Building a Collection (1)

Some Basic Advice

Welcome to the hobby of collecting writing instruments. (Notice the subtle change from fountain pen collector)? It seems to take only a short time before the new fountain pen collector starts accumulating a great deal of ephemera that has to do with the pens themselves be it old advertisements, inks, ink bottles and more. However a little basic advice is worthwhile when one starts collecting.

1. Decide why you are collecting

Many people collect fountain pens for investment purposes while others collect them because not to make money but to enjoy a hobby. There is another group that purchases fountain pens because they "... just like to use them."

If you fall into the latter category then the cost of a pen is not an issue. (You don't have to buy an expensive pen costing a great deal of money to get pleasure from it - all you care is whether it feels good in your hand and writes comfortably - for you)' In that case make sure you can try the pens before you buy them or if purchasing them on-line that you confirm with the seller that if you do not like it you may return it within a very short period of time. A confident seller will do so.

If you are collecting for investment purposes then you must follow a different set of rules (see Pens as Investments).

2. Begin by collecting pens that have some theme

A theme could be just about anything. You might decide to collect Parker Duofolds (or Sheaffer Balances or Esterbrook Pens or Waterman Ripples or a collection of Modern Pens with one of the same kind that is a vintage pen.). Doing so provides you collection with a focus. Rather than blindly buying everything that looks neat or that some other person has or says is 'the best pen' your growing collection will have a purpose and a character. Setting that purpose allows you to get something that you will enjoy because it builds on other parts of your collection.

3. Collect within your budget

Interestingly enough this follows logically from the previous suggestion. By staying within your budget you look only for those 'pens' which extend your collection and which you know will give you pleasure. It is far better to buy one pen that enhances your collection (whether that be on line or at a pen show) than to spend that same amount of money on many pens. Whilst you might arrive home with lots of pens is there any that will really give you pleasure or extend your collection. Many, nay most collectors have purchased too many pens that in a short time they are ready to sell b e c a u s e their purchase had no place in building their collection.

4. Join a Pen Club

See if there is a local writing instrument society (pen club) in your area and start attending. You can be assured that all of these clubs will welcome you.

Joining that pen club will provide you with more information and advice than any number of books or email sites can possibly do. What is more you will be able to try many of those pens you might initially be considering as a focus for a collection. You will learn more about inks (heck you will probably be able to try out many of those you could be considering ... and save a lot of money ... for pens). Pen clubs have people that repair vintage pens within their midst, that can direct you to those who can do any tricky repairs or other tasks you might wish. Most importantly you develop camaraderie with others who share the same enjoyment of the hobby and that in itself makes collecting more fun.

5. Attend a Pen Show

Ones first pen show is a state of wonderment - truly. One meets hundreds (even thousands) of people from all over the world at these show who have one thing in common - the love of collecting writing instruments. Shows like Washington and Chicago (two of the larger shows) have collectors from Australia, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Israel, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Hong Kong, the U.S.A. and India. One will meet the authors of most of those books one finds on Fountain pens in bookstores and libraries. One gets to talk with some of the best known people in the hobby; professional pen repair people are there to tenderly make that pen of yours work the way you want it to. There are so many people selling fountain pens that it seems like you have awakened in a dream. All of those pens you wanted are there. Better still you meet those who are collecting the same things you are and they can give you the best advice possible in building your collection. There are seminars on different aspects of the hobby as well as those on repairing different pens (how to repair snorkels, or vacumatics or ....) and other seminars on the photography of writing instruments. For some the most amazing thing is the number of pen dealers at the shows. If there is a pen you want it can be purchased at shows. One returns home not only with a pen or two but with an increased knowledge and enjoyment of the hobby. Most of all you have many new pen collecting connections and friends.

6. Build a Library

A good book is a resource that will never cease being used. For example Fountain Pens and Pens: The Golden Age of Writing Instruments ( Fischler and Schneider) although first published in 1990, and usually referred to as the big Blue Book (after the color of its cover) is still considered to be one of the authoritative sources on fountain pens by collectors. There are many great books on the hobby from relatively inexpensive to the coffee table tomes of Andreas Lambrou which are fantastic resources. There have been many new books in the last few years well worth having ranging from Fountain Pens: Past and Present (Paul Erano), Parker 51 (David and Mark Shepherd) and Parker Duofold (David Shepherd and Dan ZaZove) that would serve as the basis for a fountain pen library.

 

7. Frequent some of the Pen Forums on the Internet

Too many new collectors rush straight to e-bay to buy ........! Anything ......!

There are good resources on the internet from which one can gain knowledge, share problems, get answers to questions and become a more integral part of the worldwide pen community. pens@zoss.com is the great email forums on the internet and can be joined by merely following the link above. It is people by collectors who not only can provide answers to most questions but by those who want to share their enjoyment of the hobby. The Fountain Pen Network is another great forum of collectors that is somewhat like an on-line pen club. It has various different forums within which you can join and share opinions. ask questions, take part in discussions and even take pen quizzes (for fun ... and even sometimes prizes).

Do not make E-bay your major source on the internet (which is not to suggest to not use it). Rather consult these other resources before you begin committing your money for objects that others might tell your to avoid or prior to having a focus to your collection.

 

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