I just took a survey of ink in my home office area and found the following:  4 bottles of Parker Quink (Blue, Dark Blue, Black, Green), Sheaffer Skrip (Peacock Blue), 2 bottles of Montblanc (Blue, Red), Aurora (Blue), Chesterfield (Night Sapphire), 2 bottles of J Herbin (Grey, Green), Bexley (Mountain Violet), Private Reserve Ink (Daphnie Blue), Iroshizuki – Pilot (Brown), Pelikan (Blue) and Paradise Pen (Purple).  Add to that a bottle of Waterman Blue and a bottle of Cross Black which were used up a few years back.  So what does this all mean?  At various points in time I saw a bottle of ink that I might like to try and bought a bottle.  What do I use on a regular basis?  The Parker Blue is my go to ink when I fill a vintage fountain pen.  I have not made a scientific evaluation of these bottles of ink that sit on my shelf.  I simply like the Parker Blue when I put pen to paper.  Add to that the fact that it doesn’t seem to clog pens that I put aside for a short period of time.  And, it flushes easily and thoroughly from my pens.  I am in no way affiliated with Parker nor do I write this as an endorsement.  I simply like the ink and my vintage fountain pens write well when filled with it.  What ink(s) do you use in your vintage fountain pens?  Why do you make those choices?  I would very interested in knowing.  I encourage all who read this blog to chime in.
Happy collecting!

Just when I complete the purchase of a vintage fountain pen I am already thinking about the next possible purchase.  Case in point – when Gary Lehrer opened his March 2016 catalogue I purchased a Parker True Blue.  Later that same day I saw a Parker 51 with a Rhodium cap in the catalogue that I just had to have.  Collecting vintage fountain pens is a fun hobby.  However, I warn you – it can be addictive.  So, I am curious to the readers of this blog – where do you purchase your vintage fountain pens?  There are many sources.  These are my go to sources. 

1. Pen stores – some pen stores have a selection of vintage pens.  The Fountain Pen Hospital in New York City has a great selection and often times they have pens in the store that are not listed on their website.  Bromfield Pen in Boston offers a small selection and about once a month I receive an email with their latest offerings. 
2. Pen shows – a great source for purchasing a vintage fountain pen while getting to know the many wonderful people who restore them. 
3. Pen club meetings – I highly recommend joining a local pen club.  Often times you can swap and/or purchase pens from your fellow pen aficionados. 
4. Web sites – many of the same folks who display at pen shows have great websites with nice vintage pens for sale.
5. Antique shops – I’ve had some luck with antique shops, however, often times the owners of these shops don’t know much about the pens and sometimes they do need restoration.  That being said I’ve heard some great stories of a $5 pen from an antiques shop that was worth a great deal more. 
6. EBay – there is some risk with buying pens on auction, however, I’ve bought a number of pens on EBay and they were exactly as described.  I recommend checking the sellers ratings and asking questions.

Well, time to go as I just realized that Richard Binder released his monthly pen tray last night and I saw a Morrison Patriot I want to add to my collection.  That is, unless you get there first.  Happy collecting!