Has Anyone Heard Of Henry Simpole?

[esterbex]

Well here's a few more from Henry's visit but I'm sorry to say that the new design that you captured was indeed a fuzzy one..! Or two..! Henry will have to send it over to me along with the latest "Orphan" pen, I'll get a few pictures online afterwards.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/13185996145_3d11d94163_o.jpg

It took a while to figure out how to adjust the macros. Thank you Neal! I like the collage presentation! How do you do that?

The wizened gentleman in the topmost pic with Henry was a walking, talking Henry advertisement both days of the pen show.

I can credit him with two and possibly three of Henry's sales. He was relentless! Truffle, you might owe him a commission. Needless

to say he was Henry's first customer and snatched up that silver Great Exhibition. The Hawaiian-shirted fellows sold and repaired pens

on the spot. Sam and Frank Fiorella/Pendemonium brought Michael Fultz to the show, in spirit. He was one of the American pen show pioneers,

especially for Chicago, and was loved by many. What appears to be a coin collection on the bottom right is a nib collection, each one

catalogued and was a source of great interest and a bit of commerce. The owner had several of these albums, all full. Truffle, you

could use that organizational idea. It really was a great show! The jovial atmosphere and the clear pleasure on people's faces made it one

of the best I've attended. Hope they do it again next year!

[esterbex]

This beautiful example of craftsmanship was waiting in my post yesterday. Thank you my63 for the lovely surprise! Seen below with a few of my friends.

 

[my63]

Thanks Esterbex I was not expecting that to turn up here.

Please forgive my shocking handwriting it never recovered following my accident.

If anyone would like to see how it was made then just follow the link in my signature. The case is made from a sandwich of leather and kydex which provides a significant increase in strength.

[Truffle Finder]

my63! That is a fantastic Pen-case!

Fascinating to go through the procedure of making it!

Well done you!!!

Truffle Finder.

[Truffle Finder]

'Planned Engineering Works' notwithstanding, the part of the Central Line that I use to go up to Portobello and back was functioning well. Thanks to the 'little people' who look after these things for the weary traveller!!!

The best part of my day today, was when a Lady from New York came to see me. I had never met her before, nor had she met me before, but she mentioned that she had heard of me because of this thread on the FPNetwork!

I felt slightly flattered, and then we started talking about vintage fountain pens, she wanted to see the tray of Conway Stewarts, and she then tried a few, and decided to buy one. Deal completed, we then just talked [about pens mainly, what else!?] I persuaded my friend George to take a couple of photographs [on her fancy phone/camera!] which, if she looks on here when she gets home might be persuaded to post them on this thread! We shall just have to wait and see!

All in all, it turned out to be a very good day, quite a few vintage pens sold, and I hardly had any time to read my book!

Truffle Finder.

[Truffle Finder]

I must be getting old!

I forgot to mention that yesterday I was asked if I would be prepared to be on a Radio Program today at 5.00pm, to answer questions/talk about my 'hobby' of Pen Collecting.

I'm afraid that I also forgot to ask the person who telephoned me to ask me to do it, which Radio Program it was!!! So, I'm afraid I can't tell you which Radio Station to tune in to!

Luckily, I asked them to ring me at about 4.00pm to remind me to be near the phone at about 5.00pm [when they will phone me for the program!] so [if I remember, I will ask them who they are!] What's the betting that I don't remember to ask them!!!!?

Truffle Finder.

[View from the Loft]

Oh you can't tease us like this. Please do remember to find out which radio station!

[Truffle Finder]

I promise, I will post the information on here as soon as they ring me at 4.00pm!

All I remember about it when they phoned me to ask me if I would be prepared to do it, was that it is a program about 'Collectors of various things!'

As soon as I know, I'll let you know! OK?

Truffle Finder.

[esterbex]

Where's the "shaking my head" emoticon?

[Truffle Finder]

It's about 5 minutes to go, and no phone call yet!

If anything happens in the next few minutes, I'll try and post something on here OK?

Sorry about this!

bbc london!

tf.

[esterbex]

Yay! I heard you! 94.9 BBC London. Very nice. But radio moves at a quicker clip than you are used to I think.

Still nice to hear your voice.

[Truffle Finder]

I doubt very much if anybody here managed to find BBC Radio London by the time I was 'on-air', but basically, they asked me how I first became interested in collecting fountain pens.

Then I was asked about how many pens I have in my collection.

"And is there a special pen in your collection?"

Yes, [you've probably guessed it!] I told them about the little Doll's House Pen that is now my treasured possession in my collection!

The whole thing lasted for about 15 minutes!

Truffle Finder.

Edited March 23, 2014 by Truffle Finder

[esterbex]

Well here's the link to the archived programme should anyone want to give a listen in the next 6 or 7 days.

The entire show is 3 hours long with various guests and news breaks. Henry's bit starts around 2:08:20.

BBC London 94.9 Gaby Roslin Collector's Corner

[Truffle Finder]

Thank you very much Esterbex, for supplying that link to enable people to hear the program.

As you can probably imagine, I haven't personally taken advantage of the facility to allow me to hear the program, as a very good friend of mine called me a long time ago, "You are such an anachronism Henry!" After he had departed, I looked it up in my dictionary. [Mistake of time, by which something is put in wrong time period!] After a little while, [allowing my friend time enough to have driven home] I phoned him to tell him that he was correct!

Thank you anyway Esterbex!

Truffle Finder.

[Chris Chalmers]

To the background noise of walls being demolished in the next room - I listened to Henry and Gaby, while playing

Spider Solitaire (it focuses the mind, don't you know?)! What a great interview Henry, and what a story teller too!

How many pens?????? :yikes:

Now you need to get security upgraded I think...............

[esterbex]

Hahaha! Chris, he definitely low-balled that number....Still....

If they are demolishing in the next room, how are you coping with the dust?

But I'm pleased to know things are moving right along and my room will be ready

shortly for occupancy.

[Ghost Plane]

Nope. You're next. They're doing my room first.

[esterbex]

Nope. You're next. They're doing my room first.

It's so beautiful there I'd take the garden even.

[Ghost Plane]

Might want to wait for what's euphemistically called "Summer".

[Truffle Finder]

I had quite a busy day yesterday at Portobello Road.

Probably the best thing that happened was that I was offered a Conway Stewart Dinkie that I have never seen before, it is like a cracked ice type of pattern of cassien with the 'veins' being in a dark blue, with a sort of 'milky coffee' coloured background. I should imagine it is probably late 1920's, or possibly early thirty's. Needless to say it is destined to go into my Dinkie collection shortly!

A Scottish gentleman and his very beautiful wife came along to see me yesterday, having 'discovered' that I have a unit down at the Barbican in Plymouth, [they had been staying down there last week] and had decided to come and visit me in person on Saturday! He tried quite a few pens, and settled on buying two pens and a pen and pencil set. They both left my booth, seemingly very happy, and if either of them are reading this thread, then I hope that they don't mind me mentioning their visit here!!!

Truffle Finder.