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About Vintage Pens

Vintage pens, in particular fountain pens, are highly collectible and come in a wide variety of colors and styles, from elaborate jewel-encrusted casings to sleek and simple cigar-shaped designs. There are three main types of vintage pens: 1) dip pens have a nib to dip into an inkwell; 2) fountain pens have a self-contained ink reservoir; and 3) ballpoint pens have a little ball that allows ink to flow out when the pen is put to paper.

The 1920s were a time of innovation and prosperity for pen manufacturers, who started developing plastic pens in a variety of colors and styles. The Sheaffer Balance, released in 1929, started a trend toward streamlined pens. The 1930s saw the introduction of more affordable models, sold in dime stores. The 1940s ushered in ballpoint pens, and a more modern look typified by the famous 'Parker 51', the classic collector pen released by Parker in 1950...

Up until the 1960s, the emphasis in the pen industry was on the development of better-performing and easier-filling pens through innovations in nib and reservoir technology. In the mid-1880s, craftsmen had created the first reliable fountain pen, but it had a long way to go.

By the 1960s, ball point and cartridge technology had made performance a non-issue, and manufacturers like Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman and Montblanc began to focus on fancier material and designs, with a variety of colors, lacquers, and engravings to differentiate their high-end products. Pens became a gift item and fashion statement, and were ultimately produced as limited editions for the collector market.

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Vintage Fountain Pen Collector Jim Mamoulides

When I got my first job out of college, I did what a lot of people do: I ran out and bought myself a Montblanc pen and fountain pe… [more]

Pelikan Pen Collector Rick Propas: An Interview with Collectors Weekly

It was back in 1997 that I first got interested in Pelikans. That was in the early days of Internet boards and discussion groups, … [more]

Guest Column: Collecting The Parker 51, A Classic Vintage Pen

The Parker "51," produced by the Parker Pen Company, is considered by many collectors to be the best pen ever made. Developed in … [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Parker51.com

Parker51.com

Ernesto Soler's extensive homage to one of the most popular pens ever produced, the Parker "51," introduced in 1941… [read review or visit site]

Penhero.com

Penhero.com

Jim Mamoulides' vintage and modern pen-cyclopedia. Start at the main gallery, featuring detailed articles (with pho… [read review or visit site]

1001 Ink Bottles

1001 Ink Bottles

This site has lots of great photos and descriptions of rare vintage ink bottles. In particular, check out the Water… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Pens

Discussion Forums: Pens

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Top eBay Auctions

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Montblanc Patron Of Art Limited 888 A.carnegie Ii 2002Montblanc Patron Of Art Limited Lorenzo De Medici 1992Exceptional Limitedit Soulmakers 100years Montblanc 146Montblanc Patron Of Art Limited Edition Semiramis 1996Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Set Oscar Wilde 1994Montblanc Elizabeth I Fountain Pen Limited EditionMontblanc Agatha Christie Fountain PenMontblanc Writes Edition Marcel Proust Ballpoint NewMontblanc Writers Limitedit Set Scott Fitzgerald 2002Montblanc Pope Julius Ii 4810Montblanc Writers Limitedition Set Fp/bp/mp Dumas 1996Grayson Tighe Crystal Steel Fp, No Reserve !!Montegrappa 50th Israel Fountain Pen Virgin Sealed NewRare Montblanc Meisterstuck #146 Pinstripe 3 Piece SetMontblanc Writers Limited Edition Jules Verne 2003 FpMont Blanc Voltaire Fountain Pen New In BoxLouis Vuitton Fountain Ink Gold PenVintage Parker Pen Glass & Brass Sales/display CabinetAncora Sword Fountain Pen Demonstrator Vermeil Montblanc Hemingway B.p New SealedRare Wonderful Limited Edition S.t Dupont Taj Mahal BpMontblanc Limited Edition Poe 3 Piece SetVintage Fantastic Montblanc Meisterstuck Ramses Ii Bp Pelikan M700 Pen, ToledoPelikan M900 Pen, Toledo The Big One!Aurora Asia Quintet Fountain Pen Rb Bp Pencil 5 Pens Visconti Limited Edition Homo Sapiens Lava Fountain PenWaterman Edson Diamond Balck Fountain Pen Fine PointMontblanc 75 Anniversary Fountain Pen Chopin SeriesMontblanc Writers Limited Edition Jules Verne 2003 BpMont Blanc Fountain Pen Limited Putman Edtion All BoxsCartier Louis Cartier Gold & Bordeaux Fountain Pen NewCross Solid 14kt Gold Pen & Pencil Set Not PlatedAurora 85th Anniversary Ltd Ed Fountain Pen Serial 0000Huge 14k Gold Filigree Sheaffer Fountain PenMontblanc Greta Garbo Special Edition Fountain Pen EfParker 51 Set, First Year 1941--- Near Mint In BoxRare ,vintage 1950's Montblanc 144 Fp Green StripesMontblanc Starwalker 100 Years Anniversary Fountain PenJudd's Rare Brad Torrelli Parker 51 Demo Fountain Pen Bnib Visconti Black Storm Limited Edition Fountain PenMontblanc 144 Black & Gold Fountain Pen New In Box RareVisconti Homo Sapiens Fountain Pen The Lava PenParker Duofold Dna, Limited Edition Rare, List $1100!Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Gold & Black Pen NibMontblanc Writers Limitedit Miguel De Cervantes 2005 FpMontblanc Writers Limited Edition Franz Kafka 2004 FpMontblanc Writers Limitedition Scott Fitzgerald 2002 FpMontblanc Starwalker 100 Anniversary Special EditionMontblanc Starwalker 100 Years Anniversary Fp William Henry New Pen "lowest Price In The World" SeeMontblanc Writers Limitedition Charles Dickens 2001 FpAlfred Dunhill New Packaged Silver Torpedo Ball PenMont Blanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Gold 144 Fountain PenVintage Solid Hlmrkd 9ct Gold Parker Pen & Box Unused Aurora Asia Limited Edition, 18k Stub, #3377/7500 BoxedRare Superb Limited Edition S.t Dupont Andalusia BpMontblanc Meisterstuck 149 Fountain Pen Mint ConditionMontblanc Writers Limited Edition Dostoevsky 1997 FpMontblanc Writers Limited Dostoevsky 1997 Roller
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Recent News: Pens

Source: Google News

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