Would you ink/use it ?

[goodguy]

Here is an interesting question I asked myself:

 

You just bought an old very rare mint pen with its original stickers.You know for a fact the pen was never inked.The pen has a sweet nib that just cries to you try me.What would you do ? keep it uninked or try it ?

 

I think I would probably leave it uninked.

[Maestro de Oscuridad]

It would depend on why I bought it. If I bought it as an investment and may want to re-sell it one day, I would definitely leave it uninked. If I got it just because I really liked the pen, I would probably use it. I'm one of those people that likes to use everything I buy.

[Ray]

I wouldn't have bought it. If it's really rare it should be owned by a museum or collector. I have no use for pens I'd feel bad using.

 

But if it was just mint and common rather than rare, I'd whip off the stickers and fill it up without a thought.

 

Ray

[Anne-Sophie]

You can use it and keep the stickers on.

 

Another way it to carefully remove the sticker and put it the box.

 

Or keep it as a museum, collecting piece that your children can take to the antique road show.

[bobioden]

Here is an interesting question I asked myself:

 

You just bought an old very rare mint pen with its original stickers.You know for a fact the pen was never inked.The pen has a sweet nib that just cries to you try me.What would you do ? keep it uninked or try it ?

 

I think I would probably leave it uninked.

What kind of pen are we talking about?

 

I agree with Ray, unless it is an extremley rare, uncommon color, or very hard to find pen, I say ink it and enjoy it.

 

I have a Forest Green stickered Parker "51" with GF cap, an Esterbrook Grey SJ never inked with box and instructions, and a never inked Sheaffer Snorkel Valiant with box and instructions.

 

Common pens? There are lots of the mint Sheaffers out there, the same with the Esterbrooks. The "51" is a bit uncommon, only because of the color. But, I bought them to enjoy them. I have yet to ink the Sheafer or Esterbrook, the "51" has had one inking. This is only because I have a number of daily writers to go to. But I can see the Snorkel being inked in the very near future.

 

So I guess it all depends on what the pen is.

 

Bob

[Mary P]

I use the pens I keep. If I acquired a rare, un-inked pen, I would sell it and invest the funds in a pen I would not feel guilty about using. If the pen were pristine but common, I'd ink it and enjoy.

[Roger W.]

There is no reason it must remain uninked, that is blurring the lines with the LE folks. While there is no problem with inking it for collectability any use obviously exposes the pen to potential damage. Rare pens that are stickered take a big hit in value if you remove the stickers. Something more modern and readily available such as stickered snorkels, have less of a stickered premium.

 

Roger W.

[chupie]

I wouldnn't buy it if I wasn't going to use it. No way. I mean, a pen just isn't complete if you don't use it and it is a functioning pen.

[kissing]

I would most definitely use it

 

I prefer moderns over vintage - and the only reason for that is because with moderns, you can buy them brand new, out of the box, and you'll be the only person who's used it. Vintage are usually heavily used and don't give me that "new" feeling.

 

So if I have a NEW Vintage pen that's never been inked - I would LOVE to use it

[mmoncur]

If it was really a very rare pen, mint with stickers...

 

I'd sell it. I wouldn't feel comfortable ripping off the stickers and using it. I'd never buy a pen like that in the first place.

 

I've inked a mint NOS Esterbrook or two, though. If it's common enough I wouldn't worry about it...

[bernardo]

Here is an interesting question I asked myself:

 

You just bought an old very rare mint pen with its original stickers.You know for a fact the pen was never inked.The pen has a sweet nib that just cries to you try me.What would you do ? keep it uninked or try it ?

 

I think I would probably leave it uninked.

I just bought a mint Sheaffer Triumph 506 set. As soon as I got home, I inked the FP (a beautiful chrome Imperial). I don't regret it. Quite the opposite: I think pens were made not to be stored like jewels, but to write with them. I'm happy I brought this one into service.

[Hawk]

Here is an interesting question I asked myself:

 

You just bought an old very rare mint pen with its original stickers.You know for a fact the pen was never inked.The pen has a sweet nib that just cries to you try me.What would you do ? keep it uninked or try it ?

 

I think I would probably leave it uninked.

In Paul Erano's wonderful book, "Fountain Pens Past & Present" he states that most collectors do not ink their pens.

 

At what point a pen reaches a 'Collector' status is only known to true pen collector (I don't happen to be one). Yet, if it were me I would not ink any classic antique pen.

Hawk /:)

[Ink Stained Wretch]

Here is an interesting question I asked myself:

 

You just bought an old  very rare mint pen with its original stickers.You know for a fact the pen was never inked.The pen has a sweet nib that just cries to you try me.What would you do ? keep it uninked or try it ?

 

I think I would probably leave it uninked.

I'm firmly with the others who say definitively, "It depends."

 

If you say exactly what the pen is I'm sure you'll get a very definite answer. It might be a pen which, upon being named, might get everyone to say ink it or not in a close to unanimous chorus.

[kissing]

In Paul Erano's wonderful book, "Fountain Pens Past & Present" he states that most collectors do not ink their pens.

 

At what point a pen reaches a 'Collector' status is only known to true pen collector (I don't happen to be one).

I don't happen to be one either

 

If there are any true collectors here, please tell me the precise number of pens I must have before I can be of Collector status. /:)

 

 

ps: That sounds like a very interesting book I wish I could find fountain pen related books at local libraries, but alas, I cannot

[Hawk]

ps: That sounds like a very interesting book I wish I could find fountain pen related books at local libraries, but alas, I cannot

I live in a small town, luckily there is a Public library only two blocks from where I live. Here we have what is called an "Interlibrary Loan" system, you may well have the same thing.

What one does, if they do not have the book locally, the library will request it from another branch, I have received books from Alaska, by making such a request. So you might ask if they have such a service.

Here is the book at Amazon, note that there is one used for $3.69, that won't be there for long.

http://www.amazon.com/Fountain-Pens-Past-P...0276155-9193253

Hawk

[kissing]

Thank you for the help