JUne 2006 Newsletter
Melbourne Vintage Pens
in this issue
 
Where to from here?

In a world where men of vision, as well as boards of directors, were under less immediate pressure to increase annual profits, businesses like Sheaffer in Fort Madison, Iowa, and Parker in Janesville Wisconsin were forged and prospered. They were major employers in their respective cities, and their names were recognised worldwide. Today they are in decline with seemingly short-term/quick profit vision; they are no longer major employers in these cities.

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Dear *******,

Time for another update and we have added more than 120 items including a collection of Sheaffer PFMs, Pelikans including Limited Editions, and modern Duofolds. In fact most areas have new stock. We have also separated Sheaffer early models, from late models, with a new page.
Pen Shows

The Chicago Pen Show was probably our last US pen show this year. Due to a household move, we won’t be able to travel to the Washington DC show, and both San Francisco and New York shows have been cancelled this year.

As a prelude to the Chicago show, I travelled with friends to both Fort Madison and Janesville.

In Fort Madison we were entertained by Sam & Frank Fiorella of Pendemonium, and had a lesson in nib grinding from expert Letta, a 72 years young lady, who after 52 years with Sheaffer, has just been signed up for another two years!

In Janesville we were given the “Royal Tour” of the city by Mike Conway, still a Parker employee and enthusiastic Parker historian.

Quotations

I have never found, in a long experience of politics, that criticism is ever inhibited by ignorance.

Sir Harold Macmillan 1894-1986

Political Correctness

If you thought that the Sheaffer PFM (Pen for Men) name was politically incorrect by today’s standards, imagine a company promoting the same with a packet of cigarettes. This packet of “PFM” cigarettes was seen at the home of a retired Sheaffer executive in Fort Madison. Rumour has it that this obviously “non- smoker” has a whole carton of them!

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