1941 Carmine Sheaffer Balance Vigilant Fountain Pen & Pencil in case - fine-extra-fine point

This is an uncommon pen & pencil set.

I'm always baffled when collectors say that Rose Glow is the rarest Sheaffer Balance celluloid. I will admit that perhaps they did not sell well and there may be fewer of them than other colors. Though I find that speculative. In Balance celluloids, Carmine is among those made for the shortest duration as determined by the Sheaffer catalogs. First is Blue (1932), next is Carmine (1940-1) then Grey Pearl (1934-6) & then Rose Glow (1936-9). In fairness, only the 1939 Junior was offered in Rose Glow. I've seen more Rose Glow Juniors than any other model. Is personal experience any better than speculation?

This lovely Carmine Vigilant set is in excellent condition. I think it has spent more than 99% of its 85 years unused and in its original box. The barrel clarity and color is perfect. As is the plating. The box is in good condition. The pen and pencil are gold embossed H. A. Sterling.

The nib writes a lovely, smooth & wet line that is in the fine to extra-fine range. The Sovereign is a long, slim pen that fits nicely in my large hands. The nib is narrower and a bit softer - though not truly soft - than the wide, thick and beefy nibs from the larger Statesman and Premier.

Length
Capped - 138 mm (5.4”)
Uncapped - 119 mm (4.7”)
Posted - 157 mm (6.2”).
Diameter
Cap - 12.1 mm (0.48”)
Barrel - 10.3 mm (0.4”)

Filler - Vacuum-Fil

Nib
fine -- extra-fine