It's nearly the end of the road

It's been a long trip from owning pens to learning about them, and then identifying them.

And, I am nearly there--just a few odd balls here and there, a few to photograph and hope some kindly member at the FPn will identify them.

Postscript:

I've taken photographs of the three oldies; the Parker and the Snake. I've also taken a decent photograph of the French transparent fountain pen I bought at Papers.

I will post them this week for possible identification and pedigree.

I've also determined that a PR ink bottle will fit into a Morriset inkwell.

A Parker, not the usual Anorek

Here is one of several Parkers I own. Most are inexpensive throw-away Vectors, but nice to use.

This one and another seem more upscale. I haven't a real clue which model it is although I am beginning to suspect it falls into the 51 model category or perhaps an Parker 21. It is a simple pen, and as I search my memory, I begin to recall it is either one I bought early in my collecting life or one I might have picked up second hand. The gray matte is very unpretentious, rather like a gentleman's office pen you'd find on a clerk or clark's desk.

Perhaps I bought it when I was a Republican? If so it would make it a 40-year old pen.

I have to read this article carefully and others like it to determine which of many 51s I own.

A sad postscript, examining it with a magnifying glass, I saw a hairline crack in the barrel, obviously not a good thing.

The fat on Mole-skines

The article (see link above) about the origin, use and present state of Moleskinerie is worth reading and noting.

I can't recall when I bought my first Moleskine, but I can remember the last three: December 2003, Palermo, Italy.

In fact, I was so enchanted with the idea of buying Moleskines in Italy that I bought a diary, a sketchbook, and an address book, all in black.

I've been using the diary as scrap paper; the address book is nearly empty and the large Moleskine sketchbook is filled to the brim with notes, lists, and diary entries from my ontheroad travels, up to and including my relocation to this rural country road.

Parker Vector Fountain Pens

Even after years of neglect, these Parkers write like the day I bought them--decades ago, look nearly new, just need a polishing cloth, and a rub, and are good to go.

It is the simple things that generally stay simple.

Then why did I complicate my life and my fountain pen fetish with more than these?

Waterman Safety Pen

This Waterman Safety was sold to FPn member in exchange for pen advice.

Starting with the letter "A"

This Navy Blue pen finally has her own pedigree. She was identified at the FPn as an Idea, an inexpensive Aurora, but one I am rather fond of and use often.

Converters, Cartridges and Self Fillers: Ink

It is a process, some sort of feng shui notion that it, whatever it is, should or must be in perfect, harmonious order. Hence, I am attempting to put these fountain pens I own into good order.

Some of the lovelies will go to some other home, some will stay close by, but regardless of where they live, I'd like them to be clean, refreshingly clean, have the appropriate converter, or cartridge, and a pedigree of some sort.

It doesn't seem enough to know that a fountain pen is a Pelikan or a Mont Blanc. I'd like to know their personal name, something like being able to separate all the Williams in the world, or all the Smith's in the phone directory.

It gave me a great sense of satisfaction to learn that the two Waterman I have go by the name, Waterman Gentleman, and Waterman Lady Charlotte. There is something almost intimate about having that information.

So in order to accomplish this I've ordered some converters from Swishers, and will order some repair and cleaning materials from Pendemonium early next week.

Here's an article on converters that hss some historical value.

I have two growing groupings on my dresser, one with all the pens that have surnames, and another with those that remain orphans, but are still very much loved.

And today when I went into town, and after I brought B to her physical therapy session, I went over to the pharmacy, and bought an ear syringe to clean the pens better than the dripping water faucet. The use of this syringe was a most edifying moment. Several of the newly cleaned, hardly dried fountain pens still had quite a bit of ink still in their nibs.

Now these are sparkling clean inside. Next week they will be sparkling clean outside.

Levenger's Ink Colour

They may be more beautiful in person!

Diamine colour sample

Nothing like a beautiful hand to show off these colours. Courtesy of K.