The Chronicle of the Fountain Pen is currently my only fountain pen book - it contained a picture of a rare pen someone else was asking about (yellow ripple Mabie Todd) and I found the timelines made it very interesting to just read.
This is a book I enjoy, because it covers more than just 20th-century fountain pens. Yes, the author is the same as the Marshall-Oldfield repair book.
I bought Jim Marshall's 4th edition from him at the Ohio Pen Show, and he told me it was his last copy.
Although Richard Binder does update things from time to time, I really need to tie it down and get a paper copy. After all, the internet is ephemeral, and one day I will try going to his website and it just won't be there.
Deb (March 22nd, 2020)
I have no doubt that will be an excellent book, Fred. Doesn't seem to be available anywhere. Waterstones prices it at £60 but doesn't have a copy.
I bought that one from Jim at a pen show some time ago. It is copyrighted 2014. ISBN No. 978-0-9927670-0-6. Only 300 copies, with profits going to Cumbrian Cerebral Palsy. It was printed by H&H Reeds Printers in Penrith, www.hhreedsprinters.co.uk. Perhaps they have a couple copies laying around.
Deb (March 22nd, 2020)
I purchased a copy from Jim in LA a couple years ago and he signed it as well. What a nice man and this book is the perfect book to pick up occasionally and just browse. One of the interesting corners he goes into is the history of pen collecting and the relatively recent timeline. Good stuff.
"When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."
~ Benjamin Franklin
This is going to be an expensive thread - I'm making a list of these books to find and buy.
Deb (March 22nd, 2020)
Oh, they can definitely be expensive because almost all of them are limited run pressings, and can fetch a high price even when new. Jim Marshall has never sold his books as high-priced 'boutique' items, something that can't be said for other.... ahem, noted authors. Nonetheless, they are great resources that have yet to be duplicated online. The wealth of large format, great pen photos combined with in-depth writing is something I have a very hard time resisting!
And the "Chronicle" book that Deb posted? That got mentioned in another thread last year and I *had* to track down a copy. What a massively interesting book, and again, great pen photos.
Shit, I think I'm going to spend some downtime reading today!
"When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."
~ Benjamin Franklin
Deb (March 22nd, 2020)
The last time I saw him was at a pen show, he had a huge collection of vintage rod stock, they were about 5 -6 feet long. I had gone to the show on a Norton but I was still thinking, could I tuck the rods under my arm for the journey home. I decided I would look like Sir Lancelot going into battle and so I gave them a miss.
Deb (March 22nd, 2020), Jon Szanto (March 22nd, 2020)
This book, Waterman Past and Present, The First Six Decades, makes me sad. When it was known to be in production there was much excited anticipation. Max Davis, with all his long and encyclopaedic knowledge of Waterman, should have brought us the ultimate Waterman book. Instead, we have this.
What's wrong with it? Essentially it's a coffee table book. The many photographs of Waterman pens vary from average to very good but for the most part that's all it is: photographs. The two-page introduction brings us nothing new. The same is true of the other brief scraps of text throughout the book.
It can be useful for identifying some Waterman pens but it is hardly a good coverage of this hugely important marque. It is to be hoped that someone will go ahead and bring out the real Waterman book one day.
christof (April 2nd, 2020)
Jon Szanto (March 22nd, 2020)
Last edited by Fermata; March 22nd, 2020 at 02:20 PM.
Deb (March 22nd, 2020)
Deb (March 22nd, 2020)
Deb (March 22nd, 2020)
You do realize, of course, that this thread will drive up the price of this book.
Deb (March 22nd, 2020), Jon Szanto (March 22nd, 2020)
"When Men differ in Opinion, both Sides ought equally to have the Advantage of being heard by the Publick;
and that when Truth and Error have fair Play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter."
~ Benjamin Franklin
The Marshall and Oldfield repair book 4th edition seems to be available on Laurence Oldfields website at £30 ($50)
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