+Caveat emptor--let the buyer beware. When it comes to pens, especially vintage pens, this a number of implications. Many online descriptions are not 100% accurate, as they are often written by people with limited knowledge. For example, the note that the pen “is very rare” or “hard to find.” In almost all cases the pens are not hard to find at all, so the buyer needs to check further. Some online sellers, especially at auctions, do not describe the defects or problems the pen has in a candid or complete way. The buyer in those situations does well to beware and ask questions first.
When one buys from a dealer, either online, at a pen show, or at a brick & mortar store, the buyer should expect the dealer to stand behind the purchase. At this website, and most others, purchases that aren’t as described, or somehow marred, can be returned for full credit–the buyer should not have to beware of the product, and in most cases that is true. Our reputation is our strongest recommendation, after all. (When dealers buy from each other, which happens quite a bit, the same assumption is made, but it doesn’t always work that way.)
When it comes to price, again, especially for vintage pens, caution and cross-checking are important. The same pen may be advertised at different sites with what seems to be a 200% difference. As an example: a very popular Eversharp pen, the Skyline, may be advertised at from $75.00 to $430.00. The variation may be due to: pen size (the Skyline came in Mini, Regular, Long and Executive sizes), the condition, the color, the amount of gold fill, the rarity of the feature (e.g., is the feed vistulated or not), the nib (is it flexible or not), and whether the pen has been personalized. Finally, since there is no MSRP, some of the variation may be due to the seller’s personal evaluation. As with all purchases, the buyer should be aware and beware.
DUOFOLD PENS--1920s--1940s
DESCRIPTION AND PRICES Numbers refer to pens in photos, from left to right.
1. Duofold Senior, (5 1/2"), Circa 1928. Black/cream crackle iridescent cellulite pattern, with slight discoloration on the barrel. Button filler (refurbished), with triple cap band. Some plating wear on the ball of the clip. Nib is very large (#6 ?) medium/fine incised with Parker arrow. $325
2. Duofold Senior "big red," (5 1/2"), circa 1928, wide gold-filled cap band, medium very large (#6?) mediium Duofold nib. Button fill (refurbished), no dings or discolortaion. $355 .
3. Duofold Senior Streamline, (5 1/4"), Black Permanit cellulite, double cap band , circa 1930, +/-, gold-filled hardware--some plating loss on clip ball. Button fill (refurbished), with fine, large (#6?) Duofold Parker nib. $295.
4. Duofold Senior Streamline, 1930+/-, red/black plastic. Double cap band, large (#5?) medium Parker nib with arrow etched on it. Slight plating loss on clip. Button fill (refurbished). $295.
5. Duofold Senior, later 1930s (5"), brown/cream plastic Permanite, in "tootbrush" pattern. Unusual color for this pattern. Gold-filled hardware, with wide cap band. Button fill, (refurbished). Medium "Parker Duofold" nib. $240
6. Duofold Junior (4 1/2"), circa 1926, Red plastic, single cap band, fine Duofold nib and feed, gold-filled hardware. Barrel incised Duofold and "Lucky curve." Button fill, reefurbished.
$175
7. Duofold, Junior size (4 3/4"), 1928+/-, green/black plastic, double cap band. Fine Widlich nib (replacement). Button fill (refurbished), barrel slightly discolored. $110
8. Duofold Junior ribbon pen (4 1/2"), narrow width, circa 1927. Red plastic, single wide --cap band, barrel inscribed "Lady Duofold." Fine semi-flex Duofold nib and feed, gold-filled hardware. Button fill (refurbished). $180
9. Duofold Streamline Junior (4 1/2"), 1930, black plastic, double cap band, button fill, (refurbished) medium nib; nib has dent which doesn't effect writing. just appearance. Gold-filled hardware. $170
10. Duofold junior (4 1/2") , unusual black and brown flecked plastic, circa 1927, gold-filled cap band. Medium Parker nib with correct feed. Button fill (refurbished). $ 165
11. Duofold Junior (4 7/8) 1944, blue/cream/black vertical striped plastic, double cap band, medium Parker nib, Vac-fill (refurbished). $ 125
12. Duofold Senior (5 1/2"), 1944 black/blue/cream vertical striped plastic, wide incised cap band, vac-fill (refurbished), medium Parker nib, $155.