Pentrace message board: Desk set collection

Posted on Pentrace Aug 6 2016

Desk set collection - new and old from my prior collections

A desk set is something that holds a pen or pens for a quick grab. Once desk pen holders came into fashion c1926 a whole new market was about to open to pen makers. There was a myriad of designs from over the top gorgeous, expensive and beautiful to modest and inexpensive. Those with figural models, animals and designs are most often collected, including bases in cast bronze, marble, woods, ceramics and high quality porcelain such as Carltonware for Parker and Lenox for Sheaffer. I focus on Parker but also have a few from Wahl. Parker had the greatest diversity of desk sets, most were designed or approved by Kenneth Parker. Many significant designers and craftsmen of the period were used to produce some wonderful designs.

The Holy Grail of all Parker desk pen holders, owned by a local friend.

The Spirit of Aviation. Gilded bronze over marble with bronze accessory boxes.

This series is actually a store advertising display from the 1990’s which I used to hold Duofold pens. Cute and a lot of character.

My very favorite, uncataloged Parker, I call it Lady Victory, with BCHR Duofold.

This is the very first style pen holder used by Parker. Made of hard rubber the big ball swivel was unique and advertised as being able to swivel in any direction and fold down flat for easy storage in desk drawer. Actually I believe Parker bought this patent from someone else as I once saw this exact same holder with another makers name.

Parker Sunset letter and pen holder c1930s. I really like the deco cast bronze sunsets that serve as the letter holder.

This is one of a few I have made for Parker by Marshall Studios. The stone inset is actually a ceramic.

Haeger Pottery made for Parker in the 1960s, 2 of 3 designs produced.

Ceramic ovals, produced in several colors

Elephants with raised trunks are a symbol of good luck, used by many pen companies besides this one made by Parker

A massive Conklin tiger, cast metal with bronze finish, about one foot long.

Wahl Rookwood 1927 – one that got away from me

Wahl French Clown, cast metal with faux ivory hands and face. A beauty.

Of course, my Parker aviation desk pen holder series, this is the 1927 Fairchild monoplane that Kenneth Parker convinced George to buy for advertising. It was a big hit !!

I made only a few in Mandarin also, the actual plane was only in RED.

The 1947 Beechcraft “51” which inspired the style of the Parker 51 Flighter.

Waterman – When I saw this at a pen show many years ago I immediately recognized the style as the same as the Parker Fairchild. This Fairchild aircraft was used by Admiral Richard Byrd when he flew to the Antarctic and Waterman made this repro to hold #55 ripples that were actually taken on that trip.