PDA

View Full Version : Frank O'Connor's Montblanc fountain pen



Barry B. Gabay
November 14th, 2019, 09:54 AM
Two weeks ago in the Dublin Writers' Museum, I saw this fountain pen on display. It belonged to the Irish short story writer Frank O'Connor. To my old eyes, it appears to be a Monte Rosa G, with gold trim, so I assume a 14K nib. Thought folks here would be interested.

The Dublin Writers' Museum is small, though a great institution for people with an interest in literature. My wife and I spent over 2 hours there, and neither of us is a specialist in Irish lit. Traces earliest ballads & legends, early print, Romantics & drama, a comprehensive history through 20th c, & contemporary lit. For such a small nation to have had 4 Nobel Laureates in Literature is astounding.

FredRydr
November 14th, 2019, 10:09 AM
Tell us about Harriet.

Barry B. Gabay
November 14th, 2019, 05:39 PM
Harriet Sheehy was Frank O'Connor's second wife. She died several years ago following about 30 years of widowhood. She and O'Connor meet when he was an instructor at Harvard, and she was a student there. She was an academic in her own right, editing her late husband's work and corresponding with several writers and major editors.

Chrissy
November 15th, 2019, 01:35 AM
Harriet O'Donovan Sheehy died at the age of 92 on 19th April 2016 (http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/frank-o-connor-s-widow-harriet-o-donovan-sheehy-dies-aged-92-1.2614831)

See also (http://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2016/0418/782630-harriet-odonovan-sheehy-dies-aged-92/)

FredRydr
November 16th, 2019, 07:56 AM
So the Monte Rosa pen awaits its fate, while the museum hopes Harriet's heirs haven't a clue.