Condition

	"Standard" grading
	Things that affect grading
	Mint / Unused Fountain Pens

All items are solely owned by W-B Pen & Watch. In order to assure quality, we do not accept consignments from collectors or dealers. It is important to note that our items are purchased directly from their original owners and have not had the chance to be "fooled with" by general line antique dealers or unscrupulous pen or watch "admirers".

Unless otherwise noted, all items listed are fully restored to working condition & are ready for use.

Any and all flaws or defects will be fully noted in an items description. This includes but is not limited to:

	engravings (names, initials, presentations, etc )
	dents
	plate wear
	cracks
	warping
	discoloration
	scratches

All nibs have their iridium intact and are 14k - with the exception of Esterbrook fountain pens. Any exception will be noted.

You can safely assume that anything that does not belong there isn't there - if we don't list scratches or chew marks they aren't there.
You can also assume what should be there IS. If we don't state that iridium is missing - it isn't.

"Standard" Grading

As with most vintage items, there are no clear cut, standard grading systems for fountain pens or watches. Most vintage items have been used & show some signs of wear. The type & degree of wear that an individual collector deems acceptable varies widely.

If we use engravings as an example you'll see that there are many variables just to that one aspect of grading.

	Many collectors do not want an item that has been engraved with someone else's initials.
	Other collector don't care about initials.
	If Aunt Betty had a pen or watch engraved with Uncle Harry's initials as a gift but Uncle Harry never once took the item out of it's presentation box or used the item do the initials make it any less unused?
	If an item has an engraving commemorating the first US landing on the moon is it less valuable?...more valuable? To whom?

There are so many factors that affect grading that it is near impossible to standardize the process.

Is a NOS item that has been dropped & cracked considered "near mint" even though it is still unused? NO!
Is a NOS item with glue residue from an original price sticker to be downgraded to " excellent"? NO!
However, there are those who would do both.

There's a little more to it than that.

Things That Affect Grading

	Worn or missing original manufacturer imprints.
	Worn or missing chasing.
	Worn or missing original "stamped" marks from metal parts (clip, lever or band).
	Scratches in the surface of the pen.
	Broken or missing clip or ring.
	Cracks of any size, shape or form in any part of the pen or trim. It doesn't matter if it can't be seen - it will still affect the pen. The only thing worse than a pen with a crack is a pen with a crack that has been super glued.
	Warped or banana pens.
	Glued in/on parts.
	Chips, gouges, "flea bites" or chew marks.
	Dents, dings or "dimples" in metal barrels, caps or trim.
	Mechanical damage.
	Cap and barrel threads that do not engage or align properly.
	Engraving -amateur or professional. Many collectors do not want to use or even display a pen with another person's name or initial's on it.
	Discoloration, staining and/or fading. It does not matter that is a "natural" consequence of having been used.
	Missing parts or trim.
	Replacement parts other than those originally used for repair services authorized by the manufacturer.
	Bent, broken or missing levers.
	Nibs that are bent, broken, cracked, missing iridium or tines or not original to the pen.
	Worn or pitted trim plating.

see also Examining Your Pens

ALL of these variables are taken in to consideration & are FULLY disclosed when describing our items.

We have a great respect for original craftsmanship and believe these items are only on loan to this generation & should be preserved - in original condition- for the next.

You will never be unknowingly buying an item that has been "created", glued, painted, touched-up, or in an any other way been "messed with". If an item is beyond "respectable" restoration, it will be sold for parts only with a price that reflects that condition.

Mint /Unused Fountain Pens

Most collectors buy mint & unused fountain pens for display. They usually have no intentions of ripping off the original stickers & actually using the pen to write with.

However, we do occasionally find a collector who will put ink in a M / U pen & use it. We even had one swear that his pen jumped out of the box we packaged it in & jumped right in to a bottle of ink while singing "Put me in coach. I'm ready to play - today.".

As with all pen restoration there is always a risk of damage during restoration and what a shame it would be to ruin a previously factory perfect pen. For this reason we do not restore mint / unused pens. Depending on the manufacture & type of filler a M / U pen may or may not work & may require restoration if you choose to use it.

As with all pen dealers, there are no returns or exchanges on mint /unused pens if the buyer has inked the pen.