slight gap between pencil halves and between bottom half of plastic and metal ferrule.

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
COMMENTS: Following 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 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 3122 -S Sheaffer Balance Oversized.  1936-1941  $395 Golden Pearl Celluloid. Unusual Pattern to Cap Plastic
Overall Grade:  Exc	Metal: Exc	Color:  Exc	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads: Perfet	clarity: NA
Point: Med	Imprint:  Exc	Size: 5 1/2" 14 cm	PRICE: $395
COMMENTS: Balance is the second most prevalent pen in my personal collection. This 1930's series fit a similar niche to Parker's Vacumatic. With long production period and wide range of price points, with catalogued and un-catalogue variants, one can pursue a huge range of variants.  Oversized pens have grown more difficult to find of late. This one is a very clean brown striper. The striated plastic dates to 1936-41, though we believe that the 1000-imprint appeared after a year or more of production.  This one has a neat finding, a skewed helical flavor to the cap-plastic. Probably a batch variant, the variegation  at top suggest the plastic used in the blind cap of some of  the plunger-fill  pens.  Quite appealing, to my eye. Very smooth medium wet line. Clean pen. Great writer. Funky variant plastic.

Pen 3189 -J  Sheaffer Balance Oversized 1936-41 $565 Carmine Celluloid. Smooth wet Med+
Overall Grade:  Nearmint**	Metal: NM	Color:  Perfect	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: NM	Threads: *slightly short*	Section Clarity: Nearmint
Point: Extra Fine	Imprint:  Exc	Size: 5 1/2"  14 cm	PRICE: $565
COMMENTS: Balance is the second most prevalent pen in my personal collection. This 1930's series fit a similar niche to Parker's Vacumatic. With long production period and wide range of price points, with catalogued and un-catalogue variants, one can pursue a huge range of variants.  Oversized pens have grown more difficult to find of late. Carmine is considered a "better" color. This one "pops", with clean trim, superb plastic, as-mint gripping section,  and superb two-tone nib with XF point.  The only caveat is that the threads on this one are bit shorter than found on most of my other Balances. There is pen-to-pen variation on old pens like this, but this one caught my eye (on the other hand, having shown this pen to 20 pen friends... no one else spotted it before I pointed it out).  The cap closes perfectly. There is no sense of "short throw" to the cap closure.  This likely is as original, but I must keep open mind on such things. I've knocked price down >$100  in view of this finding. The pen overall is as clean as the one that's resided in my own collection the last five years.

Pen 3190 -R   Sheaffer Balance Oversized  $675 Carmine Celluloid. Smooth Wet Med+ Point
Overall Grade:  Exc+	Metal: Exc+	Color:  Superb	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads: Perfect	Section Clarity: Mild
Point: Med+	Imprint:  Exc+	Size: 5 1/2" 14 cm	PRICE: $675
COMMENTS: Balance is the second most prevalent pen in my personal collection. This 1930's series fit a similar niche to Parker's Vacumatic. With long production period and wide range of price points, with catalogued and un-catalogue variants, one can pursue a huge range of variants.  Oversized pens have grown more difficult to find of late. Carmine is considered a "better" color. This one is a primo example with clean plastic, trim and imprint. Superb two tone nib writing a medium+ smooth wet line.

Pen 3061 JB  Sheaffer Balance  Slender Standard  SIlver Pearl $115 Wide Milled Cap-band. An Uncatalogued, Relatively Scarce Variant. Clean.
Overall Grade: Fine	Metal: Fine	Color:  Exc	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads: Exc	clarity:  NA	Plastic: Fine
Point:  Fine-Med	Imprint:  Exc	Size:  5 3/8" 13.5 cm	PRICE: $115
COMMENTS: Balance sees the second greatest prevalence in my personal collection, following Vacumatic. As with Vacumatic, its long production run and success allowed for some relatively unusual and uncatalogued variants. Silver Pearl pens from the 1930's (Parker, Sheaffer and Waterman) often suffer relative to other colors, as the plastic shows ambering more readily than do more highly pigmented colors, and that "white" trim once worn cannot be readily polished as can be the gold-filled trim of other colors.  Clean Silver Pearl pens thus command some degree of extra cachet. This one is... a decent example of the uncatalogued "Jeweler's Band" pen in Grey Pearl> Color is excellent. Cap trim is pretty much excellent too. The lever however is somewhat pitted.  Smooth F-M point.

Pen 3069 R.  Sheaffer Balance Oversized 1929  $700   First style Extra Long. Jade Celluloid with Superb Color Preservation.
Overall Grade:  Nearmint	Metal: Superb	Color:  Superb	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Extx	Threads: Perfect	clarity: n/a
Point: Med	Imprint:  Superb	Size: 5 3/4" 14.4 cm	PRICE: $700
COMMENTS: Where to start?  One of the best five OS Jade pens I've handled in ten years. Part of a pair recently acquired.  This one has all correct early style elements, including short non-streamlined section, and monotone nib.  This pair matches the pen I've had in my personal collection for 7 years. Clear Sac has been placed for color preservation.

Pen 3072-R  Sheaffer Balance Standard (5-3)) ~1930  $265 Jade Celluloid with Superb 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 ambering to part of barrel just by lever, as per the pic. Clear sac placed for color preservatoin.

Pen 3008-S  Sheaffer Balance Oversized   $245 Jet Black Celluloid 1936-1941
Overall Grade:  Exc	Metal: Exc	Color:  Perfect	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads: Perf	clarity: NA
Point: Full Medium	Imprint:  Exc	Size: 5 9/16th" 13.7 cm	PRICE: $245
COMMENTS: Big honkin'  Balance with plump medium two tone Sheaffer Lifetime nib.

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 2992-S  Sheaffer Balance Standard. Marine Green Celluloid ~1934+  $230 Superb Color
Overall Grade:  Extra Fine	Metal: Extra Fine	Color:  Superb	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads:  Exc	clarity: NA
Point:  F-M	Imprint:  Exc	Size: 5 1/2" 14cm	PRICE: $230
COMMENTS: Gorgeous Balance full size (not OS) likely late-ish production piece with seamed celluloid and (as often is the case with late versions of "early" colors) packing superb color. Bright green mottling. Speckling of brassing to lever.

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 2884-S  Sheaffer Balance Long Standard $145 Jet Black celluloid
Overall Grade: Exc	Metal: Exc	Color: Exc	CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
Nib condition: Exc	Threads perfect	clarity:  NA
Point: F-M	Imprint:Exc	Size: 5 1/2" 13.6 cm	PRICE: $135
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 is a full size (long standard) non-white dot pen with correct Sheaffer Feather Touch two tone nib. Clean all around. Quite a nice writer.

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 1584 Sheaffer Balance "Autograph" Solid 14K Gold Trim  $245
Overall Grade: Fine	Trim:  Perfect		CLICK FOR LARGER PIC
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