Vintage Fountain Pens


Putting Waterman Inks in Vintage Pens

One of my preferred inks, particularly for use in vintage fountain pens, is Waterman ink. Vintage pens require care and maintenance, which includes regular flushing. Since vintage pen mechanisms can sometimes be complicated, depending on the filling system, and not easy (or recommended) to disassemble, ink that flushes easily from the pen is preferable. Waterman inks behave well; they have good flow, wash out easily, are relatively non-staining, and are non-pigmented. In other words: they are safe for your fountain …

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Gift Certificates

Did you know we also offer gift certificates? If you can’t figure out what that special someone in your life might like from our Catalogs, provide them with a gift certificate! Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, and just about anything else. Available in any dollar amount, just indicate the dollar amount and recipient’s name in the “Comments” section of your purchase.

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What is Conklin’s Self-Filling Fountain Pen?

In a recent post, we shared an ad about the Conklin Self-Filling fountain pen. It was a celebrity endorsed ad, in a somewhat comical way, where Mrs. Grover Cleveland suggests that self-filler pens would have greater sales if the filling mechanism was better known. The logic made sense  — the Self-Filler is a lot easier to use and carry with you than an eyedropper-fill pen. How did the Conklin Self-Filling fountain pen actually work? Pretty simply, and Conklin emphasized in …

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Consignment – Have Some Pens To Sell?

Our customers often ask, “Where do you get your pens.”  Well, the answer is “from lots of places, including folks like you.”  We buy lots and lots of pens, and also accept a limited number of special pens on consignment.  Contact us for an easy way to sell your pens – we’re always in the market.  One pen or an entire collection.  For consignments, we look for great higher-end vintage pens which compliment the pens presented in …

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Not So Vintage: Aurora Optima Demonstrator

Not so vintage at all, nor is it a fountain pen! Believe it or not, Catalog #73 has this attractive sketch pen; a Limited Edition #328 in clear acrylic. If you are going to use a pencil, it should really be a pencil! This is a new-old-stock pencil, mint in its original box with papers, leather pouch, and outer box. I love this pencil! A demonstrator pencil is more interesting than one may think, especially …

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Just What I Wanted – Conklin’s Self-Filler

This is how I feel when I find the right pen. Just what I wanted. I’m sure you all feel the same way, complete with the elated expression and feeling. Now, it’s not just that gentleman in your life that will be delighted if you present him with a fountain pen, ladies have good taste, too! Celebrity-endorsed by Mrs. Grover Cleveland. Besides avid fountain pen users and connoisseurs, who endorses fountain pen usage nowadays? I …

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Waterman’s Ideal Ash Tray

Waterman also produced ash trays. They were rather popular at a certain time, especially amongst people who smoked! Others seemed to prefer the Waterman fountain pens. The ash tray pictured below was an effective advertising unit for Waterman, so long as it wasn’t filled with cigarettes. Which would you pick? An ashtray or a fountain pen? I still suspect Waterman fountain pens and inks were more popular.

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Happy Holidays!

From our home to yours: happy holidays to all our vintage pen fans, new fountain pen users, and those who have yet to discover the wonderful world of fountain pens. We wish you all the best for the new year with peace, blessings, and of course, vintage pens and inks!  

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Parker Lucky Curve – Stop Those Leaks

This very interesting ad shows off the Parker Lucky Curve fountain pen, designed with a feed tube that was curved to touch the barrel wall. Where other fountain pens didn’t have this, when they were placed nib up in a pocket, there was a space with air, and the pooled ink at the bottom. If all the ink wasn’t drained from the feed before the body heated up the air space, the air would expand, …

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Waterman 1917 Roses on Vines

Check out Pen #4: Waterman didn’t only make pens with ebonite ripples and swirls. The Waterman 42 Continental Overlay is an 18K brushed gold-filled pen with a hand engraved “Roses on Vines” pattern on a barley background. It’s an eyedropper-filler perfectly complemented with a fine, extra-flexible nib. Better yet? This stunning beauty comes with its original box with just a touch of wear on the bottom of the barrel from cap posting. Having been around since 1917, it’s …

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