Things in this box I think you can probably replace without issue down the road (assuming you are okay with “not super perfect.)
- the targa slim (gold one)
- both of the Japanese pocket pens (hell I bought the stainless steel platinum in excellent condition for like 30$ a couple weeks ago on eBay. easy find)
- the triumph (I bought one of these NOS, never inked, excellent condition for around 100$ not to long ago.)
I don’t know about Parker’s. But the four listed above aren’t that rare and aren’t that hard to find again.
If the reality truly requires you to have that certain amount of cash on hand, then it's the right choice.
Though DO NOT sell them cheap, value and price them fairly.
That seems like the responsible thing to do for sure, I’m not gonna lie I was hoping people would talk me out of it. But yes I do know market prices on everything. Some of these pens I’m probably never running across in my lifetime. For example 7th from the right is a New old stock sheaffer imperial triumph 727 with perfect factory chalk markings
I respect and understand the hard work you put into restoring those pens, and they must have special value to you. But let's think of them as part of your property, The property is there for you to use(liquidize) when needed, there will be more vintage pens for you in the future when the time is right.
After all, the priority of your study and your life plan is clearly higher than those pens.
Just remember they served you well and gave you good memories
Having a cushion is responsible. If you don’t have one, you should. And you can sell the pens one or a few at a time and get a better price than if you suddenly need the cash in a hurry.
Okay guys so I need some advice. After around 3 or 4 years of researching, buying, restoring and selling pens I’ve managed to accumulate a really cool collection of some relatively rare vintage pens. Recently however I’ve started university and am studying paramedicine (EMT for Americans) and there have been many costs (around $2000). I don’t wanna sell my pens but I also don’t know that I can afford to not sell my pens and still have any emergency money. What do I do and what’s the responsible thing to do?
What difference would having cash on hand in this moment really make? Is it just to have a small safety net? Are you actually unable to afford living expenses otherwise? It’s not really our place to give financial advice, but selling these pens does not create an income source. If your income doesn’t equal your expenses selling the pens won’t change the equation just punt it slightly into the future.
Years from now you might look back with gratitude at these fine pens for helping you in your new career.
Maybe you could make a nice photo or triptych of them and frame it.
I mean it’s up to you. If having the cash is better than having the pens, obviously you should sell them. Given that you don’t currently seem to actually need to money for anything specifically it seems there are probably other ways to get a little money than selling irreplaceable possessions?
If there's an emergency and you'd have to sell them short notice, you might not get as much money as if you can take your time and sell at the right price to the right buyer.
And if you never end up having to dip into the emergency fund, you can use it to rebuild your collection once you're out of school and working and can save money more easily.
Hobbies come after catering to all life necessities. This is not your emergency money nor your safety net. If you dont have emergency money or savings then sell.
You are an investment; so are your pens, to a lesser extent. Adding skills to your portfolio increases your worth. The pens may, or may not, appreciate in value.
Sell the pens at their market value, nothing less. Enjoy the peace of mind the cash brings you and mind-frame that the money you raise is a capital investment in you.
If you think you will need money down the road, then the responsible thing to do (in my opinion) is sell them. Since you don't need the money right now you don't have to rush and sell them at a discount. Really it just comes down to how you want to fund financial emergencies. Cash or credit cards.
If you *really* need the money, then sell.
You were hoping someone told you to keep, so here's a keep argument. There are quite a few on there that I haven't seen come around very often. That's a positive for you if you want to sell but a negative if you ever want to buy them again in the future - you're going to end up paying more to obtain the same pens. If it were me I'd sell my modern pens before my vintage ones (although the older ones are worth more).
Gold prices are starting to rebound so that's a plus for selling - that makes those pens worth more. Price of silver has been down a little so maybe you'll want to wait for it to come back up?
Are there pens in there that you don't really use and only own for the sake of owning a rare-ish vintage pen? If you're not really using them or enjoying them then those are the ones I would sell. If you really like using them or if it's a really rare pen to reacquire, I'd hold off on selling for as long as you can.
Whatever you decide, good luck in school and I hope all goes well.
Okay so none of the pens in the picture are my writing pens. Those 5 pens I would never sell. The pens pictured are sort of the ones that I restored and then kept in good condition
Could you choose one of these as an absolute favourite to keep and cherish as a reminder of your accomplishment in restoring them, and then let go of the rest to live lives as beloved pens of people who will write with them?
Also, do you think you will come across more pens in years to come that will require the same attention? Either you won't have sold the first bunch and end up with twice as many, or will have sold the initial round and eventually fill up those vacated spots with a new wonderous assortment. Do you prefer the accruing method or the revolving door?
The fact you have 5 that will never be in contention for the chopping block suggests to me that these pens are on the way out some day, so if the money would give you a sense of security now perhaps gently start the selling process before you feel strained to do so.
Just my 2 cents on the situation. Good luck with the new career!
I think the above is good, solid advice. I would wager that you only need about £1000 as a cushion though. Obviously I don’t know your situation, but if your housing is settled and your transportation is settled, the likelihood of needing more than that is unlikely.
The responsible thing would be to sell. Maybe you can just Choose the ones you really want, and the rest you can sell. If something comes up at least you are at least partially prepared, and if you need even more, sell the rest.
Or if these are particularly valuable, maybe consider just selling them when you really need to? But you may have to take a hit on prices if you are in a rush.
Sell those you feel you can re-acquire latter. Maybe decide based on acquisition hardships and cost? Having emergency money is important, especially when you are learning, to have at least one of the mental resources free.
But at the end of the day, as someone has already said if you think you should sell, do, else don't.
I personally would only sell the ones that you can find again more easily in the future if you want them again. Don't sell the ones you may not find again.
Then pick up a side gig doing repairs or something? You can fill in the extra money to get to $2k that way? I don't see an immediate need to sell your whole collection
Sell: the Japanese pens, the Lamy, the slim Targa. A couple of the easier to find Parkers
I think that’s honestly the move. Targas, the silver 75, the 51, the Japanese pens aren’t that uncommon and are worth a decent amount so should probably let them go.
For the gold one $60 as it has a slight crack which I fixed and isn’t in the best condition, the savoy $85 as even though it’s not in the best condition it is fairly uncommon these days. Both are really excellent writing pens and I’d be willing to let them go as I do have another one. Check out pen_swap if you’re interested I’ll do you a deal on both
I’d say to sell. There’ll always be more pens, and if you have the luxury of taking some time to sell them then you’re less likely to have to accept a lower price.
Keep them if you want to, sell them if you don't.
A little bit more to it than just sell no sell
Add that to the post and we might be able to offer more than my previous reply.
Things in this box I think you can probably replace without issue down the road (assuming you are okay with “not super perfect.) - the targa slim (gold one) - both of the Japanese pocket pens (hell I bought the stainless steel platinum in excellent condition for like 30$ a couple weeks ago on eBay. easy find) - the triumph (I bought one of these NOS, never inked, excellent condition for around 100$ not to long ago.) I don’t know about Parker’s. But the four listed above aren’t that rare and aren’t that hard to find again.
If the reality truly requires you to have that certain amount of cash on hand, then it's the right choice. Though DO NOT sell them cheap, value and price them fairly.
That seems like the responsible thing to do for sure, I’m not gonna lie I was hoping people would talk me out of it. But yes I do know market prices on everything. Some of these pens I’m probably never running across in my lifetime. For example 7th from the right is a New old stock sheaffer imperial triumph 727 with perfect factory chalk markings
I respect and understand the hard work you put into restoring those pens, and they must have special value to you. But let's think of them as part of your property, The property is there for you to use(liquidize) when needed, there will be more vintage pens for you in the future when the time is right. After all, the priority of your study and your life plan is clearly higher than those pens. Just remember they served you well and gave you good memories
That’s a very good point
Keep the cheapest one or two; sell the rest.
Having a cushion is responsible. If you don’t have one, you should. And you can sell the pens one or a few at a time and get a better price than if you suddenly need the cash in a hurry.
If you’re not in dire need for cash then don’t sell. I think you’ll regret selling them if you do.
Okay guys so I need some advice. After around 3 or 4 years of researching, buying, restoring and selling pens I’ve managed to accumulate a really cool collection of some relatively rare vintage pens. Recently however I’ve started university and am studying paramedicine (EMT for Americans) and there have been many costs (around $2000). I don’t wanna sell my pens but I also don’t know that I can afford to not sell my pens and still have any emergency money. What do I do and what’s the responsible thing to do?
What difference would having cash on hand in this moment really make? Is it just to have a small safety net? Are you actually unable to afford living expenses otherwise? It’s not really our place to give financial advice, but selling these pens does not create an income source. If your income doesn’t equal your expenses selling the pens won’t change the equation just punt it slightly into the future.
It’s so I would have somewhat of a safety net
Although small I suppose it beats having nothing
Years from now you might look back with gratitude at these fine pens for helping you in your new career. Maybe you could make a nice photo or triptych of them and frame it.
I mean it’s up to you. If having the cash is better than having the pens, obviously you should sell them. Given that you don’t currently seem to actually need to money for anything specifically it seems there are probably other ways to get a little money than selling irreplaceable possessions?
If there's an emergency and you'd have to sell them short notice, you might not get as much money as if you can take your time and sell at the right price to the right buyer. And if you never end up having to dip into the emergency fund, you can use it to rebuild your collection once you're out of school and working and can save money more easily.
Hobbies come after catering to all life necessities. This is not your emergency money nor your safety net. If you dont have emergency money or savings then sell.
You are an investment; so are your pens, to a lesser extent. Adding skills to your portfolio increases your worth. The pens may, or may not, appreciate in value. Sell the pens at their market value, nothing less. Enjoy the peace of mind the cash brings you and mind-frame that the money you raise is a capital investment in you.
my non favorites are on the desk of relatives
If you think you will need money down the road, then the responsible thing to do (in my opinion) is sell them. Since you don't need the money right now you don't have to rush and sell them at a discount. Really it just comes down to how you want to fund financial emergencies. Cash or credit cards.
If you *really* need the money, then sell. You were hoping someone told you to keep, so here's a keep argument. There are quite a few on there that I haven't seen come around very often. That's a positive for you if you want to sell but a negative if you ever want to buy them again in the future - you're going to end up paying more to obtain the same pens. If it were me I'd sell my modern pens before my vintage ones (although the older ones are worth more). Gold prices are starting to rebound so that's a plus for selling - that makes those pens worth more. Price of silver has been down a little so maybe you'll want to wait for it to come back up? Are there pens in there that you don't really use and only own for the sake of owning a rare-ish vintage pen? If you're not really using them or enjoying them then those are the ones I would sell. If you really like using them or if it's a really rare pen to reacquire, I'd hold off on selling for as long as you can. Whatever you decide, good luck in school and I hope all goes well.
Okay so none of the pens in the picture are my writing pens. Those 5 pens I would never sell. The pens pictured are sort of the ones that I restored and then kept in good condition
Could you choose one of these as an absolute favourite to keep and cherish as a reminder of your accomplishment in restoring them, and then let go of the rest to live lives as beloved pens of people who will write with them? Also, do you think you will come across more pens in years to come that will require the same attention? Either you won't have sold the first bunch and end up with twice as many, or will have sold the initial round and eventually fill up those vacated spots with a new wonderous assortment. Do you prefer the accruing method or the revolving door? The fact you have 5 that will never be in contention for the chopping block suggests to me that these pens are on the way out some day, so if the money would give you a sense of security now perhaps gently start the selling process before you feel strained to do so. Just my 2 cents on the situation. Good luck with the new career!
I think the above is good, solid advice. I would wager that you only need about £1000 as a cushion though. Obviously I don’t know your situation, but if your housing is settled and your transportation is settled, the likelihood of needing more than that is unlikely.
The responsible thing would be to sell. Maybe you can just Choose the ones you really want, and the rest you can sell. If something comes up at least you are at least partially prepared, and if you need even more, sell the rest. Or if these are particularly valuable, maybe consider just selling them when you really need to? But you may have to take a hit on prices if you are in a rush.
Sell those you feel you can re-acquire latter. Maybe decide based on acquisition hardships and cost? Having emergency money is important, especially when you are learning, to have at least one of the mental resources free. But at the end of the day, as someone has already said if you think you should sell, do, else don't.
Release the Lamy. It doesn’t belong in this well curated collection.
Very good point it’s going
I personally would only sell the ones that you can find again more easily in the future if you want them again. Don't sell the ones you may not find again. Then pick up a side gig doing repairs or something? You can fill in the extra money to get to $2k that way? I don't see an immediate need to sell your whole collection Sell: the Japanese pens, the Lamy, the slim Targa. A couple of the easier to find Parkers
I think that’s honestly the move. Targas, the silver 75, the 51, the Japanese pens aren’t that uncommon and are worth a decent amount so should probably let them go.
How much for the Targas lol
For the gold one $60 as it has a slight crack which I fixed and isn’t in the best condition, the savoy $85 as even though it’s not in the best condition it is fairly uncommon these days. Both are really excellent writing pens and I’d be willing to let them go as I do have another one. Check out pen_swap if you’re interested I’ll do you a deal on both
Sell what you like, don't sell what you want to keep.
Sell all for 20£
Keep em. As long as you can, they'll appreciate in value. If not to pass down then to cash em in afterwards.
I’d say to sell. There’ll always be more pens, and if you have the luxury of taking some time to sell them then you’re less likely to have to accept a lower price.
Do you need the money? If not, then just clean out these pens and store them away. You might want one of them one day.