Losing interest in pens

[hehiheho]

It could be depression if it is accompanied by other symptoms. Being a therapist and a Buddhist, however, "Everything moves, everything changes..." and that includes interests.

 

It could be the end of a depression if it is accompanied with other symptoms.

 

Finding more interesting sources of fulfilment than accumulation. Accumulation of anything is common, though: pens, money, travelling achievements (think of people who say they visited the Met, Louvre and British museum, among others, but actually spent there half a day), cars, sexual achievements,...

[PaulK]

I wonder if you've really lost interest or, like me, your enthusiasm is tempered by your knowledge. It has been fun finding user-grade pens; purchasing them by having an understanding of their background, quirks, pit-falls, etc. I look forward to using everyon one of them. The "thrill-of-the-chase" has been replaced by quiet appreciation.

 

There's pens I'd like to try or see up-close -- but the feeling is different & maybe this will make sense -- in the way I'd like to drive an expensive sports car: the thrill of the drive but I'd like to be able to return it afterwards 'cuz it just isn't me.

 

My enjoyment of this 'site has been continuing to read and learn -- maybe assist in answering a question or two every once in a while or offering an opinion.

 

My best,

 

Paul

Edited August 10, 2009 by PaulK

[GirchyGirchy]

I started out pretty strong buying different pens, and now that I have a decent amount and know what I like, I've bought a few more and am planning to sell a bunch of others to decrease the collection a bit. My interest in hobbies kind of ebbs and flows, and I think mine's kind of reached a plateau.

[greencobra]

Just simply, I did. But only for a several months. My small collection doesn't come close to yours but it still tied up a significant amount of money. Lucky for me I didn't sell any, some to replace now would cost a small fortune. I missed the people who shared the interest with me. I'd peek back in here now and then and wanted to share the enthusiasm again. Glad my mental lapse was fleeting.

[I am not a number]

I think I understand.

[Robert Hughes]

Fountain pens are fine, beautiful instruments, tools and examples of practical art. But there are a lot of other interesting things out there in the world; don't belittle yourself for having delved deeply into a passion, only to find its limits. That's an example of growth and maturity.

 

I haven't bought any pens in months; whenever I want a change of pace, I go into the pen drawer and pull out a few I haven't inked up lately. How about a nice Waterman 52 for the next week or so?

[xiewadu]

I have felt the same with my other hobby - growing African violets and their cousins (gesneriads). I have had a few hundred at once under grow lights.

 

The suggestions for checking about depression are sound. Also, you could just be burned out.

I'd put the pens away for now and explore other interests. There is a big chance that you will get an inkling a couple or several years down the road, and rekindle the interest that has been such a big part of your life. It may be tempered and balanced, but that would be a good thing!

 

Put them away, and enjoy other parts of your life. The new experiences will feed you.

[French]

There are reputable dealers, like Bryant, who will sell pens for you if you don't want to do it yourself.

 

Congratulations on your collection and the happiness it brought you. Sounds like you're moving to a new stage in your life with new interests.

 

I have to agree with GP, there are reputable people who will sell the pens for you, all you need to do is ship them to the seller. I haven't dealt with Bryant, but have dealt with Lex and Jim Sanders (both very active on Pentrace), and have been very satisfied with the purchases from both of these individuals.

 

On the other hand, if you look at selling your pens as another facet to the hobby, you can have months of fun during the sell off process.

 

Finally, I can understand your experience. I had purchased a lot of pens at the start of my accumulating, and have focused on maintaining a collection of about 12 pens that I enjoy using. Do I really need more than one or two pens? No. However, I find it nice to have a selection of tools for a job (that being said, I don't have a collection of 8mm box wrenches). I have flirted with selling off even more of the 12 and having a small number of pens that I use frequently. I haven't been able to justify that yet, although there have been members here who have been able to do just that.

 

Good luck,

French

[jasperbob]

I have gone through a somewhat similar situation but with another field of collecting. I think one must consider factors which may have an impact on your lack of continued interest in pen collecting. Have you lost interest in other aspects of your life? Do you have other collections? How long did it take to accumulate so many pens, etc.? Sometimes one must simply move on unless you become oversome with the "why" am I no longer taken with pens. Could be a signal to move on into other interests. Best of luck.

[stevlight]

I am not a collector but have about 20-25 pens i use to draw/illustrate with. I was buying alot of diff. ones, trying diff. brands etc. Now i feel like i will not be buying for a while. I am done. I have looked at pens on line and talked myself out of them because they do not fit the clear criteria of what I like and need in a pen. Truthfully there are no pens out there that i don't own that fit my criteria {or they do and i don't like the look of them}.

[penspouse]

Interests do change now and then. I agree with others who have suggested pairing down to a few favorites and go from there, selling them or consigning them to be sold. Or, if you really want to give them away, I'd take them off your hands and even pay the shipping.

[thebeesknees]

Y'know, if you want to get rid of some of your pens, I'd be glad to take them off your hands....

 

In all seriousness, perhaps, instead of selling them, you could give them away to friends and family? If you're not interested in them, maybe your mother/father/brother/sister/son/daughter/niece/nephew may enjoy them. That way, you can keep a few pens that are special to you, and spread the love to your loved ones.

[ralphawilson]

My suggestion is to just take a break. Your pen collection isn't hurting anything--just let it sit there, use the pens you want to use and pursue whatever other interests appeal to you. None of us know where we'll be in 1 year or 3 or 5 in terms of our interests.

 

I used to be very focused on playing pool, but for various reasons, some obvious and some not, I lost interest. Not selling my cues though--I imagine I'll find the right pool hall again someday and take it up again. Like Fast Eddie Felson.

Edited August 10, 2009 by ralphawilson

[zquilts]

I wish I could say tht I had ever even seen that many pens in one place at one time!

 

I have found that, in many ways, less can really be more. When I have too much of something there are so many of whatever it is that some things are not used; some are, in fact, forgotten, and I can't focus on what it is I want to use. I had more pens at one time, perhaps a 100th of what you had, but found that I couls only use one pen at a time and, once I had zeroed in on what I really liked the most, it was unnecessary for me to have that many pens.

 

I would, however, love to try a vanishing point one day - along with a few other pens that still really pique my interest now and then.

 

Follow your bliss on whatever path you now feel drawn to now. The pens are not going anywhere and, eventually, you will most likely feel the siren song of a fine smooth point again!

[Bill Smith]

Interesting post. While I have not lost interest in fountain pens. I have slowed down to almost a standstill in terms of accumulation. The only pen I bought this year as a Parker 51 Mk II. I think I am at that point of being happy with what I got right now in my collection. If financial circumstances change, I might add some more pens down the road.

[Kelly G]

I understand where you are. I've fewer pens than you, but more than a couple of hundred and I find my interest ebbs and flows. I never lose interest in using fp's on a daily basis - they are the only writing instruments I carry and I usually have at least two in my pocket. But the rotation is very much narrower than my accumulation.

I've not sold any pens in several years and really don't feel any need to do so, although I occasionally reflect on the possibility. I've had a conversation with my daughter, who of my two children shows the most interest in the pens, as to the value of certain pens in the collection. I wouldn't want to fall over dead and have the contents of the pen chest show up in a garage sale for fifty cents each (which is how I bought more than a few of them).

 

While I don't purchase many pens these days, I have bought a couple in the last year and I'm fine with that. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm in the midst of a major pen purchase at the moment to mark a significant event in my life - but that will be it for a good while.

 

Most of all, I don't worry about it too much - I take it as it comes and if the notion strikes to search through a junk shop for pens, I'll do so - if not, I'll keep on driving down the road. I guess I'm at the comfortable stage of accumulation and it sounds like you may be as well. Don't despair, just enjoy whatever comes along next.

 

Best wishes.

Edited August 10, 2009 by Kelly G

[Nikolaos]

Sounds like a case of the law of diminishing returns. After acquiring a lot of pens over time the fun and joy we get out them could start to diminish in a way. I am still very interested in collecting pens, but my collection has a focus (mainly vintage Japanese pens) and as time goes by i find it more difficult to get really excited about a pen, especially the ones that are outside my main focus. I have a rough list of pens that i still want to have and slowly getting around buying them and i am still excited about finding pens out there and getting them, but it has certainly changed from the way it was 4-5 years ago. It is more refined i think.

 

Nikolaos

[hehiheho]

You do not care the money earned, but many people care the pen they will get.

 

To many people here: don't keep your old pens, please. The market of used pens is really small: collectors buy many pens, only to keep them behind a glass. If you own a pen and do not use it anymore (probably because you own another pen you consider better) please sell it, it will make a buyer happy. This does not apply to heavily bling pens, which were designed to be kept behind a glass, as artworks. But most Lamys, Pelikans, Sailors, Pilots, ... are made to be used.

[BerneseMtDogEatsArco]

This sounds like a good time for a short break from pens. The world is full of many other things to experience, and this might be your unconscious' way to tell you to explore more. I have had the fortune to own some very nice pens because I would purchase a few nice ones, and sell one for each new one I got. I have actually not found any that really stuck with me (except for 2 149's and a Delta DVOS), and so have decided to sell the others to finance a custom pen.

 

My interests change frequently, and find that the most interesting collections occur when something is scarce and requires a good amount of hunting for it. For example, collecting something that requires you to travel to yard sales and antique stores miles away during day trips is great fun! It's really more of traveling and seeing the world, with the added bonus of perhaps finding that rare gem you've been seeking. Since finances sound secure and spacious (nice!), perhaps moving on to the more rare and expensive pens (or other items) may get that feeling for you.

 

Also, have you considered a bulk sale? I have seen entire collections of Esties go at once. You may even be able to charge a premium because you've put the effort into finding all of the pens. Even if you only made 75% of your investment back, this could free funding for another interest or a more elusive collection.

 

Best wishes!

[BBailey]

After reading the subtitle of your post I was compelled to reply. I have not yet read any of the other many responses, but I will read them after I post my response.

 

I had the same experience just recently. I don't have the number of pens or the variety that you did/do, but quite suddently - almost overnight - my interest in pens waned dramatically. Quite suddenly the attraction was gone.

 

Certainly, one of the greatest changes for me is the lack of attraction to expensive of high-end pens (that is, what for me are high-end pens in the $500 range). I actually prefer Waterman Phileas pens and my relatively inexpensive Conklin New Nozac and, get this, my Pelikan Epoch!

 

I've hung onto a few prized possessions like my Parker Greenwich with a BBB italic because I purchased this pen while in London and it's a personal reminder of my 8 weeks in the place I love to be.

 

The other responses I'll read now will be of interest to see what others have experienced as well.

 

Thanks for starting this thread.