Loaner "51"s And Journals

[MsLoathsome]

Ruaidhri,

 

I sent you a PM on Feb. 9 asking to be added to the list, but haven't heard back. Just wondering if I made it in the queue or not. Thanks!

 

Lucia

[jonro]

Ruaidhri,

 

I sent you a PM on Feb. 9 asking to be added to the list, but haven't heard back. Just wondering if I made it in the queue or not. Thanks!

 

Lucia

You should read the first post in this thread, which explains the process of getting on the list, and also that the list is closed for now.

[Ruaidhri]

I'd like to apologise (once again) for the delay in updating this thread.

 

I'm sorry to say the "51" and journal have gone missing.

 

Those who have read this whole thing will already know that my first attempt ended with the pen disappearing, which I personally found disheartening.

I decided to go ahead, and with the help of some of our generous members, and of Richard Binder, sent the second pen on its way.

Those lucky enough to have received it will know why it was thought worthwhile.

 

Having been already bitten I was reluctant to sent out a third pen, until I was absolutely sure the 'Grand Plan' would work.

 

It doesn't!

 

One good thing is that having been in touch with the last member to have pen and journal, I am quite satisfied that they were lost, rather than just purloined like the first.

I see no reason to mention the name of the member involved - he/she is embarrassed enough already, and I would appreciate it if we could resist playing detectives

 

Even so, I am sorry to say I cannot continue with our little scheme. I hope you will all understand.

 

Could I ask those who sent the pens to contact me (email to rstjmurphy@iol.ie preferably please) and we can discuss what to do with what is left.

 

Regretfully,

Ruaidhrí

[Kaych]

Just curious, how many people were able to try out the pen and journal?

 

This was a great plan on paper, but I think there are just too many difficulties. Although I didn't participate, I just want to say that this was a great thing you did Ruaidhri (and everyone who contributed)

[HDoug]

Sad to hear, but it succeeded in one of its goals, which was to familiarize people with the wonders of the 51, and to some FPNers we didn't otherwise know. I'm happy for the time I spent with the 51, and for reading little bit about some nice people. Mahalo nui loa (big thanks) to you and all who participated.

 

Doug

[hehiheho]

Here is the internet. There is no true identity. Nearly no police. Lies have a bright future here.

[Ruaidhri]

Here is the internet. There is no true identity. Nearly no police. Lies have a bright future here.

 

I have to differ about this.

 

There was one bad apple!

The second was simply an unfortunate loss.

 

Several members had the pen and journal and passed them on without hitch.

Several members (more than I could accept) volunteered pens for the scheme.

One of the busiest nibmeisters in the business volunteered his work freely!

 

Overall I'd consider this a fairly good reflection on our members in general.

 

Regards,

Ruaidhrí

BTW - on the subject of "no true identity", a quick poke about will show that many of us are just what we claim to be - ordinary people who enjoy pens

 

[hehiheho]

My reply was probably too short to be intelligent.

 

First, I am glad that this program worked so well. This is impressive. The concept was nice, and I have to tell you my congratulations.

 

Then, I think that having only one "bad apple" is luck, to some extent. Or the fact that few internet "bad apples" actually understand anything to fountain pens. Although there are many generous people, for instance the "Pay it forward" topic here is an obvious proof, there are sadly people on the opposite side of the generosity scale. On the internet, it is very easy to create a false identity, or to take the identity of someone. For instance, the software running this forum was some years ago famous for its weakness. I hope it has been improved, though. I agree, most people here are probaly those they say they are, and I am impressed by this forum on that precise point. But the problem is that some are not, and nobody can check, except by non-internet ways.

[mishugina09]

This was an excellent idea. I dream of a Parker '51. I got to use my fathers once, which was a 1949 my Grandfather gave him as a gift. It was beautiful to write with and has me obsessed. I purchased a few of the Chinese Hero Copies, and while some of them are not bad it does not compare to a gold filled Parker '51. Bravo for trying this, I know very few people would allow their pens out of site never the less travel the globe!

[riff raff]

I'd like to apologise (once again) for the delay in updating this thread.

 

I'm sorry to say the "51" and journal have gone missing.

 

Those who have read this whole thing will already know that my first attempt ended with the pen disappearing, which I personally found disheartening.

I decided to go ahead, and with the help of some of our generous members, and of Richard Binder, sent the second pen on its way.

Those lucky enough to have received it will know why it was thought worthwhile.

 

Having been already bitten I was reluctant to sent out a third pen, until I was absolutely sure the 'Grand Plan' would work.

 

It doesn't!

 

One good thing is that having been in touch with the last member to have pen and journal, I am quite satisfied that they were lost, rather than just purloined like the first.

I see no reason to mention the name of the member involved - he/she is embarrassed enough already, and I would appreciate it if we could resist playing detectives

 

Even so, I am sorry to say I cannot continue with our little scheme. I hope you will all understand.

 

Could I ask those who sent the pens to contact me (email to rstjmurphy@iol.ie preferably please) and we can discuss what to do with what is left.

 

Regretfully,

Ruaidhrí

Wow, that's a shame. For what it's worth, I've participated in several "pass-arounds" on a knife board I frequent. And while most of these are uneventful, occasionally "stuff" happens. For a while, though, it seemed that the pass-arounds were actively being scammed. We implemented a rule that members had to be registered on the board for six months before they could participate, and that seemed to really curb most of the abuse.

 

Of course, the occasional loss in that mails still occurs, but there's not much that can really be done about that, short of maybe carrying enough insurance.

 

 

 

 

[dizzypen]

It's too bad it didn't work out. It was a great idea. I hope the original bad apple has been banned.

Edited September 11, 2009 by dizzypen

[kudzu]

How sad! I was on the list - really wanting to try a Binderized P51. It was a grand idea, it was a magnificent gesture. A big thank you to all you who were spearheading this effort. It was a real heartwarmer.