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Pens - General

The first pens were reeds or rushes that ancient people cut, sharpening one end to use as a writing tip and dipping the end in ink or soot to write. These simple writing tools were replaced with bone and metal by the time of the ancient Greeks. The first quill pens, made from feathers, were used beginning around 500 B.C. and into the 18th century.

The oldest fountain pen was designed by M. Bion, a Frenchman, in 1702. Numerous fountain pen designs and styles followed, but pens leaked and smeared until 1884 when Lewis Edson Waterman invented the first practical fountain pen. This style of pen was the most common writing instrument until 1938 when the ballpoint pen was invented by Laszlo Biro.

Collectors acquire vintage pens for various reasons. The design of the pen, the pen brand name, the materials used, or decoration and advertising are all areas of interest to collectors. Many pen collectors focus on one brand name or one particular style of pen. Vintage pens are easy to locate and many can be purchased for reasonable prices.


Quick Facts

  • Pen collectors in the United States refer to four specific pen manufacturers as the Big 4. These companies are Sheaffer, Parker, Conklin, and Waterman
  • The stylographic pen, which uses a hollow, tubular nib and a wire as a valve, was invented in the 1870s. Today, stylographic pens are used for drafting and technical drawing
  • The Pen Museum, a museum of pens in Birmingham, England, was owned and operated by Arthur Twydle. He displayed his collection of more than 3,000 pens and pencils that he acquired over a period of 60 years

Recommended Items at Auction

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FIVE ASSORTED SILVER TONE SEAL END PROPELLING PENCILS, INC. ONE S.MORDAN&CO.
Jul 03, 6:00 PM AEST
FIVE ASSORTED SILVER TONE SEAL END PROPELLING PENCILS, INC. ONE S.MORDAN&CO.
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD905 Bids
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FOUR HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER CASED PENCILS, INC. TWO PROPELLING, ONE IS S.MORDAN AND CO., TOTAL WEIGHT 44G
Jul 03, 6:00 PM AEST
FOUR HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER CASED PENCILS, INC. TWO PROPELLING, ONE IS S.MORDAN AND CO., TOTAL WEIGHT 44G
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD854 Bids
PASHA DE CARTIER ROLLERBALL PEN Length: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm.)
Jun 27, 10:00 AM EDT
PASHA DE CARTIER ROLLERBALL PEN Length: 5 1/2 in. (14 cm.)
by Potomack Company
Est: $300- $500
$2754 Bids
A Tiffany Studios Bronze Zodiac Pattern Inkwell and Desk Blotter Ends
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CDT
A Tiffany Studios Bronze Zodiac Pattern Inkwell and Desk Blotter Ends
by Link Auction Galleries
Est: $250- $500
$1753 Bids
Victorian Parcel-Gilt Silver Monkey Form Inkstand
Jun 19, 10:00 AM EDT
Victorian Parcel-Gilt Silver Monkey Form Inkstand
by STAIR
Est: $1,500- $2,000
$1,1003 Bids
A Tiffany Studios, N.Y. Grapevine Pattern Inkwell
Jun 23, 7:00 PM EDT
A Tiffany Studios, N.Y. Grapevine Pattern Inkwell
by Kensington Estate Auctions
Est: $300- $600
$1752 Bids
Inkwell in sterling silver, England, 1860, Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
Jun 24, 2:00 PM CEST
Inkwell in sterling silver, England, 1860, Charles Thomas Fox & George Fox
by Bolli & Romiti
Est: €300- €500
€3502 Bids
Inkwell in sterling silver, London, 1894, Walter & John Barnard
Jun 24, 2:00 PM CEST
Inkwell in sterling silver, London, 1894, Walter & John Barnard
by Bolli & Romiti
Est: €1,000- €1,500
€1,3002 Bids
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Antique Continental Arts & Crafts Malachite, Brass Inkwell
Jul 02, 11:00 AM EDT
Antique Continental Arts & Crafts Malachite, Brass Inkwell
by Market Auctions
Est: $10- $1,000
$102 Bids
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Vintage Telescoping Pencil in Gold and Platinum by Fairchild
Jun 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Vintage Telescoping Pencil in Gold and Platinum by Fairchild
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$1102 Bids
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Four Pieces of Vintage/Antique Silver Writing Instruments
Jun 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Four Pieces of Vintage/Antique Silver Writing Instruments
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$102 Bids
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SIX SEAL END SILVER TONE PROPELLING PENCILS
Jul 03, 6:00 PM AEST
SIX SEAL END SILVER TONE PROPELLING PENCILS
by Albion Antique Auction Centre
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD202 Bids
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14k Telescoping Pencil with Lovely Textured Exterior
Jun 24, 10:00 AM EDT
14k Telescoping Pencil with Lovely Textured Exterior
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$1102 Bids
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Hallmarked “TIFFANY & CO” Vintage Gold Mechanical Pencil
Jun 24, 10:00 AM EDT
Hallmarked “TIFFANY & CO” Vintage Gold Mechanical Pencil
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$252 Bids
CUT GLASS INKWELL ON EBONIZED WOOD AND BRASS STAND.
Jun 21, 10:00 AM EDT
CUT GLASS INKWELL ON EBONIZED WOOD AND BRASS STAND.
by Casco Bay Auctions
Est: $100- $150
$501 Bid
An Art Deco black glass standish having a central …
Jun 30, 9:00 AM BST
An Art Deco black glass standish having a central …
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £50- £100
£501 Bid
A GROUP OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL DESK ARTICLES EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Jun 25, 9:30 AM BST
A GROUP OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL DESK ARTICLES EARLY 20TH CENTURY
by Elstob Auctioneers
Est: £200- £300
£1201 Bid
Antique French Bronze & Chinese Porcelain Inkwell
Jul 02, 12:00 PM EDT
Antique French Bronze & Chinese Porcelain Inkwell
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$501 Bid
A Tiffany & Co 14 karat gold 'Bamboo' pen set
Jun 20, 9:30 AM PDT
A Tiffany & Co 14 karat gold 'Bamboo' pen set
by Clars Auctions
Est: $700- $900
$3501 Bid
Antique French Faience Inkwell CF Co Paris Birds
Jun 28, 11:00 AM EDT
Antique French Faience Inkwell CF Co Paris Birds
by Kavanagh Auctions
Est: $50- $50,000
$501 Bid
Boat-shaped inkwell in sterling silver
Jun 24, 2:00 PM CEST
Boat-shaped inkwell in sterling silver
by Bolli & Romiti
Est: €100- €150
€1001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Pens - General


Apple Tree Auction Center

Apple Tree Auction Center

Nomisma S.p.a

Nomisma S.p.a

Hutchinson Scott Limited

Hutchinson Scott Limited

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.

Bertolami Fine Art s.r.l.