Don Lavin

Started collecting pens at an early age and scored my first big finds in 1967 when I cherry picked a box of pens at a consignment shop run by my aunt where I worked on weekends while in law school. Built my collection by going to flea markets every weekend starting in 1979 and going to antique shows, garage sales, thrift shops, estate sales - anywhere where I could pick up a pen or 100.

Organized pen meetings starting in 1980 leading to the formation of the 1st and longest running pen show, the Chicago Pen Show at that time. With Dan Zazove and Mike Fultz joining me in 1982 we were able to expand the show and added the pen show auction around 1984. Wrote a column for Pen World from its inception for over 12 years and collaborated on numerous books on pens including Glen Bowen's books, Andy Lambrous's first book and the books written by George Fischler and Stuart Schneider, each of which used pens from my collection in their editions.

I collected every brand I liked until the prices started to get out of hand and then I concentrated on Wahl Eversharp, Parker, Swans, Watermans, Chiltons and desk sets. Today my focus is still on desk sets and at one time I had over 100 on display in my office alone.

Hobbies and interests include photography, Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing dancing, golf, collecting other items such as Judaica, wine etc. I stay very active to say the least.