No, it is not easy being a collector of fountain pens. Sooner or later, one outgrows the fascination of walking into a brick-and-mortar store, or going online to buy the shiny new pens and then the travails begin. Even if one were to discount the mental exertion of living and breathing pens, the act of scouting for, acquiring, identifying, and maintaining these works of art that are a throwback on times past, is, shall we say pen-staking?
I don’t know about the others, but this is what a typical day in my life looks like.
Pick up the pen and chart the day
The first thing that I do in the morning is pick up a fountain pen to write down the things that is propose to accomplish during the day. Not that I end up achieving all that I write, with most of the tasks getting carried over to the next day, but the very pleasure of beginning the lost in thought with a pen in hand, is pleasure incarnate.
Check out the latest acquisition
I also reserve the early morning to go through my latest acquisitions. I somehow believe that a fresh mind is most receptive to enjoying the craftsmanship and elan of the old pens that I crave. The cool morning, before the rat race engulfs the world around me helps me concentrate better. They also allow me to take a step back in time, to try and relive the times that the pen in the hand is representative of.
Travel plans for the next pen show
Pen shows are undoubtedly a big thing in the life of any serious collector and I am no exception. And believe you me, the argument that we constantly have with ourselves is whether to scratch the bottom of the barrel (no pun intended) to visit a show, or use the money to acquire another pen. But planning to visit one takes time, and networking and full dedication. Let us not even get into the travails of organising one.
Answer queries / talk to new converts
When one has spent a few decades nurturing the hobby, one must also bear the responsibility of being a guide to young converts. Eager as they are, they have ink-well full of questions and one must answer them to the best of one’s knowledge and abilities. It takes time, but it is a sheer delight. For one, the enthusiasm that is displayed is infectious, and two, because so often, these conversations end up enlightening one. And fountain pen trivia is what we thrive on.
Visit the friendly, neighborhood pen shop
We all have the friendly neighborhood fountain pen shop, don’t we? The one place where we can spend hours at an end rummaging through everything? Who knows, the grail pen may just be bundled carelessly in some unforgotten cupboard? Besides, we are all crestfallen by the thought of the one that got away, perhaps picked up by a fellow collector before we could make the pilgrimage. And yes, this also includes clicking through the websites of our choice, looking for gems.
The joy of finding a rare pen
And then there is the joy of finding a rare pen. One that warms the cockles of one’s heart. I am listing this one separately as many in our circle of family and friends have been the hapless targets who have been bored silly as we have recounted our adventures leading to these acquisitions.
Clean old pens
The afternoons are mostly spent mending, cleaning, and polishing old pens. The hobby is not merely about hoarding. In fact, it is more about caring and therefore needs a huge amount of time and attention to maintain the collection in a pristine condition, enough to fill the heart with pride. And no. My collection is not meant to induce envy in others. They are mine and mine alone to swoon over.
Doodle / jot down stray thoughts
And this I do throughout the day. I doodle and sketch and write down the stray thoughts that cross my mind. And of, yes. I always carry a fountain pen and a notebook. No, I do not scroll through my phone. I write instead. And often, when my mind goes totally blank, I revisit my Notebook for inspiration. Sometimes they throw up real gems. At the least, they bring the smiles back.
Meeting with Dealers and fellow pilgrims
Meeting fellow collectors is another important part of the journey called collecting. They are often an invaluable source of information, apart from being like-minded individuals who mostly help overcome the ennui, leading one to of good times well spent. I will also include the dealers in this segment as oftentimes these wise men come bearing gifts - treasures from the past that go to enrich the collection and the sense of accomplishment.
More Meetings
I am associated with various initiatives to popularise the fountain pen and inks. I visit educational institutions regularly and give talks that introduce the art of handwriting to the young. I also have to talk to the media to answer their queries about the advantages of using fountain pens and how they offer the most sustainable writing option. Often, manufacturers 0 both from India and abroad want my opinion about new launches, which too takes some time.