Writing Instruments

Knowledgeable bidders generated high prices for early typewriters at German technology specialist’s latest sale

The writing was on the wall for the Waverley not long after it entered the market in 1895.

The sale at Moore Allen & Innocent on October 11-12 includes a series of personal items relating to William Duke of Clarence, later William IV (1765-1837).

The most eagerly contested lot in a recent sale at Potteries Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) was a Doulton stoneware Isobath inkwell.

This 19th century carved Siena marble inkstand is fashioned in the form of an ancient Roman sarcophagus.

Thomas Edison’s electric pen might not have flourished as planned for the purpose of duplicating documents but if you have a tattoo you can be thankful.

An auction record was set for an Alfred Dunhill ‘aquarium’ lighter at Chiswick Auctions.

The Blickensderfer Typewriter Co of Stanford, Connecticut, introduced the Niagara ‘index’ typewriter in 1902.

The overall performance of the latest London sales of Old Master pictures and ‘important’ works of art was fairly mixed but the auction houses did at least welcome the return of some big-ticket items.

The 1920s deal between Ryosuke Namiki and Alfred Dunhill to make luxury pens for the Western market created some of the most collectable fountain pens.

Specialist auction house sells early versions hailing from the US

In a large collection of fountain pens offered at Cornish auction house Barbara Kirk (15% buyer’s premium) most well-known makers were represented, but among the rarer ones were no fewer than 19 by the Italian manufacturer Omas.

An example of the first commercially produced typewriter – one of only five in private hands – has sold for €100,000 at auction in Germany.

The annual London Writing Equipment Show at the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury on Sunday October 7 will be a sell-out, says coorganiser Jeremy Collingridge.