My Most Excellent Visit To Fountain Pen Hospital

[whichwatch]

Several months ago business took me to Houston, and I had a chance to make a most enjoyable visit to Dromgoole’s. For those who missed it, I posted a photo essay of my trip on FPN at this link:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/229885-my-most-excellent-visit-to-dromgooles/page__p__2462474__fromsearch__1#entry2462474

 

Last week, business took me to New York. Naturally, the agenda made time for a visit to Fountain Pen Hospital. I thought I’d once again take some photos and share the experience with you.

 

According to their literature, "Fountain Pen Hospital was founded in 1946 by Phil Wiederlight and Al Wiederlight (the father and grandfather, respectively, of today's proprietors – Terry and Steve Wiederlight). Terry and Steve have a combined 60 years experience in all phases of vintage and modern writing instruments."

 

One look out the hotel window made me wonder how badly I really wanted to go. Wet snow was just pouring down in waves, blown by gusty winds. But we’re talking about pens here! I HAD to go. I sloshed off to the nearest subway stop.

 

(news photo from internet)

http://www.fototime.com/%7BE52641BB-05B7-466D-9071-9D861A50E1EE%7D/origpict/snow.jpg

 

Fountain Pen Hospital is located only about a block from City Hall in lower Manhattan. I figured getting there would be a snap – catch the Lexington Avenue downtown local at the subway stop across the street from my hotel and go one stop to Grand Central, switch to a downtown express, then only two stops to the City Hall station. And it was a snap, until I walked back up the steps to street level. By now the snow was sticking, but on city sidewalks was quickly pounded by feet into a wet slushy mess.

 

(news photo from internet)

http://www.fototime.com/%7BFB03010C-2A99-4D71-9C71-404E1B109A18%7D/origpict/snow%25202.jpg

 

Despite the walk from the subway being fairly short, by the time I made the turn onto Warren Street I was dripping wet and my feet were just soaked. I think my shoes were starting to dissolve! But pens were waiting!

For whatever reason, I had expected a dingy, dark little store looking like something from 1940. But as I walked up to the address, I was greeted by something much more pleasant. I didn’t want to stand outside taking a picture, so here is one from the internet of the store exterior.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BA3AFA593-5F3D-48F3-A466-E1AC30E6E80E%7D/origpict/FPH.jpg

 

While speaking of pictures, let me apologize for what you are about to see. I didn’t want to take a good camera out in that weather, so you will only be seeing the product of an I Phone that had been sitting in my pocket subjected to all sorts of lint that loved the static cling on the lens. Couple this with hands still shaky from the wet cold, lots of reflections from overhead lights on glass cases, and, well, you’ll see. At least you won’t have wet feet!

 

The inside was large, orderly and well lit. Before me was spread out a huge array of displays, all filled with pens of every brand, shape, size, and color. But before I could dive in, I had a nice chat with proprietor Steve Wiederlight. Steve was as friendly as could be, offering me a cup of coffee and use of a restroom. Who says New Yorkers are brusque and unfriendly? Just check out his smiling face!

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B7F89DA69-E299-4170-AB31-E45F5CDFE838%7D/origpict/IMG_0441.JPG

 

I started down the row of cases and displays…

 

Krone

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BDF653A3B-BE1E-433B-9C6E-EBAF472AA2C0%7D/origpict/IMG_0435.JPG

 

Montegrappa

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B85A91522-BC5A-4E25-A377-40514A647E33%7D/origpict/IMG_0436.JPG

 

Montblanc

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B37D7C214-877A-44D7-AD1E-4615FDDA8222%7D/origpict/IMG_0437.JPG

 

There was a nice selection of Deltas, heavy on the Dolce Vitas

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BC0E38408-18BB-47AA-9241-2429B4FA9FE4%7D/origpict/IMG_0439.JPG

 

My attention was grabbed by a display of Delta Fusions. I have read quite a bit about the recent Fusion 82, but did not realize there had been a Fusion One. They looked nice. Steve insisted I dip one and try it out. Man, was that baby smooth! I have generally found Italian pens to be a bit toothy, but this Fusion wrote like my Pelikans, and maybe even better. Yes, it was a Bold nib and set to write rather wet (for my experience), but the smoothness still surprised me. I’m an engineer and to be honest, I don’t for one second believe the marketing stuff about the dual metal nib changing the viscosity of the ink. Still, this pen had it going! I did also try a Fusion 82 and found it quite different. I could not tell from my limited trial whether this was just individual pen and nib variation, or whether the models do perform differently. I do know Steve had said the Fusion One was an extremely smooth writer, and he was 100% correct!

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B565F89CA-5A3D-41B0-9BF3-368F1F19BAFD%7D/origpict/IMG_0440.JPG

 

Next up was Pelikan, with the new M800 Tortoise proudly displayed. I mentioned to Steve that I had recently bought one, and had heard that some dealers had to turn back pre-orders because they had been limited in supply from Pelikan and could not get as many as they wanted. Steve just smiled, and mentioned that he had received 120 and had already sold 65. He told me how much volume he did with Pelikan last year, a figure I will not post here. No wonder he was able to get so many M800 Tortoises!

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BB90DF7BD-0979-4174-A3DD-889AC119855E%7D/origpict/IMG_0438.JPG

 

I had heard of Michael’s Fat Boys, but never saw them up close. The Gettysburgs appealed to the engineer in me. Michael’s literature says that one is dated for each day of the battle and is machined from solid copper, naval brass & stainless steel bars into the shape of an 1850’s handgun barrel used during the civil war and are very heavy like the guns themselves.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B0E53E25F-E6CF-496C-AE1B-A652EF8F54FF%7D/origpict/IMG_0442.JPG

 

Michael’s Teslacoil? Shocking! Not quite as shocking as my first reaction when I thought it said "testacoil" and wondered what sort of masculine pun was intended.

T-E-S-L-A-C-O-I-L. Two words actually. Look it up on Wikipedia.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BAD373F5A-DE8A-4980-B57B-0BC5D96FEE41%7D/origpict/IMG_0443.JPG

 

I moved on down the row of displays. Past the Conklins, DuPonts, Dunhills, Oscarsons I went, my shoes leaving a trail of water just wet enough to hide my trail of drool. A splash of color lit up the next case. Lots of Lamy’s!

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B074FD789-8FB3-45AA-867F-E884791E901A%7D/origpict/IMG_0449.JPG

 

Here’s some guys I’ve heard of. Must have been that band Paul McCartney had before Wings. Nice big display, too.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B0284453C-E916-48A6-91AE-578C9E921BBD%7D/origpict/IMG_0450.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B7FA335C2-22BA-4013-9647-B79D416AADFD%7D/origpict/IMG_0451.JPG

 

Ahhh, here comes the Italian corner, with two huge corner displays. Aurora…..

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BC1EBDE0F-FC8E-49D1-BA09-98808B1C9908%7D/origpict/IMG_0453.JPG

 

And what has become my favorite brand – Omas! I can’t seem to get enough of these. Buying five in the last few months hasn’t helped my wallet. It also hasn’t quenched my thirst for more! I knew I’d spend a little time in this corner!

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B472E6F99-9163-4E0C-B43F-05D47292B65A%7D/origpict/IMG_0452.JPG

 

Here’s the new Titanium. Nice purple-gray color, though it’s out of my price range.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B6A0C1570-8E05-4996-8588-F80509627F04%7D/origpict/IMG_0456.JPG

 

But wait! What’s this? Omas Aubergine is not brand new, but I had not heard of it or seen it before. Lightning strike! What a great light dusky purple color, somewhat like the Titanium. I was beginning to run short of time, so I didn’t even ask Steve to take it out of the case. I should have. The pen hasn’t left my mind since I saw it. My wallet is grateful, but my heart sure is not. Maybe next trip. What a beauty! It still feels like “the one that got away”.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B4CF45238-7F5C-4352-9407-7D4853040ED9%7D/origpict/IMG_0454.JPG

 

Viscontis finished my tour of Italy.

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B2230A5EB-857B-4AE4-A731-83A201F3FE15%7D/origpict/IMG_0457.JPG

 

By now I had wandered into the ink section. And what a section! You can probably spot the brands by the bottles and packaging, so I won’t name names. How many can you spot and name?

 

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7BC8545E02-C9B6-4C0E-AC38-A36C82A051D4%7D/origpict/IMG_0458.JPG

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B17EF6680-A083-497C-A845-530599A3ABFD%7D/origpict/IMG_0459.JPG

 

Fountain Pen Hospital has a huge array, but I wasn’t going to miss the chance to pick up on their Exclusive Noodlers colors, especially the Henry Hudson Blue I had read about and seen reviewed on FPN. Great color, and a Noodlers “Eternal” to boot.

 

Time had flown by, so I didn’t even stop to view the pen cases or other goodies in the store. I squished toward the front, and stopped to thank Steve for a great time and to say goodbye. I had a wonderful time in a wonderful store. If you get anywhere near New York City, Fountain Pen Hospital is a must see. I can assure you, it will be worth the trip and you’ll have a great time.

 

Thanks, Steve! Now back to dreaming about that Omas Aubergine…..

[Cognaticrotty]

thanks for making me want to actually go to new york... never been before. but now i want to go!

[LeonardoDV]

Beautiful report! Thanks for sharing!

[Lorna Reed]

Thanks so much for the wonderful photos. I have never had the opportunity to visit a pen shop, so I really appreciate seeing people's photo's and reading accounts of visits.

[vondauster]

Thanks for taking us with you - and allowing us to keep our feet dry while visiting!

 

Will

[richardandtracy]

Looks huge.

And I thought there were lots of pens in the Webster's Pen Shop in Bluewater.

 

Glad you liked it.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

 

 

 

[Uncle Red]

Really great store and very friendly staff. I can't wait to go back.

[haldane3]

Very cool trip it sounds like. To date I've been to 1 B&M, and wish I was close enough to them to visit more!

 

Dan

[whichwatch]

thanks for making me want to actually go to new york... never been before. but now i want to go!

 

After Fountain Pen Hospital, I also went to Art Brown's, another NYC icon. I'll put together that report next! Two great reasons to visit NYC!

[ethernautrix]

Thanks for documenting your tour of one of my favorite pen stores. Wow - I can imagine standing in front of the inks and just... pondering.

 

Nice job, whichwatch; thanks for, ah, weathering the storm.

[Joker4Eva]

You guys just make me jelly, seeing the only fountain pen store that I've been in was K.S. Gills.

[akustyk]

Anyone who lives within a reasonable distance from such a store is a lucky bas....d! :roflmho:

[georges zaslavsky]

Amazing shop with lots of great stuff very nice report and thanks again :clap1:

[de_pen_dent]

Very nice report; thanks for taking the time to give us a virtual tour

[sirksael]

Very interesting, great also to hear the owner took the time to talk to you!

Perhaps some day I will visit New York and find this shop...

[da vinci]

Great report, thank you

[welch]

Steve and Terry are wonderful people. They seem to love talking pens and ink...new, old, why this sold and that didn't, what's new.

 

FPH is not huge, but it goes deep into its building and then turns back on itself. Last time I was there, the new Parkers were at the turning point, so if you faced the ink and books you had you back to the Parkers.

 

Great story, and great pictures. I remember that snow-day...when New York is having a snow, the City is picture perfect, the trees covered, dirt covered, in the neighborhoods, kids are out with sleds.

 

One thing missing: FPH has the best collection of pen books I've seen. Art Brown's probably has more inks, but FPH has books.

 

FPH also has a large collection of vintage pens, and they sell repair supplies. Sure, you can buy vintage pens and section pliers cheaper on-line, but try finding them in a store!

[JLS1]

FPH is on my must-do list for my next trip to the big apple! (Hope my wife understands...)

[Toll]

Great report -- I was there for the first time last December. It really is a wonderful shop and I hope to return to it one day.

[Earthdawn]

AWESOME photo review !!!

 

Thank you for sharing