...because "Nadir" doesn't sell pens.
That's a little harsh, but this is a pen that promises a lot more than
it can produce. This was apparently the case when it was new,
too-- according to the file on it at penhero.com, it was part of an
effort by Wearever to clamber up out of the third-tier swamp and stand
proudly on its own slimy flippers amongst the big boys of the pen
world. Sadly, they seem to not have been able to get the basic
notion of substance rather than form in hand. While Sheaffer and Parker
were willing to make highly functional if indistinguished pens for the
economy market (and even if the examples I've shown are a little
non-contemporary to the Zenith, rest assured that they were
making similar things in the latter '40s), Wearever decided to go with
attention-getting gewgaws that didn't actually enhance the function of
the pen.
Parker has a jewel on the "51"? We've got TWO!
One on each end! They're obviously lumps of red plastic,
but count 'em! Parker and Sheaffer are doing interesting things
with their points? Check out the C-Flow Feed!
It may not bring ink to the point well, and it defies adjustment,
but you'll know exactly when you've run out of ink because the pen will stop writing you can see the lack of ink in the feed! Snazzy!
The really terrible thing about this pen is that if the point, which is
a genuinely nice, well-made article, had been put in a pen which
actually did what it was supposed to, people likely would have gone on
at length about the amazing transformation of Wearever from a maker of effectively disposable pens
to an actual player. It probably would have been a good idea to
charge an extra dollar for the thing, rather than sticking to the known
market at the low end. Even in post-war America, $1.95 doesn't
allow for that good a pen... although the Esterbrooks were going for around $2.50, with a non-gold but well-tuned point in place.
Specifications: Broad 14k gold point. Lever filler.
Condition:
Pretty good, all things considered. The body has no more than a
general cheap plastic dullness to it, no cuts or scuffs. The feed
has a little stain under it that a full tear-down could probably see
put right. The band... well, it's not brassed, but the yellow is
coming off the shiny metal, so it's closer to silver than gold.
Repairs:
Nothing more than a cleaning; harsh comments aside, it is a durable pen.
Location: My collection.
For sale?: I'm
posting it for sale at $15.00, which is only an effort to make back the
same amount spent in a moment of over-exuberence. If you'd like
it, write to:
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