would greatly appreciate any help in finding a quality calligraphers' set
Would also wish the same on parchment paper recommendations
regards
henri

Pelikan makes what I consider to be very good calligraphy pens in their "Script" line. I have a set of three pens that have been very reliable and quite a bit of fun. Rorring has or had the "Art Pen" series, which I have found also to be really nice. I just don't know if the Art Pens are currently available.

Filcao makes a good set of calligraphy pens. They have to come from Italy, so you might have a wait if you order them, but they are good pens.

I have been very disappointed in the last couple of Sheaffer calligraphy pens I bought. They were so sloppy that it seemed they were bad stub nibs rather than italic nibs. The ink flow was also off.

For parchment paper, I am in the habit of going to my friendly neighborhood Staples and getting a box of Southworth parchment. I usually get ivory or white.

Good luck.

Manuscript sets are amazingly good for the money --- look for Caliken's posts for examples of writing w/ them and some photos. Although not a fountain pen, the Pilot Parallel pens get very good reviews from a number of calligraphers I know.

I like Pergamenata parchment, a vegetable-based paper from Italy --- Paper & Ink Arts carries it (no affiliation other than as a very satisfied customer), they also have the Pilot Parallel pens:

http://www.paperinkarts.com/shop.html?targ...&lang=en-us

I haven't tried the new lighter weights yet though, and I used it w/ dip pens and mostly hand-mixed sumi ink, YMMV.

William

thanks so much for the help I'll try these avenues and see what I can accomplish