Book Recommendations For Pen Collectors?

[Snargle]

I've been collecting (accumulating?) fountain pens for a few years now, but my limited knowledge of the hobby has been acquired in a hit-and-miss manner, mostly from online resources (such as FPN). I recently acquired a copy of Paul Erano's book, Fountain Pens: Past and Present, and found it to be an excellent reference and interesting reading. I was wondering if any of you have recommendations for other books about our hobby that would be equally useful and interesting? Is there a master listing somewhere of pen books? If not, maybe we should start one?

[rochester21]

Personally i`m only wondering if Andreas Lambrou`s "Fountain pens of the world" book will ever be available for less than 150 usd- in any condition !

 

I understand it`s a good book, but it`s no use for me if i will never afford it(not even in used and abused condition?!).

Edited August 1, 2014 by rochester21

[Beechwood]

Any of the Parker Books by David Shepherd, well written, researched and illustrated

[RMN]

"Fountain Pens" by Peter Twydle. is about GBP 20 / USD 35 on amazon.

 

It covers brands, systems, maintenance, buying etc. Reads like a novel. He has a website of his own, and went on where his famous father (Arthur Twydle) left it at his passing away.

 

From there, if you want more, go to the various Lambrou books (new one announced on Japanese pens...)

 

D.ick

[MusterMark]

"Fountain Pens" by Peter Twydle. is about GBP 20 / USD 35 on amazon.

 

It covers brands, systems, maintenance, buying etc. Reads like a novel. He has a website of his own, and went on where his famous father (Arthur Twydle) left it at his passing away.

 

From there, if you want more, go to the various Lambrou books (new one announced on Japanese pens...)

 

D.ick

Another vote for this book. The pictures are fantastic and Twyndle has some delightfully against-the-grain opinions on some classics. (He does *not* love the humble Skyline. Does *not*.)

[Florida Blue]

As already mentioned Andreas Lambrou's books are very good, but very expensive. However, his book "Fountain Pens: United States of America and United Kingdom" is very good and can be had for around $35 or $40.

 

As Beechwood wrote, David Shepherd's series of books on famous Parker pen models (51, Duofold & Vacumatic) are excellent. However, they will run you about $80 per book, (Duofold book is out of print and hard to find), but for me as a Parker fanatic they are indispensable. I own the 51 and Vac books.

 

Fischler & Schneider's "Fountain Pens & Pencils: The Golden Age of Writing Instruments" AKA "The Blue Book" is very good, but a little expensive. It is more of a pictorial/field guide than history.

 

Jonathan Steinberg also has several books that are all pretty cheap. I find them good, but some pen experts in the hobby have stated that some of the info in his books is inaccurate and more conjecture on his part.

[Mardi13]

I have to crow that my dear husband gave me an autographed copy (2014) of "Fountain Pens Of The World" for my birthday. He was so proud of himself for finding it.

Edited November 5, 2014 by Mardi13

[Wahl]

- Fountain pens of the world, by Andreas Lambrou

 

- The Conklin legacy, by Alfonso Mur

 

- Chronicle of the fountain pen, by Martins, Leite and Gagean

 

- Fountain pens, by Steinberg

 

- Fabulous faountain pens, by Maggi, Negretti, and Nencini

 

These are my books, except for the last one, all dedicated to me by the authors.

 

Unfortunately pen books are expensive (they have to be, lots of color pictures), and often hard to obtain.

[Tasmith]

Join Pen Collectors of America. You'll receive their excellent quarterly publication The Pennant and have access to their online library. www.pencollectorsofamerica.com .

Edited November 6, 2014 by Tasmith