Since I became involved in using (collecting? accumulating?) fountain pens, the pens have all been modern. Perhaps a remake here or there, like a Parker 51 Special Edition, but modern in terms of age, materials and style. Why – I think the simple answer is access and knowledge with a definite sense of fear.
The ability to lay my hands on an actual fountain pen in a store of any kind here in London was difficult before but now is virtually impossible with the unfortunate closing of the Peel Pen Shop. So, my access was restricted to the various shops in downtown Toronto when I travelled there on business. Otherwise, I had to “trust” pictures and discussion boards before ordering new pens over the Internet or buying on Ebay.
I also wanted something that I could trust to write with few problems and moderns pretty much fit the bill.
In the vintage world, knowledge (and it would appear manual dexterity) is power. The more I learn about vintage pens, the more I appreciate them. Nonetheless, I am still deathly afraid of my lack of manual dexterity – I nothing but thumbs when it comes to minor repair work around the home (my mom used to call me Jack Tripper – remember the klutz on the old TV show “Three’s Company”), what chance do I have trying to repair a small, old pen that could easily break, even in the hands of a professional. God, I can hear my father laughing in heaven every time I pick up a hammer or screwdriver! Well, like most problems, there is the obvious solution (to almost anything): money – to buy vintage in mint or near mint condition (assuming you know what that means and can tell the difference – is the cap or clip or any other part of the pen exactly correct??). The other is to join a pen club and find some other knowledgeable vintage collectors who are willing to help you. To be continued.
Filed under: Ebay, fountain pen, modern, vintage
