Writing Instruments

A Collector's Obsession...

It all began with a simple, quaint thought: "How about reviving the art of the hand written letter?"

I asked myself this simple question in 1995 after I found out that a dear friend of mine was moving to Alaska, would not have access to her computer and therefore no email. What to do? Well, since we had become good friends by sharing ideas about a mutual interest, the American Civil War (or if you prefer, the War of Northern Aggression), the thought struck me that if we were going to continue our correspondence, perhaps it should be done in the mode of the late19th century. I went in search of liquid ink and a suitable fountain pen.

A new adventure...

I proceeded to my local office supply mega-store and perused the pen counter. There were quite a few examples of today's current crop of low-end and mid-priced fountain pens. I decided to purchase a very nice Parker Sonnet in black lacquer with a medium (M) nib and a bottle of the only decent ink available which was Montblanc royal blue. I soon discovered that the Sonnet was a very easy pen to like but I needed a different look to my script. I decided to send the pen to Parker in Janesville, Wisconsin for a nib exchange. The folks in Janesville were very helpful and sent my pen back to me with a medium oblique (OM) nib which is lovely to write with and gives a distinctive look to one's writing that usually cannot otherwise be achieved with modern rigid-nibbed pens.

The obsession begins...

After my initial purchase of the Sonnet, I began to search for aesthetically pleasing pens to suit my fancy. I soon exhausted all of the possible dealers in my area (easy to do...) and began to branch out to other resources. Catalog houses, online shops, online collectors, you name it and I've browsed there. I have probably also purchased there as well. Everywhere I traveled, I sought out pen stores and counters. My most memorable purchases have been made at Harrods, where the pen counters are absolutely incredible, at Bucherer in Lucerne, Switzerland and Der Martz in Stuttgart, Germany. I added a beautiful Pelikan Souveran M600 fountain pen (green/black), it's big brother the Pelikan Souveran M800 (also green/black) and a hexagonal Caran d'Ache fountain pen in blue lacquer to my collection from these fine establishments.

The collection builds...

Pen collectors seem to concentrate their interests in two ways: vintage pens and modern pens. I would classify myself as a "modern" or "new" collector. All of the pens in my collection are new or updated models from makers such as Waterman, Parker, Montblanc and Pelikan. I am particularly fond of Parker "Duofold" pens of which I own six, in Jasper and Pearl and Black. The highlights of my collection are a 1994 Montblanc Meisterstück Limited Edition "Oscar Wilde" fountain pen and 1996's edition, the "Alexandre Dumas" fountain pen. I hope to add 1998's "Alexander the Great" to the group. The balance of my collection consists of a blue and black Pelikan Souveran R800, two Waterman "Exclusives", a sterling silver Waterman "Gentleman", a Waterman "Laureat", three silver Parker Sonnets, four Black Laque Parker Sonnets and a Sheaffer/Levenger "Mediterranean". I generally use only inks that are made by the same pen makers, of which my favorite is Parker's "Sapphire" Penman Ink. Pelikan's "Brilliant Green" is a close second. I prefer bottled ink to cartridges. My preferred nib is medium but I have nibs ranging from F to OBB.

I should mention here that I do not simply collect pens. I use my pens. All of my pens have tasted ink and most are utilized regularly. The Montblancs, the Montegrappa and the Deltas however seldom leave the display case. When I am at work, I always have three pens with me; a fountain pen in my shirt pocket and a roller and ballpoint in the leather pen and pad case I carry in my jacket pocket.

Goodbye 1997...

I celebrated a "milestone" birthday in 1997 and took note of the fact that I had been lacking a significant make of pen in my collection. As an American of Italian descent, I decided that as a gift to myself, I had to add some Italian pens to my assortment. I therefore purchased both the Delta "Colosseum" fountain pen and ballpoint, a Montegrappa Cosmopolitan - "Africa" in sterling silver and the Delta "Nautilus" in blue and sterling silver. The "Colosseum"s are a 1996 limited edition of 1926 pieces and the "Nautilus" and "Africa" were new for Fall '97. Naturally, I invested in a supply of Italian inks for these pens including Aurora Black and Visconti Acquamarina and Rosso Rubino. You can also see all of these pens in back issues of Pen World International Magazine .

Hello 1998...

For 1998, I have already added two older Italian pieces to my collection. First, the Visconti "Manhattan" in emerald green and second, the Visconti "Ragtime" in blue. Both pens are celluloid with 18k nibs. I have also just obtained a Waterman LeMan 100 "Opera" fountain pen which is a big, beautiful black and gold example of Waterman's art and an instrument appropriate for an opera lover like me. In May, I completed the "Opera" set with the purchase of the matching rollerball and ballpoint.

My most recent acquisition is the 1998 Montblanc Writer's Series "Edgar Allen Poe" fountain pen. This beautiful pen is a deep marbled blue with black accents, polished gold clip, satin gold Victorian motif band at the top of the cap and ribbed gold rings at the bottom of the cap and piston knob. Take a look at the wonderful Poe by clicking the link above.

For 1999...

Earlier this year I invested in a set of Montblanc Meisterstück "Le Grand" pens. I purchased a black 146 in Hamburg in July and the matching ball point, document marker and two pen case when I returned home. Also new to my collection and completing a set are a rotring 600 fountain pen and 600 rollerball in anodized matte black solid brass. I have always admired the most recent iteration of the sterling silver Parker "Ciselè", which is currently the Sonnet model and added the fountain pen and ball point to my ensemble.

My final purchase for this year (at least that's what I keep telling myself) was the 1996 Parker Duofold "Norman Rockwell" Limited Edition. This magnificent fountain pen is the Centennial sized version of the pearl and black 1928 Duofold Moderne. It has 18k gold rings with special hallmarks and a solid 18k gold die cast portrait disk set into the top of the cap. The pen came encased in a velvet-lined fiddleback maple box inside a leather and brass case and flannel drawstring bag with a folio of numbered reprints of four of Rockwell's ad subjects done for Parker in 1929 and 1959. Most impressive.

And for 2000...

I have set my sights on both the Aurora "Giuseppe Verdi Opera" and the Tebaldi "Model 60". I would still love to have a Montblanc Meisterstück "Prince Regent", Pelikan's "Austria 1000" and of course, the legendary "Blue Ocean". Hmmmmm... .

The latest purchase however is the new Visconti "Voyager Club" Honey and Almond fountain pen. I love the unique color and marbling of this pen, a very unusual combination which caught my eye and found its way into my collection along with Visconti's Sepia ink.

Finally, the new Millennium: 2001

Last year I added several new pens to the collection including my first Aurora LE, the "Giuseppe Verdi Opera" fountain pen (appropriate for the centennial year of the maestros death), an Amber Glow Sheaffer "Balance" fountain and roller set, the Kaweco "Sport" LE fountain and ball set, the matching Visconti "Voyager Club" ballpen to last 2000's fountain pen purchase and finally a sterling silver Parker Sonnet "Ciselè" rollerball that completes my set from 1999. Further consideration must be given to the new Montblanc LE, Yehudi Menuhin; I still covet the Tebaldi 60 and an Omas Extra Lucens would be superb.

New additions for 2002:

It's late in the year, well, May actually. I have just added the Aurora 1997 Limited Edition "Italian Flag" trio of fountain pens to the collection. The set consists of three medium 18K gold nibbed fountain pens, one each in Green, White and Red, the colors of the Italian Flag. Each pen is topped with an enamel rendition of the first Italian tri-color flag of 1797 and has a crossed-flag signature band. The set commemorates the bicentennial of the national banner of Italy. 599 sets were produced and 1398 individual fountain pens, numbered in sequence (1-599 for sets and 600-1997 for solos) for a total edition of 1997 units. I'm very proud to have this set in my collection.

A 2003:

The pursuit of automotive interests precluded the addition of more than a few pens to the collection. Actually, I received three as gifts from friends and loved ones. First, a Cross ATX emblazoned with the Lincoln star logo (automotive enthusiasm dominated the year for me...) and then another Cross ATX from a dear friend in England which commemorates the Concorde SST with the British Airways logo and "Concorde 1976-2003" on the cap. At years-end I received a beautiful Pelikan 605 fountain pen in solid blue celluloid with a cobalt blue and gold ceramic Pelikan pen rest to match.

For 2004:

The year has started off very nicely with two finds. In January I added my first demonstrator* to the collection. This is a Pelikan 250 with a 14k nib which will likely remain uninked. In February, I finally obtained my first Conway Stewart fountain pen. The Conway Stewart Classic 58 is a jewel of a pen with a slender, elegant clip and 18k rings, engraved barrel and 18k nib. The 58 first appeared in 1949 by this maker who supplies pens to the British royal family and heads of state. Mine is a beautiful shade of pearly Fire Red. Next, in March, I added to my collection the Conway Stewart Ivory Casein Duro fountain pen with a medium italic nib. This pen is simply one of the most elegant pens I've ever seen and is one of only 200 made worldwide. Its white-on-white pinstriped body and gold and black trim are the epitome of subtle sophistication. Casein is made purely from milk curd and whey mixed with rennet, a truly natural biodegradable material. As it is a living material it contains a warmth rather than the cold of plastics. This pen is a replica of the 1930's Duro.

Advice to the seriously curious...

If you are seriously interested in starting a fountain pen collection and are wondering where to begin, my advice is this:

If you are in a major metropolitan area, visit a store that sells fine writing instruments. A good shop will let you "road test" potential purchases to see which pens best suit your hand, style, needs etc.. Make your first purchase a moderately (this term is relative to your financial situation) priced pen that feels good in your hand and appeals to your eye. If I were to recommend only one pen to a new user (or even an old hand) it would be the Pelikan M800. If you have smaller than average hands, try the M600. These pens are beautifully made and never fail to please with their flexible nibs and bulletproof reliability.

If you live in a rural area (like me), take a trip to the city. Visit a pen show in your area. Check out an office supply store, stationer's or fine jewelry store and see if they have an assortment of pens to sample. Get a feel for the sizes of pens. Try the Montblanc 149, 146, 144 and 114. You can use these pens as a size reference when making inquiries via phone or the Internet. Most better pen retailers offer good free photo catalogs of their merchandise so call or write them for one.

Make sure you understand any dealer's return policy before you purchase. If you haven't had the opportunity to try before you buy, get comfortable with the pen before you dip it for the first time and do just that, dip only do not fill it until you have decided you're keeping it. If you must return a pen, send it back insured and in immaculate condition.

OK, final tips. Buy yourself lots of lovely ink colors and be good to your pens, they'll serve you well in return.

My collecting rationale...

Why do I collect writing instruments? It's really quite simple. I find the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship of a fine pen to be irresistible. Each pen is a small work of art, the qualities of which go mostly unnoticed by the majority of people. Most 18k gold nibs are works of art in and of themselves. The better the pen, the better the flow of ink to the page and the more satisfying the writing experience. To coin an old adage: "Lovely to look at and delightful to hold."

So, pens are my obsession. Some people "invest" in things like boats, off-road vehicles, coins (which I also collect...) or stamps. To each his or her own, I say. What ever hobbies or habits one has should provide some pleasure and respite from the daily grind, so relax and enjoy.

A few other remarks...

Two final notes. Thank you, Dee. If it weren't for you, I'd never have traveled this path or enjoyed it so much. And to Chris (isn't the L.A. Pen Show fun???), Donna and Bernd, my thanks to you for your frequent and enthusiastic encouragement of my collecting habits.

*A demonstrator is a pen constructed of clear acrylic and standard trim. Originally designed to aid pen salesmen sell their wares by providing a detailed look at the heart of the construction of a fountain pen, they are not very commonly manufactured today for obvious reasons.


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