Tuesday, March 20, 2007

New Pens from Parker & Waterman

I just learned of two pens that are going to be released on April 1, 2007 from Parker and Waterman. The first is a new shade of Waterman Edson, the Diamond Black Edson. If the pictures are a true representation, this is one beautiful pen, with a gorgeous classic black barrel coupled with platinum-plated cap and trim, and a luscious inlaid rhodium-plated 18K gold nib. As seen here:



Not to be outdone, Parker will relaunch a new Duofold in pearl and black and which features a two-tone 18K gold nib. Here's a quick and dirty image:



From what I understand, the pearl and black Duofold was discontinued several years ago as material supplies dwindled and none of the available substitutes were up to snuff. Apparently, Parker has resolved that problem, and the new Duofold is, to my eye, absolutely gorgeous. I have wanted one for a long time, but none of the checked patterns really did anything for me. Not this one - this goes on my "Must Have" list right away!

MSRP for the Edson is $1,000, and the Duofold Centennial Edition's MSRP is $500. The Duofold will also be available in the International size, priced at $450. The only stock nibs available are fine and medium, but I've been fortunate enough to work out an arrangement with a phenomenal nibmeister, Greg Minuskin, who offers his services to Pear Tree Pen Company customers at a reduced rate.

If anyone is dying to be the first on their block to sport one of these new pens, as an authorized dealer of Parker and Waterman, I would be happy to help you out. Send me an email at Sales@PearTreePens.com and I'll give you an unbelievable price.

Thanks for looking!

James P.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Ink Sample Program Temporarily Suspended

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Fountain Pen Community,

As many of you know, I recently took a holiday that required me to be out of the "shop" for a little over a week. When I got back home, I couldn't believe the volume of orders I had waiting for me. I was, and continue to be, overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I receive from the fountain pen community, especially those on this forum.

The success and growth of the Pear Tree Pen Company over the past year has been completely unexpected (although not unwelcome). One of the linchpins of that success has been the Pear Tree Pen Company Ink Sample Program. Due to the tremendous popularity of that program, however, I have begun to fall behind in fulfilling orders. This, I believe, is unfair to those who are in the "queue," and is a disappointment to me, because I cannot provide you, my customers, with the level of service you deserve, and which I demand of myself.

Some of you may not be aware that I am a one-person shop, and as much as I enjoy the Pear Tree Pen Company, it is not my primary occupation and does not come close to paying the bills. So, in order for me to regain a degree of sanity and to process the orders I've received on a timely basis, I find it necessary to temporarily suspend sales of ink samples. Sales of ink, pens and other items in the store will, of course, continue as before. All pending orders for samples will be filled - I have just stopped taking new orders as of today.

I expect this hiatus to last approximately one week, perhaps two. But rest assured, the Pear Tree Pen Company Ink Sample Program will be back.

Again, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause, but thank you all for your support and understanding during this time.

With much appreciation,

James Partridge