Pen Catalogs

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April 5th, 2021, 07:59 AM
penwash

Pen Catalogs

Let's talk about pen catalogs.

Knowing our tendency to meander to who-knows-what territory, let me be very clear on what I am talking about:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...30ce5ec7_z.jpg

I got these from Fahrney's once in a while, because I bought a pen from them once, I don't even remember exactly what... Retro 51 maybe.

And I enjoyed these catalogs even though I am (as you all know) a vintage pen guy. At least these allow me to get a sense of what is coming out on the market these days.

So my question is, who else besides Fahrney's have a printed catalog like this? Or even digital ones.

And of course, please share your catalog stories. Do you like them? Don't like them? Don't know about them? etc.
April 5th, 2021, 08:09 AM
FredRydr

Re: Pen Catalogs

Fountain Pen Hospital got my address from a pen show purchase, and Montblanc got my address from purchases at the (now closed) boutique. Both used to mail catalogues to me until they dropped my name from their mailing lists. I don't keep catalogues.
April 5th, 2021, 08:20 AM
penwash

Re: Pen Catalogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredRydr

Fountain Pen Hospital got my address from a pen show purchase, and Montblanc got my address from purchases at the (now closed) boutique. Both used to mail catalogues to me until they dropped my name from their mailing lists. I don't keep catalogues.

Is the FPH catalog similar to Fahrney's?

I don't want Montblanc catalog because they just sell one brand.
April 5th, 2021, 11:14 AM
FredRydr

Re: Pen Catalogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by penwash

...Is the FPH catalog similar to Fahrney's?...

Probably, but I'm not familiar with Fahrney's catalogue.
April 5th, 2021, 11:56 AM
kazoolaw

Re: Pen Catalogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by penwash

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredRydr

Fountain Pen Hospital got my address from a pen show purchase, and Montblanc got my address from purchases at the (now closed) boutique. Both used to mail catalogues to me until they dropped my name from their mailing lists. I don't keep catalogues.

Is the FPH catalog similar to Fahrney's?

I don't want Montblanc catalog because they just sell one brand.

FPH has an annual paper catalog with listings from many pen manufacturers, an ink section, and miscellaneous accessories. I've saved mine going back 10+ years as reference material. Over that time the annual catalogs have steadily shrunk. FPH also sends out smaller seasonal(?) catalogs with a narrower focus.

Fahrney's sends out catalogs intermittently. I don't remember an annual catalog. The intermittent catalogs are similar in size and scope to FPH's.
April 5th, 2021, 12:08 PM
Jon Szanto

Re: Pen Catalogs

Here's the thing for me: a current or even recent catalog shows me stuff that I can easily see online. I already have limited, specific interests in modern pens, so the majority of the catalog wouldn't be of interest. As such, it is just a waste of trees. A pen magazine with articles about older pens I don't know things about is very worthwhile. I guess I'm just not a catalog guy.
April 5th, 2021, 02:53 PM
KrazyIvan

Re: Pen Catalogs

GoldSpot Pens sends out a catalog that borders on a magazine around the holidays. It's a good resource for those new to the hobby.
April 5th, 2021, 04:40 PM
Robert

Re: Pen Catalogs

Joon issued lovely catalogs before going extinct some 10 or so years ago.
April 5th, 2021, 06:37 PM
fountainpenkid

Re: Pen Catalogs

I get the FPH catalog every season I think...even though like Jon says you can read + discover all the same things online, the formatting of the catalog makes you compare pens and brands you wouldn't otherwise compare, and sort of makes the whole racket feel more official.
April 6th, 2021, 10:16 AM
penwash

Re: Pen Catalogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by fountainpenkid

I get the FPH catalog every season I think...even though like Jon says you can read + discover all the same things online, the formatting of the catalog makes you compare pens and brands you wouldn't otherwise compare, and sort of makes the whole racket feel more official.

Thank you, Will. You've articulated perfectly why I enjoy these paper catalogs.
April 11th, 2021, 11:55 PM
Bisquitlips

Re: Pen Catalogs

I receive the Farhney's and the FPH catalogs, but frankly just flip through them and recycle.

Their websites have the exact catalog you can flip through online if you would like. Much less trouble.

I think I will go out and remove myself from their mail list.
April 12th, 2021, 01:18 PM
Brilliant Bill

Re: Pen Catalogs

At least once each year, FPH sends me their gorgeous, four-color (maybe five-color!) catalog. Every time I cut out the mailing label and send it back to them instructing them to remove me from their mailing list. Next year I get another catalog. And every time I think about the Seinfeld episode where Kramer tries to stop his mail because of the incessant catalog mailings.

The FPH catalog is great for those who need it, but I do everything online. Frankly, it makes me feel guilty even to dump it into a recycling bin. I wish they would stop.
April 12th, 2021, 04:10 PM
kaliuzhkin

Re: Pen Catalogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazoolaw

Quote:

Originally Posted by penwash

Quote:

Originally Posted by FredRydr

Fountain Pen Hospital got my address from a pen show purchase, and Montblanc got my address from purchases at the (now closed) boutique. Both used to mail catalogues to me until they dropped my name from their mailing lists. I don't keep catalogues.

Is the FPH catalog similar to Fahrney's?

I don't want Montblanc catalog because they just sell one brand.

FPH has an annual paper catalog with listings from many pen manufacturers, an ink section, and miscellaneous accessories. I've saved mine going back 10+ years as reference material. Over that time the annual catalogs have steadily shrunk. FPH also sends out smaller seasonal(?) catalogs with a narrower focus.

Fahrney's sends out catalogs intermittently. I don't remember an annual catalog. The intermittent catalogs are similar in size and scope to FPH's.

The FPH annual catalog is a resource. It has an index and covers many items, including paper, ink and other accessories. Last year's was 82 pages. I place it high on the drool spectrum.

In contrast, the seasonal catalogs are small and don't have indices. A recent one was 35 pages.

Fahrney's doesn't have an annual, thorough catalog. All you can get are the seasonal ones, with the same limitations as FPH's.
April 13th, 2021, 11:59 AM
Detman101

Re: Pen Catalogs

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyIvan

GoldSpot Pens sends out a catalog that borders on a magazine around the holidays. It's a good resource for those new to the hobby.

yes indeed!
I receive one of those catalogs every time I order from them. I've gotten at least 3 or 4 this month.
I'll mail them off to various friends next month and spread the addiction.
April 13th, 2021, 06:04 PM
TFarnon

Re: Pen Catalogs

I get the Goldspot, Fahrney's and Fountain Pen Hospital catalogs both when I order something and at periodic intervals. Yes, I know I can ooogle all the pens online, but I love getting "pen porn" in the mail, just as I love getting plant/flower catalogs in the mail ("flower porn"). Even if I'm not buying either, I like being able to sprawl on the couch in my jammies and turn pages.
April 13th, 2021, 07:31 PM
Detman101

Re: Pen Catalogs

Physical catalogs are safer to read in the bathroom too...if you know what I mean.
:p
April 18th, 2021, 08:35 PM
guyy

Re: Pen Catalogs

The FPH catalog came in the mail recently. I think i put it in the recycling immediately. I guess it could be a useful reference, but modern pens are outside my main interest and there’s only so much room here.