Quick Links...
|
| Dear **********,
A stock update of the website has just been posted; long overdue as usual. Additions are across the site and include Parker 51s with exotic nibs, Conklins, English Victorys and Duofolds, Dip Pens, Quill Cutting Machines and Victorian Pencils.
|
| Pen Shows |
|
Our last two shows of 2005 were San Francisco and Melbourne, making five for the year. San Francisco was no doubt disappointing to some (not to us however), as the crowds didn’t eventuate. However we were not disappointed, and find it a very sociable show. We also managed to follow it with a weeks holiday touring Southern California.
Melbourne is only a one-day show, but for us it’s local. We occupied four tables including half a table where John Mottishaw (in Melbourne visiting a relative) demonstrated his exceptional skills and services. Again, short on crowds, but we were kept relatively busy all day.
Our next show is the Los Angeles Show next month. This will be our eighth consecutive Los Angeles Show.
|
| Quotations |
|
Writing is no trouble: you just jot down the ideas as they occur to you. The jotting is simplicity itself – it is the occurring which is difficult.
Reggie Leach
|
| The Quill Machines by J K Marshall |
|
A short monograph for the collector on the range and design of machines for mechanically cutting quills.
This is yet another publication from Jim Marshall, this time in the form of a 24 page “monograph”. It illustrates with photographs and diagrams, quill cutting machines from the 17th to 19th century. As far as we know, this subject has never before been covered in such depth.
The monograph is available direct from Jim (PPGallery@aol.com).
|
| Blast from the Past |
|
"From a November 1948 Australian Stationery Trade Journal.
Interview with Conway Stewart Chairman S W Jarvis during a visit to Australia. When asked about ball pens and hooded nib pens:
“I am sure that the big majority of pens sold will continue to be the most perfect WRITING (capitalised to interpret the emphasis made) instrument. Both ball and hooded pens have attractive features, but they are gained at the sacrifice of what we think are more important details. You cannot for example, get the flexibility with them that is so essential to good, pleasant writing. Conway Stewart have always aimed at making the most perfect and trouble-free writing instrument. As one of the world’s leading pen makers, we are always on the look-out for improvements in writing instruments, but will not consider innovations that give either the user or the trade a lot of trouble, or do not improve the pen as a true writing instrument.
We do not say that we never will make them, because they appeal to some users, but we believe that in the big majority of cases they will be carried in addition to, and not instead of, an ordinary fountain pen”
|
|
|
