Bidspirit auction | AMERICAN W.A. SHEAFFER BALANCE FOUNTAIN

AMERICAN W.A. SHEAFFER BALANCE FOUNTAIN PEN, C. 1930 - An American streamlined Balance White Dot Lifetime lever-filling fountain pen by W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co. (founded 1913, Fort Madison, Iowa), circa 1930, crafted in grey-green marbled celluloid with red veining, a black section, and gold-filled trim. The tapered torpedo-form barrel is fitted with a gold-filled filling lever on one side and stamped on the opposite side with a three-line factory imprint reading 'W.A. SHEAFFER PEN CO. / FORT MADISON, IOWA, U.S.A. / PAT. D-78,795'. The screw-on cap features a wide gold-filled band, an inlaid white dot near the crown, and a long humped ball-end clip stamped 'SHEAFFER'S'. Uncapping reveals a two-tone gold and platinum-masked nib with a heart-shaped breather hole stamped 'SHEAFFER'S / LIFETIME / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / MADE IN U.S.A. / 4249878'. writing, stationery, vintage, antique, collectible, office, desk, calligraphy, instrument, accessory. Dimensions L: 5 1/2 in. All measurements are approximate. Condition Condition appears consistent with age. The marbled celluloid shows light surface scratches, minor discoloration, and a vertical hairline crack in the cap lip below the band. Gold-filled trim exhibits light wear and small spots of brassing. The nib appears straight, while the internal lever-filling mechanism is untested.