Have You Ever Heard Of A L'plume?

[Saintpaulia]

Today as I was browsing ebay's "ending soonest", I ran across a pen brand I'd never heard of - L'Plume, which is apparently an English company (or was?). It wasn't getting much attention in the way of bids and the pen looked quite classy. Black and gold, metal construction, good sized, gold-colored nib, etc. So I went ahead and bid 6 British pounds for it and it sold for 4.15 pounds. So it is coming across "The Pond".

 

Before I bid on it though, I did some research on line and couldn't find anything on it! except for a very brief review here. So, given the brain trust that is FPN Forum, does anyone happen to know more about this pen?

[Saintpaulia]

Silence. Hmmm... well this is exactly what I found doing an internet search. Silence, or the literary equivalent thereof. A mystery brand I guess.

[red52ripple]

L'plume pens were made - or assembled - at Don Yendle's factory in Devon. They were in production from around 1989 to, I think, the mid nineties. Yendle later went on to make the first generation of modern Conway Stewarts.

[Harlequin]

Don't know if you'd like any others, but here is another auction for what they are calling L'Plume FPs: http://www.ebay.com/...item3cbfffd2fd. Maybe you can start a collection of them, lol!

Edited February 25, 2013 by Harlequin

[UK Mike]

I can't speak about the original pen found by the OP but on the second reference, the pen looks to be from one of the Chinese Manufacturers, judging by the standard of the gilding and the look of the lacquer.

That isn't necessarily a bad thing because I like many of the Chinese pens which these days seem to be well made and have decent smooth nibs. BUT, its not a home grown custom brand.

[red52ripple]

I can't speak about the original pen found by the OP but on the second reference, the pen looks to be from one of the Chinese Manufacturers, judging by the standard of the gilding and the look of the lacquer.

That isn't necessarily a bad thing because I like many of the Chinese pens which these days seem to be well made and have decent smooth nibs. BUT, its not a home grown custom brand.

 

You will note that I said above that the pens were assembled in Devon. The parts were imported, I think from Taiwan. The few that I've seen are brass barreled pens, just like many of the Chinese ones.

Edited February 25, 2013 by red52ripple

[Saintpaulia]

Thanks y'all. That gives me some idea of what I've got coming. I will say that mine is much more attractive (a black matte with gold trim) than the one that was given a link to above. Oh and to Harlequin (great name by the way) I will check out your Posse. Thanks for the invite!

Edited February 25, 2013 by Saintpaulia

[Harlequin]

My pleasure- hope to see you in there!

[gregb49]

I'm disappointed to read that the company no longer exists as I was hoping to get mine repaired. It has given very faithful service but now the cap is a bit worn and loose. I'm fairly sure that it came from a company in Gunnislake Cornwall, but from reading this, it seems that that no longer exists. My pen is lovely to write with and comfortable to hold, just a bit tired now, after many years of use.

[stephenfountain]

I know this is a very old post, but it appeared n a google search. I have just acquired a 'new' L'Plume pen, but am having the devils own job getting an ink cartridges to fit. I've tries a 'standard' one, and old PaperMate one, and Sheaffer one. Anyone any idea what actually fits this darn pen?

 

Edited June 8, 2019 by stephenfountain

[stephenfountain]

Well, in my 'man' drawer I discovered an old box of Staedtler ink cartridges, tried one and it fitted perfectly so pen is now functional So, now my question is, does anyone know where I can buy a converter with the same fitting so I can use bottle ink?