A week ago I attended a meeting of our local pen club. We all brought a variety of pens and swapped stories about finding, restoring and collecting vintage fountain pens. It was a fun meeting and I enjoy sharing my passion with like minded people. Last night, my wife and I had dinner at a cozy restaurant in Salem, MA. The young waiter approached and after a brief exchange of pleasantries he asked, “Is that a Pelikan M200 and an Esterbrook J series in your pocket?” I broke out in a wide grin and a conversation about pens began. He was carrying, and taking orders with, a beautiful Delta Dolcevita. Clearly he was invigorated by the conversation and told me he wanted to add to his pen collection. We placed our order and no sooner had he walked away when the woman at the next table leaned over and said, “I couldn’t help over hearing your conversation.” She told us she was an architect and was always looking for pens. Furthermore, she told us her niece liked writing with fountain pens. It was pleasant and an unexpected surprise to have these conversations in a restaurant while eating delicious Italian food. I expect to have these conversations with my fellow pen aficionados at pen shows and club meetings. It delights me to realize that there is a whole world out there of pen lovers just like me who appreciate fine writing instruments. Based on this experience I can truly appreciate the attraction of pen collecting and how it permeates all walks of life. This taught me to be on the look out for pen people in places other than pens shows and meetings. Who knows – your next conversation about pens might be in the supermarket, an airport or a gas station!
Happy Collecting!
Happy Collecting!
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