Legacy GoPens Blog

Handwritten Post - Do You Write Letters

Do you write letters, postcards, or anything else using snail mail? I love receiving mail because it's far more exciting than email - it's something tangible to hold and read, often decorated and d...

Button-Filler Buttons and Bars

There are five buttons you might see on vintage pens: plastic, top hat, twist, aluminum, and brass. Plastic and top hat buttons were used in cheaper pens. The twist button was used in Mabie Todd Sw...

On Point With GoPens #17

What do the numbers and letters on my nib mean? It depends on the numbers, of course. Nibs are marked with their gold content, such as 14K/585, or 18K/750. Some modern nibs have 23K Pd ...

Handwritten Post - First Fountain Pen Days

I started using fountain pens when I was in my early teens, but I really went crazy over them when I was in my early 20s. I thought it would be fun to write some quotes and hear what you think as w...

Extraordinary Pens - Pelikan Collectors, Flex Seekers

A stunning line up of Pelikans - many with flexible nibs. If you're searching for a nib that will offer some line variation, look no further. Catalog #75 has a few Pelikans you may want to loo...

On Point With GoPens #16

Why do nibs have tipping? Vintage pen nibs were tipped with iridium, a hard, expensive metal alloy, because the gold nibs on the pens were far too soft to withstand being in continuous conta...

Handwritten Post - Why A Fountain Pen?

Extraordinary Pens - Pelikan Magnum Emege

Calling all Pelikan collectors! This 1935 Pelikan 100N Magnum Emege piston-filler is an absolutely beautiful pen: combining a deep red hard rubber cap, inner cap, and turning knob, with a stunning ...

On Point With GoPens #15

I bought a vintage pen on eBay with a name engraved on it. Is my pen more or less valuable than one without a name engraved on it? The addition of a name doesn't necessarily add monetary value, ...

Handwritten Post - Beautiful Pens, Spectacular Nibs

I must admit, I've caved to a pen or two. Have a look at the Catalogs. Some items are even reduced in older catalogs, which might make them a little more tempting (10% off).  If you're looking for ...