IAP and the PCA

[penmaker56]

During the Columbus Pen Show, Jeff Brown and I had a nice conversation about the pen makers in the IAP and the Pen Collectors of America (PCA), which is the national organization for pen collecting in the United States. I then introduced him to Lisa Anderson, who is currently its president.

The PCA, for anyone who collects, sells, repairs, or manufactures writing instruments is a wealth of information about the subject, not only pens, but all writing instruments, using them, collecting them, and repairing them. This organization is a great way to learn more about the things that you are making. The magazine "The Pennant," which comes out four times a year, is only available to PCA members, and its subscription is part of the yearly dues, is filled with so much information, that it's usually kept as a reference material through the years. The PCA also maintains the world's largest library related to writing instruments.

Membership to the PCA is only US$40.00 per year, which is well worth just receiving "The Pennant" alone; most of the IAP membership started as something else other than pen makers and most have never used a fountain pen, let alone, the care and maintenance of one. As I said earlier, this organization is a great wat to learn and understand the things that you are making, and will also be able to help you out explaining it to your customers.

If you are interested in joining, you can visit their website: www.pencollectorsofamerica.com or you can PM me.

 

[Ed McDonnell]

Thanks Richard - I was aware of the PCA, but I had no idea it would be as useful and interesting as your description makes it sound. I'll definitely check it out.

Ed

 

[Donovan]

I joined thanks

Donovan

 

[jeff]

I enjoyed meeting Lisa and talking to her and Richard about how the PCA and IAP could benefit each other. I'm planning to have some discussions with her about possibly providing visitors to our chapter meetings, or some other interface that we can come up with.

In the meantime, I'm joining :biggrin:

 

[BRobbins629]

I enjoyed meeting Lisa and talking to her and Richard about how the PCA and IAP could benefit each other. I'm planning to have some discussions with her about possibly providing visitors to our chapter meetings, or some other interface that we can come up with.

In the meantime, I'm joining :biggrin:

The Richmond Chapter is having a fountain pen meeting/discussion/tuning session in January. Would love to have an expert join us if there is one nearby.

 

[Dalecamino]

Great information for a wanna be pen maker like ME

Thanks!

 

[GDGeorge]

Great information for a wanna be pen maker like ME

Thanks!

--ditto--

J

 

[Carl Fisher]

Registered and paid.

Thanks! I didn't know anything about this and it looks like a great resource.

 

[Carl Fisher]

Wow, as a member you can even go download the PDF archives of The PENnant. Well worth the $40 alone I think.

 

[onewaywood]

Just joined, where do I find this year's copies of the Pennant ? All I found was last years and before.

 

[penmaker56]

You might want to try contacting the editor, Paul Erano, about this years past editions, at: editor@pencollectorsofamerica.com. Or I do not know how close Madison is to Appleton, Lisa Anderson, who is the current President of the PCA, she and her husband, just opened up Anderson Pens in Appleton, WI, if its close, you might want to stop in say hi.

 

[scotian12]

I look forward to my quarterly issued Pennant magazine.. Pen World brings me the news on what new and Pennant tells me about the past history of our pens. Great articles on ink, pen construction and pen materials.Considering the low membership cost this is a beautifully constructed magazine. It will help advance our knowledge of making our pens just like the old ones. Darrell

 

[onewaywood]

Thanks Richard, that's just a few hours away.IN the mean time I will contac him.