My best friend gave me my very first vintage FP. He had (and still doesn't) no idea about fountain pens, how they work, etc., so he did some research and figured this would be a good one. It's a beautiful pen, probably from the 1950s, a British FP with a lever that I had to google to learn how to use. The nib is more flexible than I'm used to, but it means the world to me because it's from my best friend.
This is so great. I regularly attend the Ohio Pen Show, and have never succumbed there to the various old men with their very old pens. But then I went to Vienna, and the best pen shop I found was run by a vintage enthusiast, and I came away with a gold-nibbed Waterman from the 40's which writes really well. I am hoping to stop with one?
Well written and relatable! I started collecting & repairing pens in college in the late 80’s. Wanted a nice pen to write with but on a student’s budget, one of those fancy German pens with the white star on the cap was out of reach. Found a 1940’s Sheaffer at a flea market, fixed it up to working condition and was hooked.
Found another one, and was soon scouring flea markets, garage sales, estate sales and antique stores. Dial-up internet offered “bulletin boards” & “email” where it was possible to research & learn from others. I was fascinated by the history, different designs, beautiful materials & the goal of taking a tool & restoring it to working condition.
As my life & career progressed, I was fortunate to travel all over the country (even the world). Found certain models from the “Big 4” (Sheaffer, Parker, Wahl Eversharp & Waterman) to focus on. Have made my share of great finds when hunting, sometimes foiled by the elusive and mysterious Sumgai, and sometimes transforming into Sumgai myself (“we had a big black Waterman here, but Sumgai just bought it yesterday”). Attended pen shows, and ogled at the wares offered by lots of old men (and young ones) at the tables.
My collection grew to hundreds of pens, vintage & modern. Occasionally I sell a few, and they help finance new acquisitions as well as other interests. Still use fountain pens every day.
But one “old man” in particular will live on in my memory: Fr. Terry Koch. Terry was a Jesuit priest, and when I was first learning about Sheaffer pens, he was incredibly kind. Always willing to share knowledge and known for the Sheaffer repair tools and replacement parts he fabricated & sold, I was fortunate to coordinate & meet up in person with Terry at his monastery in Los Altos. Terry is no longer with us, but his memory will always be with me and others, along with the restored old pens that were one of his passions. And I try to continue his legacy by passing the knowledge (and a few pens) to others.
More on Father Terry, an old man who still makes me smile:
Loved this! Sounds like a small novelette, and captures the emotions of acquiring an old pen. This is beautiful, what model ia it??
Thanks! Just finished a draft of a novel and trying something different. The pen is a Moore 94-A.
My best friend gave me my very first vintage FP. He had (and still doesn't) no idea about fountain pens, how they work, etc., so he did some research and figured this would be a good one. It's a beautiful pen, probably from the 1950s, a British FP with a lever that I had to google to learn how to use. The nib is more flexible than I'm used to, but it means the world to me because it's from my best friend.
The material on Moore pens is so damn pretty.
This is so great. I regularly attend the Ohio Pen Show, and have never succumbed there to the various old men with their very old pens. But then I went to Vienna, and the best pen shop I found was run by a vintage enthusiast, and I came away with a gold-nibbed Waterman from the 40's which writes really well. I am hoping to stop with one?
Well written and relatable! I started collecting & repairing pens in college in the late 80’s. Wanted a nice pen to write with but on a student’s budget, one of those fancy German pens with the white star on the cap was out of reach. Found a 1940’s Sheaffer at a flea market, fixed it up to working condition and was hooked.
Found another one, and was soon scouring flea markets, garage sales, estate sales and antique stores. Dial-up internet offered “bulletin boards” & “email” where it was possible to research & learn from others. I was fascinated by the history, different designs, beautiful materials & the goal of taking a tool & restoring it to working condition.
As my life & career progressed, I was fortunate to travel all over the country (even the world). Found certain models from the “Big 4” (Sheaffer, Parker, Wahl Eversharp & Waterman) to focus on. Have made my share of great finds when hunting, sometimes foiled by the elusive and mysterious Sumgai, and sometimes transforming into Sumgai myself (“we had a big black Waterman here, but Sumgai just bought it yesterday”). Attended pen shows, and ogled at the wares offered by lots of old men (and young ones) at the tables.
My collection grew to hundreds of pens, vintage & modern. Occasionally I sell a few, and they help finance new acquisitions as well as other interests. Still use fountain pens every day.
But one “old man” in particular will live on in my memory: Fr. Terry Koch. Terry was a Jesuit priest, and when I was first learning about Sheaffer pens, he was incredibly kind. Always willing to share knowledge and known for the Sheaffer repair tools and replacement parts he fabricated & sold, I was fortunate to coordinate & meet up in person with Terry at his monastery in Los Altos. Terry is no longer with us, but his memory will always be with me and others, along with the restored old pens that were one of his passions. And I try to continue his legacy by passing the knowledge (and a few pens) to others.
More on Father Terry, an old man who still makes me smile:
https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/103000-father-terry-koch-by-victor-chenrcromwell-stylophiles-jan01/