The blog since 2013
262 posts since September 2013 by Nathaniel Cerf: how to start collecting, what happens at the repair bench, inks under the sun, fake Montblancs, and the pens of presidents and writers. "It is a space dedicated to pen lovers old and new."
July 22, 2018 · Ink Reviews
I went a little ink crazy at Vanness Pens during the Little Rock Pen Show, back in April. Afterall, they only have the world’s largest selection of ink…and they were kind enough to ply just about all of the vendors and weekend pass holders with free food (including chocolate-covered bacon) and beer. As such, I…
July 15, 2018 · Pen News
Since last writing, I’ve been to the inaugural St. Louis Pen Show, moved secret underground workshop lairs and hosted visits by many members of my college fencing team! The first St. Louis Pen Show was a monster success and a ton of fun. First to the exciting and wonderful new St. Louis Pen Show. More…
June 17, 2018 · Famous People & Pens
Most pen fanatics are familiar with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famed author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, having once been an advertising spokesman for the Parker Duofold. However, that was at the end of his life. This Swan eyedropper was once a gift from mystery writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife to…
June 8, 2018 · Ink Reviews
One of my favorite parts about owning a pen business is meeting so many amazing pen and ink collectors from around the world. One of my many great new friends is a brilliant “amateur” ink historian from Germany who doesn’t want to be identified, so I shall simply refer to her as Frau Tinte. (Ms.…
May 11, 2018 · Pen News
There was something new in the air this year at the 2018 Chicago Pen Show, and I liked it: new blood, innovation, advancements on the writing experience. This year’s Bootlegger’s Sacrament and last year’s Chicago Blue are great examples of city-themed ink from Papier Plume and KWZ, respectively. Long-time readers of this blog know there…
May 2, 2018 · Pen News
Turning it around for the Chicago Pen Show, immediately after Atlanta, is tricky, but we do it in style. In addition to cranking through a ton of vintage pen restorations, I’ve picked up a collection of Omas fountain pens which will make their appearance at our tables for the very first time. Visit us at…
April 21, 2018 · Pen News
I love that fresh, brilliant light green of new leaves after a long winter. These are white oaks from northern Georgia in full bloom. I got my motor running and headed out on the highway for another spectacular trip down to Atlanta for a great pen show. Maybe it was due to the fact Chicago…
April 11, 2018 · Pen News
We’ve been busy since our first pen show of 2018. We now have more than 100 pens not presently available online that we will be debuting at the 2018 Atlanta Pen Show. Here is just one box of goodies that we’ll be bringing to the 2018 Atlanta Pen Show. It is full of fun items…
April 1, 2018 · How Do I Start Collecting Pens?
When you are the #1 selling maker of luxury pens, everyone will be chasing your brand, trying to emulate it. That is why the market is flooded with myriad knock-off Mont Blanc pens. At a quick glance this looks like an authentic sterling silver Mont Blanc Classique, but MB never paints its logo on the…
March 27, 2018 · Pen News
We had always heard good things about the Arkansas Pen Show in Little Rock, but they were all understatements. This was our first year in attendance, and we already can’t wait to go back. There’s just something about Southern hospitality that suites us fine. Here’s a view of the action at the 2018 Arkansas Pen…
February 9, 2018 · Original Stories
For all of our pen customers around the world who live south of what we, in the United States, call the Mason-Dixon Line, odds are you might not know the true joy of a “Snow Day.” As of sunrise, 5 of the expected 12 inches of today’s snow storm have fallen here in Chicago. It…
February 2, 2018 · Pen Ads of Yesteryear
The perfect ad for a vintage addict like me. Hats, blotter and a great red roadster! Who wouldn’t want to hitch a ride inside that ad? The brick-and-mortar closing of my favorite hat shop (Hats Plus) in Chicago saddens me, as I cannot count the number of hours I’ve spent there trying on hats and…
