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This year's Atlas Sidewalk Sale is almost upon us, Chicago area friends! I managed to signed up for a couple of seminars and a social, and looking forward to getting to join this year (last year didn't work out). In addition to looking forward to the classes, I hope to get some entry level Platinum pens, and try some new brands of ink. At the Chicago Pen Show I really liked a Platinum 3776 SF (one regular, one with an italic grind), so even though the Preppy isn't my aesthetic, I might see about the new Maki-e ones to dip my toes in. Let me know if they like any of the starters for them better that I can keep an eye out for. I'm still new to this hobby and being careful where I ultimately might want to put larger sums. Atlas also posted shopping rules on Instagram for the venders that will be selling their own wares on the sidewalk. https://www.atlasstationers.com/pages/event-schedule

Disclosure / disclaimer: I do not work for Dymocks, directly or indirectly, and am not otherwise affiliated with the company or its owners. I just walk past it several times a week when heading uptown or on the way home, so I'm just putting a word in for a local business. Dymocks on George Street in Sydney CBD is offering a selection of fountain pens (of different brands and countries of origin) at 30% off their regular prices, in the name of a ‘Pen Sale’ for which the sign hasn't been taken down since the height of COVID-19 related restrictions on movement in NSW. I didn't take note of them all, because brands like Cross, Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Kaweco and Retro 51 that were also there just don't capture my interest, but I did see six units of the Platinum Procyon (PNS-5000) including one Persimmon Orange (F nib), one Citron Yellow (F nib) and two Deep Sea (M nibs), which are priced lower than the Turquoise Blue ones sitting next to them in the same discounted goods cabinet near the front entrance. There were also: one unit of the Platinum #3776 Century Bourgogne with gold trim (PNS-13000#71) and F nib in the same cabinet. At the 30%-off discounted price, it's roughly comparable to ordering it from overseas, say Cult Pens today (inclusive of 10% Australian GST which it now adds to list prices expressly, the 10%-off discount code in play, and ‘free’ shipping to Australia), or from Japanese sellers on eBay once shipping charges are factored in; one Platinum #3776 Celluloid ‘Calico’ (or ‘Stone Celluloid‘) with F nib; and one Platinum #3776 Celluloid ‘Midnight Ocean’ (or ‘Ocean Blue’) with M nib. There were four Pilot MR Animal (if I'm not mistaken, two White Tiger and two Black Crocodile) pens on the same tray. Having owned more than half a dozen Pilot MR pens (including the oft-recommended Pilot MR Metropolitan), I just don't think they're good ‘beginner’ pens because of the step-down and the ineffective cap seal, and may give someone of little experience with fountain pens the wrong impression; and I'm confident fellow Aussies can order those more cheaply than $48.99-less-30% on Amazon.com.au, so they aren't really worth looking at either way. Also, a Porsche Design Tec Flex fountain pen, and a Visconti travelling inkwell at 30%-off, among other pens I don't recognise. There were two Lamy Scala in black, one Lamy Aion in red and another in silver (talking about fountain pens only; there were some Aion ballpoint pens next to them), in the adjoining cabinet that is also part of the 30%-off clearance campaign. A Cross Peerless 125 Darth Vader edition fountain pen, and the matching rollerball pen, too. All colours that remain in stock of Monteverde Portable Ink Capsules still at 50% off. I saw five different colours in the cabinet yesterday, but notably no more blues.

Dymocks on George Street in Sydney CBD is offering the Monteverde Portable Ink Capsule product in all in-stock colours at 50% off their regular A$20 price at the moment. Each package contains 50ml of ink in a cylindrical clear plastic vial with a screw-on lid, as well as an empty 50ml vial of the same type. I saw these a few days ago in the discounted inks cabinet, asked if they were also offered at half-price, and was told no. I asked again today, when I saw a new sign posted on top of the cabinet to indicate otherwise, and confirmed that they are indeed half-priced; I was also pointed to a different sign in one of the glass cabinets mounted behind the counter attesting to that. The signs didn't say when the promotion ends, and I didn't ask. When I was there a few hours ago, there were at least six or seven different ink colours — including Horizon Blue and Capri Blue, as well as several that aren't blue — and multiple units of each in stock.

Good afternoon everyone. I thought it is about time to put pen to paper bash the keyboard once again after an interesting day out looking for pens. Saturday morning, for a change, was bright and sunny, definitely not November-ish weather at all, so we decided to go pen hunting. First off, to F.G. Thomas in sheffield to have a close look at a pen that "She who must be obeyed" spotted on one of her previous visits. Straight away, on stepping through the door we were met with a very warm welcome and were engaged immediately in conversations about, erm, pens... Then, as we had come to snare a rare Conway Stewart, the proprietor (Gary) extracted a wonderful selection of said pens for us to drool over. There were a number of model 100's, a Wellington, some of them with "Henry Simpole" bands on them, all gorgeous, all in front of our eyes. Yummy. However, we were on a mission and had come to pick up a model 58 in Lapis blue, which, was in the very last box brought out. Without any delay, we made the purchase which tonight gets wrapped up and will go under the tree to be opened december 25th. Yep, I know, mean of me, letting the missus see the present and then take it away. However, to compensate, I know she has now got something she really really wants, so no mistakes this year! Overall, the whole experience was very relaxed, zero pressure on us to even purchase anything and the welcome was very friendly indeed. Up to now the pens we have purchased have been from online retailers, which, don't get me wrong here, we have had good experiences online, but actually seeing quality writing instruments in the flesh really does make a big difference. Will we visit them again? Absolutely. Value for money? Subjective due to the nature of what we bought, but we would say yes. Easy to get to? Mainline station at the bottom of the hill, multi storey car park next to it, both only 5 minutes walk, with cafes and other shops in the area. Considering Sheffield is a huge city, this store is a little Gem. We could have stayed there for hours just chatting, but we planned on shooting across country to visit another purveyor of fine writing instruments. Next up, was "The Pen Box" (penbox.co.uk) across country in Epworth. Epworth is by contrast a small market town in the countryside and the shop itself is tucked deep in a small shopping arcade. As per F.G. thomas, we were greeted with a very warm welcome and were left to browse to our hearts content. Now, I have been hankering after a Pelikan M800 with an italic broad nib for a while and bingo, there was one in stock at a "very competitive price. I wasn't going to leave without this little puppy. In the mean time, we got chatting to the proprietor and he kindly showed us through a large number of either rare or unusual pens in his collection and it was a drool-fest. Anyone seen the S.T. Dupont Orient Express? We have now and it is stunning! Not only is there a wide variety but there appear to be excellent stocking levels as well. Would we visit again, you betcha. Easy to get to? Sat Nav took us to an open air car park with 2 hours free parking, the shop being two minutes walk away. The arcade has a number of small cafes and rustic shops, definitely a nice place to visit. So after a full day out, two gorgeous pens, two bottles of ink and a serious exercise in emptying the wallet, I would have to report that it was was definitely worth taking the effort getting out there to visit actual real bricks & mortar shops. The experience in both was positive, no pressure to buy anything and could not say if one was better than the other, as they were both top-notch. Both shops have a "web presence" and have the usual methods of contact, email. telephone etc. Having visited both and meeting the guys, I would have no hesitation purchasing online from them. My bank Manager however, may have a different opinion... As per the "usual rules" of FPN, I have taken a couple of quick snaps of the new additions to the collection.