13 replies to this topic

[Jerry Adair]

The Spring 2013 Pennant hit my mailbox today and wow what an issue. But, more than the pens (they are the stars here) was an editorial by Ron Zorn VP of the Pen Collectors of America. I won't pretend to be anywhere near as knowledegable as the majority of the pen collectors if fact I am nowhere near the brightest marble in the bag. Although I do know an awfuly lot about electric motors. Any way Ron points out the membership count of the PCA and he said it is about 850 and then tells us it used to be near 1200. Now I must confess that I am a latecomer to the clan, but I will be the first to admit that not joining early on was a mistake. It is a truly classy organization and not populated by a bunch of snobby know it alls. Rather it is folks you would like to sit down with over a glass of fine red wine and contribute and learn about our hobby. Frankly I thought I knew enough to not get taken or to identify some modification to a pen that corrupted its value. I did not know enough and joining the PCA last year has been more than a learning experience it has been a journey of friendship.
Ron goes on to point out that another forum has something like 74,000 members and asks rhetorically "why aren't they members"? Good question. It costs $40 a year. Hell, a decent warranted nib costs more than that and that probably isn't the right nib anyway.
If you think that the knowledge shared with you by folks like David Nishamura, Ron Zorn, Roger Wooten and a host of othe real experts is really spectacular, join the PCA and see what the PCA library has and it's free too.
Hit the PCA website and join up. $40 is a drop in the bucket and you will never regret it if you like vintage pens. Join up today! Join up.
I wiill now reveal a secret society to all that read this. There is a dark organization out there headed up by Paul Erano. Stop by his table at the Chicago Pen Show to see if you are fit for membership. Forwarned though, it is restricted to those that have a passion for fountain pens, vintage cars and guns do not qualify.
Jerry

[david i]

The world moves toward expectation of free online information. Newspapers and mags fold left and right.

But, dedicated magazine articles still trump 99%+ of what is posted on the web, at least in pendom. PCA has value not just for the magazine, to which I started contributing at length with Paul's decision to edit the mag.

Better still is the Library. Thousands of pages of copies from original vintage pen catalogues can be downloaded free.

Just don't talk too much about the Secret Society...

-d

[Jim B]

One has to be Black hearted to speak about the secret society, eh?

[david i]

One has to be Black hearted to speak about the secret society, eh?

Dude... caution. Paul knows where you live...

-d

[david i]

My copies were waiting for me on my return home. The cover shot could've used a bit more contrast, but it will serve.

The articles on Wilrite and Artcraft were sweet

-d

[Mike Kirk]

Back from my business travels, I'm poring over my Pennant with a nice, hot cup 'o' Joe this morning. Thanks to Jerry for posting this thread as I also have the computer in front of me.

I like to jump around and read articles and columns in order of what interests me. The Wilrite feature, written by Peter Sacopulos, was a treat. Well done, Peter, and I like your suggestive conclusions about it's relation to the A.A. Waterman Company. I like suggestions like this, right or wrong, because it inspires more research and guides us toward more evidence that it's right. Or wrong. Depending on what evidence surfaces. When I see articles and online posts written about lesser known brands, I am inspired to actively look for these amongst the piles o' pens seen in the wild. Yep....they're still out there, naysayers. Widen your search.

I must say, I enjoyed the psychiatric contribution to the magazine as well. The photo of "Dr. Feed" bears a striking resemblance to one of my favorite actors, Leslie Nielsen.

It was also a pleasant surprise to see the obligatory PCA column written by Ron Zorn. I suspect Lisa has been heartily busy grading papers, promoting Anderson Pens with Brian and hunting for another Coach store. Ron did a nice promo for the PCA, replete with fuzzy math and such, but the one thing that surprised me was Ron's mention of pen book bathtub reading. I'm very familiar with and have some of the older books he mentions, but I was graced with a visual that I really wasn't expecting. Ron could have left that part out.

All kidding aside, a pleasant read so far. I'm going to move on to Bill Cowell's article on White House Pens (Nixon). I am always intrigued by the "First Pen".
Just Join!

Mike

Edited by Mike Kirk, 20 April 2013 - 01:06 PM.

[Jerry Adair]

David
Contrast was fine....just polish your silver pens :-)
Jerry

[JonSzanto]

Contrast was fine....just polish your silver pens :-)

Killer!

Well, mine finally arrived today. In between things, so I could only glance through it, but had a big surprise: in the coverage of the LA Show, I saw a photo of a new friend. And it caused me to pimp the PCA and membership on another pen forum, in the effort to try to get new members.

Looking forward to the issue tonight after work with a nice Cotes du Rhone.

P.S. I just did my first successful fountain pen resaccing last night. Old news for many/most of you, but a significant rite of passage for me.

[Jerry Adair]

Frank
Wait a minute this is your first time?
Jerry

[Paul E]

Hello everybody. I just wanted to make a few comments about this particular thread because it touches on a few important points.
First I want to thank everyone for his and her nice words about the Pennant. Of course it is important that we do what we can to get people who are on internet forums to join us as members of the PCA. Also, please do consider writing an article as we are only as good as how committed our members are.

Secondly, and for years now- we have been lurking about at pen shows- secretive...selective...suspicious...perhaps, even scurrilous of pen collectors who are ANTI-BLACK PEN.
There is even reference to our secret identity in this thread. There has been talk of it at pen shows. People at pen shows have looked at our member's pins and asked, "what does that pen say?" Of course, our members have been afraid to say too much...probably because of their unwarranted fear of reprisal from me...
Well, from this point on- we are no longer a secret society. We are out in the light of day and we are standing tall as we can to tell you, loudly as we can, that we like black pens! Most of us really like black pens and will choose a black pen over any other color pen (sometimes, at least.) So for all of you Black Pen Society members on this board...spread the word. Let people know!

Of course, there is a lot to the Black Pen Society that I simply can't get into here. Some of our members on the board may take the time to fill you in on the details. Some of our members may be angry with me because I spilled the beans and let everybody know about it. I don't care!

If you want to know more, see me at the Chicago Pen Show. I still have some pins from this year left and if you qualify- and I will know if you are sincere or not- I will let you join. (Maybe David can post a photo of each year's pins.) You will be questioned, of course. So you will have time to think about your real ability to commit. Please don't email me asking me questions about the Society. More information will be forthcoming...

[Paul E]

by the way, I meant to say people are looking at the pins, not the pens. If David can post a pic of the first and second year pins, you'll understand why. Third year pin makes it pretty clear that we should no longer be considered a secret society- but old habits are hard to break...

[Paul E]

Again, sorry for leaving this out...

there will be an article in the next Pennant on black pens...lavishly illustrated!

[david i]

SNIP

Well, from this point on- we are no longer a secret society. We are out in the light of day and we are standing tall as we can to tell you, loudly as we can, that we like black pens! Most of us really like black pens and will choose a black pen over any other color pen (sometimes, at least.) So for all of you Black Pen Society members on this board...spread the word. Let people know!

SNIP

The black helicopters will be coming for Paul.

-d

[Bruno Corsini]

I'm now just half way through the latest Pennant and was so impressed I had to call Paul just to give him a few kudos. The Pennant is my favorite, and only, pen magazine and is well worth the price of PCA membership.

I got through the article that now identifies me (and all of you readers too) as suffering an "official" mental disorder. I 'spect I can now start looking into some form of disability. Being mentally healthy has always made me feel a bit of an outsider

As for the BPS, I've heard there's a secret handshake... so secret even Paul doesn't know what it is.

-Bruno