|
|
Fountain
Pens >
Pen Notes >Pen Condition Rating Scale Is it in working order? Will the pen perform as normally expected with the writing components in good working order. Why is condition important? A pen's condition largely determines its attractiveness to collectors and its price. Condition is very important. The description of each pen for sale contains a condition grade (for example B/1m or A2/1b). This describes both the pen and the nib Pen Grade A1 - Mint (uninked): Shows no signs of use - possibly new old stock - mainly modern limited editions A2 - Unused (Inked): Shows no sign of use other than having been dipped or filled with ink - this is usually the top condition grade possible for vintage pens as we test the filling system and the nib as part of the service B - Excellent: All parts original and showing only very slight signs of use: slight surface scratching; very minor discoloration or brassing; crisp imprints; no significant dings. Most of our vintage pens fall into this category as being excellent, collectible examples which are also suitable for everyday use C - Fine: All parts original: some discoloration and brassing; light or worn imprints; small dings to metal or scratching on plastic. Unless very rare, we would not normally advertise a pen in this grade. A combination of discoloration and brassing, possibly a worn imprint or maybe other degradation of the material means that pens in this condition are seldom desirable D - Fair: Some parts possibly not original; significant brassing/discoloration; very worn imprints; dings and scratches. Maybe a good writing pen or probably one to consign to the part bins! Many pens (e.g., a Parker Duofold in mandarin yellow) might be excellent everyday writing pens even with a hairline crack - but a description of the defect should be included in the overall rating Nib Grade Nib Grade and Style: f - Fine m - Medium b - broad s - Stub obl - Oblique Flexible Rigid Nib condition - is it okay for daily writing? 1 - Nib is in excellent condition with no damage to tines or iridium 2 - Nib is useable with no damage to tines, some use evident on iridium 3 - Nib is useable but with some distortion to tines or significant iridium wear 4 - Nib has damaged tines or damaged iridium or hairline crack - can be repaired 5 - Nib is damaged beyond repair or is not useable Note whether the nib is 'correct' for the pen Additional Comments This will include details of: · Any engraving: the initials or text of the engraving are given, e.g., ‘STG’ or ‘Presented to Adam Smith, Jan 1919’. · Degree of oxidation on hard rubber pens · Any specific damage, hairline cap lip splits etc. Combined Grade For example: A1/1b [Engraved ‘ADS’ on barrel] would mean a mint, uninked pen with an excellent, broad nib which has the initials ‘ADS’ engraved on its barrel B/1f would indicate a pen which has been used but is in good collectible condition and which is fitted with a fine grade nib in excellent shape Copyright © 1997-2005 Battersea Pen Home (Simon Gray and Sean Lovell). Included here with permission. http://www.penhome.co.uk/Staticpages/bphconditionscale.htm
|
|
