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How to Find Value of Inkwell Pens

For centuries, even into the 20th century, when someone wanted to write something down, it meant dipping a pen into an inkwell. Starting in the early 19th century, steel point pens began to replace the use of quills as writing instruments. (See Reference 1) Now, those pens have become highly collectible pieces that are admired for their elegance as well as their historical function. Inkwell pens can be found in antique and collectibles stores, as well as at estate and garage sales. By doing some research before you buy, you will be able to pick out the most valuable pens.

Instructions

- 1
  Study collectors' guidebooks. Take a look at books about collecting fountain pens for discussions of the values of specific pens and how to build a collection that has worth. Some examples of fountain pen collectors' guides include "Fountain Pens Past &Present" by Paul Erano, "Fountain Pens and Pencils: The Golden Age of Writing Instruments" by George Fischler and Stuart Schneider, and "Fountain Pens: A Collectors' Guide" by Peter Twydle. See Amazon.com for these and other available guidebooks.
- 2
  See what sellers are asking for different pens. Visit local antique and collectibles stores to see what pens are available and how they are priced. An even easier way to check prices is to go online and look at the inventory of Internet stores that specialize in vintage pens, such as 1001Pens.com and The Vintage Pens Website.
- 3
  See what people have been willing to pay. One way to check the value of a pen on the marketplace is to see what consumers have paid in the past. Look at the completed auction on eBay to find out the final price realized for different types of fountain pens. You must create an account on the site in order to view completed auctions, but that process is free of charge.
- 4
  Ask other collectors. Fellow collectors are often the best sources of information when you are trying to determine the value of a collectible. Join a society like the Pen Collectors of America in order to get in touch with other inkwell pen enthusiasts. You can also check out the Web site Meetup, which works to link people with similar interests. Through this site you can find out if there is a pen collectors group in your area, or you can start a group yourself.

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