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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.
by Interviews & Articles
The Pinnacle of Pens: Author Barry Gabay on Writing in Style and the Montblanc 149
In 1908, three guys in Hamburg, Germany, founded what would become Montblanc. In the beginning it was known as the Simplo Filler P… [more]
Vintage Sheaffer, Parker, Wahl, and Waterman Fountain Pens
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]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
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
Jim Mamoulides' vintage and modern pen-cyclopedia. Start at the main gallery, featuring detailed articles (with pho… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Pens
Discussion Forums: Pens
Other Great Reference Sites: Pens
Top eBay Auctions
Montblanc Pen *limited Artisan Edition 9* Ludwig Van Beethoven - The 9. Symphony
Ultra Rare Sealed Quartet Montblanc Writers Limited Dostoevsky 1997 Fp+rb+bp+mp
Montblanc Limited Edition 1996 Writes Edition Alexandre Duma Set ( Fp+bp+mp)
Vintage Montblanc 149 Silver Rings!
*clearance Sale* Faber Castell Pen Of The Year 2011: Jade
Montblanc 149 Demonstrator
Montblanc Oscar Wilde Limited Edition Set
Mint Montblanc Patron Of Art Limited Edition Karl Der Grosse Year 2000
Sealed Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Friedrich Schiller Set Year 2000
*clearance Sale* Faber Castell Pen Of The Year 2008: Ind. Satinwood
Krone Limited Edition Charles Lindbergh Spirit Of St. Louis Fountain Pen
Wonderful Montblanc Patron Of Art Limited Edition Nicolaus Copernicus Year 2003
Montblanc Hemingway Fountain Pen 
Fountain Pen Montblanc Lim. Ed. 4810 Semiramis 1996 - 28624 F Nib
Fabulous Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Agatha Christie 1993 Fp
Wonderful Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Marcel Proust 1999 Fp
Montblanc Carlo Collodi Writers Edition 2011 Limited Edition Pen Set Fp/bp/mp
Gorgeous Montblanc Patron Of Art Limited Edition The Prince Regent 1995
Fountain Pen Montblanc Lim. Ed. 4810 Karl The Great 2000 - 28660 M Nib
Mont Blanc Boheme Test Fountain Pen Set
Montblanc 
Montblanc Agatha Christie Limited Edition Fountain Pen
Pelikan Sunlight Pen! No Reserve! Direct Purchase For $3500 Possible...
Huge Watermans 58 Clip-cap Ideal Black/brick Red Ripple #8 Nib Vtg Fountain Pen
Fabulous Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Agatha Christie 1993 Bp 
Montblanc Solitaire Silver Barley Legrand Pen
Authentic Montblanc Silver Platinum Boheme Violet Leather Ballpoint Pen
1994 Namiki Yukari Collection Nightline Raden Fountain Pen 18k Fine Nib
*clearance Sale* Pelikan M910 Toledo Pen, Special Edition!
Mont Blanc Ramses 146 Fountain Pen M Nib
Montblanc A. Dumas Fountain Pen 
Montblanc Alexandre Dumas Fountain Pen Medium Limited Edition
Montblanc *meisterstuck Solitaire* Letter Opener
Montblanc Peter The Great Limited Edition Fountain Pen/no Box But No Reserve!!!!
Montblanc Mark Twain Writers Edition Ballpoint 
Cartier Crocodile Ebony Dandy Fountain Pen 18k Gold Nib 321/1847
Les Must De Cartier 18k Gold Vendome Ballpoint Pen + Box- Vintage Item From 1979
Fabulous Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Ernest Hemingway 1992 Bp
Montblanc Mark Twain Writers Edition 2010 Limited Edition Pen Set Fp/bp/mp
Parker T-1 Titanium Pen + Fibre Tip - Very Rare - 1970/71 Vintage - Near Mint
Montblanc 75th Anniversary Doue 163 Silver Rose Gold Diamond Rollerball
Wonderful Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Oscar Wilde Fp 1994 
Fabulous Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Agatha Christie 1993 Pencil
Vintage Ultra Rare Exceptional Old Omas Extra Lucens Black Transparent Barrel
Wonderful Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Marcel Proust 1999 Bp 
New Sailor Susutake Smoked Bamboo Cross Emperor Multiple Layer Nib Fountain Pen
Fountain Pen Montblanc Lim. Ed. 4810 Francois I M Nib - 2008
Vintage Extremely Rare Fabulous Pelikan Toledo M 910 Sterling Silver 925 Box
Vintage Cartier Pen /pasha
Vintage Extremely Rare Wonderful Old Simplo Montblanc 4 Long Lever Filler
Parker Duofold Special Edition Centennial Orange Fountain Pen 18k Nib Wood Box
Rollerball Pen Montblanc Writers Limited Edition Thomas Mann - 104321
Montblanc Carlo Collodi Limited Rollerball 106642
New Original Rolex Pen In "yellow Gold"finish-rare Official Rolex Item
Cartier - Driving Gloves Inspiration - Fountain Pen
Vintage Waterman's Patrician Fountain Pen Cobalt Blue & Gold Oversize
Rare Fantastic Limited Edition Parker Duofold Mandarin Yellow Cloissone'
Vintage Montblanc Meisterstuck 149, W. Germany From 1980s
Vintage 9ct Gold - Parker 61 / 65 Presidential Ballpoint Pen - Ding Free - C1979
Montblanc Meisterst
Recent News: Pens
Source: Google News
Open the Pandora's box of oddball items in 'Auction Kings'
Philippine Star, May 17thAn amphibious army truck, a vintage pen machine and a pool table custom-made for the Rolling Stones, you never know what will sail through the doors of Gallery 63, and it is up to the AUCTION KINGS to differentiate trash from treasure. The bidders and...Read more
Kristen Stewart Robert Pattinson, Birthday Gift to Actor Boyfriend, Custom ...
Enstarz, May 13thPattinson doled out tons of cash on a limited-edition pen for his girlfriend who is an avid pen collector. He bought her a limited edition white gold Tibaldi Bentley Crewe fountain pen, and he had her name engraved on it with the year and wording "From...Read more
Olympus Announces Its Fourth Generation PEN E-P5 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Virtual-Strategy Magazine (press release), May 10thThe first of the digital PEN cameras to sport the brand name on its face, the styling of the camera is reminiscent of Olympus' beautiful vintage PEN film cameras. Image quality on the new PEN E-P5 is exceptional – it shares the Olympus OM-D's 16...Read more
Is it Time to Use a Fountain Pen?
Money High Street (blog), May 9thPerhaps not too surprisingly, many of us have old or even vintage pens that may now be collectors items and worth a considerable amount. It is time to start using a fountain pen again? At school and in my first few years working for a bank and then an...Read more
Twitter artist Johanna Basford set for first show
Scotsman (blog), May 2ndOne of the small rooms off the DCA exhibition space has been turned into a replica of her studio, to allow people to peek behind the scenes, see how her works begin (as pencil drawings), and some of her extensive pen collection (“Whenever we go to a...Read more
Goolam Vahanvati: Attorney general or mob lawyer?
Firstpost, April 30thHe also offers a personal portrait of Vahanvati as a man who seems compulsively inclined to lie about who he is, be it about his expensive pen collection or his love for the lavish lifestyle. You can and must read Inside Man in its entirety here. PS...Read more
Kent-Meridian special needs student dies of unknown causes
Kent Reporter, April 25thAccording to Sandra Soto, another paraeducator who worked one-on-one with McCracken, it was not his love for magazines or his growing working and non-working pen collection that people will remember about McCracken, but rather his natural hunger for...Read more
GET UPDATES FROM Kelly Bergin
Huffington Post, April 23rdI've organized my nerdy pen collection. I've packed for trips I may not be able to take. There are many times when I am so happy! Many, many people say they'd never know that I was sick. Even at NYU, I joke and people laugh and I know am worthy, I know...Read more