We had to take care of some business the other day up in LA (Pasadena) and were going to have the afternoon free. After having some lunch I got the oft-delayed chance to finally visit with Fred Krinke in his venerable shop. What a treat!
As usual (just like at pen shows) I was mostly a blithering idiot, but I tried to remember some of the items I hoped to ask him about, and show him. What a fine gentleman. First, he filled me in on the history of the Golden Rule Pen Co. and how he happened upon a stash of NOS pens from the 20's. I had purchased one of these at the LA Pen Show in Feb, but at the precise time he was upstairs giving a talk about it! He had some copied papers and prices lists he gave me, and we looked at other examples.
He then proceeded to: sell me a few different sacs, after checking on the correct size for the pen; helped with some ink decisions; installed a lever pin (wire) in a Conklin 2nd tier pen; improved the flow on an Aurora 88P; and in general, was a great host, showing us around the store and pointing out highlights of the "museum" in the front. As I figured, when I got home I realized one of the things I had hope to ask I forgot: I wanted to show him an odd Waterman Taperite model I've gotten that I can't find documentation on anywhere (might be Canadian?). Damn! However, I did smile when I showed him the unusual Gregg/Wearever pen I had picked up, of which he didn't think he had seen before.
My, what a different world in there. Just a lovely fellow, his niece also (alas, turning 60 means I'm forgetting names...). Here are a couple pics, me and Fred, and Fred helping my favorite person pick out a new ink. I hope, if you have the opportunity and haven't visited his shop, you will. There can't be many places like this left, and there certainly aren't many people as charming, knowledgeable and helpful as Mr. Fred Krinke.
Edited by JonSzanto, 28 September 2013 - 06:09 AM.
