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Fountain Pen Heaven...live@la Couronne Du Comte

Morbus Curiositas

By Morbus Curiositas
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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Morbus Curiositas Vintage

Morbus Curiositas

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Dear FPN Friends,

 

Some of you might know te great La Couronne du Comte already.... And some of you migh know I love sharing good experiences here on FPN

 

I have been in contact with LCC quite often and for quite sometimes, but have never visited the shop in person... (Funnily it is only 15 minutes away from Breda my Hometown in Holland)...

 

Well.... All that has changed now... I went back to Breda to visit friends and relatives... and I...

 

My way to paradise...

 

In Roman Times the way to heaven was by entering the Hades (underworld)... Where you payed your Obolus to Charon the ferryman to bring you over hte river Styx and if you have been a good person you came into Elysion, the paradise where the light was bright and the(after)life

was good

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/Charon_zps6822b08d.jpg

Charon the ferryman on the Styx

 

Very poetic but complicated..... I took the modern and easier way to Heaven

 

I just entered my Car... Charon was not there so I payed the bloke at the gasstation my Obuli... and as I could not sea a river I drove (myself) over the Motorway into the underworld Tilburg* exited my "four wheeled ferry" and entered....

 

The Fountain Pen Paradise

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01564_zps8ffcbb0b.jpg

 

La Couronne du Comte

 

LCC is a shop in Tilburg holland.... It all started when Dennis van de Graaf and his spouse/partner Rik van de Graaf followed their passion and took their dreams to reality....

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/RikenDennis_zps9e771077.jpg

The divine Fountain Pen Gods ;) Rik van Doornmalen (middle) and Dennis vd Graaf (right)

and their TV- apostle Ferry vd Graaf who will soon Present LCC on TV :D

 

From Shop to paradise

Back in 2009 20t hey first started an online Fountain Pen shop.... which of course is still existent for the joy and comfort of all your Fountain Pen Lovers world wide....

 

In 2012 they opened their first little Fountain Pen shop in the Noordstraat in Tilburg (Netherlands)... The overwhelming succes of their shop made them move to the center of Tilburg to open their Fountain Pen and Stationary PARADISE

 

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01567_zps6295ed37.jpg

A paradoxon....A small but GREATShop!

 

 

Entering LCC for me, after being in contact so often, not only felt like entering Fountain Pen Paradise.... But it was also felt like travelling back in time...

 

A journey to the Golden days of Fountain Pens

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01553_zps4787a788.jpg

The beautiful antique table where Rik invited my Girlfriend and me for excellent advice on, and the the testing of fountain pens (Meanwhile enjoying a most excellent espresso)

 

Some of you might know from my reviews... I do not only love Fountain Pens I also love classical French and European literature....

Balzac, Zola, Maupassant Roth Zweig,etc etc)... Well it is just personal..... but seeing this (look at photo down here) and taking ink from it in a fashion like the above mentioned writers/authors did...

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01554_zps7b1e1a47.jpg

Gorgeous.... I am Jealous

 

Made me feel like travelling back in time to La belle Epoque (1870- 1914 Europe) the cultural haydays of arts, humanism, poetry & literature... And of course Inks & Fountain Pens and I sortt of felt directly in touch with my beloved writers and Belle Epoque era

 

... Can you imagine How happy I felt? :wub:

 

The sortiment

 

I find the sortiment awesome and overwhelming... It goes from cheap over less cheap and affordable to luxury and the most exclusive Fountain Pens... See doen here...

 

 

From Platinum Preppy

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/FpnPreppy2_zps2ef09001.jpg and http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/Lamysmallestfpn_zpscf1d2948.jpgLamy Safari

 

 

 

 

 

over

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/wm_carene_blackseagt_smallFPN_zpscc437b0f.jpg Waterman Carène and Onotohttp://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/onoto_charles_dickens_chuzzlewit_fountainpen_vulpenSMALLFPN_zpsf34568b8.jpg

to

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/Pelikanmakie_zps56f99f34.jpg

 

and even

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/Artuspen_zpsb49a1be0.jpg

Artus Pens

 

Well excellent sortiment... It appears like a Fountain Pen lover's wet dream to me.. :wub: .(guess those last ones will always remain a dream.)

 

Well and as an Inkoholic

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01563_zps134abb37.jpg

See the Photo it is our great King Willem Alexander van Oranje Nassau writing with a Pelikan Fountain Pen

(Do not know if he bought it at LCC though)

 

This to is like a liquor store to an alcoholic :puddle:

 

Service and Competence

 

I actually was looking for an exclusive Fountain Pen for my grirlfriend. She only owns a goldplated Parker 75 I gave her.

 

We were looking forsomethign exclusive... Not German or Swiss made because they sell these in Austria... Well I thought of an Onoto Charles Dickens..

 

That is where Rik van Doornmalen's expertise set in.... Sitting at the table he first asked my Girlfriend what kind of pens she liked... He gave her the Onoto and closely observed her...

 

Rik immediately saw that the Onoto was way too large and after studying her hand writing he advised her to choose a smaller nib.... and a smaller Fountain pen better suiting to her delicate hands.

 

Rik came up woht the most gorgeous pens in the price category we mentioned... He let my Girlfriend write with a huge array of pens... (He took all the time in the world for us :) )

 

Well my Girlfreind made her choice...... It is Exclusive it is French and it is not often seen in Austria... Here it is

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/st_dupont_liberte_black_fountainpen_vulpen_460674FPNSmall_zps9b3e25c4.jpg S T Dupont Liberté Black

It is gorgeous and an excellent fit ... Thanks for the advice Rik...

 

And er I could not help buying meself an Edison Collier Persimmon Swirl :) .... My Girlfriend sort of had to drag me away from the store :)

 

 

 

 

Too Conclude

 

Sorry I got a bit overenthusiast.... But what a Paradise La Couronne du Comte is to me.... Well to make you envy... I Visit Holland 3 times a year and will be at LCC in December again :P

 

You probably guessed from the above text that the array of Brands is excellent... And the service.... Rik and Dennis make you feel like a King or Emperor :thumbup: :thumbup:​ Not only are the most beautiful writing tools available.... It is also a great shop for exclusive papers (like i.e. G Lalo the paris paper used by our King WA van Oranje Nassau) but also diaries inks and all the most beautiful stationary you can dream of....

 

Well If you are from abroad.... (It is quite a long way from Antartica :lol: ) here Is the webstore http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl or you might take a look at facebook this (and the webshop) is where I "stole" some of the photos above.... https://www.facebook.com/lacouronneducomte?fref=ts#

 

 

So... Forget...

 

Amsterdam and Cannabis...

Mills and Tulips...

 

Your First touristic goal in Holland is...

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01566_zpsdcdb5dd6.jpg

 

 

Well I hope you ejoyed this... I love toshare my ethusiasme on things I Love....

 

To Invite you to Holland and to Tempt you a bit more, I will post some more "Holiday Photos" (I live in Austria now) down here

 

 

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01560_zps71f4448a.jpg

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01552_zps75abe1e7.jpg

 

 

 

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01556_zpsb8ae1585.jpg

 

To write or not to write

 

 

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a617/Morbus_Curiositas/LCC/DSC01551_zpsad81dac1.jpg

 

Wow what a lovely Holiday it was backi my Home Country....

 

I herebey welcome you to beautiful Brabant in the Netherlands.... And do visit my Hometown Breda, the epicentre of cosiness and joie de vivre (good life) too if you come :)

 

Regards

 

Peter

 

Ps

 

The underworld Tilburg was just a way of speech.... I did not want to offend the great city of Tilburg of course.... ( Have to be careful for the more fanatical inhabitants of Tilburg... Do not wan to be beheaded by the Tiliban :)

 

Peter

 

 

Das leben ist wie ein Perpetuum Mobile mit ein Mangel..... Immer im Bewegung jedoch nicht unendlich. (life is like a troubled Perpetuum Mobile ever moving but not for ever)

Tricked throughout the centuries...

For centuries people had been tricked by kings & "religion-alism"

In the 20th century people got tricked by communism

Today people get tricked by (neo)capitalism :)

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Notgatherox Vintage

Notgatherox

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Oh my! So pretty! :puddle:

 

(Excuse me while I clean up my drool)

 

 

Andddddd I'm back! Would definitely love to visit someday (a pilgrimage of some sort?), this place looks awesome in the pictures and I'm sure it'll be an eye-opening experience and much more wonderful in person.

 

 

We do have a nice little pen store (Fook Hing) in Singapore too - but it conveys the feeling of slick, efficient and swift. Not to say that it isn't good, but I do want to slow down a bit at times to enjoy the pure pleasure of writing. This place looks like one where I could spend an entire day in, bringing me back to days of yore.

 

 

I think this is what people call "love at first sight" ? :wub: :wub: :wub:

 

 

Thank you for the beautiful write up Peter, love it! :)

 

 

 

~Epic

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1348/557449480_2f02cc3cbb_m.jpg http://null.aleturo.com/Dumatborlon/Badges/5EH4/letter.png
 
A sincere man am I
From the land where palm trees grow,
And I want before I die
My soul's verses to bestow.
 
All those moments will be lost in time.
Like tears in rain.
Time to die.

 

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Wolverine1 Antique

Wolverine1

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Peter, thanks for giving us a look at a wonderful pen store. You enthusiam is infectious!!!!!

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pmhudepo Collectors Item

pmhudepo

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Very nice, thank you for posting this!

 

I have ordered pens and ink from La Couronne, online, and was impressed with their service. Perhaps I should pay their brick and mortar store a visit this winter.

journaling / tinkering with pens / sailing / photography / software development

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jay.is.here Rare

jay.is.here

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amazing :puddle: awesome store :)

"Friendship is the purest love. It is the highest form of Love where nothing is asked for, no condition, where one simply enjoys giving.”
- Osho

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mknoblauch Mint

mknoblauch

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Thanks for sharing!

 

Personally, I'm still trying to figure out how to organize my travel plans to visit pen shops without my wife killing me.... Maybe your girlfriend can speak to her, eh? ;-)

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de_pen_dent Collectors Item

de_pen_dent

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As a long-term, devoted customer of Dennis, I've always been meaning to make a pilgrimage to LCC next time i am in that part of the world (hopefully, next spring - combined with watching Paris-Roubaix and Flanders). Thank you for that great write-up and most excellent photos.

True bliss: knowing that the guy next to you is suffering more than you are.

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Morbus Curiositas Vintage

Morbus Curiositas

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Very nice, thank you for posting this!

 

I have ordered pens and ink from La Couronne, online, and was impressed with their service. Perhaps I should pay their brick and mortar store a visit this winter.

 

You should...

 

 

It is Paradise Enlightenment Mekka Walhall :) Just pic your religion haha :)

 

I will do so in Decembr

Das leben ist wie ein Perpetuum Mobile mit ein Mangel..... Immer im Bewegung jedoch nicht unendlich. (life is like a troubled Perpetuum Mobile ever moving but not for ever)

Tricked throughout the centuries...

For centuries people had been tricked by kings & "religion-alism"

In the 20th century people got tricked by communism

Today people get tricked by (neo)capitalism :)

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Morbus Curiositas Vintage

Morbus Curiositas

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Great story / review !!!

 

BTW: No wonder your girlfriend ended up with a ST Dupont ..... Rik is a Dupont addict :D

Very cool..

 

I thoughtb he was just addicted in Deninis...

 

the Nasty thing is...

 

I now want a Dupont too....

 

Well just wonder where I will buy that :) :) :) :)

Das leben ist wie ein Perpetuum Mobile mit ein Mangel..... Immer im Bewegung jedoch nicht unendlich. (life is like a troubled Perpetuum Mobile ever moving but not for ever)

Tricked throughout the centuries...

For centuries people had been tricked by kings & "religion-alism"

In the 20th century people got tricked by communism

Today people get tricked by (neo)capitalism :)

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Share on other sites
Morbus Curiositas Vintage

Morbus Curiositas

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Wow! I could easily spend all day in there. :wub:

 

Then I could return the next day and look at the pens! :D

Hi Chissy...

 

A bit off topic...

 

But the Post today brought me empty test tubes...

 

I will write you a postcard with sample tomorrow...

 

 

Regards,

 

Peter :)

Das leben ist wie ein Perpetuum Mobile mit ein Mangel..... Immer im Bewegung jedoch nicht unendlich. (life is like a troubled Perpetuum Mobile ever moving but not for ever)

Tricked throughout the centuries...

For centuries people had been tricked by kings & "religion-alism"

In the 20th century people got tricked by communism

Today people get tricked by (neo)capitalism :)

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Jackson Rare

Jackson

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Thanks for such an enticing and humorous ("Tiliban!") pictorial review of LCdC -- I always imagined it as a wee gem, and so it is!

It's especially nice to 'put a face to' Dennis vd Graaf--one of my favorite humans...!

 

Jack

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harrietthespy Mint

harrietthespy

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I keep trying to make it to Tilburg and now you have inspired me to make the trip from Amsterdam....I know, it's only 1.5 hours away via car or train. I am guessing that the shop is easily accessible from the train station? Can always bring the bike on the train!

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dms525 Antique

dms525

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Thanks for your enthusiastic report and your photos. I have ordered from LCdC just once and received excellent service. Your report and photos certainly make me want to visit the store.

 

David

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