&%*$#ing Engraved Pens

[goodguy]

Roflmao!

 

I think this discussion has divided into two threads. The original one was about you buying a pen with someone else's name on it and some people are now defending whether or not they can put their name on their new pen. Two different subjects, i think.

This happeneds a lot on the FPN

[rogerb]

The similarity is that some of us don't wish to be told how we should behave, especially by relative strangers (if that isn't an oxymoron ) and particularly in respect of something which has no significant effect on the lives of others.

 

We had the same nonsense over whether someone who was bequeathed a valuable FP has a 'right' to sell it :hmm1:

[riff raff]

The similarity is that some of us don't wish to be told how we should behave, especially by relative strangers (if that isn't an oxymoron ) and particularly in respect of something which has no significant effect on the lives of others.

 

We had the same nonsense over whether someone who was bequeathed a valuable FP has a 'right' to sell it :hmm1:

Discussion is pretty much the point of discussion forums. If everyone agreed with what everyone wrote, then either:

a) there wouldn't be very many postings, or

we'd all sit around saying, "Yup, yup, yup."

 

 

That being said, anyone who takes to heart anything said on teh interwebz without a grain of salt is likely a fool.

[mandarintje]

Well, as long as the previous owner's name wasn't something like Rich Hooker or Arthur Sandford-Smith in initials then I guess I wouldn't mind. Also, as long as the engraving was done nicely- no Comic Sans please!

 

Still having some mental tendencies of a teenaged boy (even decades later) I find odd/unfortunate names amusing. I bought a Parker Vac solely based on the imprinted name, "Ly-King Phuc." (seriously.)

 

Best,

greg

 

LOL!!! I hope it doesn't live up to its name! that's so funny!

[ANM]

Roflmao!

 

I think this discussion has divided into two threads. The original one was about you buying a pen with someone else's name on it and some people are now defending whether or not they can put their name on their new pen. Two different subjects, i think.

This happeneds a lot on the FPN

 

Yes that's true but it is something of a stretch to ask what you think about buying a used pen with some one else's name on it to a reply like "You can't tell me what I can or can not do with MY pens, dagnabit"

[goodguy]

Roflmao!

 

I think this discussion has divided into two threads. The original one was about you buying a pen with someone else's name on it and some people are now defending whether or not they can put their name on their new pen. Two different subjects, i think.

This happeneds a lot on the FPN

 

Yes that's true but it is something of a stretch to ask what you think about buying a used pen with some one else's name on it to a reply like "You can't tell me what I can or can not do with MY pens, dagnabit"

Some times people might get too touchy or just misunderstand/misinterprate ones meaning and attitude.

[rogerb]

Roflmao!

 

I think this discussion has divided into two threads. The original one was about you buying a pen with someone else's name on it and some people are now defending whether or not they can put their name on their new pen. Two different subjects, i think.

This happeneds a lot on the FPN

 

Yes that's true but it is something of a stretch to ask what you think about buying a used pen with some one else's name on it to a reply like "You can't tell me what I can or can not do with MY pens, dagnabit"

That certainly not the content(nor the title) of the original post, which implied, I believe, that it was offensive even to be offered an engraved pen

The thread then divided pretty much into the pros, the cons, and "Do what you like...it's yours"

Edited November 7, 2010 by rogerb

[girlieg33k]

Some times people might get too touchy or just misunderstand/misinterprate ones meaning and attitude.

Misunderstandings are a good thing; they serve as opportunity for discussion. However, the art of giving and receiving constructive feedback is a lost art these days.

 

Samuel Butler once wrote: "If people would dare to speak to one another unreservedly, there would be a good deal less sorrow in the world a hundred years hence."

 

Regarding engraved pens, I personally like them. It personalizes an otherwise inanimate object.

[Jade579]

I can't tell you how cool it was to inherit a bunch of fountain pens and find a over-sized pearl/black Sheaffer set with my Grandfather's name on it. He passed when I was only 2 so I never knew him. I do know this pen was made in 1934 or 35. He would have been a young man in his prime. It has a very fine lifetime nib. He was an accountant so I would imagine this pen was a perfect fit. It is way to big for my hands so I just cleaned it up and put a new sac in. I have a son who already has bigger hands than I do. So maybe some day.... I also ran across a Parker 51 with a blue diamond sterling cap bearing my own father's name. I can't wait to ask him when he received it and whether it was for a special occasion. This pen fits my hand perfectly. I have a brother that maybe should have this pen, but I just can't bear to part with it. A fathers pen going to only the son not the daughter? Old fashion! I plan to use this pen and anyway my brother doesn't care a hoot about FP's.

 

On the other hand, I have quite a few pens with engravings of people I've never heard of. I find them interesting. Aesthetically, I like the look of a pretty inscription on the gold Wahl's. I have both engraved and not. The ones without seem a little bare with that empty square space. The plastic pens with names I don't find necessarily pretty and some are just downright ugly, but still interesting. I always google the names because you never know what you will find. Latest one is Beulah beautifully engraved on a gold Wahl.

Beaulah (pronounced BYOO-lah) - Hebrew origin meaning Bride, Biblical name symbolizing heavenly Zion.

San Francisco Band? broke up in 2004 Definitely Not

Wonderful Fly fishing Rods? Not, but would love to have one

Beulah - town in North Dakota and Wyoming? Probably wouldn't inscribe a pen with a town's name

Beulah Heights University? founded in 1918 Atlanta, GA - Slight Possibility

Beulah - First used as girl's name in 16th century - Doesn't help much

Beulah - Popularity of girl's name peaked around 1890 to 1920 less commonly seen as last name - That's the ticket

 

I know it might seem a little crazy, but I love to know something about the name engraved on a pen. I will never know who exactly owned this pen, but I feel pretty confident that it was a woman named Beulah and that someone loved her enough to buy her a beautiful little ring-top gold pen with her named perfectly engraved. I'm glad I rescued this little piece of history from a guy in a flea market who said he was starting to melt down his nibs and gold pens for scrap Even if I end up selling it one day only to break-even it's well worth it. For me, it's not about the monetary value of the pen so much as the love of vintage fountain pens. When I fix one up like new I feel like I've just preserved a piece of history that will now survive for maybe another 80 years. Anyone out there named Beulah? Have I got a pen for you!

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z469/cfeyen/P1000984c.jpg

[InkyCarl]

That certainly not the content(nor the title) of the original post, which implied, I believe, that it was offensive even to be offered an engraved pen

The thread then divided pretty much into the pros, the cons, and "Do what you like...it's yours"

 

I claimed (as what should be an obvious joke) to be offended that someone offered to engrave my pen for me, not that I was given one.

[rogerb]

That certainly not the content(nor the title) of the original post, which implied, I believe, that it was offensive even to be offered an engraved pen

The thread then divided pretty much into the pros, the cons, and "Do what you like...it's yours"

 

I claimed (as what should be an obvious joke) to be offended that someone offered to engrave my pen for me, not that I was given one.

I apologise for just slightly mis-understanding the gist of your post ....as you'll have seen, the 'joke' was taken rather (too) seriously by many, maybe including me :embarrassed_smile:

(If you re-read the OP...quoted below...AND the Title, you'll see that it was not entirely clear that she was offering to engrave it??)

 

"Wow, that's a cool pen on ebay... damn, it's got someone's initials cut into it."

 

Poor helpless pens. I have two which I bought for myself from Things Remembered. I look at them now as if I rescued puppies from a dogfighting ring.

 

No ma'am, I do not want anything engraved into my pen. I try to hide my disgust at her for asking.

Edited November 8, 2010 by rogerb

[FOX]

I think this discussion has divided into two threads. The original one was about you buying a pen with someone else's name on it and some people are now defending whether or not they can put their name on their new pen. Two different subjects, i think.

 

I see it as the exact same subject. The decision to engrave one's own pen, eventually becomes one of the pens on the used market one decides on purchasing based on that decision.

 

If you tend to buy previous made pies with apples in them, and mention that you put apples in pies you bake yourself, I hardly consider that a completely different subject.

 

It's really just redundancy.

 

[alvarez57]

Some times people might get too touchy or just misunderstand/misinterprate ones meaning and attitude.

Misunderstandings are a good thing; they serve as opportunity for discussion. However, the art of giving and receiving constructive feedback is a lost art these days. *

:hmm1: Hmmm....good food for my thoughts! * My "bolding".

 

......

I know it might seem a little crazy, but I love to know something about the name engraved on a pen. I will never know who exactly owned this pen, but I feel pretty confident that it was a woman named Beulah and that someone loved her enough to buy her a beautiful little ring-top gold pen with her named perfectly engraved. I'm glad I rescued this little piece of history from a guy in a flea market who said he was starting to melt down his nibs and gold pens for scrap Even if I end up selling it one day only to break-even it's well worth it. For me, it's not about the monetary value of the pen so much as the love of vintage fountain pens. When I fix one up like new I feel like I've just preserved a piece of history that will now survive for maybe another 80 years. Anyone out there named Beulah? Have I got a pen for you!

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z469/cfeyen/P1000984c.jpg

 

I wish mine had more than the plain initials I. E. ; because the pen is petite and has a ring top, I assume it belongued to a female. Vintage pens engraved? Don't mind them at all.

Edited November 9, 2010 by alvarez57

[HBlaine]

Me, I like my engraved fountain pens.

 

Why would I care about the next owner? Oh right, I don't.

 

:ltcapd:

 

To be honest, engraving doesn't strike me one way or the other. I'm more interested in the pen.

 

The black radius-clipped OS Balance, for which I just scavenged parts from a friend to fix while out on the road, is engraved "H.L. Champlain" in a very utilitarian way on the barrel. Doesn't alter in the least bit how it writes. (Wonderfully, by the way.) One of my favorite MB 149s has the letters "H-F-A" very tastefully engraved on the clip, for all to see. And, again, it doesn't seem to change the way the pen writes. (Beautifully, by the way.)

 

Granted, I generally don't have pens engraved myself. I guess, it all boils down to each his own...

[Garageboy]

There's a REALLY badly engraved Parker Duofold on evilbay right now that looks like someone took a knife or a nail and scraped their name into...eeek

[frostdoll]

I don't mind engraved pens, especially if the engraving is well done and tasteful while scratched initials just make me bristle. I seriously doubt I'd get one of my pens engraved but I wouldn't kick anyone if they did.

I have a little Silver pearl Vacumatic, not one of the best specimens, but has the inscription "To Phil from Vera, 13th April 1940" that makes it very special to me. Call me sentimental but I get a warm fuzzy feeling every time I use this pen and think about Phil and Vera

[OcalaFlGuy]

Goodguy, what about pens with a cartouche- specifically intended by the designer and maker to be engraved?

It could be argued that you are "destroying" the pen by NOT engraving it.

 

On pens like that, I think the better car analogy is buying a new car and then putting a vanity/personalized license plate on it.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but still intended as embellishment.

 

Best, greg

Fair question, no doubt if there is a specialy designed place on the pen then the damage to the pen is considerably less but still for me its like destroying the pen.

 

One comment on this "it destroys the pen" idea.

 

Depending on the material the engraving was done on and HOW it was done, pros like Richard Binder and El Zorno may be able to make the engraving "go away" without any more damage to the surrounding area.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[goodguy]

One comment on this "it destroys the pen" idea.

 

Depending on the material the engraving was done on and HOW it was done, pros like Richard Binder and El Zorno may be able to make the engraving "go away" without any more damage to the surrounding area.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

Ahh, erasing an engraved pen is like resorecting a dead man.

Music to my ears

[dlmoak]

In their initial production and up into the 1930's, Mabie Todd overlay pens routinely had cartouche's for engraving and advertised the different type styles that were available. I have a hard rubber combination dip pen holder/pencil that is engraved "Horace Greeley to Harry H. Leeds." Many of my early overlays are engraved and I rather like it. Sentiments may change on whether or not to engrave, but at the time these particular pens were made, it was a very common thing. The following pen is engraved, "Dr. White from Mr. & Mrs. Rawlings

June 3rd, 1902"

 

http://www.mabie-todd.com/test/pics/eds/half/hed10.jpg

[Johnny Appleseed]

I am fine with engraved pens. Some of the brands I collect were sold through retail catalogs that offered free engraving - I treat such engraved pens as factory correct.

 

My favorite though was finding a war-era Sheaffer Triumph with my initials on the band. That seemed like it was meant to be my pen!

 

 

They're nice reminders that once not everything was disposable and people used one or two pens for their entire lifetime.

 

Sometimes - but I have also seen pristine engraved pens that look like they have never been inked. One gets a sense that it was a gift, gratefully received and put in a drawer to never be seen again.

 

The "one or two pens in their entire life" is a little exaggerated. For those without a lot of money, of course, pens tended to be fairly disposable (dip-nibs came by the gross and rusted quickly). In the upper end, pen makers marketing and sales strategy was deeply dependant on getting people with the means to up-grade to the newest technology. A lot of the low-end fountain pens were really junk, and I can't imagine anyone useing them for too long.

 

:hmm1: Now I have to think of something incredible clever to have engraved on a pen as a message to all future owners......."I was here first", "take care of this pen or I will haunt you", "I'll be back for my pens", "This was supposed to be buried with me!", "I am watching you! :hmm1:

 

Harry Truman is famous for having pens made that said "Stolen from the Desk of Harry S. Truman" or something to that effect.

 

What I have noticed there is much more hate in politics than there use to be.

Depends on what you are comparing it to. I mean, it's not like the early 1800s, when you accused your presidential opponents of cannibalism.

 

If you really want to see rancor in politics, look at some of the tracts written in the UK in the early 1700s between Whigs, Torries, Puritans, etc.

 

 

I am fifty-nine years old and I still dream that I am a university student, I am looking at a college transcript with failing grades, listed beside classes; classes I did not attend and did not know I was enrolled in, my absence from said classes has caused a distressingly low grade point average. In my dream I am imploring the powers that be, to let me retake exams and re-do the classes. Where did this dream come from? I am, to this day, proud of my GPA. I never failed a class.

My dreams are nightmares. I am a happy person in my waking hours, I want happy doggie dreams!

 

I am 46 and am in university and do still have those dreams constantly. I also dream I am back at the lab working for my lovely boss and she is ragging on me for not working hard enough even though I've been standing up doing experiments for days on end without sleep or food.

 

I have dreams where I have an exam in half an hour, for a class I somehow haven't attended or done any reading for all semester. . .

 

John