Large (Oversize) Ebonized Pearl WASP Clipper

This is the largest WASP pen made; collectors call it OS or Oversize. It is very rare to find these pen in Ebonized Pearl celluloid. Sheaffer rarely produced WASP pens in the same celluloids as their Balance pens.

 In 1933 Sheaffer created a sub-brand they called VACUUM-FIL. VACUUM-FIL was intended for the initial release of the vacuum filler in 1934 as a means to work out the design and manufacturing process. The first Sheaffer Balance with a vacuum filler appeared in the 1935 catalog. VACUUM-FIL was renamed the WASP Pen Co in 1936.

The nib is soft, bouncy, wet and an amazing writer. It is not flexible or even semi-flexible because these nibs are 12 karat gold and quite thin. They provide lovely line variation under normal writing pressure but should never be pushed like a truly flexible nib.

The cap band and clip have some plating loss or thinned plating. The peak of the clip has an area of plating loss. The transparent barrel has darkened a bit from its original pale green. The clarity is still amazing.

The filler seals have been replaced with modern materials that will last decades with an occasional application of 100% pure silicone grease on the filler rod.

Length
Capped - 128 mm (5.1”)
Uncapped - 119 mm (4.7”)
Posted - 150 mm (6”).
Diameter
Cap - 15.2 mm (0.6”)
Barrel - 13.2 mm (0.52”)

Filler
Vacuum-Fil

Nib
fine-medium