Reminder - meeting tomorrow (Thursday) !

➡️ All info in this post: https://www.vancouverpenclub.com/2025/04/april-meeting-info-back-to-our-usual.html 😁

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 544

Hot on the heels of his two previous reviews, here's another write up sent in by Christopher! (thanks again for all the pen reviews, Christopher :)

(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)

Christopher writes:

"I have always been a great admirer of the vintage Waterman pens, whether a product before the Great War or one produced by the company near the end of the 1930s, regardless of Circa, they all are well worth having to enjoy. This particular number is a late 1930s Waterman's 94, a model that was well designed to sit perfectly in the hand for long periods of writing. Shorter but with a wider girth, the 94 was introduced in 1927/28 but stood the test of time to be discontinued by the Waterman Company at the end of the second World War. 

So, let's start off with the finish on this fine writing instrument. I would have to say it is a black and pearl with a thin red veined accent to accentuate the finish. The fittings that perfectly complement are a high gloss steel. This pen has a matching typical boxed Waterman lever filler that responsibly fills the interior ink sack impressively with only several strokes. The grip that sits atop the barrel is quite substantial and secures both a fine working Waterman feed and a spectacular Waterman Idea No.5, 14K Gold nib. This is not the sized nib that one would in fact expect in a Waterman 94, since that last numeral usually denotes the nib size in this case which should be a number 4. But I have seen a few other late 94s sporting number 5 nibs, so I note this as a blessing. This is a Canadian Waterman product in difference to the US version which seems to be more faithful to the number 4 size nib. The cap has sort of a thin stacked coins topping, which is very attractive as is the tapered flat ball ended clip. This clip is also chased just to add a finishing touch. At the other end of the pen, the barrel at its end is inscribed with the Waterman number coding for the model of 94. As for further dimensions, this pen posts at a full 6 inches. but caps back to 5 inches. Admittedly, I could not be more pleased to welcome this superb writing instrument into my vintage pen collection and I know it will see use regularly."

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 543

Today we're featuring another one of Christopher's vintage finds, but this one has a surprising Canadian twist! Intrigued? Read on .... 

Christopher writes:

"In the last decade and a half, I have not had the good luck to find and secure a Mabie Todd fountain pen much earlier than the 1920s, but just the other day a lovely relic from the company's past came my way..."

 

(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)

 

 

"Well noted and inscribed on the barrel are the words 'MABIE TODD & CO.' and above 'THE SWAN PEN' with the early Swan logo just before it. But let me say that the finish on both the barrel and cap is a well-defined black chased vulcanized rubber. The cap is a long flat top, featuring the original early patent 1915 14K Gold filled tapered to a ball end clip. And to add further character to this covering and just above the clip, are the words inscribed, 'SCREW CAP TIGHTLY' with an instructional arrow indicating which way to screw the cap back onto the barrel --a wise directive in anyone's books. The barrel also is well marked on its flat bottom with the Mabie Todd pen model identification as C3 LSF. I am not too sure what the 'C' refers to but the 3 definitely relates to the size of nib and for that matter probably the overall size of the pen, which to my mind is quite substantial. The letters to follow could well identify this writing instrument as a lever self-filler which indeed it is.

The nib, which is supported in a good-sized grip, is most impressive both in size and writing ability. Plus, it is inscribed 14K Gold No.3 Mabie Todd Toronto. Yes, this was a pen sold out of the Mabie Todd. Toronto Canada office. Probably produced in the UK and shipped to Canada just after the Great War to be retailed. I have made comments about the size of this pen but, to be more exact, it posts at a full 6 ½ inches to sit well balanced in the hand, but caps back responsibly to a pocketable 5 ½ inches, just perfect for a breast pocket. All and all a perfect candidate for my vintage pen collection and one I am definitely looking forward to using."

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 542

Christopher sent in a couple of reviews of recent acquisitions (both vintage---no surprise there!), so here's the first of the two...

He writes:

"I would like to say that this pen that I am currently reviewing was duly produced by the Eagle Pencil Company, but I would have to add that the jury is still out on that notion. But, and saying that, this particular writing instrument does definitely tick off all of the boxes for me.

The makeup sings strongly of a German heritage, but the filler is not really as commonplace for pens from the 'Fatherland', where the piston fillers seem to be the most common equation."

(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)

"Moving on to the design, I would have to say that this pen encapsulates the Art Deco movement. But let's take a look first at the pen's cap. Once again, somewhat German in its appearance with sort of a conical, onion dome shaped jet-black clip screw which, in turn, secures a (once again) German design lengthy ring clip. Just below this pocket pen holder is a double banding. Both the clip and these cap bands are 14K Gold filled and take us down, in turn, to the pen's barrel. 

But before I impart another word, I just have to say that the finish on both the cap and barrel is a most beautiful lapis blue pearl and black swirl, the result of which is simply stunning. The barrel is clear of any branding and being a button filler pen at the end of this barrel, there is a jet-black conical onion dome design blind cap . The button filler that it hides works extremely well, filling the pen with ink with only several firm presses. Back up to the business end, a well-designed grip secures both a responsible feed and a superb Eagle branded 14K Gold nib, with the country of origin being the good old US of A. As for size, this pen posts at a full 6 inches but caps back to a most pocketable 5 inches. And what is to become of this mystery pen? Well, whatever it is, an Eagle or otherwise, it is definitely destined to become part of my vintage pen collection."

Our thanks to Christopher for sharing his finds with us!

April meeting info! (Back to our usual time :)

Yes, we're back to our usual time (the third Thursday of the month)...and back to a familiar location, as well! Here are the deets.....

April meeting info:

When:  Thursday April 17, 2025

Where: Branch Meeting Room (in the basement) of the Vancouver Public Library's KITSILANO branch at 2425 Macdonald Street (between Broadway and West 8th) in Vancouver.

Time: 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Meeting themes/topics:

Primary topic: POCKET FOUNTAIN PENS!

Secondary topic: NEW ACQUISITIONS (pens/inks/stationery/accessories/etc).

Please try to limit your "show & tell" to 2-3 items per person, so everyone has a chance to speak; thanks in advance!

Hope to see you there! 😀 (and no need to RSVP, either)
Any questions? Please email us at vancouverpenclub@gmail.com

Quick photo of our latest pen club limited edition

I'm waiting for sunnier weather so I can take better photos of it in natural light for a review I'm planning to post here... but in the meantime, here's a quick shot of our latest pen club limited edition -- the beautiful Radius 1934 'Settimo' "Marmo" Limited Edition, made exclusively for our pen club!

(click on image to enlarge ~ photo by Maja)

A few photos from our March meeting

We had an excellent turnout for our March meeting, held on the afternoon of Saturday March 22nd --- a total of 35 VPC members (including five newcomers!) attended an informal gathering at the Vancouver Public Library's Champlain Heights branch.

I had a lot of fun talking to everyone (including brand-new members Andrea P, Ben F, Beverley, Kimberly, and Nadiia)... so much so that I almost forgot to snap any photos for our website 🙄. I did remember to take a small handful, though, and Christopher T. was kind enough to take some group shots (thanks, Christopher!), so here they are...

(photos by Maja, except where noted ~ please click on images to enlarge)

Above: That's me (Maja) on the far left next to Paul and brand-new member Beverley, In the background, you can see Lyndon and another new member, Ben (back turned to camera) ~ photo by Christopher T. ~

A nice group shot (also taken by Christopher) of (L-R) Shona, Steve, James, me, Paul and Beverley.

A quick photo of our club's newest limited edition fountain pen - a beautiful Radius 1934 'Settimo' Marmo! (the one above belongs to Allan, but I'll take some photos of my own pen and post a review soon) The multi-refill ballpoint in the photo was one of many that Steve handed out to all attendees (thanks, Steve!).

Several of our members brought really interesting pen cases to the meeting, so I snapped photos of a couple that were actually handmade by them...starting with this cool vinyl multi-pen holder made by Catherine using leftover vinyl from a 'Star Wars' purse!

Catherine likes the design because she can fold over the flap and use the case as a desk pen holder, as well.

 

Joy made this cute leather solo pen sleeve as a holder for clipless mini pens using materials from two local companies---leather from Hand and Sew and thread from Lonsdale Leather.

Peeking out from it is her adorable Montblanc Heritage Rouge et Noir Baby Ivory-coloured special edition fountain pen!

Last, but not least, we have this Rickshaw Bagworks two-pen sleeve made specially for online retailer Pen Realm featuring the lovely artwork of our fellow pen club member, Carola!

Well, that's all the photos from the meeting! Many thanks to everyone who attended; I hope you had a good time 😀. It wasn't a themed meeting this month, but April's meeting will have a theme, so check our website later this week/early next week for details about next month's meeting (including the theme); I'll post them after our venue booking is confirmed.

(~Blog post by Maja~)

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 541

Many thanks to everyone who came to our March meeting two days ago! I'll post a few photos I took during the meeting sometime this week. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this latest installment of newest acquisition reviews by our members; it's a review of a vintage model that Christopher recently acquired (thank you for sharing, Christopher!)....

 Christopher writes:

"I seem to be flush with the likes of Aikin Lambert vintage writing instruments these days. And just for the record and, as memory serves, this fine vintage writing instrument duo is my third example into my vintage pen collection. I was particularly interested when this clasped-together pen and pencil set came my way. My first thought was either a group of writing instruments which could have hung from a gentleman’s watch chain with the items neatly pocketed in his vest. Or, and on the other hand, maybe residing in a fashionable lady’s purse. But wherever they came from in days long gone by, I am truly blessed to have them now."

(all photos courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on images to enlarge)

"The fountain pen is an Aikin Lambert black vulcanized hard chased rubber lever filler of responsible size with a very long straight cap. The chasing on this cap and the barrel are impressive, as is the Aikin Lambert branded 14K Gold nib. And to write with, this nib has a most gorgeous amount of flex. The section is also black and allows for good handling when the pen is written with."

"Attached to this fine fountain with an 14K Gold filled clasp, is the most attractively finished miniature mechanical pencil. The colours in this finish of lapis blue, jet and vibrant gold leaf are, to my mind, stunning. As for dimensions, the pen posts at a full 5 3/4 inches, but caps at 4 1/2. While the pencil comes with a short length of only 3 inches, but works extremely well. In closing, I can’t say enough good things about this duo other than it will definitely have a place of honour in my vintage pen collection."

Reminder ~ Meeting this *SATURDAY* ! (1:00pm - 3:30pm @ VPL's Champlain Heights branch)

Happy Spring! 🌷 Don't forget our monthly meeting is this Saturday (March 22nd)!

VANCOUVER PEN CLUB MARCH 2025 MEETING

Where: The Branch Meeting Room of the Vancouver Public Library's ⭐CHAMPLAIN HEIGHTS⭐ branch at 7110 Kerr Street (SE corner of Kerr & East 54th Avenue), Vancouver, BC. Link: https://www.vpl.ca/location/champlain-heights-branch

Date: ⭐ SATURDAY⭐ March 22, 2025

Time: ⭐ 1:00pm to 3:30pm ⭐

Topics:   None! This meeting is just a casual get-together (ie. no show & tell), but please feel free to bring pen-related items to show your fellow attendees.

No need to RSVP ~ Hope you can make it! 😀

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 540

Happy St. Patrick's Day! It's not Irish and it's not a green fountain pen, but here's a review of one of Christopher's interesting vintage finds for you to enjoy :)

Christopher writes: "When it comes to small in the world of vintage writing instruments, most seasoned pen collectors think of the Salz Bros' line of ‘Peter Pan’ pens. But turning the clock back even further, there is one outstanding example of small pen craftsmanship, and it has to be ‘The Pet’ by the Aikin Lambert company. 

Aikin Lambert was duly founded in 1867 by James Cornelius Aikin in partnership with Henry A Lambert in New York City. The company, in turn, employed an extremely skilled pen maker, Mr. John B Shea, who became in time a business partner of the firm and even later the Vice President of Aikin Lambert. J C Aikin & Co. originally was a top end quality New York jeweller who delved into the manufacturing of gold "pens" (referred to as "nibs" today), barrels for retractable ‘Safety’ pens and mechanical pencils, but the company masthead and branding in turn changed to Aikin, Lambert & Co. when Henry Lambert joined as a co-partner. During the years that followed, the company reincorporated under a new banner of Aikin, Lambert & Co. Ltd in the Spring of 1889. Subsequently, in 1902 the L E Waterman company took over and reorganized the Aikin Lambert operation. At that time, the name was changed yet again to Aikin-Lambert Co. The history behind this relationship between Waterman and Aikin Lambert, in turn, lead to the latter supplying Waterman with finely ground, jewellery quality gold nibs, barrels for retractable safety pens and a full range of mechanical pencils for Waterman. This relationship blossomed and continued until Aikin Lambert was assimilated by the Waterman company."

(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)

"So, now with a bit of the history covered, I will return to the likes of this tiny little black vulcanized rubber fountain pen. First off, let me relate that when I say tiny I can definitely vouch for the capped size as only 2 1/2 inches, and posted --with a stretch-- you might be lucky to get 2 3/4. Saying that, rocketing out of an equally tiny section, which is a wee bit challenging to grip, is the most beautifully crafted miniature 14K gold nib, which actually writes quite reasonably with a fair bit of flex. This is an eye dropper filler pen which sports a 14K gold short ribbon ring in a small raised mount atop the flat surface of the closed end of the cap. In closing, I would have to admit that this tiny item is truly a real treasure and worthy of becoming part of my vintage pen collection." 

Christopher--thank you for the pen history lesson, and for sharing this adorable vintage treasure with us!