They Were Always Together

Pencil collectors, of whom I guess I am now one, can be swayed by sentiment as much as the next person.  It's a minor failing that a clever dealer knows how to take advantage of when he or she spins a pretty tale about an item for sale.  One auctioneer I know, when exhorting the crowd to bid higher on a couple of items, be they a pair of brass fire dogs or a mop and bucket, often pauses a second, and then assures everyone that "They've always been together."  Yes, it would be a shame to part them now!  Why not get both? Buy the lot, and the lot next to it!

Okay, that's what I did.  Yes, sentiment prevailed, and I bought a pen along with a pencil because they were always together, and in spite of the fact that a pen involves ink, and ink causes trouble.

I like to think that it was also because they were beautiful, functional, well-loved by the previous owner, deserving of admiration and preservation, and a nice bargain to boot.

These are a Sheaffer WWII-era Triumph pen and pencil pair, with gold-filled caps, which makes them the "Crest" model.  They have celluloid cases in a golden and brown striped pattern.  The pen is a Lifetime warranty model with a gold and stainless steel nib.  The pencil uses 0.9 lead, and cost $6.00 at the time.  Imagine that, in about 1943!  But you could use it for the rest of your life.

They're a little worn and have a few small dings, but who doesn't, when they're 70?  Otherwise, they're ready to go on writing for another 70 years.  They'll stay together, old married couple that they are, as long as I have anything to say about it.  Here are the happy couple in their retirement condo.