Cross Pens and Pencils

Here we have a nice collection of Cross pens and Pencils. On the left we have your standard cross ball point pens and pencils. Most of these were bought at the PX (Post Exchange) while I was in the Military. The PX always kept cross pens in stock. On the right we have three Townsend ball points and a Translucent Cross Solo Ball point followed by four pens that each have different refills like a highlighter or a felt tip. Some of these are over 30 years old. Sadly I do not use these much anymore. In their time I got plenty of good use out of them. Cross pens should be in your collection.

Beer and Soda Cans

Anybody collect beer and soda cans? Here are a few of mine. Back to pens and pencils.

WHAM-O Flexils

The WHAM-O Company started in 1948 and brought us the Slip 'N Slid, Frisbee, Hula Hoop and the Super Ball but they also gave us the little known WHAM-O Flexil Pencil. This one pictured is about 45 years old. You did not need a pencil case for this one. Just wrap it around you arm or as a kid you could wear it as a belt. Almost 2 feet of flexible pencil. You could use a regular pencil sharpener to keep it sharp and ready to write. This is a must item for every pencil collector.

Plastic Rulers

Here is a collection of plastic rulers and slid rules from the 50s to the 80s. Two of these rulers made it to the big time this week at the Pen Addict blog. It is nice to see these items up on the main screen. Thanks Brad. This set represents many different types of US made rulers, slide rules,metric rulers and stencils that have been available over the years. These are a favorite part of my collection because most of these can still be used today. Eleven of these items are made by the Sterling Plastic Company. The drafting set in the right corner also has a compass which I forgot to place in the picture. The two plastic rulers at the bottom are made by the Sterling Plastic Company and I will be showing more of them in the future. The Sterling Plastic slide rules were at the low end of slide rules but were available for those that did not want to pay big bucks for one.

Pens from the 70s and 80s

Here we have a nice set of ball point and roller balls from the 70s and 80s. In the package is a Parker Big Red Ball Point followed by a green Parker Big Red both of which use a standard Parker Jotter refill with adapter. Next is a Sheaffer No Nonsense Ball Point which uses a standard refill with adapter. We next have the Pentel P300 Roller Ball which uses the same refill as a Pentel Excalibur. All three of these pens seem to have been put out about the same time and were in competition with each other. I would think the Parker Big Red was the most popular. The Blue Pentel is my favorite of the three. The last one on the right is also a Pentel. This is the R-50 Original Roller Writer. Still sold in Europe and a best seller. This pen is a Pentel, made in France, bought in Germany then brought back to Texas and still works. All of these should be in your collection.

Sheaffer Ball Point Pen

Here is another nice collection of a great old pens. The Sheaffer Ball Point from the 60s. This pen has one of the smoothest click action of any pen ever made. You hear no click, just point out and point in. This smooth action was available on several different Sheaffer pens during the 60s. The collectors book "The Incredible Ball Point Pen" by Henrey Gostony and Stuart Schneider call this pen a Sheaffer click retractable with a super smooth action. All these still work. One should be in your collection.

Papermate Ops n Pops

Back on 15 May 2009 I posted my 1967 Papermate Ops n Pops collection. At the time I had six with the goal of ten. I now have number seven. The yellow one on the right with black squares. These pens are number two on my all time favorite pen list and as I said before it "is the 60s". This new yellow one has not seen the day of light for 40 years. I just put in a new refill and it works fine. One should be in your collection. Three more to go.

Sterling Plastic Pencil Sharpeners

Here are some Sterling Plastic Pencil Sharpeners from the 60s. Sterling Plastic had many more designs and styles of small inexpensive sharpeners for the school age kids over the years and one should be in your collection.

Parker Jotter

Here we have the Parker Jotter. Don't hear much about this pen yet the Jotter has been around since 1954 and is one of the best selling pens in the world. These pens in the picture are all current models. I just like the colors. The number four purple Jotter is the only one with any history. It is a 50th Anniversary issue, it has no feathers on the arrow pocket clip and has a 50 on the top of the push button. You can now buy refills with gel ink and in many knew colors. Parker Jotter should be in your collection.

BIC Pens

We just do hear much about BIC Pens anymore. Recent posts have talked about the new BIC Triumph refillable pen which is a good one but for collectors I believe you must go back to the BIC Crystal which has been around since the 50s. My collection centers on the BICs made overseas. BIC Pens are very popular in other countries with a large selection of inks and styles. Here on the left are some current ones from around the world. Starting on the left you have the Yellow fine point from Mexico, Yellow fine point from England, The next three are from France. Next three are from Italy and the last two are from Brazil. On the right side you have some from the USA starting with the original BIC Clic, two BIC 4 colors, Newer version of the BIC Clic, Green Crystal that you do not see anymore and I am not sure where it is from, BIC Shimmer, BIC Style, two solid color BICs and a BIC Accountant which I just found the other day. BICs should be in your collection.

Scripto ACADEMIC UNION

Here is a nice set of Scriptos from around 1991. They were geared toward the younger skateboard crowd. The pencils and pen on the right are the CB300Y .05mm Pencil. Next is the CB500Y Ball Point Pen. Last is the adult version P300 .05mm pencil. If you look at the cards you will also see some nice artwork.

Scripto Pencils and Pens

Here we have a nice collection of some of my favorite Scripto pencils and pens. Top left starts with the K750, K760, K770, then you have six different K780s. Right side you have a K780 Classic, K780 Classic Mexico, followed by four US Government Skilcraft/ K780s. The clear Skilcraft is the electrographic. Last two pencils are the P400 Thin Line and the Thin Line 49. Bottom tray are the T220 Scripto Pens. The Blue ones on the left are my favorite. Most of these are in the daily rotation and all work. Last two on the right are the T220Gs(gold). T220s do nice when they are paired with a Scripto P360 Thin Line Pencil.

Scripto Collection

I have been asked to show my Scripto collection. This is what will fit on the table. Many of the Scripto pens and cardboard displays are not shown. This collection is large. There are books and catalogs included to try and find out what some of this stuff is, when was it made and how many models or types are there. My collection covers the late 40s to 90s. I will be showing the items in detail at a later time. I have yet to post my top 5 list of pens and pencils but I will tell you that the Scripto K780 is the top pencil. Scripto also made the VU Lighters which I also collect.

Hallmark Pen and Pencil

It was very disappointing in the 80s when Hallmark quit making these fine pen and pencils. Here are the ones I have. They are from the 70s and 80s and were well made. Some of these are made from walnut and some from maple. All still work except the flair type refillable pen on the right. The pens will take a cross refill but require a plastic sleeve to convert in the barrel. Pencils used .09 mm lead. Hallmark had some type of buyback program for pen and pencil customers who at the time could not find refills. I had contacted them about refills for the flair type pen and they wanted to buyback the pen or exchange it for something. I said no thanks.