Little did I know how addictive the world of fountain pen collecting and writing would turn out to be!

[The Scribe]

It all started with the fountain pen shown in the image I have uploaded to this post. It's a Parker VP with a solid 24 Carat Gold fine nib, circa 1960s. When it came into my possession it had a cracked section and the nib tines were out of alignment. The reservoir had dry ink in it dating back to the 1970s! I had my work cut out for me in terms of getting it back in to working order.

 

I knew little about restoring fountain pens. What I did know was that this pen had a history; it had belonged to my grandfather, and then pasted down to my father. Both were now deceased and so this beautiful writing instrument now held special sentimental value to me.  Having practiced calligraphy (with a special interest in Copperplate), studied art and photography and been an advertising photographer, I love any tools that are creative and artistic by their very nature. The fountain pen is such a tool, plus it has a certain nostalgia to it too! 

I had set my mind to repairing and servicing the pen to its original condition. I owed it to my grandfather! So, I learnt all I could about servicing and adjusting a fountain pen nib, as well as cleaning a fountain pen. I was able to track down a new section, and after some careful tweaking of the tines, VOILA the pen was writing oh so beautifully. The nib just glided across the page with a silky smoothness. The experience was almost religious. I could imagine my grandfather sitting in his clothing factory penning a new contract for the shipment of beautiful designer women's eveningwear, or my father carefully writing down reams of numbers and sums as he went about the business of a chartered accountant. It was another era, a time of style, class, and refinement. A time where a Gentleman ordered a distinctive fountain pen that spoke to his personality and station in life. It was a treasured item, always there in his jacket or shirt pocket. 

 

This is how my journey into the world of fountain pens began.

 

My goal is to buy a new pen every 6 months or so. I also want to start buying vintage pens and restoring them. I'm quite excited at the prospect. My only speed bumps in this journey will be the awful exchange rates (I am in South Africa and the current $:ZAR rate is ZAR1 to $20!) and the lack of reliable purchasing channels. 

 

I look forward to connecting with like-minded aficionados and collectors and learning from all of you.

 

 

Regards K.V.L.

The Scribe

[Carrau]

Welcome aboard-I enjoyed the narrative on your project, and I’m glad you were able to achieve your objective. The pen looks beautiful.

[OCArt]

[Wil D]

Welcome!

[Mark from Yorkshire]

A warm yorkshire from a 🌞 West Yorkshire UK 🇬🇧 

[jar]

Welcome home.  Pull up a stump and set a spell.

[Stompie]

Middag Meneer en Welkom hier by ons!

 

I left SA in 2011 returning to my homeland England. I remember well the pain of trying to get a decent pen with the currency exchange rates and of course the issue regarding the security of packages coming into Jeppe St Post Office up in Jozie!

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! So glad to have you as a member!! I love that you were able to get this legacy pen back in working order and are using it! Again Welcome!
 

[langere]

Yes, that is a special pen.  It's not just your family's legacy, but you have put work into it yourself to make it write again.  And then, aesthetically, it's a beauty.

 

Congratulations on fixing up your pen and welcome to this friendly place!

 

Erick

[penwarrior32]

On 5/12/2024 at 6:31 AM, The Scribe said:

It all started with the fountain pen shown in the image I have uploaded to this post. It's a Parker VP with a solid 24 Carat Gold fine nib, circa 1960s. When it came into my possession it had a cracked section and the nib tines were out of alignment. The reservoir had dry ink in it dating back to the 1970s! I had my work cut out for me in terms of getting it back in to working order.

 

I knew little about restoring fountain pens. What I did know was that this pen had a history; it had belonged to my grandfather, and then pasted down to my father. Both were now deceased and so this beautiful writing instrument now held special sentimental value to me.  Having practiced calligraphy (with a special interest in Copperplate), studied art and photography and been an advertising photographer, I love any tools that are creative and artistic by their very nature. The fountain pen is such a tool, plus it has a certain nostalgia to it too! 

I had set my mind to repairing and servicing the pen to its original condition. I owed it to my grandfather! So, I learnt all I could about servicing and adjusting a fountain pen nib, as well as cleaning a fountain pen. I was able to track down a new section, and after some careful tweaking of the tines, VOILA the pen was writing oh so beautifully. The nib just glided across the page with a silky smoothness. The experience was almost religious. I could imagine my grandfather sitting in his clothing factory penning a new contract for the shipment of beautiful designer women's eveningwear, or my father carefully writing down reams of numbers and sums as he went about the business of a chartered accountant. It was another era, a time of style, class, and refinement. A time where a Gentleman ordered a distinctive fountain pen that spoke to his personality and station in life. It was a treasured item, always there in his jacket or shirt pocket. 

 

This is how my journey into the world of fountain pens began.

 

My goal is to buy a new pen every 6 months or so. I also want to start buying vintage pens and restoring them. I'm quite excited at the prospect. My only speed bumps in this journey will be the awful exchange rates (I am in South Africa and the current $:ZAR rate is ZAR1 to $20!) and the lack of reliable purchasing channels. 

 

I look forward to connecting with like-minded aficionados and collectors and learning from all of you.

 

 

Regards K.V.L.

The Scribe

Nice looking vintage pen. 

[Wahl]

[Bisquitlips]

Wow!

 

Now that's an introduction!

 

Glad you are amongst us!

 

[northstar]

Hello and welcome to FPN.

[The Scribe]

Many thanks for the warm welcome guys ☺️.

FYI My current project is working through Professor Winter's manual on Copperplate calligraphy. I spent an obscene amount of money importing nibs and an adjustable oblique pen holder and selection of inks (like iron gall ink) from Paper Ink & Arts in Tennessee. I was glad I did. There is nothing worse than using inferior, or the wrong tools! Here's a pic of my work area. I'll post artwork soon. Right now I am methodically slowly relearning the craft, as it's been years since I last did this particular style!

[A Smug Dill]

Welcome to FPN.

[Stompie]

On 7/18/2024 at 5:13 AM, The Scribe said:

Many thanks for the warm welcome guys ☺️.

FYI My current project is working through Professor Winter's manual on Copperplate calligraphy. I spent an obscene amount of money importing nibs and an adjustable oblique pen holder and selection of inks (like iron gall ink) from Paper Ink & Arts in Tennessee. I was glad I did. There is nothing worse than using inferior, or the wrong tools! Here's a pic of my work area. I'll post artwork soon. Right now I am methodically slowly relearning the craft, as it's been years since I last did this particular style!

You seem to have a good set up there!

 

If you are not too worried about price versus quality, Unique Obliques is a guy in USA who makes dip pen holders that are brilliant! He takes custom orders as well and a lot of very top level calligraphers use his products. He hasn't been on here for a while but you can Google him or find him on Instagram.

[amberleadavis]