Has Anyone Heard Of Henry Simpole?

[GeorgeWP]

Just got back from Henry armed with scores of pictures.

Chris you are not kidding about this becoming a soap opera - I have enough pictures here to go on for a year or more.

I also took a couple of pictures showing the pens next to an MB 149 and also the Myrtle pen (one of the smaller ones) against a P51 so that people can get a better idea of scale.

 

Ghost - glad that you are enjoying the back channel mails with Henry - he told me that he was too - he is a real gent.

 

I do have some things to do this afternoon but will have a good attempt at getting up some pictures - Chris, you will be pleased to know that tehre are some good ones of the ivory coloured pen that you were admiring - I will put those up first for you.

 

George

[GeorgeWP]

Here are a couple of pictures for those of you who have been asking about the size of Henry's pens.

 

Wolverine1 - here are some of Henry's pens that I photographed today with an MB 149 as a comparison:

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwnGbnw_3dI/AAAAAAAAAMg/xkN3ji5cA6s/s800/Simpole%20200901_1.JPG

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwnGcujtW0I/AAAAAAAAAMk/pJKqVBos05A/s800/Simpole%20200902_1.JPG

 

Carrie - Henry does make smaller pens - here is the Myrtle pen shown against a standard P51. I know that it is a little bigger than a Dandy, but I think that you might be able to get used to it:

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwnGdf0xfiI/AAAAAAAAAMo/zdXIPrOXzGg/s800/withP51%201.jpg

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwnGdxgjm-I/AAAAAAAAAMs/vp0kuVNmlEs/s800/withP51%202.jpg

 

Enjoy the pictures.

 

George

Edited November 22, 2009 by GeorgeWP

[Carrie]

Now that's my size of pen I just love my 51s. You evil man, you've now got me dreaming of a perfect size pen with a bespoke design. What's the pen fourth from left? That looks a nice size too.

[GeorgeWP]

Now that's my size of pen I just love my 51s. You evil man, you've now got me dreaming of a perfect size pen with a bespoke design. What's the pen fourth from left? That looks a nice size too.

 

Ha Ha Ha - knew that would get you.

I knew that you liked P51s - you tried one of mine at the London Pen Show - remember.

I don't know what that pen is but I can ask Henry - shall I ask him to resrve one for you :-)

 

George

[Chris Chalmers]

Wonderful!!!! George, you must have the energy of a five year old, and the savvy of a 150 year old too! You have got Carrie hooked now - and of course I've been hooked on Henry for quite a while - and he knows it!

I see another Vermeil Tendril in the group pic - alongside some "Roses" in pale and interesting - and a Snake, and some others I recognise from his website.........and these are just the tip of the iceberg!!!

Thanks again for doing this..........and where is the photo of the hug???

[Ghost Plane]

I'll let Carrie have the itty bitty little ones. I'm a Churchill woman myself. Size really DOES matter the way I hold a pen. Carrie's would land in the webbing between thumb and finger, as well as being too skinny.

[Carrie]

I don't know what that pen is but I can ask Henry - shall I ask him to resrve one for you :-)

 

George

 

Am I allowed a few years to save up for it I just love the finer designs like those on the cream pens. I also have this crazy idea of a design somehow based around Anglo-saxon art or celtic knotwork.

 

 

 

[GeorgeWP]

I don't know what that pen is but I can ask Henry - shall I ask him to resrve one for you :-)

 

George

 

Am I allowed a few years to save up for it I just love the finer designs like those on the cream pens. I also have this crazy idea of a design somehow based around Anglo-saxon art or celtic knotwork.

 

Of course you are.

Now that sounds like an interesting design.

Incidentally, Henry tells me that the pen you were asking about is a 1920s Conklin crescent filler and its the last one he has left.

 

George

[GeorgeWP]

Thanks George! Some joke eh???

I would like to know what the design of overlay is on the two white/cream/ivory pens is - would it be musical?

To be honest, I am spoiled for choice, and if given any one of those pens I would be over the moon!

I recognise the CS Simpole at the beginning - and then look at mine sitting right here next to the Tendril - and am in awe of Henry's work again!

 

Chris

 

The pens that you asked about are called "Spiral Pattern" - one is plain and the other has an "S" on it.

Feast your eyes on these:

 

I take no credit for the following pictures, they are the work of Neal Laver who did all the photography on Henry's web site.

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwpDgxsihpI/AAAAAAAAAOA/FBl1l-eSX7c/s800/image0.jpg

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwpDhoFbyYI/AAAAAAAAAOE/mJc_7sHWar4/s800/image0-2.jpg

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwpDiLVTutI/AAAAAAAAAOI/ayYWsR1xsn0/s800/image0-8.jpg

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwpDjF_KHoI/AAAAAAAAAOM/0Dasb19mgnE/s800/image0-1.jpg

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwpDj1NyMDI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/2DyIG4lUQLo/s800/image0-4.jpg

 

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwpDk07H4WI/AAAAAAAAAOU/LxLjgzQOlrY/s800/image0-3.jpg

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwpDmavLElI/AAAAAAAAAOc/LsJ4mxPlMT0/s800/image0-6.jpg

 

Henry lent me masses of photographs yesterday, I will need to get them sorted and post them up, as you suggested, like a soap opera, so more will be coming.

 

About the hug picture - I popped in to see Henry on my own yesterday, a flying visit just to pick up the photographs and have a quick cup of coffee and a chat - so photograph not possible as I don't know how to work the timer on my wife's camera. Evidence of the hug will have to wait until next time when she is with me.

 

George

[Chris Chalmers]

Thanks George..........again! Chicken is not in the vocabulary here - but I'll let you off the hug pic for a while!

We are indeed able to have an eye feast..............I didn't realise these pens existed!!!

Waiting for the next episode!!! Much better than Corrie!!!!

[Ghost Plane]

Once again, the close ups are giving me visual clues to help with my potential design as it lets me see how straight lines or angles will wrap on a pen as opposed to curves. So keep those pictures coming, as they are narrowing the field for what I think I want. Thanks!

[Truffle Finder]

Hello again,

I cannot wait to see this pen,I'm sure Henry is looking forward to making it. WOW!

Truffle Finder.

[Chris Chalmers]

I think this pen and its making will be about the same as a new baby's expected arrival!

Lots of cheering at the beginning - keep it clean folks!, then quiet while we wait for it to grow, but with plans being made, preparations also - and of course the name game! Which bit are we entering now?

I think we are at the betrothal...........conception will quickly follow - and then we can relax and watch the 'bump'!

[Ghost Plane]

I spoke to the Persian Diversion tonight about potential calligraphy for this quote. He wants to help and has a source for the verse in Arabic with exceptional calligraphy that should give Henry some lovely swoops and curls to follow. So now we wait until our co-conspirator can find a copy, make me a copy of the line in question, then sit with me/us [thru the magic of the internet] and help us work out the orientation of the calligraphy to the axis of the pen and where the word breaks are, so Henry will know where he can divide for the cap and barrel on the diagram.

 

Given the rate of our conversations, finding a copy of the book he has in mind, etc. it could be some weeks. Meanwhile, I'll continue tinkering with a few other ideas I have in mind. I suspect I may be buying Simpoles for some years to come... This could grow to be a large family!

[Chris Chalmers]

So, ghost Plane, could we say you could end up being Henry Simpole's retirement plan????

Your plan sounds wonderful - how we are influenced by fleeting thoughts.........and see how they eventuate into works of art!!! This will be a real 'first'!!!

[GeorgeWP]

Ghost Plane - you said you liked the CS IB nibs.

Well - this picture is just for you.

Photography by Neal Laver.

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwueHzkdxvI/AAAAAAAAAP8/gRIVvjb9fuc/s800/image0.jpg

 

 

George

[GeorgeWP]

Here are some pictures of the overlays and Henry working on them.

 

Hope that you like these and Ghost, hope that they help with your brainstorming.

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwueIcuXFzI/AAAAAAAAAQA/kbuedNE6YpQ/s800/image0-1.jpg

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwueJyCRFMI/AAAAAAAAAQI/jzVxFBwtnS4/s800/image0-3.jpg

 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwueJJoo39I/AAAAAAAAAQE/SWcilg_drPY/s800/image0-2.jpg

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwueK6pz-EI/AAAAAAAAAQM/hIPk4yEcm88/s800/image0-4.jpg

 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_u__sPUxJM5g/SwueLgU9efI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/NI9h5Kn5l7c/s800/image0-5.jpg

 

 

 

All above photographs are the work of Neal Laver.

 

Hope that you enjoy them.

 

George

[Truffle Finder]

Yeah! They're great!

Truffle Finder!

[Ghost Plane]

Yep, those are the IB nibs I'm hooked on. I have 3 so far. I love them because I can write quickly using them, yet get beautiful results.

 

Those photos are not only gorgeous, but useful. The more I can visualize in 3D from a 2D beginning, the more I'll be able to visualize what I want.

 

I'm not sure I can fully fund the Simpole retirement plan, but I'm certainly going to be feeding it for awhile!

[Chris Chalmers]

Ghost Plane - there are a few people who will help fund Henry's retirement plan..........some waiting to see what you come up with, for a start!!!

I'm in awe of his work.............as you obviously are too - and think the man is a genious!