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Paper Wants A Pen

Carmine Sheaffer Balance Craftsman fountain pen & pencil

Carmine Sheaffer Balance Craftsman fountain pen & pencil

Regular price $202.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $202.00 USD
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Everyone loves a Carmine Sheaffer Balance. Sheaffer offered Balance pens in Carmine for only ~2 years. Carmine pens appear in the 1940 and 1941 Sheaffer catalogs. The Balance was replaced with the new Triumph line introduced in 1942. The red Balance pens are not rare but they are certainly less common than black and golden brown.

This pen has the added distinction of a Gregg shorthand mark on the barrel. Gregg was the most prevalent form of shorthand in the United States. It is characterized by elliptical symbols of uniform line width - much like cursive. As such, the Gregg specification for a proper shorthand nib called for a firm, round, fine point. It is unclear to me whether Sheaffer paid to put such a symbol on their pens. Though it is certain the Sheaffer marketing department saw some potential for profit in the offering. The nib does, indeed, write a lovely, smooth, wet fine line. It's a nib that behaves reliably and predictably. A workhorse nib. Exactly what you'd demand if you earned a living as a stenographer.

The pen is in remarkable condition. The celluloid surface condition and clarity is as close to new as could be wished. It is evident this pen has spent most of it's 80 years living unused in a box and protected from harmful UV exposure. The only faults are light plier marks on the pen section and pencil ferule where someone unwisely attempted to disassemble both. Neither is evident to the touch. Otherwise the condition is perfect. No loss of plating, no marks in the celluloid.

The filling system has been restored with modern methods and materials. It is guaranteed for at least one year provided unfriendly inks (specifically Noodler's) are strictly avoided.

Length

Capped: 137 mm (5.4”)
Uncapped: 117 mm (4.6”)
Posted: 154 mm (6.1”)

Diameter

Cap: 12.1 mm (0.48”)
Barrel: 10.2 mm (0.4”)

Filler: Vacuum-Fil

Nib: Fine

Materials

Dimensions

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Care Instructions

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