T.
Michael Weddle
I'm
T. Michael Weddle (Mike) of Columbus, Ohio. I am a retired
elementary school teacher. I retired in 1997 after 31 years
in the classroom. The Ohio State University is my Alma Mater
- B.S. and M.A. degrees.
My wife
is also a retired teacher - we have three mostly grown (or
is that groan?) children.
Since
retiring I have been a volunteer tour guide at the Ohio
State House - sometimes dressed in 1860s garb - as I am
also a Civil War civilian re-enactor - a professor who goes
to the camps to be of service and write letters for the
less literate soldiers. I have a sign that read "Letters
Read and Written". When a wag commented on how could
those who need my services tell what it said - someone replied
that the clients of the mortician can't read his sign either
but they get there just the same!
Since
October 2001, I have a part time job - one that is typical
for an old school master - I work at the circulation desk
of my local library - a fine institution and the work place
of at least three pen people. This goes along with my pleasure
reading addiction.
As far
as pens go - I can remember my mother's Sheaffer Triumph
nib from the forties - I now have three - just looking at
that wrap around brings a warm wave of nostalgia. I first
used a fountain pen in 1952 in third grade - I know they
were Sheaffers - could they have been cartridge style then?
I remember using dip pens in school sometime, also. I have
a few dip pens that date back to the middle of the 19th
Century - they go along with my re-enacting persona. Over
the years I really liked FPs and would often use one - in
the seventies and eighties my use of them declined somewhat.
Sometime in the eighties I had the good fortune to get a
very good deal on a Cross Townsend - it is my first high
quality pen. Since then, from one place or another I have
purchased many other pens. I think the time has come to
sell some of the ones that don't appeal to me as much any
more, perhaps I will use the Pentrace Market Place. Currently
my favorite writers are Pelikans - not long ago I broke
down and got the big Souveran 1000. We all seem to be in
that hunt for the perfect modern pen or that elusive bit
of history. On any given day I might have a new pen or a
vintage one in my pocket.
The
snail mail list seems like a good idea. I know I don't have
a chance to use my pens as much as I would like. I'll be
glad to send any tracer a post card that I had made (Using
my CW persona's name) that shows the Ohio Statehouse as
it looked in 1896 - it still looks much the same except
for the skyscrapers as neighbors.
Elizabeth
Jones
After
waving goodbye to my last student each summer, I undertake
a creative project. I have chosen calligraphy, bookbinding,
and greeting cards for 2002. Last year I built an armoire,
so I was looking for something that did not involve heavy
labor and power tools.
One
of my former projects was to paint furniture cast-offs white
for the master bedroom of our new house. I made color copies
of old family letters and decoupaged them to the top of
my parents' old dining room table to make my writing desk.
The two oldest letters, written with dip pens in beautiful
Spencerian script, are dated 1852 and 1862. I write lesson
plans and grade papers every day on top of the letter from
1862. I read it often, thinking about the importance of
letter-writing, and wishing I had beautiful handwriting.
In preparation
for my calligraphy project, I bought a Sheaffer calligrapy
fountain pen set. Shortly thereafter, I received my first
Levenger catalog and promptly ordered Sailor Magellan and
True Writer pens, and bottled inks in Gemstone Green and
Fireball Red. Through Ask Jeeves I found the PenHero bookmarks
site, which led me to the Zoss Pen List for information,
to Pendemonium for stationary and vintage pens, to Vintage
Pens and nibs.com for vintage pens, and Swisher Pens for
modern ones. Now I have 6 vintage pens, 7 modern pens, the
calligrahpy set, and a pen holder with several nibs. Now
I am on the hunt for the perfect flex nib and a special
ringtop pen to wear while I teach.
At work,
I use my fountain pens all day. I have always used colored
inks to categorize correspondence, documentation, and grades.
Fountain pen inks are much more verstaile and unique. My
seven year-old students like to watch me ink the pens, so
now I have ink bottles all over my desk at school, too.
My husband,
Keith is a stockbroker and amateur golfer. According to
my daughter, whom he has consulted on the subject, I have
gone 'round the bend over pens. But there's that trip to
Augusta in a few weeks to attend the Masters-- I figure
a few more pens don't come close to his expenses for that
week! We have a daughter and a geriatric Bichon Frise. I
enjoy reading in my spare time. We are graduates of LSU
and attend many of the football games. Life is good.
Ron
Anderson
I'm
from Oz.- beautiful Port Stephens which is about 30 miles
north of Newcastle.I am 68, retired public servant, married
with three children and three grandchildren.
My
interest in pens began not quite 12 months ago. Something
clicked. Why am I using ball points? I don't have to now
and I believe that in most work situations a fountain
pen could be a work pen. I have found them to be remarkably
fast, smooth and with a more even flow of ink than the
majority of BPs.
I
do remember using some FPs at school and have a couple
of these (recently acquired) in my collection.They are
a Platignum and Conway Stewart from UK and an Australian
Onoto. I have a mixed collection of old and new pens.
So
far I have found the Parkers of all ages, especially the
51, hard to beat for writing capabilities. Just recently
I have come to know the Esterbrooks of the 50s. I find
them attractive with the marbling cap and body. Their
design is simple and functional particularly the facility
to easily change nibs to suit writing style and purpose.
My
other interests include writing, photography and travel.
I
would like to exchange mail with anyone anywhere.
Arvin
Chaikin
Age:
young 73, don't let the number fool you.... Interested primarily
in vintage, some modern pens. Favorite vintage:Chiltons,
69 of them, and a counter top display case. Our total collection
is about 1220 items: pens, mechanical pencils, a few dips,
several desk sets. I don't use them enough as I have a scribbly
handwriting. Maybe the Snail group will entice me, as I'm
looking for excuses to use them.
Other
interests are classical music including guitar, photography,
languages,reading.
We live
in the beautiful Great Northwest.
Arvin
Ron
L. Dutcher
Profession:
Radiologist .. Age :Around 25 (you need a higher understanding
of mathematics to accept that answer)
Primary
pen interest: Pre-Waterman eyedroppers.
I am
a simply doctor, living in Japan. I own my own little orthopedics
clinic that I run with my wife who is one of the top female
Orthopedic surgeons in the country. Actually she may be
the only one now. It is not an easy feat for a woman to
become a doctor at all in Japan.
I've
collected pens for a few years now. At first I only cared
about early overlays, but since I live in Japan I've become
interested in Japans pre-war pens, and I have a budding
collection of these.
