I have just seen the announcement of this sad news: noted penman Gary Lehrer has passed away. David Isasscon posted a very fitting, fine tribute in his Facebook FP group:
I fear I have some very sad news to share. Hobby stalwart, indeed icon, Gary Lehrer passed away today while on vacation in St Martin. I was just alerted with a request to post the news from fellow doc and pen friend Lynn Morris, who was close to Gary. I wish the news had been different. Apparently Gary suddenly took ill and passed within a day of hospitalization.
This group was founded in no small part on celebrating and honoring life events for the people of pendom. Mourning indeed is a part of that. This news was not easy to absorb or to share.
Gary was a gracious and knowledgeable collector, who had huge impact on the hobby and on collectors. He always had time for those new to the game, and I recall the time he spent offering me advice when I was just starting. His quarterly pen catalogue was a premier presentation of quality collectable old pens for decades. Having played a bit myself at selling pens for twenty years, I truly remain in awe of his organizational skills and of the remarkable pens he sold. The shtufff he handled was lengendary.
Collectable pendom has suffered a huge blow. I offer condolences to Myrna, to all his family, and to the innumerable friends and customers whose lives were touched by him.
Rest in peace, Gary.
ETA - 01/07/22: One of the Pentrace members posted a link to a really nice article on Gary and his life with pens. I'm amending this post to include it now.
Gary Lehrer and the Art of Collecting Fountain Pens
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