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."
March 31, 2014 · Notes from the Work Bench
The Esterbrook pen company made myriad nib sizes and styles to customize each of the pens they made to the needs of their users. Best of all, they did it with an easy twist out nib assembly anybody could manipulate. Although every fountain pen manufacturer for the past 100 years has made specialized nibs for…
March 15, 2014 · Famous People & Pens
Normally, we don’t highlight famous people using disposable pens, but Stephen Colbert earns our special recognition for his use of a gel click pen by Pilot. Why? Because he just proved himself to be the world’s greatest pen salesman! “Wait, Nathaniel,” you say. “Greatest satirist we can buy, but greatest pen salesman? How do you…
February 20, 2014 · Pen News
Here is a nearly mint condition Mabie Todd Eternal. Fully restored, it works beautifully. We hate bragging so much we started a blog. Just be forewarned. Although we try not to get too crazy about any one pen on our site, we think this one is worth all of the hype. It is an original,…
February 14, 2014 · Original Stories
While riding in the backseat of our station wagon, my sister (then 6) and I (then 10), asked our parents a deeply philosophical question about St. Valentine’s Day and love. “If here’s an Easter bunny and reindeer and Santa at Christmas, what animal leaves us gifts on Valentine’s Day?” Happy St. Valentine’s Day! Every year…
February 7, 2014 · Pens & Writing
The key to every good love letter is making it as personal as you can. Don’t be intimidated by writing. Savor the joy it will bring. Okay, so now that you have a spiffy pen for writing love letters, how do you go about using it? Writing a good love letter is an art form,…
February 4, 2014 · Pens & Writing
Sheaffer’s early nibs of the 1920s featured heart-shaped breather holes. Who says fountain pens aren’t romantic. It’s true. Fountain pens write better love letters. As St. Valentine’s Day approaches, it is important to let those you love know how you feel. You don’t need to buy a diamond mine or hire pilots with a knack…
January 23, 2014 · Pen News
Here is the Wearever Deluxe 100 in a grey and red pattern that looks surprisingly close to that of the Parker Parkerette below. To the astonishment of many long-time pen collectors, the Wearever brand has been gaining a lot of second looks in recent years. Although Sheaffer and Parker routinely vied for the title of…
January 14, 2014 · Pen News
My dented rear wheel well provides the backdrop for my heroic Fisher Space Pen that I can vouch for working after sitting overnight in -13-degree weather. I was peacefully minding my own business in the left turn lane on the morning Chicago had a high temperature of -13 degrees Fahrenheit. As I watched the cross…
January 7, 2014 · Pen Ads of Yesteryear
We recently added a classic Eversharp Doric Junior to our vintage pens collection, and it is striking how handsome it remains, despite a great deal of wear. The layers of transluscent greens still flash through history as if impervious to age. Here is the page from the 1932 Everharp catalog that shows the very Doric…
December 26, 2013 · Famous People & Pens
Pen afficianados are a pretty polite group of people, but in case you weren’t sure to do about all the great gifts you got this holiday season, don’t forget to write your thank you notes. Even notorious murderer and thief Clyde Barrow was courteous enough to write a thank you note. He made sure to…
December 17, 2013 · Pen Ads of Yesteryear
Celebrity endorsements don’t come cheap, but it appears that Santa has been in high demand with every brand who has approached him over the years. Santa makes a celebrity endorsement of Waterman pens in 1904. In 1904 he says Waterman is the best. In 1939 he was hooked on the Parker Vacumatic. In between those…
December 16, 2013 · Uncategorized new
Sands are quickly passing through the hourglass. We cannot ever guarantee the delivery date of domestic standard USPS shipping, but Tuesday is likely the last day we can ship something to you and have it arrive in time for Christmas. Priority Mail’s last day for U.S. customers to receive a pen in time for Christmas…
