Has Anyone Heard Of Henry Simpole?

[Truffle Finder]

I've just got back from giving my talk, and I'm pleased to say that from the moment I'd finished talking, there was a good 3/4 of an hour of questions from the members of the audience, who were amazed about "How interesting" the subject was, "just about Fountain Pens!!!"

There were approximately 40 odd people who were there, and a number of them came and looked at the folder of vintage pens that I had on display, as well as my overlay pens.

I had obviously done my homework for today's talk, as I was given a cheque for my efforts this time! I had forgotten to quote the last time, when the society had telephoned me, and I had ended up receiving a box of chocolates for my efforts! There's nothing quite like learning from one's mistakes!

Truffle Finder.

Edited August 8, 2013 by Truffle Finder

[esterbex]

What ho Portobello?

[Truffle Finder]

Esterbex, is that:-

"What! No Portobello?"

or

"What-Ho! Portobello?"

But the simple answer to either is Yes, I have just got back from there, It was reasonably busy with a few quite respectable sales, and I bought quite well.

A gentleman from Cardiff had come up to London, and had decided to come to see me, which I thought was rather flattering, he hasn't been into Fountain pens for very long, but we had a good conversation about fountain pens,.What else!!!

Truffle Finder.

[esterbex]

It was the latter but you've satisfied the query. Glad it was a swell turn of events!

[Truffle Finder]

Quite a strange thing happened on Saturday which I will 'share' here.

Just at the time when I was thinking about packing up to go home, an Egyptian gentleman came to my booth, I had met him before, and I had, in the past bought some pens from him, so having gone through the recognition routine, and greeting, he opened his case, and got a tray of pens out for me to look over. I picked a few out, and I asked the prices of the ones that I was interested in. He then showed me a folder which contained some 2 dozen or so vintage pens, and as I was looking them over, a Chinese couple approached my stand. They both started to look at the pens both inside the counter, and also the pens in the folder on top of the counter! I briefly explained that the pens in the folder were not my pens, but anyway, they carried on with looking at them, and then took a couple of them out of the folder to inspect them more closely!

In the end, two pens were bought by the Chinese couple, from the Egyptian gentleman, but not before I was asked if I had a box to put the Sheaffer pen and pencil set in, which had been purchased!!!

Fortunately, I had the serenity to stay calm, and found a very presentable Sheaffer Box for the Chinese couple, and they paid the Egyptian gentleman for the amount that they had agreed on, and then they departed!

It would have been very easy to have got rather annoyed about what had just happened, but it didn't seem right to have caused any unpleasantness, and it must be noted that the Chinese couple had quite limited command of English, and were probably not aware of the dynamics that were unfolding; and the Egyptian gentleman was very apologetic after the event, and he then gave me £20 to cover the cost of the box!

A similar situation has happened to me once before, at an American Pen Show some years ago, but I think that it is only ever likely to happen occasionally, as it is basically down to 'timing.' After all, if the couple had arrived a few minutes before the Egyptian then it would not have happened!

Stranger than fiction!!!

Truffle Finder.

[View from the Loft]

Oh what a strange coincidence, which definitely belongs in the "truth is stranger than fiction" file. Had I been the Egyptian, I would have been so embarrassed at what was unfolding, but it seems to me that he did the honorouable thing, while you had the presence of mind to remain calm as well.

[Ghost Plane]

Cultural differences make the world go round...and boom!

[esterbex]

Well Truffle your newest title should be proudly displayed in your booth...

Fetish Facilitator for Fine Fountain Pens and Associated Paraphernalia.

At least you got the ones you wanted first, I hope?

[Ghost Plane]

Catchy! A banner with this should stop traffic.

[esterbex]

[Truffle Finder]

I have had a vision!!!

It was a clear vision, which woke me up in the middle of last night's repose!

The vision came from the far eastern lands!

There will be images set out on this space, hopefully it might astound you, but maybe not!

It was quite a vision I had last night!!!

Truffle Finder.

[View from the Loft]

Oh, how intriguing.

[Ghost Plane]

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a pleasure dome decree...

 

You been dipping in the hard core literature again???

[Truffle Finder]

Year!!!

I feel a bit dizzy though!

Truffle Finder.

[billydo]

Here's the story linked to Henry's intriguing "vision from far eastern lands!".

 

A couple of weeks ago I took a fancy to a pen that although very beautiful and desirable, was badly damaged... the photographs were poor, the seller a man of few words, and of course competition from others too. It was one of those heart or head moments really. In the back of my mind I knew someone who I thought would be capable of rescuing this pen, and so after many phone calls with Henry I took the plunge, and became the excited owner of a 1920's Dunhill Namiki. When the pen arrived I was relieved to find a pen far more beautiful than those awful online pictures had suggested.... but the cap damage was not for the feint hearted.... a huge chunk was missing and lost forever.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/9533956009_df3ec6de1d_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/9533956661_c04e54063b_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/9533956039_53a315ba29_c.jpg

 

More conversations with Henry followed, and then the pen was packed off for surgery. More conversations, more sweat and tears (from Henry!) and finally after just a few days, Henry's call that said "it's done, and on it's way back to you!". The pen arrived yesterday.... and wow, what a fantastic job our Henry has done! Have a look at these "before & after" comparisons!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/9536777060_1bfb8ffa32_c.jpg

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9536806584_af37532416_c.jpg

 

How about that for a restoration! Here's a few more images to savour....

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/9533963287_c6b11b3f35_c.jpg

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/9533962287_6af1496133_c.jpg

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/9533962137_a07d2d8f30_c.jpg

 

I can't thank Henry enough for his skill and expertise! I'll leave it to Henry to decide whether or not he will detail the steps he took to restore the damage. He will tell you that this is not a completely invisible repair.... that was almost certainly impossible, but you have to look damn hard to really see where restoration has taken place, and most importantly a beautiful piece of art has been saved!

 

Thanks again Henry.... I hope you enjoyed the journey!

 

 

Neal.

Edited August 18, 2013 by billydo

[esterbex]

OMG !!! Vision indeed! Beautiful work by two artistic masters! Thank you for sharing this wondrous process!

[Truffle Finder]

Yes, I did enjoy doing it!

Even though it caused me a disturbed night's sleep on Thursday night, but I came downstairs, and re-commenced the work on it, and it was worth the extra effort I think.

Your pictures Neal are brilliant as usual, but then I don't expect anything less than those that you have produced this time.

I'm really pleased that you are pleased with the result.

Truffle Finder.

[Ghost Plane]

Yummy seeing a pen back in service. Well done!

[View from the Loft]

Oh, I can see why Neal took a chance in that pen. Yummy is the word indeed.

[Bruno]

Henry... are you willing to tell your process?