Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 84

 More Italian fountain pen goodness!

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

 

 Jerred: "This is a Delta 365.  This particular pen was released just after the year 2000, and is a somewhat uncommon pen in Delta's lineup.  This particular model has an acrylic resin barrel in "Amber" flake, black acrylic cap and ends, chrome plated trim and a solid sterling silver cap band in a heart pattern."

 

 

"The nib on this particular pen is made of rhodium-plated, 18k gold and uses Delta's "Millennium" engraving as well as a heart-shaped breather hole.  This is the last nib engraving that used the stylized "D" on Delta pens, and was retired in the mid-2000s.  It is, as expected, a lovely writer."

  

Many thanks to Jerred for another wonderful contribution to our virtual "show & tell"!

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 83

 Continuing our online "show & tell" with another British writing instrument, specifically René's Parker '88' fountain pen... 

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

René: "Like cars, the Parker 88 was actually released in 1987, but was a "1988" model, and was named as such. It was modeled after the Parker Vector, and was renamed the "Rialto" in 1994, the name the model is now more known as." 

"The basic design is quite uninspired, really, just a plain, slim brass cylinder with enhancements and a small, almost semi-hooded steel, and a sleek, but basic, long arrow clip. It was first introduced in the UK before it was released in the North America.

This particular model, however, is a pre-Rialto, a UK-made, top-of-the-line 88 labeled the "Place Vendôme" line, after the square in Paris, meant to reflect elegant European designs. The barrel and cap are partially encased in a 22-karat gold-plated steel column with a Corinthian design, and the pen sports a 22-karat gold plated steel nib." 

 

"Though the burgundy/gold Place Vendôme existed from the beginning until 1992, before the 88 became the Rialto, the medium nib, inscribed with the Parker name, indicates that this one dates from 1989 at the earliest. The Place Vendôme originally sold in the US at a price of $135 (though another source said, $80)."

"I haven't inked it and tried it yet, so I can't say anything about its performance yet, but it seems to write smoothly (without ink - it came with a cowled aerometric converter). Despite the very simple design I do find that the gold plating appears to be quite thick (no sign of plating loss, even after polishing) and the combination of the sleekness of the cylinder, the gold overlay, and the burgundy end sections make for a very elegant writing instrument, and I can't stop looking at it." 

Many thanks to René for the photos and background info on this handsome fountain pen!

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 82

 My "All-British" haul from Cult Pens in the U.K!

(all photos by Maja ~ please click on images to enlarge)

Diamine 'Inkvent' "Polar Glow" fountain pen ink, fountain pen & ballpoint set by Helix Oxford, and a Caran d'Ache '849' London-themed ballpoint

Founded in 1887, Helix Oxford  is the UK's oldest and largest manufacturer of school stationery and yes, they make writing instruments other than the short wooden pencils that come in their famous mathematical sets. I didn't know the company made fountain pens, so I was pleasantly surprised to see them on Cult Pens' website and subsequently ordered one. The site had a sale on British products, so I also ordered the ballpoint as it was 50% off with the purchase of the fountain pen.

Their fountain pen (pictured above) is a handsome, glossy, all-metal writing instrument with a smooth steel nib. The only engraving on the nib is the 'Helix' name----there is no nib width marked on it---but the Cult Pens website says it "writes a 0.6mm line". The fountain pen writes very nicely and can be used comfortably posted or unposted. The ballpoint has a nice balance to it and, it too, writes smoothly. The fountain pens and ballpoints come in six colours (there are also rollerballs available);  I chose the dark blue for both because they match the original maths set tin.
Total cost for the fountain pen & ballpoint set - £7.49 (ie. less than $13 CAD)!

 

Diamine is a British company that was founded in 1864, and its factory is located in Liverpool, England. The "Polar Glow" ink (above) is from their 'Inkvent' line, which came out last Christmas and was one of 25 different Diamine inks that was included with their Inkvent calendar (an ink-themed advent calendar). The calendar had 24 tiny 7ml ink bottles and one 30ml bottle, but my bottle is the 50ml size. The ink is a blue shade with a lovely dark pink/reddish sheen. I love the bottle's unique shape and its stubby little legs :)

Ok, so the Caran d'Ache above was made in Switzerland (not Britain)...but the ballpoint is the "London" model and features iconic images related to the city-- Big Ben, the London Eye, the British Crown Jewels, London black cabs, double-decker buses and more! It's a great writer, the smooth surface feels really nice, and the hexagonal aluminum body is very comfortable to hold. In addition to Caran d'Ache-branded refills, the pen also takes Parker/Parker-style ballpoint refills which can be found at many office supply stores.

Note about shipping costs from the UK: Cult Pens' shipping (which was speedy and trackable) from the UK to Canada was only £10 (about $17 CAD) which is less than I've paid for shipping from the U.S (and some places in Canada!) Their service is excellent and they have a great selection of writing instruments at all price points. Cult Pens is currently offering 10% off all orders from anywhere in Canada with the discount code CA10 (don't delay---this discount supposedly ends soon!)

Many thanks to everyone in our pen club who recently sent in photos and reviews of their newest acquisitions for our online show & tell---all are very much appreciated!
Cheers,
~Maja

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 81

Today's featured newest acquisition is a lovely Sailor fountain pen belonging to Armando, who sent me the following photos and text for our show & tell:

"Hi Maja, I acquired another Sailor 1911 S, this one out of curiosity. Here is the story: 

A TALE OF THREE SAILOR PENS 

I recently acquired a blue Sailor 1911 S medium nib, even though I have two 1911 S in my collection. I have a maroon and a black, both medium nibs.

(top to bottom: maroon, blue and black versions ~ please click on images to enlarge)

While I have promised myself that I will not buy another Sailor pen, I was intrigued by the statement provided by the seller. It said: "Sailor 1911 S with a nib made by Noboyushi Nagahara and his Engineers." He also said that he saw Yokio Nagahara (the son) at a pen show, and Yokio confirmed that this is a Nagahara made nib.

 

Noboyushi Nagahara was the nib master of the Sailor Pen Co., and devoted most of his working life devising and making nibs for the company. I said to myself, I just have to get this pen, if only to compare the nib with the other Sailor pens that I have. When the pen arrived, I immediately compared the nib with the other two Sailor 1911 S that I have. With the use of a loupe, I tried to look for differences in the size of the tip, grind, shape, etc. Not being a nib master myself, I didn't notice any significant difference.

I then inked the pen with a Waterman Royal Blue Ink, and compared the writing sample with the other two Sailor pens. I can only conclude that the Noboyushi Nagahara nib has a finer line than the other two Sailor nibs."

Many thanks to Armando for another great contribution to our virtual "show & tell"!

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 80

What's a VPC online show & tell without another interesting lesser-known Italian fountain pen belonging to Jerred? :) 

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

Jerred: "This is a Delta Titanio.  The Titanio was a special edition Delta and as was common for the company, it was released in three trim levels.  This is the top-end finish, made from a unique black/grey swirled acrylic."
 

  "The cap and body bands are made from titanium.  The cap band is marked with 'Ti-22', the periodic table symbol for titanium."

 

  "However, the nib is what makes this pen special - it is solid titanium.  This is the only set of Delta pens released that use titanium nibs.  This particular nib is Bock's first-generation titanium nib, and is quite soft.  However, it was found that these nibs were quite easy to spring if care was not taken when writing.  It has somewhat unique feedback for a nib, different than any other nib I've used." 

  Jerred--thank you for sharing your thoughts on your beautiful new acquisition, and some great photos of it, too!

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 79

 Today's featured new pen-related acquisition belongs to Stuart - a Namisu 'Naos fountain pen', which just came out this summer after a successful Kickstarter campaign...

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

Stuart writes: "The Namisu arrived this afternoon, and I’m very happy with it. It’s beautifully made, very solid, and the Bock Medium nib is excellent.  The cap does not post but it’s a big pen and works fine unposted."

 "You feel the edge where the barrel and section meet, but that’s because of the different shapes of the two - round section and hexagonal barrel.  It’s there but not too bothersome, though some people would be annoyed by it. So 13 days from Scotland to here!!"

 

Yes, though their company name sounds vaguely Japanese, Namisu is actually based in Fife, Scotland! For more information on this company (which makes other writing instruments of minimalist design), check out their official website here. Many thanks to Stuart for sharing his cool new fountain pen with us!

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 78

Because we could all use a little inspiration in these troubling times...

"If—" by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

If you can keep your head when all about you
  Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
  But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
  Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
   And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
   If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
   And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
   Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
   And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
   And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
   And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
   To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
   Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
   Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
   If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
   With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
   And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Stuart's new Montblanc - Homage to Rudyard Kipling "Jungle Green" fountain pen ink:

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

Stuart--thank you, as always, for your contributions to our online "show & tell".
We'll be featuring a modern fountain pen recently acquired by Stuart in Wednesday's blog post.
Until then, stay safe and look after each other, everyone!
~Maja

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 77

Who doesn't like getting a nice writing instrument as a gift? :)

VPC member Trevor's thoughts on his new Parker 'Urban' in "Vibrant Magenta"...

"In July 2020 I was in Buchan’s Stationery in Vancouver. The striking colour caught my eye. Simply gorgeous! It wasn’t in the budget that day so I sadly left it behind. It had bored a hole in my mind. I couldn’t see the colour on the Parker website, so I figured it was discontinued. About a month later I was there again with my new lady after brunch with my aunt. Looked at it again… The feel of the cap sliding on, the delicate ’tick’ sound as it seated… so satisfying. Shanin offered to buy it for me as a late birthday gift. So amazing!"  

 

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

 He continues: "I installed a Parker purple QUINKmini cartridge and gave it a run. Smooth tip, even line, great grip feel. It’s a fine tip, but not as fine as my Pilot Metropolitan Fine. Good weight and balanced when not posted, but back heavy and the cap is not a good fit posted. Once the purple cartridge is empty I plan to fill a converter with some Jacques Herbin 1670 Émeraude de Chivor to use with it. Also considering buying some Jacques Herbin 1670 Rouge Hématite for it so the body of the pen more closely represents the colour within. Overall really happy with it. Great addition to the collection."

Many thanks to Trevor for sharing a photo of his new fountain pen and the story behind it. VPC members---please keep those photos of your newest pen-related acquisitions coming!

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 76

Moving on to a model only made for two years (1983-1985) by a well-known pen company, acquired by honourary VPCer Glenn G. via eBay...

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

...a Pelikan M481 fountain pen! (Black with 12C gold nib)

Glenn: "The Pelikan’s Perch says that this pen, a special edition provided by Pelikan Milano to companies was not available to the public, and is therefore relatively rare."

 

"It also says the nib is 2-tone, but mine has a monotone yellow gold nib labelled HEF on the barrel sticker"

 "This pen came from a German seller in Greece, now it’s in Australia… Pelikans do undertake long flights! I’m looking for a green/black M481, and while the regular black versions are relatively common, I’ve not seen one of these for sale at any price. I’m still miffed that my Burgundy example apparently ‘got lost’ in the usually very efficient Japanese postal system, raising suspicions of a possible re-sale at a higher price"

For more information on the Pelikan M481, check out this page. Many thanks to Glenn for all his contributions to our online "show & tell"!

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 75

....and here's another adorable vintage fountain pen recently acquired by René - his Salz Brothers 'Peter Pan' fountain pen...

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

René: "The Salz Brothers was one of the more venerable second-tier pen companies of New York in the 1920s (but probably existed earlier). They are most well known for their black hard rubber pens, which are not often sen and are quite sought after these days. The Peter Pan was their line of tiny pens, which I was told was meant for very young writers, hence the name. They are found in many forms, including hard rubber flat tops and ring tops."

"Although small, this particular one is larger (which isn't saying much) than the Ratner Flapper, and is actually a lever filler. It's likely from the 1930s, and is made from a beautiful, shimmering, spiraling, green and gold plastic(?) material." 

"The steel nib and the clip are also marked, "Peter Pan," and it sports a beautiful Art Deco cap band."

 

"Like the tiny Ratner, it will fit in your hand if posted, but otherwise would be too small. It's a beautiful little pen that would fit nicely in someone's pocket or purse."

Nice find, René! Thanks so much for sharing it with us :)