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A New Old Pen User

Jamesjems

By Jamesjems
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Jamesjems

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I'm James. Teacher, Photographer, Actor, traveller, Spey Casting fool...letter writer...

 

I registered today for a couple of reasons, but I think an introduction is in order.

 

My home is the Pacific Northwest, but I teach school in Alaska, currently, in a small Fairbanks High School.

 

I've been using fountain pens since high school, which was more than 30 years ago. I've found some of my best friends in life through the mutual appreciation of writing. It's something of a code, seeing someone with ink-stained fingers, sort of a quiet acknowledgement that "this is an interesting, learned person. Step closer..."

I've found that to be true.

 

My students have shown interest in my use of a fountain pen for years. "How old is that pen?" they ask. "Oh, I've had this one for... how old are you?..." I reply, looking down at a battered 1st Generation white Safari. "I've been grading student papers with this exact pen since...1996, but I bought it in West Berlin in 1985..."

***Mind Blown***

 

(they lose their pencils several times a day, therefore they cannot conceive of anyone like me)

 

Fast forward to today, and I'm proud to say that I'm on my third order to Jetpen.com for $3 Platinum Preppies. In a high school of 108 students, I've sold 73 pens in the past few weeks, and have stocked up on black ink, o-rings and silicone grease in preparation of the inevitable... I'm proud to say that Clairefontaine and Rhodia have now become more desirable than prohibited contraband...But I'm bracing myself for having to grade papers in weird shades of pink and purple...

 

Second, I finally bit the bullet and did something pennywise & pound foolish: I actually WON an ebay auction for my holy grail pen - a Duofold Mandarin LE (1995). Since I don't collect pens and my taste in pens is decided proletariat, part of me thinks I have no business owning something so fine. I'm sure I'll be having some questions about italic nib options... Am I the only one who wants one of those to actually *write* with? Seems everyone else wants to sell them for silly silly silly amounts of money....

Anyway...pleased to make your acquaintance...

James

Friday Harbor, Washington
Fairbanks, Alaska

 

 

 

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Sasha Royale Museum Piece

Sasha Royale

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Welcome, James !

 

So, your LAMY says, "W. Germany"?

 

I acquired a flawless Parker Duofold Sr. in 1992. It was yellow. I used it for twenty years. Then, I saw "less-nice" ones on Ebay for $900. The pen became too nice for me to use. I sold it for a lot more, and financed a set of Pelikan Soverans. Love 'em. No regrets.

Auf freiem Grund mit freiem Volke stehn.
Zum Augenblicke dürft ich sagen:
Verweile doch, du bist so schön !

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Jamesjems New

Jamesjems

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Yes, it does say "W.Germany" but the W is very very small. More importantly, the top screw is BRASS. God I miss that on the new ones!

 

I've not taken possession of my new Duofold. I'll know more later. I know that I'll want to change the nib to something italic as my handwriting is so much better...

 

james

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DaveT Vintage

DaveT

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James, hello and welcome from Indiana!

Please visit my store A&D Penworx.

Brands we carry: Benu Pen, Conklin, Kaweco, Monteverde, TWSBI - Diamine, J Herbin, KWZ- Clairefontaine, Field Notes, Rhodia, Whitelines

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OCArt Donor Pen

OCArt

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Welcome to our little corner of the universe from a pen user in San Diego who knows what spey casting is!

...............................................................

We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams

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PAKMAN Ancient Artifact

PAKMAN

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Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!!

PAKMAN

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                         My Favorite Pen Restorer                                             My Favorite Pen Store

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ehemem Vintage

ehemem

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:W2FPN:

 

Well, if you are ever down south and near enough to the Seattle metro area the third Saturday of most months, there is the Seattle Pen Club. You would be more than welcome...

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northstar Donor Pen

northstar

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Hello and welcome to FPN.

Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous  Who taught by the pen

Taught man that which he knew not (96/3-5)

Snailmail3.png Snail Mail 

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zaddick Donor Pen

zaddick

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Welcome to FPN. Consider having your nib ground to an italic. You get exactly what you want that way.

If you want less blah, blah, blah and more pictures, follow me on Instagram!

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