Pen Collecting Anyone???

[jttheclockman]

When I first started getting into this hobby I said to myself that I should make a display rack of some sort to collect some desirable pens weather they were mine or what. I never finished that display case as it sits in the basement with so many other unfinished projects. I am sure none of you have any of those laying around.

Anyway my question is: are there any serious pen collectors here on this pen turning site??? I say the word collector in the true sense of the word's meaning as opposed to us all that have a ton of pens that we have not sold and are collecting dust. Again I am sure none of you have any of them right???

If you do have a collection going on maybe you can share a few photos and give us a brief history or interesting story or two. Maybe how it all started or maybe a particular pen that you picked up or made. Look forward to reading some. Thanks.

 

[ashaw]

John
I was once a collector of vintage pens. I had amassed a lot pens. I sold my collection in 2001 when my job was outsourced. The pens in my collection were mainly Parkers and Shaffers. In 2002 I wanted pens again so I began the process of pen making. Joined this site in 2003 when there was just a few dozen or so of us here.

Alan

 

[Scott]

I had a thing for Italian celluloid pens by Oma's and Stipula. Still have most of them, but am thinking of parting with them.

Scott.

 

[plantman]

John; I have between 500 and 600 pens in my collection. Most of them I have made myself. I'm one of those people that has to have one of everthing that's out there. Every time I see a new kit, I have to make it. Everytime someone shows a new method of pen making, I have to try it. Every few months I will spread the collection out on a couple work benches and rearrange them in their cases, I also look to see if I am making progressing in my craftsmanship and design. I get a great satisfaction out of knowing that at age 70 I can still make something that I am proud of and can bring a smile to someone's face. I also enjoy this site and being able to share any knowledge I have gained in all those years with those who are just starting out, and those who have much more knowledge than I have, and are willing to share it like yourself. Jim S

 

[JohnGreco]

I've loved pens since high school and was able to get a few Mont Blanc and Waterman pens along the way, but was never able to build up my collection as much as I would have liked. I was actually hesitant to get into pen making, I found it hard to believe a handcrafted pen could be as good as those in my little collection. Of course I was wrong, now I'm adding pens I've made to that collection

 

[Brooks803]

I have a small collection pens. None of them are show stoppers, but I really enjoy them. Had a few pics already in photobucket so here's something to look at:

Don't know much about this one:



Sheaffer Touchdown:



Pilot Vanishing Point:



Parker Vacumatic (I think it's 1945):



Parker Vacumatic 1934:

 

[Tanner]

I like the shape of some of these vintage ones,

 

[jttheclockman]

I like the shape of some of these vintage ones,

I also like the color especially that last one.

 

[Tom T]

Nice vintage pens. They look very cool.

Mr. Plantman do you happen to have any photos of your collection we could see. 600 pens is a lot of pens.

 

[Smitty37]

I collect pens mostly made by my fellow members here - I have nearly 100 at the moment including two that I will be posting pictures of soon. I think that I made 2 of them possibly 3 and my son-in-law gave me a snake skin one that might have been made by a member but I don't know that for sure.

I have some pretty good looking pens in the collection. I also have 7 bottle stoppers and one letter opener made by members. I'm starting to get a little tight for space.

 

[panamag8or]

My grandfather owned an office supply store for 50 years, and repaired Sheaffers when he started. When he passed (2004), I found dozens of pens, all still in boxes. Parkers, Sheaffers, Cross and many other types. I made the mistake of selling all the Parker 75's, but have a nice (small) collection of vintage pens. I have 2 old Parker and one Sheaffer display trays that I have them in. There is still one Parker 75 that resides with my parents... the R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, still in original packaging.

There was also a cabinet full of old Sheaffer parts. I sold most of them to Richard Binder, and he built me a Statesman from scratch. The newest pen in my collection is the first one I made... it gets a place of honor with the vintage pens.

My daily carry for a while was a Parker T-1 ballpoint/pencil convertible. I put the clip tag back on it, and it sits in the collection, now.

I also have hundreds of old clip tags, box tags, stacks of old instructions and COA's.

 

[plantman]

Nice vintage pens. They look very cool.

Mr. Plantman do you happen to have any photos of your collection we could see. 600 pens is a lot of pens.

Tom; Look up my threads " Pen Display " 3-19-2013 and " How to Display Your Pens " 3-17-2013. There are photos of my display table at our woodworking show last month. I had over 350 of my pens displayed there. Jim S