#lady sheaffer

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Lady Sheaffer time! This one is a rare XXIV Black Petit Point.

So sparkly! Petit point is a type of decorative needlepoint stitching, and this pen's flower pattern has parallel grooves to give that impression. There's also a white version, XXIII, where the flowers are gold. I'd love to find one.

The 14k gold Triumph nib has a platinum mask and a fine point. It's not as smooth as I'd like, but I don't dare mess with it too much for fear of breaking something.

As with all clipless Ladies, this one is a liability if your desk isn't perfectly level. But IMO the sparkle is worth it.

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Lady Sheaffer 1959

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Lady Sheaffer Time!

This is a Lady Sheaffer long clip pen, which is the transitional design between the clipless Skripsert pens of the 1960s and the more practical Stylpoint pens of the 70s. Like the 70s pens, it's big enough to take the Sheaffer squeeze converter.

And gosh do I love that shade of red! The finish is XIV Red and Gold Tulle. It's a bit chipped and bubbled in places, but overall still looks sleek.

It has a silver-palladium Triumph nib. It's a stiff and pleasant medium with a bit of feedback. Not sure what caused the discoloration on the section. Could be the age of the plastic.

So far this is my only long clip Lady, and I like it quite a lot.

[syncallio]

Lady Sheaffer time!

This one's from the 1970s. Because when else was this particular shade of green-gold popular? It's not Harvest Gold but is definitely from that family. So of course I put in a green ink that reminds me of Avocado.

My sources say that this pattern is uncatalogued, but I wonder. The white version is 918 and the blue version is 920, but there's no 919. Is this it?

The 14k gold inset nib is a medium, and has a pronounced upturned point that looks like it's been bent and flattened. In fact it was designed that way so it could write at a steeper angle. It's a wet writer and pleasantly smooth.

Like all 70s Ladies it takes Sheaffer cartridges and can fit the discontinued Sheaffer squeeze converter.

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Here we go with another Lady Sheaffer!

Notice the stylized inlaid nib on the box. And inside?

This absolutely gorgeous thing.

I love this design so much! The rich gold paired with bright vermilion, the watered-silk effect of the finish, and the shape tapering to a slim and perfect Triumph nib.

The XVI is also known as "Gold Moire with Brilliants". The little gemstones are probably glass, and have aged the worst of the pen. But whatever, it's still gorgeous.

Whoever Maria was, I don't think she used her pen much. Maybe she thought it was too pretty to take out of the box.

[syncallio]

Today we have a Lady Sheaffer I, "Tweed"

Every description I've found for the "Tweed" says the finish is silver, but I gotta tell ya, it looks more like chrome to me. But whatever. It's an attractive little pen. The midcentury vibes are immaculate. Look at that red section!

The steel Triumph nib is fine and a little dry. The finish is in very good shape, just a bit of chipping around the edge of the cap and barrel that you can't see unless you look close.

One fun thing about the finish is the wavy lines it projects onto whatever it's sitting on.

Y'know, as cool as this pen is, the lack of clip or other rollstop is a real problem. This thing tried multiple times to take a swan-dive off my desk while I was setting up the photos. It's no wonder that the second and third generation Lady Sheaffers were given clips.

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More Lady Sheaffers!

This time two beautiful fountain/ballpoint sets. The silver pair in the box are 642s. The gold pair are 630s, as can be seen by their stickers.

$15 for a gold nibbed fountain pen! And here's a nice closeup of the "Florentine" band:

As for the 630s, it looks like the pen was filled exactly once. There were two packets of half-dried-up cartridges lurking under the display card thingy, with one packet missing a cartridge. Otherwise all of these are in excellent shape.

Doesn't that look luscious! A real 1970s jewel.

FYI vintage Sheaffer ballpoints are compatible with modern Sheaffer K refills. And the click action on these is delightful. You press the open end of the clip to extend the point, then press the back of the clip to retract it.

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So about those Lady Sheaffers...

This is my collection.

This is a model IX, Red Balicon. (Nobody knows why it's called "Balicon", so if any of you folks know what that means, please tell me!) I love the contrast between the glossy gold and the red engraved lines. I'm also super pleased to have the box it came in.

These two are both Paisleys, models IV (black) and VI (periwinkle). The nibs are silver-palladium Triumph nibs. The engraving really does give the impression of fabric, and has a nice texture in the hand.

These three are from the later Lady Sheaffer line in the 1970s. From left to right: 632, 921, and 925. (Collectors call them Tulle, Chevron/Flammé, and Barleycorn.) The nibs on these are called Stylpoint and are 14k gold.

The left one is mesmerizing when you turn it in your hands. The other two are almost gaudy they're so bright. Definitely eye-catching pens!

Also I gotta show you this box, the one the Balicon came in. Have you ever seen something more Mid-Century Modern in your life? The ivory plastic, the pebbly texture, the gently curved lines. The way it sort of floats off the table, and the inset section at the front. And like a brooch, a tiny golden symbol in the shape of Sheaffer's signature inlaid nib. Some designer spent ages on this thing and it shows. I love it.

If you like small, slim fountain pens, definitely look up the Lady Sheaffer. For some reason they're not heavily collected, so folks aren't driving up the price. They're cartridge pens so there's no mechanism that needs servicing, and Sheaffer still makes the cartridges.

Unless you like your pens plain and understated, in which case I can't help you. Every model they made is jewelry!