CONTEST: to celebrate Esterbrook's 150th Anniversary!

[Univer]

Hello All,

 

It's with some diffidence - in light of the very high standard already in evidence here - that I submit an entry.

 

It comes along with two apologies. First, I apologize for inflicting a sonnet on this distinguished group. It didn't start out that way, I promise; these things just happen sometimes.

 

Second, I apologize for the awkwardness of my hand. On a good day I can almost replicate my pre-Carpal Tunnel writing; but this, regrettably, was not a particularly good day. Because the handwritten version is not as legible as one might hope, I've also keystroked the text below.

 

The pen is an SJ (transitional) in Pearl Gray, fitted with a 2314M Relief nib. The ink is Skrip Blue-Black, and the paper is Black n' Red.

 

Thanks to pb2 for honoring dear old Esterbrook, and thanks to all of you for enduring this bit of doggerel.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

 

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo165/walterasheaffer/Pens/Sonnet2.jpg

 

Esterbrook: A Sonnet

 

Are there better pens? Some would answer 'Yes';

Decked out in gold or silver, fine and fair,

Or richly jeweled. Better pens? I guess –

More elegant, more costly, or more rare.

 

The Esterbrook was of a different kind –

A humbler kind (forgive me, but it's true);

A pen built for a hard day's work, designed

For life on Main Street, not Park Avenue.

 

No pretense there, no gaudy show to see,

With nothing forced, or feigned, or falsely grand;

Content to be what it was meant to be:

An honest tool to fit a writer's hand.

 

A pen made for an age that understood

The simple greatness born of being good.

[pb2]

My .02

 

No matter what my handwriting indicates, I SWEAR I'm not a mass murderer.

 

Happy Birthday Esterbrook!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

 

 

 

I perceive there is a subliminal message on your page..... BUSTED! YOU ARE A CROSS FAN! :roflmho:

[pb2]

Hello All,

 

It's with some diffidence - in light of the very high standard already in evidence here - that I submit an entry.

 

It comes along with two apologies. First, I apologize for inflicting a sonnet on this distinguished group. It didn't start out that way, I promise; these things just happen sometimes.

 

Second, I apologize for the awkwardness of my hand. On a good day I can almost replicate my pre-Carpal Tunnel writing; but this, regrettably, was not a particularly good day. Because the handwritten version is not as legible as one might hope, I've also keystroked the text below.

 

The pen is an SJ (transitional) in Pearl Gray, fitted with a 2314M Relief nib. The ink is Skrip Blue-Black, and the paper is Black n' Red.

 

Thanks to pb2 for honoring dear old Esterbrook, and thanks to all of you for enduring this bit of doggerel.

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

Wow Jon ... I am truly blown away! This is really great.

Jon

 

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo165/walterasheaffer/Pens/Sonnet2.jpg

 

Esterbrook: A Sonnet

 

Are there better pens? Some would answer 'Yes';

Decked out in gold or silver, fine and fair,

Or richly jeweled. Better pens? I guess –

More elegant, more costly, or more rare.

 

The Esterbrook was of a different kind –

A humbler kind (forgive me, but it's true);

A pen built for a hard day's work, designed

For life on Main Street, not Park Avenue.

 

No pretense there, no gaudy show to see,

With nothing forced, or feigned, or falsely grand;

Content to be what it was meant to be:

An honest tool to fit a writer's hand.

 

A pen made for an age that understood

The simple greatness born of being good.

 

 

 

Wow Jon ... I am truly blown away! This is really great.

Use of the transitional and the relief nib is a real treat espesially with the look and texture of the Skrip Blue Black.

 

But I am most impressed by your honest portrayal of the Esterbrook, penned with such elegance as to honor it's simply wonderful beauty.

 

Thank you for honoring this forum and this contest, with your handwritten, well written sonnet.

 

~pb2

 

[OcalaFlGuy]

My .02

 

No matter what my handwriting indicates, I SWEAR I'm not a mass murderer.

 

Happy Birthday Esterbrook!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

 

 

 

I perceive there is a subliminal message on your page..... BUSTED! YOU ARE A CROSS FAN! :roflmho:

 

 

 

I can't imagine there was that subliminal message in my submission, but yes, you wouldn't have to look far on FPN

to see that I AM a Cross fan in addition to being an Esties ADDICT.

 

Call me a heretic, but man cannot live by Esties alone.

 

Interestingly enough, boths pens sometimes suffer the same fate. Judged like books by their covers instead

of on how they write, resulting in those same judges being ignorantly misinformed and deprived of a fine writing pen.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Edited August 30, 2008 by OcalaFlGuy

[pb2]

My .02

 

No matter what my handwriting indicates, I SWEAR I'm not a mass murderer.

 

Happy Birthday Esterbrook!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

 

 

 

I perceive there is a subliminal message on your page..... BUSTED! YOU ARE A CROSS FAN! :roflmho:

 

You know I'm just having fun with you right...I was making a reference to your personal photo of your Estie in the shape of a cross! Just goofin' off.

[pb2]

This is going to be a great contest. I will have to submit mine later in the week though.

 

 

It is already!!

[Marsilius]

A pen made for an age that understood

The simple greatness born of being good.

 

That is Miltonian or Keatsian classy...

 

"They also serve who only sit and write"?

 

Mars

[pmsalty]

[penspouse]

 

PR Arabian Rose

[Marsilius]

Well,

First of all, who can follow such a nice sonnet? Second, I have no business writing with such a poor hand. But here is my humble effort, paraphrasing a favorite psalm opening. I bet Jon could do better than I with this conceit....It could sure use a rewrite...but I refuse to be embarrassed.

I originally wrote it with all the pens shown, but too sloppy.

Best,

Mars

 

Text in print:

At the base of the fountain

I long to drink

From the many-colored

Ester-Brook,

To quench my thirst

From babbling Cobalt waters,

That trickle sweetly

From the Brown and Copper

Tinted Earth;

Gently flowing beneath

Fern and Foliage Forest Green

And verdant J & S & L shaped branches,

Under skies of Pearl Grey Clouds

Or Dawn Grey Mist,

Opening to reveal a deep Red sun,

Shining Bright

At the base of the fountain....

(I long to drink from the many-colored

Esterbrook.)

 

Esterbrook: Low Brow, High Class

Edited August 31, 2008 by Marsilius

[lancekatigbak]

And what if you don't have an Estie? XD

[pb2]

 

 

Yes PMS ~ I'm guessing the Pen is Mightier than the Sword; perhaps more blessing than guessing ...

 

Thanks for blessing us with your entry!

pb2

[pb2]

 

PR Arabian Rose

 

This is absolute alive creativity!!! So extreme apt!

GREAT application in a terrific submission!

Thank you!!

pb2

[pb2]

Well,

First of all, who can follow such a nice sonnet? Second, I have no business writing with such a poor hand. But here is my humble effort, paraphrasing a favorite psalm opening. I bet Jon could do better than I with this conceit....It could sure use a rewrite...but I refuse to be embarrassed.

I originally wrote it with all the pens shown, but too sloppy.

Best,

Mars

 

Text in print:

At the base of the fountain

I long to drink

From the many-colored

Ester-Brook,

To quench my thirst

From babbling Cobalt waters,

That trickle sweetly

From the Brown and Copper

Tinted Earth;

Gently flowing beneath

Fern and Foliage Forest Green

And verdant J & S & L shaped branches,

Under skies of Pearl Grey Clouds

Or Dawn Grey Mist,

Opening to reveal a deep Red sun,

Shining Bright

At the base of the fountain....

(I long to drink from the many-colored

Esterbrook.)

 

Esterbrook: Low Brow, High Class

 

 

 

[pb2]

Well,

First of all, who can follow such a nice sonnet? Second, I have no business writing with such a poor hand. But here is my humble effort, paraphrasing a favorite psalm opening. I bet Jon could do better than I with this conceit....It could sure use a rewrite...but I refuse to be embarrassed.

I originally wrote it with all the pens shown, but too sloppy.

Best,

Mars

 

Text in print:

At the base of the fountain

I long to drink

From the many-colored

Ester-Brook,

To quench my thirst

From babbling Cobalt waters,

That trickle sweetly

From the Brown and Copper

Tinted Earth;

Gently flowing beneath

Fern and Foliage Forest Green

And verdant J & S & L shaped branches,

Under skies of Pearl Grey Clouds

Or Dawn Grey Mist,

Opening to reveal a deep Red sun,

Shining Bright

At the base of the fountain....

(I long to drink from the many-colored

Esterbrook.)

 

Esterbrook: Low Brow, High Class

 

 

OK Mars, you and others are making this IMPOSSIBLE to judge! Really cool!

 

You had us at the title. Esterbrook: Low Brow, High Class and I love your Esties looking like colorful keys on a piano daring us to make music!

 

Everything in this contest is worthy in my eyes. Paul Hoban, who is staying abreast of the entries agrees that we should let Estie lovers judge. Not that the prizes are so valuable, just that the entries all have something neat and sweet to offer.

 

There is no way to be "right" in picking a winner here. The best way, I am thinking, would be to open it up to the public, American Idol style. Any thoughts? Anybody?

[pb2]

My .02

 

No matter what my handwriting indicates, I SWEAR I'm not a mass murderer.

 

Happy Birthday Esterbrook!

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

 

 

 

 

I perceive there is a subliminal message on your page..... BUSTED! YOU ARE A CROSS FAN! :roflmho:

 

 

 

I can't imagine there was that subliminal message in my submission, but yes, you wouldn't have to look far on FPN

to see that I AM a Cross fan in addition to being an Esties ADDICT.

 

Call me a heretic, but man cannot live by Esties alone.

 

Interestingly enough, boths pens sometimes suffer the same fate. Judged like books by their covers instead

of on how they write, resulting in those same judges being ignorantly misinformed and deprived of a fine writing pen.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

IOt was the "cross" image in your personal photo I was joking about. I'm not cross with you about being a tweo-timing cross lover! HA! :roflmho:

[Marsilius]

 

PR Arabian Rose

 

Elegant!

[MS3607]

 

PR Arabian Rose

 

Elegant!

I think this is one of the coolest ways to enter. You have got some great creativity. Well done!

[Marsilius]

And what if you don't have an Estie? XD

Then write something quick by tomorrow at noon and then you might get one!

[AndiN]

Got so busy scrambling to finish something else that's due tomorrow that I almost forgot to post this! Figured I'd better do it now before I completely forget!

 

 

Oh, and thanks to everyone who's said hi and welcome. I've been swamped, so I haven't had a chance to reply (or even to read all the entries to this contest!).

 

Andi