Most Unusual Fountain Pen Collection

[BillPorter]

Most of the pen collections I have read about on this and other fountain pen forums seem reasonable or at least understandable. There are fan of Pelikan pens, Montblanc pens, Visconti pens, various vintage pens, etc. Some collect pens of a particular color or may demonstrator pens. Some enjoy collecting pens using a variety of filling mechanisms.

 

But what about unusual collections? A few years ago I was reading threads in a fountain pen forum and ran across a post by a fellow who had a collection of Jinhao 159s. This was back in the days when all 159s were identical black pens. He posted a photo of a pen stand with over a dozen identical Jinhao 159s. Now I like 159s and have three of them (none with the original nibs, by the way), and these days they come in a variety of colors. They are also available with either silver or gold trim. So it would not be unusual for a fan of the 159 to have a dozen or more of them. Still, that collection of 18 or so identical 159s strikes me as a very unusual collection.

 

So have you run across fountain pen collections that seem unusual? Please understand that I am not using "unusual" in a pejorative sense. A collection could certainly be unusual and still be interesting, valuable, and/or desirable in some way.

[Zookie]

I seem to have grown a collection of mostly third tier pens that no one else wants.

Between those, and the Chinese pens I have, it's growing nicely

[Noihvo]

 

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/321967-yellow-pens/

[inkstainedruth]

My pen acquisitions are all over the map. As an example, here are the pens I've bought so far this year:

vintage: Esterbrook J (black), 9556 nib; Welsharp [i think] mini pen (off white), probably F. nib;

older but not vintage: Parker Vector (multicolor), F nib [in the original blister pack, from 1993];

modern pens: Pelikan M405 (Striated Blue), EF nib; Pelikan M405 Streseman, B nib); TWSBI 580-AL (clear with pink trim), B nib.

 

My pattern for collecting? I have no pattern. If I have a pen I like, I'm going to want to buy more of them in different colors and/or nib widths. And a lot of times it's just "OOOH, shiny!"

On the short list of what I want to get at some point? A Decimo in the dark grey [modern]; a Morrison with a sterling filigree overlay [vintage]; a Parker 51 in either British Bloody Burgundy or Cordovan Brown (or both) plus one in Midnight Blue [vintage]; a Nemosine Singularity with a .6 or .8 nib (if I can find a color I like) [modern]; a Parker 45 with a B nib (preferably 14K and preferably not "yet another black pen" [semi-vintage].... Oh, and maybe an Azure Blue Pearl Vacumatic that's larger than a Sub-Debutante size [vintage]. And if Noodler's ever comes out with more ebonite Konrads (say, in the colors of some of the ebonite Neponsets), I'd probably want one of those, too....

Nope. No discernible pattern. Other than I want what I want.... Oh, and there's a few Esterbrook nibs I'd like to get my hands on, and I'd actually like to see a (fabled) Vac Silver Web (although I probably can't afford to actually BUY one...).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[zaddick]

I am slowly working on a collection of Pelikan M800 and M1000 nibs in the oblique sizes and B and wider. Most of these sizes are discontinued now. I don't really want the pens, just the nibs as I have a few Pelikan pens I already like well enough. Maybe that qualifies as odd?

[catbert]

"yet another black pen" [semi-vintage]....

 

My acquisition strategy in a nutshell.

Edited May 2, 2017 by catbert

[flummoxed]

Not very unusual, but my preference is for ebonite and wooden pens which are handmade. So far, I've tended to collect mostly blacks (in the case of ebonites).

[mitto]

I buy anything I like. But what I find are mostly Parkers and Sheaffers. Conklin, Conway Stewart, Waterman, Pelikan and Montblanc are some other brands i collect. But I buy only vintage. No interest in modern pens by these companies. Parker 51, (pre- 80s') 45 and 75 are my main area of focus. I am not a color enthussiast. For examle I would buy a 51 in black even if it is the hundredth black 51 I am getting. Lol.

Edited May 2, 2017 by mitto

[JanK]

As early as I can find. Preferably pre-1900.

[Funkmon]

I have 8 Parker Sonnet Flighters with gold trim.

[fullfederhalter]

About 75% of my pens have come from the wild, so my pen collection is pretty much whatever catches my fancy. However, along the way I have developed a real soft spot in my heart for oversized flat top pencils from the 1920's, having about 40 and counting.

[flipper_gv]

People that start the hobby and have like 30 5-40$ pens with similar nib width.

I mean, you know you'll stop using those at some point and why not just save the value of 20 of those pens to get something nicer.

[bugsydog55]

Disturbingly attracted to Chinese pens in all makes and models. Is it lack of funds for the "better" things or just the "oh it's so pretty" reaction to insanely inexpensive pens?

[BillH]

About 75% of my pens have come from the wild, so my pen collection is pretty much whatever catches my fancy. However, along the way I have developed a real soft spot in my heart for oversized flat top pencils from the 1920's, having about 40 and counting.

 

 

Very fine! I would love to see more of them.

 

While my major focus is Pelikan, I've noticed that I can be caught by a nice pen/pencil set. Imagine I have more than 20 now, if I got them all together in one place. Unintentional, I assure you... it just happened.

[FOUR X FOUR]

As early as I can find. Preferably pre-1900.

 

You should post some pics.

[FOUR X FOUR]

People that start the hobby and have like 30 5-40$ pens with similar nib width.

I mean, you know you'll stop using those at some point and why not just save the value of 20 of those pens to get something nicer.

I could not agree with you more

[sidthecat]

I've specialized lately in ringtops, and I wear them as functional jewelry. I've focused this year on sterling pens, which go with my earrings, and Doric ringtops with busted Adjustable nibs, which are wonderfully flexible.

[amk]

I seem to have ended up with a small accumulation of Pelikan Graphos pens. I just love that glossy black ebonite (or celluloid - they changed material at some point). Completely unusable little beggars - I really don't know why I keep them.

Edited May 8, 2017 by amk

[MrDickens]

Disturbingly attracted to Chinese pens in all makes and models. Is it lack of funds for the "better" things or just the "oh it's so pretty" reaction to insanely inexpensive pens?

Me too. It is definitely a lack of funds that drives me to the Chinese FPs but I am rarely disappointed! Jinhao is the de facto manufacturer I seem to be drawn to, mainly because of the model range and [usually] quality. In fact, I have 6 Jinhao on the way as I speak. Also a Baoer and I'm looking at Hero too.

 

I do have others: a Lamy Safari, an Ohto Tasche Compact and a couple of Parkers. I am also hanging my nose over a brass Kaweco Liliput & a brass Midori FP - I really like the look and feel of brass.

[Glenn Atkins]

What is the copper wire looking one and the red one in the middle? Thanks.

 

Glenn

 

 

About 75% of my pens have come from the wild, so my pen collection is pretty much whatever catches my fancy. However, along the way I have developed a real soft spot in my heart for oversized flat top pencils from the 1920's, having about 40 and counting.