My personal collection, to the amusement of everyone I’ve told “it will never exceed 30…” is generally 50-60. For years, I did not admit to having a collection, since I don’t collect things, but as fountain pen people know, it just happens.
Truth be told, I do know how it happened. As I taught myself restoration, I read, studied, and sought new adventures. It wasn’t long before my eye started telling me to “maybe keep this one…”, and that’s how collections happen. If there is a common thread, it is that most of my vintage pens are from 1920-1960, my restorations, and almost all, including the modern pens, have some intrinsic elegance and historical interest to me — these are not coffee table pens to be admired, but dignified and handsome user pens. Enjoy my collection!
PS — Generally speaking, the pens in my collection are not for sale, although I promise to at least listen to any unusually generous offer for all but a few…
Italy, 1949. Classic black celluloid, gold-filled cap. The pen was so successful that it restored Aurora in Italy after WWII with its design that clearly emulated the Parker 51. This pen carries serial number 767195; only Aurora 88 owners track these. Piston filler, M flexible nib.
Italy, approx. 2016. This is a modern Aurora 88 from their 800 series. It is of shiny resin with gold-plate trim, and has an 18K nib. Wonderful pen, incredible writer.
Italy, probably 1960. Serial number 3272436, near the end of the original 88’s long run. Wonderful wet medium, usual Aurora flex.
France, 1937. Probably the Special Luxe, one of Bayard’s nicer pre-WWII celluloid models. It’s a favorite pen for its quiet elegance. Has significant unrepaired cap crack and rippling that limit it to occasional desk use. I like to think that the damage happened during a hot prewar Paris weekend, on the dashboard of a Citroën Traction Avant.
France 1939-48, probably post WWII. A model 560 Standard, with Lido nib, dark blue celluloid lever filler.
Italy, 1939. Beautiful brown and grey celluloid, button-filler, long tine fine flex nib. There is very little published in English about Stiliridios; more research in Italian is needed. My first vintage Italian pen; it got me hooked.
England, 1930s. I don’t know which Conway Stewart this is, imprint is 99% gone. I suspect the 200M made for Selfridges. It’s made of beautiful rippled ebonite. Cap threads don’t hold, though. Someday I’ll fix it properly; until then it’s a desk pen.
England, 1930-38. The 236 was a workingman’s pen in a country and time that celebrated the distinction, a very popular and inexpensive model. It is dark blue/black marbled celluloid, original soft CS 5 nib, lever filler.
From England, 1930’s. Too fragile for anything but limited desk use, I’ve kept this pen because its casein barrel and cap have “alligatored”, compromised by heat or water. Still beautiful to look at, nice desk pen. Proper CS nib.
Italy 2009-10. Limited edition #0132, green/gray marbled resin, Fusion nib. C/C filler. Currently with Edison B nib; Fusion overlay separated, so nib awaits its turn to be repaired. Check-signing pen at the office, so is always filled with vintage Sheaffer Permanent Blue-Black, a very fast-drying iron gall ink. Picture will be added if/when the pen ever comes home. Present from pen friend.