Left: Full Size Balance (1930-1935) Right: Full Size Balance, 14K Clip & Band (1930-1935)

As with most all vintage pens, bigger is better, at least from the conventional value point of view. The Oversize models in good condition can range from $200 or so in plain black, all the way to $700 for one of the rarer colors. A standard or Full Size model, on the other hand will likely run about $100 to maybe $250. You can see that there is quite a premium placed on the larger pens. As with any vintage pen, condition is everything in terms of value, some of the plastics were more prone to cracks than others. Unfortunately, some of the most desirable colors, such as the Red Veined Gray Pearl, are especially prone to cap lip cracks. In order of desirability, the colors would range as follows: Black are most common, followed by (it seems to me) the Black and Pearl, then the Jade Green, then Marine Green Marble, and finally, the Red Veined Gray Pearl. There is also a Blue and Black marble, which is very rare, and normally only found in the smaller pens. I have never heard of an OS in this color, and can only imagine what it would fetch, considering that the smaller ones will bring anywhere from five to ten times the going rate for a similarly sized model in a common color! As with almost all colored plastics from this time period, the Sheaffer balance pens are subject to various degrees of discoloration. The biggest sufferers are the Black and Pearl, and the Jade Green, it can be very difficult  to find either with truly perfect color, with good color adding considerably to the price tag. In 1931 the Autograph pens were introduced. They were made with solid 14K gold clips and capbands, these parts will be marked 14K. Usually the band is wider than the regular band, designed for engraving the initials or signature of the owner. Obviously these pens will also bring a premium over a standard model. In 1933 a new shorter clip, with a middle hump and a small rounder ball, was adopted. It was tapered to a blunt point at the upper end with mounting ears and was imprinted "SHEAFFER'S". This clip was used until 1935.

Sheaffer Clips, left to right: 1914-1926 clip; 1927-1930 clip; 1930-1935 clip; 1937-1945 clip; 1945-1960 clip

The Balance pens from this early time period are considered to be very collectible, and a "classic" vintage pen. Many collectors like to have an example or two in their collections, even if they are not "serious" Sheaffer collectors. There are also many who like the idea of one of these pens as a daily "user", a task for which they are well suited.  Nevertheless, this article was sketched down with an OS Sheaffer Balance pen from my collection. This Red striated penw ill be shown in Part II of this article. When it comes to using these pens, the first series of Balance pens tend to have very thick, heavy nibs on the Lifetime models. These nibs are very similar to the ones found on the flattop Lifetime pens. Some of the smoothest nibs are on these Lifetimes Balances. They are not what you would call expressive, but not a hint of trouble getting through even multiple carbon copy forms! Other nibs that will often be found on the earlier Balance pens are the 3-25, 5-30, and 7-30, in order of size. these nibs were marked to correspond with the pen's price, and were carried over from the original flattop Sheaffers. As the Balance pens developed, the use of the two tone Lifetime nib, and the Feathertouch non-Lifetime nib came into being. These later nibs, introduced in 1931, were not nearly as thick as the first Lifetime nibs, and some of these can be found in a flex nib, although it's not common. The outer end of these nibs was plated with Palladium and the point was ground such, that it would write on both sides. Expect to pay a premium if you want a flex nib Balance!

Oversize Balance Red Veined Gray Pearl (1931-1935)

The picture shows part of an original fullpage advertisement from a 1932 Saturday Evening Post issue.

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