A lot of fun and excitement this month, and looks like more still to come in the next few months! As many of you have noticed, the collections gallery on Penlovers has been coming along nicely, with the addition this month of the Pelikan collection, everything from the first 100 series pens from the 30s, through modern LEs, as well as a small, but very nice collection of Wahl Deco Band Personal Points, including matching pencils. It's been a real treat to photograph these pens for the gallery, and while a bit on the arduous side, very educational. Special thanks go out to Ann and Arvin Chaikin, for allowing the photographing of many pens from their collection, as well as Alexandra Nyfors, for the Pelikans and Swishers. What's to come in this section? Well, how about Chiltons? And, of course, more Parkers, a nice selection of Jack Knife safety and Lucky Curve BCHR pens, Duofolds, Vacumatics, and 51s. Always assuming that my shutter button doesn't break off before we're done!

In addition to the collections, we've had several new pens to review for this month, the Cross ATX, a couple from Krone, and the New Etruria 991 from Stipula. All great pens, I'm happy to say! Of course, what could be greater than a pen custom made to your specifications? The answer? Nothing! So I exercised editorial discretion and wrote about the wonderful solid copper Duofold that Chris Thompson made up for me. If you haven't already had the chance to read about his pens, you've missed out on a treat. Nothing like getting to experience checking them out for yourself, of course. For that you will need to meet up with him at a show, or heck, just order a pen form him! I can assure you, it will be worth every penny.....

You can also read all about the great find of late 1940s Parker pens Roger Cromwell recently came across when a small garage sale looked like a good way to spend a few minutes waiting for his broken car to be repaired. This is what we're all really looking for when we ask that famous question "Got any old pens?" every time we walk into an antique shop. Or, as a former co-worker of mine did recently, into a thrift shop. He bought a bag of ballpoints and pencils because he remembered that I had once told him about my pen collection, and that some "old pens" could be quite valuable. His prize, culled from the advertising pencils and old Bics? An OS Wahl Deco Band in Black and Pearl! Not perfect, but no cracks, and decent color. Well worth the $2 he paid......

It's not just in vintage pens that you can still find a real bargain. Recently, online retailer Ashford.com held a clearance sale. One of the items they were clearing out was the Avvenire fountain pen, made for them by Visconti. This great pen was selling for only $45 on clearance, you can read a review of it in this issue, and decide for yourself if the price is right. It definitely pays to keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground, pen bargain-wise!

The Washington DC show is coming up in a couple of weeks, I assume you all have your tickets booked, and travel plans made? I won't be there, of course, the excitement of my "other job", the one that pays the bills intervened, but Dean will be there with the Penlover's table set up. We should have an adequate supply of the 1999 CDs available for sale, or if you've already purchased your copy during our July special, take the opportunity to stop and say hi to Dean!

Copyright © 2001   Bill Riepl