Getting Started in the Hobby of Collecting Vintage Fountain Pens
Starting in the late 1800s, fountain pens became the writing instrument of choice. This is considered to be the golden age for the fountain pen. By World War II however, the fountain pen was generally being replaced by the ballpoint pen.
During this time there were an extraordinary number of styles introduced by various manufacturers. The fountain pen was improved in many ways and there were lots of innovations during this time. It's no wonder that today many of what we refer to as "vintage" or "antique" fountain pens were created during this period. As well as being functional some of these antique fountain pens are so beautifully crafted that they can also serve as miniature works of art.
Many types and styles of fountain pens are still manufactured to this day and they are still in demand as practical writing instruments. However, vintage fountain pens are normally thought to be those manufactured to prior to 1965. Vintage fountain pen collecting is a past time that many people have fun with. There are an amazing variety of pens available, enough to satisfy the most avid collector.
If collecting vintage fountain pens is a hobby that interests you then you can get started very easily. Throughout the United States there are vintage fountain pen shows held in or close to large cities. If you are fortunate enough to live in an area where you can take advantage of an antique pen show then you will have the chance to look at thousands of vintage fountain pens and talk to other collectors.
You could also just go on eBay and randomly start buying pens that appeal to you. Just like with used cars, however, different pens have varying values depending on the model, manufacturer, and condition. While you would rapidly build up a pen collection this way, some knowledge about what you're buying is essential.
There are some fountain pen guides which you can use to teach yourself what is a smart decision when buying a vintage fountain pen. If you are truly interested in collecting vintage fountain pens then you may wish to buy several reference books for your own use. However, if you are just getting started and are unsure whether this is something that you really are interested in the chances are very good that your public library has or can get reference books for you.
For new collectors, an excellent book is "Fountain Pens Past & Present". This was written by Paul Erano and will help you identify and evaluate vintage fountain pens.
This is considered by many vintage fountain pen collectors to be a very comprehensive book about how to collect vintage pens. There are many color photos and also vintage fountain pen ads. It has lots of different and valuable information, and reviews how to find vintage fountain pens and restore them. It also covers the basics for how to value pens. Of course the actual values for specific pens change over time. However this book is a good guide to determining the relative value of different vintage pens. If you are truly interested in collecting antique pens as a hobby, this is an excellent book to add to your collection.
The original brochures published by the pen manufacturers can also be valuable collectibles. If you are more interested in details about the pen then the brochure as a collectible, you can often buy a PDF (electronic) copy which will give you the details of you want without paying the price for an actual collectible.
eBay is an excellent place to find vintage fountain pens. At any one time there usually are over 1000 auctions going on for antique pens. If you are apprehensive about buying on eBay and see our article on How To Safely Buy Vintage Fountain Pens on eBay.
In general, when competing in an eBay auction, keep in mind that there are other people who want the same pen that you do. They may be willing to pay more than the pen is worth. To avoid this you should always do your research, determine the approximate value for the pen, set your personal limit as to the amount you are willing to pay, and stick to that.
The good news is that there are always new auctions for antique fountain pens starting on eBay. If you lose the competition for one pen, the chances are very good that a pen similar to it will be up for auction again soon. So good luck and keep bidding!
You can begin your search by clicking on some of the links to various manufacturers on the left side of this page.