When does "having a few pens" become a collection?

[DickBrowne]

This is possibly something which has been discussed before, in fact I would be really surprised if it hasn't, so please forgive the mildly naïve question in the title.

Anyway, I have a friend (so many threads could start this way...), this friend has a watch and insists that he doesn't collect them. He has his "good" divers watch, it cost quite a lot of money and so he won't use it when he swims - he has a cheaper divers watch for when he swims. He has a nice dress watch for wearing to special occasions, and a cheaper one for wearing to work. He has a small number of quirky watches from the 1970's, a decade which saw brave design steps in the field. He has a chronograph, he has a digital watch, an Apple watch, a HRM watch for using in the gym, one with a GPS built-in for when he goes mountain biking. He has a gardening watch and another for when he's on his motorbike, which is old, clunky and vibrates a lot. He has a couple of vintage pieces and his dad's old watch plus another from his childhood.


But he's not a collector, oh no, he doesn't have a collection...

His justification is that he uses every one of his watches on a regular basis, therefore they are all tools and none are pure vanity, ergo - it's not a collection.

Yeah, right. He's a collector, he's just in denial.

I recently counted my pens. There are way more than I realised. I appear to have pens which I bought a number of years before I was married, I've been married 27 years next year. I've been using fountain pens since before I left school (I will admit to being the weird kid who wore tweed as a teenager, wrote with a fountain pen, enjoyed maths and knew how computers worked before most people had even used one. I'm certain I was cool, but hey...). I've been buying "reasonable" and "nice" pens for over 30 years - around when I left school.

In the past, I just used the pens, occasionally I would see a pen I liked and I would buy it, usually with blue or black ink, sometimes I used brown. Over the past couple of years, my purchasing frequency has increased, as has the average cost of the pens I've bought. I have more inks in more colours than I ever thought possible and, I will also admit this - I'm accessorising! Jotters, notebooks, pen cases, tools, you name it.

Final confession. My name is Richard. I'm a collector.

[KBeezie]

I have a collection but I'm not a "collector" in the way I see the word. In my mind for me to be a "collector" my reasoning for gathering them would be more for mantelpieces, or for some non-practical reason to have them such as they were specifically limited, or I just had to have them etc.

I'm a user with a collection that I try to keep the number down to 12~16, because I do not want to be up in the 30,60,80 range again with pens (there's no sense in it, since I can easily have 4 to 6 pens inked at a time, and will change up rotations seasonally).

I started out being cheap and fast, but around 2016 I just kind of cut it cold and either sold or traded. The goal of course was if I did trade It'd be something like trade 2 pens or more to get one in return. Thus keeping the number low (if one to one) or reduced, so that in the end I'm left with fewer pens that I actually like using frequently.

Feel like indiscriminate "collecting", just whatever because, falls closer to being a hoarder than a collector. My dad is a hoarder, so that's part of my motivation to the behavior of reduction. If I haven't used something in a year or so, it's time to get rid of it, either in trade or sale.

[Pterodactylus]

Hmmmm....

I don´t know how many FP’s I really have, my guess would be roughly between 70 and 90, but Iˋm not a collector, Iˋm a user.

I never understood collectors which get their joy and satisfaction only out of owning and starring at a object.
For me pens are tools, I admire very good tools, I like to use them, I like high quality materials and engineering excellence, but at the end they are just tools.

A pen which I would not use is imho not worth owning it, no matter how valuable or rare it is.
Most of my pens are vintage pens and I use all of them (from time to time) even some are more than a century old.
I’m not afraid using them even something could break on such old devices, my joy comes from using my tools not just owning objects.

In the last few years I (almost) stopped buying new (old) tools as I felt that my collection of tools already has almost all kind of nibs, nib cuts, filling systems, materials,.......
I just have enough FP tools, but I enjoy using them.

When it comes to inks, I feel that this become a little bit out of control as I still buy inks if I see an interesting one.
I have already more ink than I can realistically consume in a lifetime and still buying new one.

But at least my son really enjoys to have access to so much colors.
He refuses to write more than 2 converter fills with the same ink (I think he is the only kid in school which does not write with Königsblau (Royal Blue)).

So my Fazit:
I‘m a FP user and not a collector.
When it comes to ink I‘m not so sure what I‘m, but personally I still refuse to see me as a collector as everybody knows that these guys are the crazy ones, but don‘t tell them :facepalm: :crazy: :haha:

[grainweevil]

A friend of mine in the hand tool accumulating world came up with a most useful explanation for this situation. It apparently applies to FPs just as readily as to handsaws and chisels:

Not a tool collector; just a user with a wide range of tools from which to choose.

I have a lot of time for those I consider the genuine collectors, the ones who seek the obscure and the complete, because they're the ones who also generate the history and information that can be so interesting and valuable to the user. But I cannot aspire to be one.

[Paddler]

I am a user who owns more pens than I can use. I was fascinated by the repair/restoration of flea market pens. A few of my pens are so old (mostly 19th century blow fillers) I won't even try to rehabilitate them. A few are inherited pieces that I will only ink up and take marryin' and buryin' to sign the guest book. The rest are such great writers I can't bear to part with them. This is a slippery slope to a collection.

[myu]

It's one thing to be a collector and another to be an accumulator. ;)

[Kaputnik]

Based on numbers, I have more than enough fountain pens to be called a collection. There are fewer mechanical pencils, and fewer still ballpoints, but still enough for each category to be at least a small collection. Could it be considered hoarding? If I wanted to make space around here, I should look at selling and/or donating a significant number of my books. The writing instruments don't take up that much room.

I don't worry too much about labels. My main reason for quibbling with the term "collector" would be that I don't really have the focus of what I'd call a true collector. I've accumulated a large selection of things that I like. There are other things that I could buy because they are interesting in themselves, but if I buy another fountain pen, it won't be because it fits in with the others, or completes a set.

There's also the point that KBeezie touches on, that collections tend to be partly for display. I'm generally happy to show my fountain pens to anyone who takes an interest, but I don't keep them out to be looked at.

This is off on a tangent, or at least a bit, but perhaps the standard for determining whether you have too many pens would be if you could tell when one went missing. In that context, I sometimes think of Isaac Asimov's short story, "The Acquisitive Chuckle", about an "acquisitor" who hires a detective to find out what has been stolen from him.

LINK (https://www.e-reading.club/chapter.php/83404/2/Azimov_-_Tales_of_the_Black_Widowers.html)

[Jon Szanto]

Owning any number of objects of a similar nature, and having a collection, are two different things. One may haphazardly or casually accrue a bunch of things, but it isn't until you start putting characteristics, categories, and particular sought-out qualities on the items you purchase, it's just stuff. If you start gathering objects of specific like natures, matching colors, particular brands/models, etc - then it's a collection.

[pajaro]

I would say that having a number of pens, no definitive number, you are collecting, whether as an accumulation or whatever else. You have a bunch of pens, it's a collection. You might be collecting them to use or just to enjoy looking at and studying or for your dartboard. It is an amusing game of semantics. You are all trying to narrow the term "collector" down to something like someone who puts them on display only, in trays or under glass and is only interested in owning them. If you write with your bunch, you don't think you are collecting, but I think you are kidding yourself, because collecting has many purposes and forms. If you think of "Collector" in a very negative sense, as some kind of anal retentive, perhaps it would be beneficial to remember that when your pen is broken, it is often the serious collector who provides the information you need to fix it.

[penwash]

I don't know why "collector" is often lumped in with "hoarder" which imply some kind of uncontrollable compulsive behavior or greediness.

To me, a collector is someone who build a collection of something. The quality of the collection notwithstanding, the effort and resource spent building the collection are deliberate, planned, and not without sacrifices.

I am a collector, I collect vintage cameras and I collect vintage pens. Though I am not a good collector because I've seen the quality of collection from people whom I thought are much better collector, but I enjoy the building of the collection as well as the showcasing of the collection.

The other related divisive opinion that I dislike is the notion that collectors don't use their pens. I use my pens all the time, go to my instagram feed if you require a proof. There is zero reason that we can't use our pens and enjoy collecting them at the same time.

And by the way, without these "collectors" (in general not just pens), our museums will be empty. I'm pretty sure none of us relish that thought.

[Jon Szanto]

I would say that having a number of pens, no definitive number, you are collecting, whether as an accumulation or whatever else. You have a bunch of pens, it's a collection. You might be collecting them to use or just to enjoy looking at and studying or for your dartboard. It is an amusing game of semantics. You are all trying to narrow the term "collector" down to something like someone who puts them on display only, in trays or under glass and is only interested in owning them. If you write with your bunch, you don't think you are collecting, but I think you are kidding yourself, because collecting has many purposes and forms. If you think of "Collector" in a very negative sense, as some kind of anal retentive, perhaps it would be beneficial to remember that when your pen is broken, it is often the serious collector who provides the information you need to fix it.

I don't agree. Anyone, without any knowledge or direction, can accumulate a lot of something. It is a collector who does so with intent, research, specific interests and purpose. It is those sets of objects that I consider a collection. "I have a lot of pens" is simply that, but a collection, as put together by a collector, is done with care and purpose.

[azkid]

I'm not sure what else I would call my pile of pens but a collection.

The real question for me: Do I have a problem?

I have a tendency to collect and hoard like my dad did. Thanks to my wife I am at least more self aware and more able to let things go now.

I had a dozen typewriters for awhile. I never used any of them and they took up too much space. I am down to two. I collected vintage audio gear but pared down after it got stupid. My watches and pens take up a lot less space, at least.

I got into fountain pens because I like using them. So if a pen is uncomfortable or doesn't write nicely it has to go. I add brands and models to try them out. Some work out very well (Duofold) some don't (Safari).

Ink: I don't write enough for all the ink I have but it is fun to try different inks. So I have decided to stick to samples and stick to bottles I use regularly and sell what I don't. I have black inks for most of my pens for work. And a limited palette for fun.

I have a few pens, inks, and watches I should move along at this point.

For me, personally, knowing my tendencies, anything beyond 1 or 2 is a collection.

[SaoDavi]

I collect Retro 51 Tornados. I probably have 65+ at the moment. I dont write with them, so I truly am a collector of those.

As far as fountain pens, I have 8-12 nice ones (over $100) and about the same number of more affordable fountain pens. I enjoy them and always have 3-4 inked up at any given time. I rotate through them in no particular order as they run out of ink.

I'm not sure if I'm a "collector" or if I just have some nice pens. I mean, am I collector of pants or shoes or shirts? I've got a dozen or two of each that I use for different reasons.

[DickBrowne]

interesting points raised - what defines a collector? What defines a collection? I think having multiple items fulfilling the same role used to be my measure, but it is definitely more refined than that - as SaoDavi states above, he has multiple shirts, all doing the same basic thing, but he's not a shirt collector, he has many iterations of a particular type of pen, that is a collection, by any measure.

Maybe one factor should be if multiples are required - you couldn't get by with just one pair of socks for instance, but a single watch, camera, pen or snake would suffice. The other thing would be usage - do you use all of your pens (cameras, snakes...) or simply own them for the joy of ownership? The other thing is the difference between the user, collector and hoarder - do I use all of them? Am I able to sell the ones I don't use?

There's a lot more to this than I first thought - thank you to everyone who has raised a point, it's an interesting difference between the watch- and pen-worlds - most, but by no means all of the responses here are from people who don't think of themselves as collectors, but do have multiple items which would all fulfil the same basic operation. The watch forums I frequent are mainly peopled by people who absolutely consider themselves to be collectors. I don't think that there are that many basic differences between the two worlds, but I do find that difference in mind-set fascinating.

BTW, there's no criticism or judgement implied here, completely the opposite, but I think it is interesting that this basic difference in mind-set exists.

[grainweevil]

...but a single watch, camera, pen or snake would suffice.

Not if you want more snakes, it wouldn't. :)

[VertOlive]

This reminds me of author Donna Tartt making the distinction between the "Classical Mind" and the "Modern Mind".

I believe a true collector curates his pens (or snakes) with surgical intent and resembles the Classical Mind which she describes as "relentless, unhesitating, and focussed".

The group of pens I own have no coherence whatever outside of my own fancy and is clearly put together by a "Modern Mind", that is to say by a "whimsical and discursive mind".

[catbert]

A subset of my accumulation became an accidental collection. In trying to get one nice example of a particular pen I ended up with some interesting variants, then started looking for more.

The rest of the hoard lacks the necessary intention, focus, and pursuit of completeness to be a true collection. It’s just a bunch of pens I like.

[amk]

I think you can be both collector and hoarder, both collector and user, at the same time. Different degrees. It depends, a bit, which 'hat' you're wearing at the time.

As a writer I do use many of my pens. I use italic nibs for calligraphy, I'm learning copperplate and learning to flex. As a collector I am interested in pen history and development so have various models and types of pen that I pay more attention to than others. And as a hoarder... sometimes I just find it hard to get rid of pens. I probably should trim my collection down. But there's always something else more fun to do... like buying a new pen. Oops.

But I'm also a term that hasn't come into this discussion yet, a TINKERER. Lots of vintage pens, and a few modern ones, are waiting for me to fix their war wounds - little cracks, new sacs, that kind of thing.

[Chrissy]

Although I would never cite Google as the perfect definition, I decided to have a look at their dictionary definition of a collection.
A collection (noun) is "a group of accumulated items of a particular kind."

I have a group of accumulated fountain pens in various forms, therefore I must consider that they are a collection. It was always my intention to have more than one fountain pen, in fact it was probably always my intention to have more than ten fountain pens. Therefore, it was my intention to form a collection of fountain pens.

Some I use, and some I don't use. I don't collect any pens that I'm keeping unused, in the hope that they will sell for more than I paid for them, but have some that need to be sold because I don't use them. I'm getting older and the collection therefore needs to be seriously trimmed down. I have no particular emotional attachment to any "inanimate object," so any of them could go at a time that I decide to sell them. :)

By the same token I must also have a collection of bottles of ink. I have certainly accumulated lots of those. :) In fact it's safe to say that I could never use as much ink as there is in those bottles during my lifetime. :(

[Jon Szanto]

By the same token I must also have a collection of bottles of ink. I have certainly accumulated lots of those. :) In fact it's safe to say that I could never use as much ink as there is in those bottles during my lifetime. :(

You have, therefore, made quite a few SABLE (https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=SABLE) purchases. Something to consider in regards with this entire thread.

[Morgaine]

I came across this a while back, but was reminded of it recently. One Man’s Trash . . . (https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/books/review/Kramer-t.html?_r=2&) The link is a review about a book on compulsive hoarding. Hoarding I take to be more indiscriminate. Collecting has more of a purpose, rather than just anything. I can be a bit picky when it comes to stationery and there are papers/inks/pens, etc I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.

[Doulton]

This reminds me of author Donna Tartt making the distinction between the "Classical Mind" and the "Modern Mind".

I believe a true collector curates his pens (or snakes) with surgical intent and resembles the Classical Mind which she describes as "relentless, unhesitating, and focussed".

The group of pens I own have no coherence whatever outside of my own fancy and is clearly put together by a "Modern Mind", that is to say by a "whimsical and discursive mind".

I am delighted by the juxtaposition because "Modern Mind" and your sig line from Cicero.

I collect pens but I also rotate them like a conscientious parent divvying up attention equally amongst the offspring. I also "collect" books and music, but I also use everything I collect.

[pajaro]

I collect plenty of things. I am not a very good collector, because I am utterly disorganized. I fight organization and neatness. At least I admit to being a collector. If you have a group of similar objects, it's a collection. The term "collector" isn't a dirty word. Probably everybody visiting these fora is to some extent a collector.

[Jon Szanto]

I collect plenty of things. I am not a very good collector, because I am utterly disorganized. I fight organization and neatness.

I like a fighter! :D

[Kulprit]

There’s a definite distinction between “collector” and “accumulator.”

I collect watches.

I collect guns.

I accumulate pens.

My watch and gun purchases typically conform to some overall plan, and many are acquired not for use, but primarily for the sake of possession.

My pen purchases are less organized. Everything I buy I do so because I’m either attracted to the pen aesthetically, or because it fills some practical“need”, actual or conjured-up solely for the purpose of justifying the purchase. All my pens get used; anything that doesn’t gets sold.

I rarely sell watches, even if they don’t get worn. I never sell guns.


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[catbert]

All my pens get used; anything that doesn’t gets sold.

To me, part of accumulation is never selling. Even if I don't use a pen much, I got it and I'm keeping it because pretty. :)

A collector, on the other hand, might sell or trade strategically to improve the quality and completeness of their collection.

[VertOlive]

I am delighted by the juxtaposition because "Modern Mind" and your sig line from Cicero.



Ah, good. So you "get" Classical.

[Pterodactylus]

There I think we have something in common, I also usually do not sell things (beside switching a car (or a motorbike in the past)).
Iˋm like a black hole, what I acquired once stays usually with me, most likely because selling things is too cumbersome for me.
If I really do not like something, I gift it to somebody who might like it or have use for it (mainly family and friends).

Luckily I think usually carefully before buying something (beside inks and art supplies) and I tend to use things until they do not work anymore, so Iˋm not a spontaneous buyer, otherwise I might had a problem.....

[pajaro]

There’s a definite distinction between “collector” and “accumulator.”

I collect watches.

I collect guns.

I accumulate pens.

My watch and gun purchases typically conform to some overall plan, and many are acquired not for use, but primarily for the sake of possession.

My pen purchases are less organized. Everything I buy I do so because I’m either attracted to the pen aesthetically, or because it fills some practical“need”, actual or conjured-up solely for the purpose of justifying the purchase. All my pens get used; anything that doesn’t gets sold.

I rarely sell watches, even if they don’t get worn. I never sell guns.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do not believe this is a meaningful distinction.

[pajaro]

All my pens get used; anything that doesn’t gets sold.

To me, part of accumulation is never selling. Even if I don't use a pen much, I got it and I'm keeping it because pretty. :)

A collector, on the other hand, might sell or trade strategically to improve the quality and completeness of their collection.

I think this is another meaningless distinction.

[FredRydr]

To me, part of accumulation is never selling. Even if I don't use a pen much, I got it and I'm keeping it because pretty. :)

A collector, on the other hand, might sell or trade strategically to improve the quality and completeness of their collection.

I think this is another meaningless distinction.

Well, the latter is a collection while the former is a hoard. :banplease:

[catbert]

I think this is another meaningless distinction.

Perhaps not to you. And, yes, in a broader sense, a collection/accumulation/hoard is just a big pile o’ pens. But to the perpetrator of said collection/accumulation/hoard (and perhaps also to those who might view it), it makes a world of difference. I would rather visit the Soane Museum (https://www.soane.org) than the Collyer house (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collyer_brothers).

One might equally say there’s no meaningful difference between murder and manslaughter — someone is dead — and yet the distinction exists and involves intent. Arguably the question of intent also applies to collection v accumulation. :)

[Wuddus]

I'm neither collector, hoarder, nor accumulator. I have more pens than I need, but didn't set out to acquire that many. I just wanted to find a few pens I liked. Three to be specific.

Now that I have those three, my pen purchasing has stopped. I'm unlikely to ever buy another. The ones I'm less enthusiastic about which I bought along the way, just live in a drawer. There's no point in throwing them away as they still work. They're not worth selling, as they're cheaper to buy shipped from the far east, than it would be for me to post them on. They might be used as spares, or gifted away. Either way, they don't take up much room, so I don't care. I do have spares of one of the three I like, so they would be reached for sooner than the other surplus.

So I'm just a user that accumulated some pens while trying to find what I wanted. The fact I only use three, but own...I've forgotten how many I own, at least a dozen... is irrelevant to me, and the spares only have enough worth to not throw them in the garbage.

[pajaro]

I get the impression that y'all think a collection is an organized accumulation, or a regimented hoard, like the Air Force was a regimented bunch of people who wanted to be somewhere else. I also get the distinct impression that y'all think collections are a bad thing, because y'all are going to lengths to avoid thinking of yourselves as collectors. Interesting.

When I think of collectors, I think of people who know a good deal about the items collected. Seems more like a good thing.

[penwash]

I get the impression that y'all think a collection is an organized accumulation, or a regimented hoard, like the Air Force was a regimented bunch of people who wanted to be somewhere else. I also get the distinct impression that y'all think collections are a bad thing, because y'all are going to lengths to avoid thinking of yourselves as collectors. Interesting.

When I think of collectors, I think of people who know a good deal about the items collected. Seems more like a good thing.

Not all of us. But I do know some people who went through a lot of trouble to avoid being called "pen collector" as though it is something bad.

I think pen collecting is a fine hobby in itself.

[Scrawler]

I have accumulated a small collection of interesting antique pens. I have restored all of them and used every one at least once to get a feel for it. Even though I know I will not be using some of my pens again, I am preserving interesting conversation pieces that I know a lot about and can use to bore visitors. In general the only people I share my pens with are you lot in here. I have a glass cabinet beside me with 88 pens in and instead of using one of those, my daughter has graciously lent me her 1983 MB 146. My pens are only a collection in the sense that most of them represent specific periods in history and technological advances of the time.

[Jon Szanto]

My pens are only a collection in the sense that most of them represent specific periods in history and technological advances of the time.

That is a very significant statement. Frankly, I don't have the financial resources to build a collection that is both broad and deep. Keeping in mind my personal resources, as I've collected pens I've tried to include examples of pens that have meaning in some way, so that - as above - the various periods and innovations are represented, if only in a small (in number) fashion. I have some pens that I purchased knowing that they wouldn't see much, if any, use. I purchased them because the pen itself has importance, and I can study that pen and share it with friend in an educational manner. These are some of the attributes of a collection that appeal to me, above and beyond owning an assortment of pens.

[Pterodactylus]

Ok, if only technological advances count then the collections would be quite small and more or less end when Pelikan came up with the piston filler in the late 1920s.

Ok, add a cartridge pen and some technological novelties like the MB telescopic piston and the Sheaffer Snorkel in the 50s and you are done. :butcher:

Nothing really new since many decades.

[grainweevil]

I get the impression that y'all think a collection is an organized accumulation, or a regimented hoard, like the Air Force was a regimented bunch of people who wanted to be somewhere else. I also get the distinct impression that y'all think collections are a bad thing, because y'all are going to lengths to avoid thinking of yourselves as collectors. Interesting.

When I think of collectors, I think of people who know a good deal about the items collected. Seems more like a good thing.

You might go back and read what I wrote a week ago; you're a bit late to the collector appreciation party in this thread! ;)

But okay, say I can consider myself a collector, what am I collector of beyond "fountain pens"? I have modern ones and vintage. Ones like new, and ones that look like they've been in a fight whilst held in a bowl of something corrosive. Aluminium to BHR. Black through all the colours of the rainbow. Gold trim, palladium trim, no trim. Eyedroppers, lever fillers, button fillers, crescent fillers, squeeze fillers, vacuum fillers, piston fillers, and C/C. Some with their original nibs, some not. Gold nibs and steel nibs. Japanese UEF to 3.8 italic. Nibs I've ground, nibs someone else has ground, nibs with nothing but their modern factory blobs. Flex nibs to manifolds. Slip caps, click caps, screw caps, no caps, and that funny magnetic closure thing. Clips, clipless, and various ones with tails. School pens to luxury pens. British, German, Italian, American, French, Chinese, Japanese, et al. As to makes, well... Aurora to Arnold, Baoer to Burnham, Camlin to Conway Stewart, Delta to Dollar, Edison to Esterbrook (with and without Relief), and so forth.

The only thing they have in common is I've written with them all. :noidea:

[catbert]

I get the impression that y'all think a collection is an organized accumulation, or a regimented hoard, like the Air Force was a regimented bunch of people who wanted to be somewhere else. I also get the distinct impression that y'all think collections are a bad thing, because y'all are going to lengths to avoid thinking of yourselves as collectors. Interesting.

When I think of collectors, I think of people who know a good deal about the items collected. Seems more like a good thing.

I don’t think collections or collectors are a bad thing. (Also not one of those people in the other place who says ‘c-worder’.) I do think my hoard fails to reach the standard of a collection except in the broadest sense that it is a pile of similar stuff.

To me, a collection has un underlying intelligence and intent beyond utility and aesthetics. If not, my shoes and kitchen implements would be collections not assemblages.

As (if?) I learn more and acquire more and better pens, I may be able to call some parts of my accumulation a collection and myself a collector. In some ways I aspire to that level of specialization and discernment.

And if not, I still have a bunch of pens I like.

[DickBrowne]

My name is Richard. I am a collector.

I collect old motorbikes, old pushbikes, tweed jackets, vintage fishing tackle, vintage watches and, yes, writing instruments- fountain pens, other pens, mechanical pencils.

Sometimes I have a theme - I'm looking specifically for Parker 51 items at the moment - various colours, full sets including ballpoint and pencil. I like the original box but, as with my watches, if they exist, they go into storage and are almost never used. I like the history though.

I had a thing for Omega Seamaster's once upon a time. I've sold many, but I still have around a dozen, some dating back to the 1950's. All in perfect working order. That wasn't a cheap time in my life.

Most of my collections fall into the following category - things I like, or appreciate, or find interesting and generally want to know more about.

So, almost directionless, no real focus, not an expert by any means. I do have an almost bottomless thirst for knowledge - arcane, trivial, mechanical, historical. I love to learn.

My name is Richard and I'm a collector.

[Scrawler]

Ok, if only technological advances count then the collections would be quite small and more or less end when Pelikan came up with the piston filler in the late 1920s.

Ok, add a cartridge pen and some technological novelties like the MB telescopic piston and the Sheaffer Snorkel in the 50s and you are done. :butcher:

Nothing really new since many decades.

Technological advancement is only one part of the pen history. During each phase of our technological development we have styled pens to reflect the aspirations of the times. Take as examples the Skyline or the Parker Falcon. They may only have incremental improvements but they were radically styled to convey a message of confidence in the technological advancement of the times.

[Jon Szanto]

Ok, if only technological advances count...

No one said, or implied, that.

[Jon Szanto]

Technological advancement is only one part of the pen history. During each phase of our technological development we have styled pens to reflect the aspirations of the times. Take as examples the Skyline or the Parker Falcon. They may only have incremental improvements but they were radically styled to convey a message of confidence in the technological advancement of the times.

I've addressed this mistaken notion as well (focusing on tech only). You mention style, another important point. For instance, I've made it a point to have good examples of Sheaffer Flat-tops and then the very next generation Balance pens, so that I can show comparisons in the major change in pen styles when the rounded ends were brought into the picture. This is the kind of sourcing and acquisition that moved me away from just having a bunch of pens into having a curated bunch of pens. A collection.

[DickBrowne]

It's interesting that many of the replies to this thread make a connection between collecting and a direction for a collection.

The dictionary definition, well, the overwhelming definition from many online dictionaries at least is something along the lines of "a group of people or things gathered together". (self-amusing side note, is the collective noun for collectors a collection of collectors?)

Anyway, as this is a forum to support what is, for most users, a hobby, surely any rigid rules should be waived? Some like having a direction (I only collect Lamy 2000's, in every colour and year group, or I only collect orange pens, or I will only acquire pens where a matching mechanical pencil exists, or ones which have this filling system, or... So many factors which could be applied), some like the freedom to just see something and add it to the "collection".

We've discussed collectors, we've implied enthusiasts, we've extrapolated hoarders. I'm going to add another word (to the collection?) - completist. Not a real word, but you get the idea? "Unless I have every colour of Parker 51 from 1976, my collection is incomplete".

I was once an Omega Seamaster completist, so I absolutely get this, but I wonder how many people in the world of pens would identify with this trait?

My name is Richard. I am a collector.

[Jon Szanto]

Anyway, as this is a forum to support what is, for most users, a hobby, surely any rigid rules should be waived?

At least from my standpoint, I'm viewing this as a discussion, nothing more. No exclusion, no rule-making. People can do or say what they wish, and I'm simply hoping for an open chat about the topic. There is no one right answer.

[DickBrowne]

I agree totally John - I am genuinely interested in all of the replies and all of the standpoints. The number of different ways to view a single subject is enlightening


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[catbert]

I'm going to add another word (to the collection?) - completist. Not a real word, but you get the idea? "Unless I have every colour of Parker 51 from 1976, my collection is incomplete".

I was once an Omega Seamaster completist, so I absolutely get this, but I wonder how many people in the world of pens would identify with this trait?

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/completist
The more completist I become, the more I will be a collector. Still in the 'one of everything I like the look of' camp at present.

[DickBrowne]

Darn it - every time autocorrect leads me to believe I have invented a new word, it turns out that somebody else beat me to it.

I’m completely zuffled with this (!)


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[azkid]

Hm. Now that I think about it I guess I have been curating a collection... of iconic U.S. examples of the decades: Parker Duofold, Sheaffer Balance, Eversharp Skyline (1940s), Parker 51 and 45. I have other pens as well that aren't significant historically.

It wouldn't be hard to expand my "tour of the decades." Additional models and fill types. Short list: Sheaffer snorkel filler and Touchdown, Parker Vacuumatic (40s), Sheaffer flat top, other Balance styles, streamlined and big red Duofold examples. I'd love to get an early 20th C eyedropper, and some of the bigger brands like Swan, Conklin, Wahl, etc.

Damn. I am going to go broke now. Thanks a lot! :D

At least pens are cheaper than watches!

[DickBrowne]

Well, here's another way of looking at things... How about, rather than trying to collect pens which match a theme, take a good long look at your pens and see if you can spot a theme? Maybe you'll see an underlying need to collect pens from a significant decade, or made in a particular location, or potentially colours, materials, nib styles, and so on.

I think there's a collector in all of us, we just need to look hard enough!

[Kaputnik]

It occurs to me that I could be said to have a stamp collection. Mind you, they are all U.S. "forever" stamps, but that just means that the collection has focus.

Every now and then, generally when I wanted to send a letter from the road, and had forgotten to bring any stamps with me, I would buy some new ones, usually asking for something interesting. I have some unused flower, bird, and automobile stamps around, as well as some for the Battle of New Orleans, and some of the semi-generic flags and fireworks ones. Probably a few others of one sort or another.

Of course, these were all bought with the main idea of sending letters, but I mail very few of those these days. I pay most of my bills online now, and a couple in person. Most of my acquaintances would humor me if they got a letter, but wouldn't understand why I didn't just Email them. And having a "pen pal" doesn't appeal to me.

So I have probably between 100 and 200 stamps, and am likely to leave a hundred behind me.

The point of which is just that there's nothing "bad" about being called a collector, but it may not always be the most accurate term. I'm quite a bit more attached to my fountain pens than to my stamps, but I don't really think of myself as a fountain pen collector. If someone else wants to describe me that way, they would certainly have a point.

Anybody need any stamps?

[pajaro]

OK. Sometimes you have a supply. A supply of expendables. Like stamps or paper towels, etc.

[Chrissy]

It occurs to me that I could be said to have a stamp collection. Mind you, they are all U.S. "forever" stamps, but that just means that the collection has focus.

Every now and then, generally when I wanted to send a letter from the road, and had forgotten to bring any stamps with me, I would buy some new ones, usually asking for something interesting. I have some unused flower, bird, and automobile stamps around, as well as some for the Battle of New Orleans, and some of the semi-generic flags and fireworks ones. Probably a few others of one sort or another.

Of course, these were all bought with the main idea of sending letters, but I mail very few of those these days. I pay most of my bills online now, and a couple in person. Most of my acquaintances would humor me if they got a letter, but wouldn't understand why I didn't just Email them. And having a "pen pal" doesn't appeal to me.

So I have probably between 100 and 200 stamps, and am likely to leave a hundred behind me.

The point of which is just that there's nothing "bad" about being called a collector, but it may not always be the most accurate term. I'm quite a bit more attached to my fountain pens than to my stamps, but I don't really think of myself as a fountain pen collector. If someone else wants to describe me that way, they would certainly have a point.

Anybody need any stamps?
:thumb: I would definitely buy some from you to use while I was in the US. :) (Mailed to a US address of course.)

[Wuddus]

Well, here's another way of looking at things... How about, rather than trying to collect pens which match a theme, take a good long look at your pens and see if you can spot a theme?

Ummm... three favourite pens that are cheap, reliable and comfortable, and several more which for whatever reason didn't become favourites. That's the nearest you'll find to a theme here :D

[Chuck Naill]

This reminds me of a bike forum where I said I toured my local area on a Sunday afternoon using my bike and was told a 30 mile ride was not touring.

To date my interest as been in finding and restoring Esterbrook pen from the 30's, 40's, and early '50's which constitute my collection to date. I am venturing into Chinese made pens like the Wing Sung 2019 601.

[Mark Dillon]

I think reading or responding to a post trying to define what the difference is between a collector, user, or accumulator puts one into the group however you define it. 🤣

[pocky]

I have a collection that I try to keep around 6-8. Right now I have:
-Otto Hutt <M>
- Otto Hutt <F>
-PCH 912 <FA>
-PCH 912 <Wa>
- Nakaya <M> (expected delivery 10/2020)
- Taccia <B>
- Wancher <F>
- Franklin Christoph with <Broad cursive italic>

My rules were - each one has a unique nib , purpose, or design. I slightly broke the rule to buy a second Otto Hutt (the build is amazing and comfortable). I write a lot of ink reviews so I want pens that can be used heavily. The F-C <BCI> PCH <FA> are novelty pens; (pens used to show off big ink samples but not for daily writing). The PCH 912 <Wa> is slightly too thin for ink reviews so I journal with it.
The rest of the pens are rotated in and out. I prefer to have a healthy sample size so I don’t have to clean inks nightly.




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