The Cure for FPAD

A short while ago, I was stricken with a nasty outbreak of fountain-pen-acquisition disorder (FPAD). During that hazy period of my life, I acquired about a dozen pens in the span of a few weeks. I am pleased to say that the Omas Arco Milord has, I believe, cured me of that horrible affliction.

The Arco is, quite possibly, the most beautiful pen ever created. The celluloid is haunting in its luminescence, and I can look at it, hypnotized, for hours as I rotate it over and over in my hands. The patterns seem to swirl and change kaleidoscopically as the pen turns.

It's gold nib is soft and springy and, thanks to its ebonite feed, the pen never falters when it writes. When loaded with Visconti Sepia, it appears as if the nib leaves a trail of the arco celluloid behind as it glides across the paper. The weight and size are perfect in my hands, regardless of whether the cap is posted.

I never need buy another pen again as I have reached fountain pen nirvana.

The 12 Days of Christmas - Pear Tree Pen Co. Style!

Recently on the Fountain Pen Network, I announced - rather informally - a little lyric-writing contest at the Pear Tree Pen Company. The object? Come up with some lyrics to the tune of "12 Days of Christmas" that incorporated the Pear Tree Pen Company. Below, I've copied the last lines of the 5 finalists. Each will receive something nice in their stocking this year, courtesy of, well, me. The Grand Prize Winner is up to you. I've deliberately left the entrants' names off the list to protect the innocent. So pick your winner with impunty. Submit a vote for your favorite by December 26 and I'll declare the winner shortly afterwards. Ready . . . Set . . Vote!

Entry No. 1:

On the twelfth Sumgai Sunday the Pear Tree sent to me
Twelve Minuskin Nibs
Eleven Ink Converters
Ten "Think" Sahara's
Nine Naginatas
Eight M400's
Seven Parker Duo's
Six Van Gogh Midi's
Five White Lamy's
Four Platinum Koi's
Three Rocker Blotters
Two Monteverde's and
A Submariner by Bexley

So if you're ever in the mood to buy one pen or three
shop at The Pear Tree Pen Company!

Entry No. 2:

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me:
Twelve drums of Noodlers,
Eleven Sailor Sapporos,
Ten leather pen cases,
Nine Visconti Van Goghs,
Eight Monteverdes,
Seven Hints for Sumgai,
Six Clairfontaines,
Five Omas Bolognas,
Four ink samples,
Three Watermans,
Two Lamy Al-Stars,
And an ink cartridge from the Pear Tree!

Just don't add up what it cost her!

Entry No. 3:

On the twelfth day of Christmas here’s what came from Pear Tree…
Twelve Rhodias
Eleven Lamy Logos,
Ten blotter papers,
Nine Bexley beauties,
Eight Clairfontaines,
Seven Conway Stewarts,
Six Pelikans,
Steve Lehto Books!
Four sampler inks,
Three Platinum Pens,
Two Duofolds,
And a lyric writing prize for me.

Entry No. 4:

On the 12th line of my wish-list from Pear Tree Company:
- 12 Parkers Duofold-ing
- 11 Charlestons dancing....
- 10 Gatsbys THINKing....
- 9 Mega Ink Balls rolling....
- 8 Omases bling-ing....
- 7 blotters rocking....
- 6 kits for mixing....
- 5 Sailor Kings!....
- 4 Pelikan birds....
- 3 French-ruled pads.....
- 2 tortoise pens
and a cartridge from James P.!

Entry No. 5

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the Pear Tree sent to me…
Twelve Waterman Charlestons,
Eleven Pelican Epochs,
Ten Think Mojitos,
Nine Monteverde,
Eight Conway Stewarts,
Seven Sailor Sapporos,
Six Omas Bolognas,
FIVE….Visconti…pens…,
Four books on murder,
Three Clairefontaines,
Two Moleskine journals
and a J Herbin bottle of Vert Pre

Sumgai the Sixth at the Pear Tree Pen Company

Sumgai the Sixth is now underway. I got off to a late start, but the bargains I’ve come up with today are, I think, well worth the wait. In fact, some of the items I placed on sale today are priced below wholesale cost.

Here's a head start.

Good hunting!

James

It's Showtime!

We're here and, it seems, so is everyone else. Here, in case you don't know, is the Ohio Pen Show, just outside of Columbus, Ohio. It's billed as the fourth largest show in the United States and while I can't verify the claim, it would come as no surprise given all the activity I've seen since yesterday.

Craig and I arrived yesterday around noon. When we wallked into the bourse, the trading activity already seemed to be going full swing and the excitement was palpable. Within a few minutes, we had come across a number of people we've met at previous shows, and were finally able to put faces with the names of dozens of those with whom we've communicated either on the telephone or email. Friends from the Zoss list, The Fountain Pen Network and Pentrace were all present and accounted for.

There's a lot of work involved in attending a pen show, at least from the vendor side, so we spent the next few hours arranging and organizing our tables to best highlight the hundreds of pens and accessories we brought along. Among were them wre the new Lamy Ocean Blue Al-Star and Lamy Studio in Pearl White, which arrived just in time for the show. We also just received a shipment of the cotton resin version of the Omas Bologna. Although our Omas shipment was incomplete, we did get a fair sampling of fountain pens, ballpoints and even a mechanical pencil.

The new Lamy Al-Star is, without a doubt, my favorite of the Al-Star colors. The clip and nib are a brightly polished chrome, which is a nice complement to the bright and vibrant blue. Being a Lamy, the quality is a given and one of these will definitely make it into my pocket. The Studio is no slouch, either and the new pearlized white reminds me of an extra-cost option on some of the luxury cars I've seen on the road. Very nice indeed!

More to come later. It's Saturday morning now and the show begins in earnest with the first public day. I'll try to update the blog a little later tonight after I set up the Fifth of Sumgai Sundai sale.

Thanks for stopping by.

James

So, you wanna be Sumgai?

We've all heard the legend of the Sumgai who mysteriously appears at the garage sale moments before you arrive and manages to walk away with some fabulous pens at unheard of prices. Haven't you always wanted to be that Sumgai? Well, if so, Sundays could be your lucky day!

It's been a while since I've had a sale at the Pear Tree Pen Company and I'm in the mood for one. But not just any old "get X at Y% off!" sale. That would be boring! I want to have a little fun, so I thought I would try something new.

What I have in mind is the first-ever "Sumgai Sunday," and here's how it's going to work:

Each Sunday, I will put a different item on sale at a very special "sumgai" price. It could be a fountain pen, rollerball, journal, ink or anything else I have in my store. It may be something I carry all the time, or it may be a special item. It could be modern or vintage. Whatever it is, the price will be great! Each week, the pen (or other item) will change. There will be a limited quantity of that item available - in fact, there may be only one. Like I did on my "Surprise" birthday sale back in March, I will hide the item somewhere on my website and, if you're interested in a deal, it'll be up to you to find it.

If it's successful, I hope to make it a regular event. So, be prepared for something innovative and, hopefully, something fun.

To kick things off, I've listed 3 different items at special sumgai prices. Making things easy in the early round, I'll even tell you that one of the items is a fountain pen, one of the items is a writing instrument (but not a fountain pen) and the other item is not a writing instrument of any sort. In total, I have 5 pieces at these prices.

Here's a link to help you find your way.

I did not include the word "sumgai" in the text of the sale item, so there'll be no relying on the ol' search engine (at least for that word, he he he he).

If I'm having enough fun, I may add other items during the day, just to keep things interesting, so check back early and often.

Thanks for stopping by!

James

A Space Oddity

I'm told Pelikano recently sponsored an internet competition for young people, entitled "Color your own Pelikano". So, just what was the favorite color for the popular school and young people's fountain pen in 2007?

The envelope please . . .

. . . and the winner is: Deep Space Black.

The barrel and clip of this newest Pelikano is as black as can be, while the glittering silver-coloured stainless steel cap shines all the brighter in contrast. The appearance is just as forward-looking as the modern technology and clever details of this writing instrument: the ergonomic profile of the grip, the dynamic clip and the sturdy, smoothly gliding nib are exemplary features of a design that has been thought through to the smallest detail. (hey, I don't write all of this stuff myself, ya know).

The "Deep Space" black limited edition Pelikano is offered individually, or as part of aa special "value pack," comprising one "Deep Space" Pelikano, one Super-Pirat ink eradicator and a TP/6 six-pack of royal blue ink cartridges.

The new Deep Space Pelikano is only available with a medium nib.

By now, I'm sure you're wondering where you can pick up this new space oddity. The answer's as plain as day: The Pear Tree Pen Company®, of course! Get 'em while you can!

Pretty in Pink

When I think of pink birds, thoughts tend to fly to the flamingo - either the real ones I've seen only in zoos, or the ubiquitous Floridian lawn ornament. Recently, however, I discovered another pink bird that's both more beautiful and more practical: the Pink Pelikan.

Huh?

Yep, it's true. Pelikan recently introduced a limited edition Pelikano that is oh so pretty in pink. And we've got a small flock of 'em. They're probably not going to last long, and they're only available in a medium nib.

Take a gander at the the photo (another bird reference, get it?) to see how neat it is. I'll replace this tiny photo with a larger copy a little later, but at least you can get an idea of what it looks like.

And, to get yours before they fly away, visit the Pear Tree Pen Company website, or come see us live at the Michigan Pen Show, September 7-8,2007 at the Troy Hilton.

Thanks for stopping by!