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."
January 24, 2018 · Pen Ads of Yesteryear
What on earth is this old Pelikan ink ad trying to convey in its message. Write with bird vomit? We strangle birds so you can write? Ah, the joys of marketing before Madison Avenue. Germans might have mastered marketing luxury items in this day and age…look no further than Montblanc, Mercedes and BMW…but the early…
December 14, 2017 · Pen News
These are the United States Postal Service’s recommended ship dates for merchandise to arrive in time for Christmas. Time quickly runs out at this time of year where shipping is concerned. Make sure to put in your orders in time to have by Christmas. This year the United States Post Office recommends that you ship…
December 1, 2017 · Pens & Writing
Glitter spells death for fountain pens! Writing good Christmas cards is easy once you accept the “glitter-death principle.” Glitter truly looks great on a lot of cards, but it also gets in your nib and destroys the perfection of your tipping material, suddenly rendering your favorite pen scratchy and irregular. Break out the green ink…
November 28, 2017 · Original Stories
BOGOTA, DuPAGE COUNTY, ILLINOIS—-Every time I tell myself, “This is the last time.” It has to be. I can’t keep it up any more. I’m losing my grip. The cash transactions. The legal scrutiny. The surveillance. And all of that Coke! I don’t know how my old man can do all of that coke in…
November 23, 2017 · Original Stories
Close friends will tell you that I’ve never been a food guy, but I love taking this day to reflect on the past year and all that I have to be truly thankful for. This year is an exceptionally thankful year. Part of my silence on the blog recently has been due to several severe and…
October 18, 2017 · Famous People & Pens
Debra Messing, the TV star best known for her roles on “Will & Grace,” “The Mysteries of Laura” and “The Starter Wife,” turns out to be a fan of fountain pens. She once posted on her Instagram account about one of her favorites being a white and rose gold Montegrappa Fortuna. She clearly has incredibly…
October 15, 2017 · Pen News
We have seen tons of Mont Blanc knockoffs over the years, but now it looks like even the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is getting in on the act. I just got my annual request for a donation…got a soft spot for our 4-legged friends…and they gave me a disposable click pen. Everybody…
October 11, 2017 · How Do I Start Collecting Pens?
You can’t go wrong with vintage or modern pens. In either case, it is best to do a little research to know what to look for to get the best deal. It also helps to know if you intend to use or display them. MODERN PENS Most people who are new to collecting pens start…
October 2, 2017 · Ink Reviews
Attracted by the many colors and properties of Noodler’s Inks, I just had to start exploring. Finding the right orange ink for me became an obsession last winter. Loving the color samples online for Apache Sunset and Habanero, they were the first in my cart. The top portion of this photo showcases fresh writing with…
September 28, 2017 · How Do I Start Collecting Pens?
Starting a pen collection isn’t always easy. There are soooooo many great pens out there in need of a good home. Where do you begin? There is no right or wrong way to begin, but sometimes it helps to narrow your options. Do you like dip pens, fountain pens, ballpoint pens or rollerball pens? Do…
September 18, 2017 · Pen Ads of Yesteryear
Some ads get so ridiculous we have to laugh. The advertising campaign for the Cross Verve is always good for a chuckle, but it sure didn’t seem to help sell any pens. It isn’t difficult to imagine the ads as pinups for teenage boys, but the sales for the Cross Verve were awful. I don’t…
August 14, 2017 · Pen News
ThePenMarket.com just celebrated its 10th birthday in style at the Washington DC Pen Show! I can’t believe we have never gone in the past. Despite some organizational hiccups, it was phenomenal. So many pens! So many collectors! So many new and old friends! This is a Neuport 28 fighter plane used by the Americans against…
