The second coming of two favorite pens

December 5, 2007

Many pens have passed through my hands. I am not a collector, so I acquire pens to use as daily writers. I try some and find they are not what I want so off they go to someone who will use and appreciate them. Tastes change over the years, so pens I once enjoyed but no longer get used much are sold or traded. Nearly 90% of the pens I have acquired have gone on to other homes.

However, there have been a few that I was sorry to see go. A couple times I have sold pens to pay unexpected expenses. Within the past six weeks I have picked up two of those I wished I had not sold: a tortoise Pelikan 400NN, and a blue auroloide Aurora Optima.

The 400NN turned out to have piston problems from sitting unused for many years. The seller graciously refunded my purchase price. It was nice to have a 400NN again, even if only briefly, and so that desire has been quenched. I have a 1950s green stripe 400 that was a gift from a friend, so I can do without the 400NN.

The desire for the Optima, however, was considerably stronger. My wife and son gave me a green auroloide Optima back in 1998, and it has always been a favorite. The blue one I had for just five months back in 2002 before being forced to sell it.

Today's mail brought a lovely blue Optima with a medium italic nib, and I must say it is nice to have one again! I do hope this one is here to stay.

Now, if I could only get that fine nib ruby Namiki Impressions back that I foolishly traded away five years ago.