Neil Gaiman And His Lamys

[shadow91]

I've been reading some older blog posts by Neil Gaiman and came across this,

 

"I'm writing my novel with two different fountain pens (a Lamy 2000, and a regular Lamy) filled with two different coloured inks (a greenish one and a reddish one), and I'm alternating pens each day, which means I can see at a glance how much writing I've actually done that day, or that week. More than five pages in the same colour of ink must have been a good day. The Lamy 2000 days are my favourites because the regular lamy, although a good pen for signing in, is less happy writing a novel, and handwriting like mine needs all the help it can get."

 

I know he used/uses the 2000 but what do you all suppose he means by "the regular one"?

 

Thanks,Hector

[Tonkus]

He tweeted "the lamy safari is a great beginning Fountain pen." July 2011

[conib]

Or maybe the Lamy Accent reported here:

http://neilgaimanboard.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/752608726/m/43210862621?r=58610027031#58610027031

[shadow91]

Interesting. I think he may have quite a few Lamys at this point so this may remain a mystery.

[Thornton]

The only Lamys I've heard/seen him use are the 2000 and the Accent with Pearwood grip. I've also seen him sign with a TWSBI ROC 100, Pelikan M600 (possibly 800), Cleo Skribent Classic, and the Waterman 52.

[tomgartin]

The Lamy 2000 is a great pen. If I were him, I'd have two! One with regular dark (blue/black) ink and one with Ancient Copper. Thus, if I said "the regular one" I would be meaning the one filled with dark ink, and not the one with copper ink. But that's me, and I'm not Neil Gaiman.

 

Interesting method of writing. I might have to try that.

[Sadieprater]

At the recent Dallas book signing he talked about his current favorite. He was using a Pilot custom 823 Amber with Black Swans in English Roses. Apparently not a single false start for the entire signing tour.

[tomgartin]

At the recent Dallas book signing he talked about his current favorite. He was using a Pilot custom 823 Amber with Black Swans in English Roses. Apparently not a single false start for the entire signing tour.

 

I knew he was a gifted artist, but sounds like he's also got good taste in pens and ink. Did you happen to get a writing sample (autograph) while you were there? I'd love to see if you did.

[Sadieprater]

Indeed I do. I'm new around these parts and can't figure out how to post the photo. Can someone point me to a directions link?

[tomgartin]

Indeed I do. I'm new around these parts and can't figure out how to post the photo. Can someone point me to a directions link?

 

Not sure where the official directions are, but when you make a post you should see an "Attach a file" button at the bottom. If you don't you may need to have a higher post count. You can also click the little picture icon on the post editor toolbar and paste a URL for an external image. See picture below...

 

 

You may need to click "More Reply Options" to get into the full editor screen, but if you don't see these options at all, you may need to increase your post count by joining discussions in topics (other than chatter; posts in chatter do not increase your post count).

HTH

[Sadieprater]

 

I knew he was a gifted artist, but sounds like he's also got good taste in pens and ink. Did you happen to get a writing sample (autograph) while you were there? I'd love to see if you did.

Thanks! Turns out it is hard to post photos via iphone. Here are the pictures from the signing. I can't tell which nib size he was using, but I would guess a medium or broad. I have included both signatures so you can see the behavior on the different paper stocks. The Stardust signature took about 5-7 minutes to dry on that glossy stock.

[tomgartin]

 

Beautiful! Looks like it could be a Pilot Broad since it looks like a medium-broad width on the glossy stock, and double-broad on the courser paper.

Of course, it's neat to see such a well-loved writer writing. Thanks for sharing your photos!

 

Now, how can I get my hands on an 823 without having to become a famous author.......?

[shadow91]

I just attended a signing and asked what pen he was using. Unfortunately I was so nervous that I now have no idea what he said. Anyway here are some pics of the signatures.

 

http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt187/decayfx/10264951_10203686622427773_8563782719126392963_n_zps61bc998f.jpg

 

http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt187/decayfx/10277221_10203686621507750_7418119200766159470_n_zps172a9262.jpg

 

Also got a picture with him as well. The pen is nearly impossible to see however.

 

http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt187/decayfx/10153866_10203676334810589_3376390359538174985_n_zpsa8856ae7.jpg

[angelofmusic81]

I had the pleasure of attending one of his signings this tour as well. The hilarious thing was that when I got up there to get my book signed, the only thing I could think of was "I bought a Lamy 2000 because of you." He immediately looked up and his face split into the biggest grin. He held out his Pilot Custom 823 and started telling me all about it and how flawless it has been on the tour. That guy REALLY loves his pens...as if he could get any cooler anyway.

[fireofspring]

I owned and used Lamy Safaris exclusively for years, with no desire to upgrade, until I read Gaiman's post about his Lamy 2000 on Tumblr earlier this year:

 

I love 1920s Watermans flex nibs, but slowly lost them all, and couldn’t justify the price for the joy they gave me. I like to write novels with the Lamy 2000, love to sign books with a Pilot 823, and enjoy the hand-feel of lots of pens. I’m easy. (The only ones that irritate me as being overpriced and no fun to write with are Mont Blanc, although I’m assured that old Mont Blancs are lovely.)

 

So I blame Neil Gaiman for kicking off my training wheels and setting me rolling down the hill toward multiple-pen-owning destitution.

[Thornton]

I owned and used Lamy Safaris exclusively for years, with no desire to upgrade, until I read Gaiman's post about his Lamy 2000 on Tumblr earlier this year:

 

I love 1920s Watermans flex nibs, but slowly lost them all, and couldn’t justify the price for the joy they gave me. I like to write novels with the Lamy 2000, love to sign books with a Pilot 823, and enjoy the hand-feel of lots of pens. I’m easy. (The only ones that irritate me as being overpriced and no fun to write with are Mont Blanc, although I’m assured that old Mont Blancs are lovely.)

 

So I blame Neil Gaiman for kicking off my training wheels and setting me rolling down the hill toward multiple-pen-owning destitution.

 

I know the feeling. I bought a TWSBI ROC and a Pilot Custom 823 because of him. Well worth the money, but still two pens I never anticipated owning. I already had a Lamy 2000, but when I write with it now I always think of Mr. Gaiman.

[Calabria]

With that Tim Burton hair Neil Gaiman has GOT to be the poster boy of fountain pen goth cool 👽

[UncleEnrico]

I use Lamy pens because I like, I would keep using even if authors or other people prefered change their pens.

[Snoutmol]

"If you can spend a perfectly useless afternoon in a perfectly useless manner, you have learned how to live."
– Lin Yu-T'ang

 

I like that quote, thank you. I feel stressed about always having to be productive.

 

I think I'll write a novel with a Lamy 2000.

[PaperDarts]

It's almost too much that he not only writes incredible books, but is a dedicated FP user. Thanks for the photos!