Fountain Pens: My Collection

My fountain pen collection tends toward smaller-sized pens which are generally no longer than 5"/130mm capped. While most of my pens are a great deal smaller than 5", there are a couple of exceptions - primarily for Sheaffer Snorkels.
I prefer celluloid or resin to metal, bright or unusual colours to patterns - and Extra Fine nibs. (But I will sometimes overlook the nib size if I find a pen with very appealing overall style or construction.)

Updated: 06.08.2009

(Pictures below!)

MODERN PENS:

• Aurora
  Optima Mini, Bordeaux. 14K XF Stub².
  Fuoco Aurea Minima LE, Red Marble. 18K EF.
  Sole Aurea Minima LE, Yellow Marble. 18K EF.
  
• Bexley
  Simplicity 2007 FPN LE, Blue Cracked Ice. Steel F.
  
• Danitrio
  Takumi "Mt. Fuji" Maki-e. 14K Flexy XXXF Needlepoint³.
  
• Duke
  Mini Torpedo, Black. Steel/14K F. (x2)
  Chaplin, Black. Steel/22K M.
  
• Guider Pen Works
  Celluloid Eyedropper, Mandarin Yellow. Steel F.
  Acrylic Eyedropper Small, Rose. Steel F.
  Ebonite Eyedropper Medium, Olive. Steel F.
  Devika, Ebonite Eyedropper Mini. Steel F. (x2)
  
• Hero
  329. Steel F. (x2)
  
• Jean Pierre Lépine
  Attila, Champagne. Steel 0.3 Stub¹.
  Indigo Murano, Orange. Steel XXXF Needlepoint¹.
  
• Lamy
  ABC Pen & Pencil Set. Steel F. (x2)
  Lady, Rosenthal Porcelain. 14K 0.4 Cursive Italic¹.
  
• Montegrappa
  Micra, Orange Marble. 18K XXXF Needlepoint¹.
  
• Nakaya
  Cigar Piccolo, Chinkin Nuri-hanashi Shu Palmet 14K SEF.
  Cigar Piccolo, Kuro-Tamenuri Urushi. 14K EF.
  Cigar Piccolo, Olive Green Urushi. 14K Elastic SEF.
  
• Omas
  Dama, Pearl Grey. 18K EF.
  Princess, Blue La Royale. 18K XXXXF Super-Needlepoint¹.
  Princess, Saft Green. 18K 0.3 Cursive Italic¹.
  Princess, Scarlet Red. 18K XXXF Needlepoint¹.
  Princess, Scarlet Red. 18K EF.
  Princess, Senape (Saffron) Blue. 18K 0.3 Cursive Italic³.
  Princess, Arco Green. 18K XXF⁴.
  
• Parker
  Vector, Stainless Steel. Steel F.
  Vector, Matte Black Anodized. Steel F.
  
• Pelikan
  M200, Yellow "Citroenpers" SE. 14K EF.
  M201 (Asia), Clear Transparent. 14K XXXF Needlepoint¹.
  M250, Bordeaux. 14K EF.
  Souverän M300, Green-Black. 14K 0.3 Crisp Italic¹.
  Souverän M400, Tortoise-White. 14K 0.3 Stub¹.
  Souverän M400, Tortoise-Dark Brown "Kaufhof" SE. 14K 0.3 Cursive Italic⁴.
  Souverän M450, Tortoise-Vermeil. 18K EF.
  M640, "Polar Lights" SE. 18K XXXF Needlepoint¹.
  
• Pilot
  78G, Steel F.
  Capless Décimo, Pearl White. 18K F.
  Cashew Urushi, Gold Dust & Dark Green. 18K F.
  Custom 98, Deep Yellow. 14K EF.
  Desk Pen DPP-100, Steel EF.
  Etched Floral, Stainless Steel & Green-Gold Lacquer. 18K F.
  Elite Short, Floral White. 18K F Script.
  Elite Silver, Rolled Sterling Silver. 18K F Script.
  Legno 89s, Deep Red. 14K F.
  "L", Red Shimmer. 14K F.
  MYU 701, Stainless Steel. F. (H674)
  MYU 701, Stainless Steel. F. (H777)
  MYU M90, Stainless Steel. F.
  Penko Mini, White. Steel F.
  Prera, Lime Green. Steel F.
  Red Stripe, Red & White. 14K F.
  
• Platinum
  Carbon (Desk) Pen, Black. Steel EF.
  Floral Relief / Karakusa, Gold. 18K F.
  Fluted, Floral Band. 18K F.
  Short, Clover Motif. 18K Semi-Flex F.
  Short, Deep Red Gold Sparkle 18K F.
  Stainless Steel, Black Squares. 18K F. (x2)
  Riviere, Sterling Silver, Ceramic Inlay. 14K F.
  Sterling Silver, Cashew Urushi. 18K F.
  Sterling Silver, Vermeil Relief. 18K F.
  (Original) Zogan, Gold Inlay, Black. 18K F.
  
• Rotring
  Core, Red Balium. Steel XS.
  
• Sailor
  1911 LE, "Hanshin Tigers", White-Black Stripes, 21K M. (77 pieces)
  1911M, Red. 14K EF.
  Chalana, Stainless Steel. 14K EF.
  Charmer, Silver Pink. Steel F.
  Ink Pen, Black. Steel F Stub.
  Manga/Comics (Desk) Pen, Green. Steel EF.
  Mini Flighter, Stainless Steel. Steel F. (x2)
  Professional Gear Slim, Black. 14K EF.
  Pro Gear Slim SE, Spring White. 14K F.
  Pro Gear Slim SE, Spring Orange. 14K F.
  Pro Gear Slim LE, "Hougado Brown", Demonstrator. 14K EF.
  Pro Gear Slim LE, "Hougado Green", Demonstrator. 14K EF.
  Pro Gear Slim Mini, Black. 14K EF.
  Pro Gear Slim Mini, Yellow. 14K EF.
  Pro Gear Slim Mini SE, "Morita Original", Turquoise. 14K F.
  Pro Gear Slim Mini LE, "Snow White", White. 14K EF. (100 pieces)
  Pro Gear Mini LE, "Naginata", Bordeaux. 21K MF Naginata.
  Pro Gear SE, Dark Metallic Red. 21K F.
  Pro Gear LE, "Dandelion", Yellow Demonstrator. 21K M. (50 pieces)
  Pro Gear LE, "KAN", Scarlet. 21K EF.
  Pro Gear LE, White with Pink Gold. 21K EF.
  Pro Gear LE, "Bunzo", Smoke Green. 21K EF. (25 pieces)
  Pro Gear LE, "Ujuku", Mandarin Yellow. 21K F. (100 pieces)
  Silver Fluted, Sterling Silver & Pink. 18K F.
  Silver Fluted, Sterling Silver & White. 18K F.
  "21" Short, Pink. 21K EF.
  Short, Steel, Chequered Band. 14K F.
  Short, Steel, Brushed. 18K WG F.
  Short, Steel, Black Stripes. 18K WG F.
  *RARE* Short, Steel, Arabesque Floral. 18K WG F. (Image)
  *RARE* Short, Steel, Egyptian Hieroglyphs. 18K WG F. (Image)
  
• Sheaffer
  'For the Doll' Ringtop, Orange. Steel F.
  
• Uranus
  NJF, Tortoise Lacquer. Steel F.
  
• Visconti
  Viscontina, Dark Green / Vermeil. 18K M.
  
• Waterman
  Laureat, Red-Gold. Steel M.
  Lady Charlotte, Orange. Steel F.
  Watermina Set, Rust Red. 18K B.
  
• WTM Pens
  El Toro, Macassar Ebony. Steel XF.

¹ Richard Binder Nib Modification
² Other Nib Modification
³ Deb Kinney Nib Modification
⁴ Dillon Ang Nib Modification

VINTAGE PENS:

• Astura
  Nova, 1930's. Green Marble Celluloid. Button. 14K XF.
• Duchessa (Montegrappa)
  1930's. Pink-Red Celluloid. Button. 14K Flexible F.
  
• Esterbrook
  J Double-Jewel. Red. Lever. 9250 EF Firm / 2550 EF Firm.
  J Double-Jewel. Blue. Lever. 2550 EF Firm.
  SJ Double-Jewel. Grey. Lever. 9128 EF Semi-Flex.
  SJ Double-Jewel. Copper. Lever. 2550 EF Firm.
  № 447 Dipless Desk Set. Black. 9668 F Firm.
  
• Grieshaber
  Baby Grand Ringtop, 1920's. BHR. 14K F.
  
• Kaweco
  *RARE* Toledo, 1923. Lever. 14K A. Morton Left-Oblique M. (Image) (History)
  
• Majestic
  1940's. Green Stripe, Ink Vue. Lever. 14K M.
  
• Melbi (Merz & Krell)
  № 6, ~1920. BHR. Safety. Steel M.
  № 1107, Wartime ~1938. Black Chased Celluoid, BHR. Piston. Palladium M. (Image)
  
• Parker
  "21" 1950's. Black. Aerometric. Steel XF.
  Petite Pastel Ringtop, 1919. Apple Green. Button. 14K Lucky Curve B.
  
• Pelikan
  Graphos, 1940's. Black Bakelite. 12 Nib Set.
  
• Salz
  Peter Pan Ringtop, 1920's. 2.25" Mini. Gold-Filled. Bulb. 14K M.
  Peter Pan Ringtop, 1920's. 2.25" Mini. Amber. Bulb. 14K Stub.
  
• Sheaffer's
  46 Special Short Ringtop, 1925. Black. Lever. 14K XF.
  Autograph, Black. Snorkel. 14K XF. (AU)
  Clipper, Fiesta Red. Snorkel. PdAg A4 Account / XXF.
  Valiant, Black. Solid 14K Gold Snorkel Tube. 14K XF.
  Valiant, Burgundy. Snorkel. 14K XF.
  Valiant, Fern Green. Snorkel. 14K F.
  
• Waterman
  Lady Patricia, 1932. 'Onyx' RHR Section/Feed. Lever. 14K Flexible F.
  № 452½V Ringtop, 1920's. BHR Sterling Overlay. Lever. 14K F.
  

Vintage Japanese Pens:

• Almite
  Wartime 1940's. Aluminium, Gold Trim. Lever. Steel F.
  Wartime 1940's. Aluminium, Nickel Trim. Lever. Steel F.
• Ever
  Unknown 1950's. Ebonite & Resin, Gold Trim. Bulb Filler. Steel XF.
• Pilot
  "R" Vest Pocket, Prewar ~1936. Red Celluloid. Lever. 14K XF.
  № 6, Wartime ~1938. Black-Red Celluloid. Lever. Steel F.
  Super, 1960's. Black. Lever. Steel 'Hardgilt' Flexible XF.
  
• Platinum
  10 Year, ~1950. Ivory Celluloid. Lever. Steel F.
  
• Sailor
  Wartime 1940's. Ebonite, Urushi. Eyedropper. Steel F.
  
• Well
  № 12, ~1938. Ebonite, Black Urushi. Eyedropper. Steel XF.
  Diamond, Wartime 1940's. Ebonite, Urushi. Eyedropper. Steel F.
  
• Yotubisi
  Oversize, ~1955. Ebonite, Red Urushi. Eyedropper. Pladium F.
  

Images: (Click for larger version.)

Italian Celluloid Omas Princess Saft Green, Omas Princess Blue La Royale, Aurora Aurea Sole Minima LE Yellow Marble, Montegrappa Micra Orange Marble.

Nakaya Piccolo Red Black

Nakaya Piccolo Chinkin Palmet

Nakaya Piccolo Olive Green

Miscellaneous Modern Rotring Newton, Duke 2007 Mini, Sailor 1911M, Jean-Pierre Lepine: Attila (2) / Indigo, Montegrappa Micra, Aurora Sole Minima LE.

Miscellaneous Modern Pelikan: M250 / M300 Souveran / M400 Souveran / M201 Demonstrator, Laban Banker (2), Duke Ruby, Parker: 45 Classic / Arrow / Vector (2).

Orange and Green Sailor PG Slim Metallic Dark Green, Montegrappa Micra, Pelikan Souveran M450, Sailor PG Slim Spring Orange.

Miscellaneous Vintage Majestic, Townsend, Parker: Lady Duofold / Petit Pastel, Sheaffer: 46 Special / Jade Junior, Waterman: Lady Patricia / Overlay 452 1/2 V, Grieshaber Baby Grand.

Jean Pierre Lepine Attila Champagne, Indigo Murano Amber, Attila Red.

Parker Ring Tops Lady Duofold Lacquer Red, Petite Pastel Apple Green (Discoloured), Petite Pastel Apple Green (Heavily Discoloured).

Pilot MYU 701

Aurora Mini Optima

OMAS Princess, Scarlet Red x2

Japanese Pens I Platinum Short Clover, Platinum Sterling Urushi, Platinum Stainless, Platinum Sterling Riviere, Pilot Custom 98, Pilot Penko Mini, Sailor Mini.

Japanese Pens II Sailor Chalana, Sailor Eyedropper, Sailor Short Arabesque, Pilot Lever-Fill, Pilot Celluloid, Sailor Sapporo Mini, Platinum Karakusa.

Japanese Pens III Pilot 78G (4), Pilot Custom 98, Pilot MYU 701 (3), Pilot Penko Mini.

Japanese Pens IV Platinum Karakusa BP, Sailor Sapporo, Platinum Sterling Riviere, Platinum Black Squares, Platinum Sterling Red Squares, Platinum Zogan, Pilot Etched Floral, Nakaya Piccolo, Sailor Arabesque.

White Sailor Pro Gears Snow White Mini LE, Spring White Slim, Pink Gold LE

Yellow Sailor Pro Gears Yellow Mini, Ujuku Mandarin Yellow LE, Dandelion LE.

Sailor & Pilot Sailor Arabesque and a pre-war Pilot vest pocket in rich red celluloid.

Sailor Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Danitrio Fujisan

Pen Assortment

Pelikan Souveräns M450 Souveran, M400 Souveran Brown, M400 Souveran White.

Sheaffer's Assortment 1970's: CF School Pen, CF 'For the Doll' Ring Top. 1950's: Snorkel Autograph. 1920's: 46 Special Short Ring Top, Jade Junior.

Sheaffer's Snorkels Black Autograph, Pastel Blue Clipper, Fiesta Red Clipper, Burgundy Valiant, Black Valiant. (Fern Green not shown.)

OMAS Celluloid OMAS Senape (Saffron) Blue Princess, Pearl Grey Dama, Blue La Royale Princess, Saft Green Princess, Scarlet Red Princess.

Small Pens I (Mostly Italian) Sailor Sapporo Mini (4), OMAS Princess (4), Visconti Viscontina, Aurora Mini Optima (3).

Small Pens II Pelikan M400 White-Tortoise, Pelikan M300 Green-Black, Pilot Prera, Pilot Custom 98, Aurora Mini Optima, Pilot Legnos 89s, OMAS Dama, Sailor Sapporo Mini, Sailor Sapporo.

Nibs by Richard Binder

Kaweco Toledo Size Comparison Kaweco Toledo, Sheaffer's Snorkel.

Waterman Audace Purple Link, Midnight Glamour, Ultra Lace, Blossom Kimono, Ethnic Chic, Indian Vibes, Lady Cordoba. (Happy Pop and Enchanted Garden not shown.)

Fountain Pens: My Reviews

This list will be updated as I write Reviews for pens I find of interest - Reviews are generally posted at The Fountain Pen Network.

I use the term Overview for informal, personal comments regarding a pen.

My Reviews:

• Aurora Mini Optima


• Aurora 'Sole Aurea Minima' Limited Edition


• Montegrappa 'Micra'


• Nakaya Urushi Cigar 'Piccolo'


• Pilot MYU 701 (Short Murex)

My Overviews:

• Sailor 1911M

Fountain Pens: My Wish List

Updated: 04.07.2009

Aoyama Myth LE, Sterling with White Ebonite.
Omas Princess, Celluloid Bronze Arco.
Omas Venice Carnivale LE.

My Ink List

If you would like hand-written ink samples, please see my list below and contact me via email. Updated: 23.10.2020

BOTTLED INK

Caran d'Ache

Blue

Saffron

Diamine

Emerald

Umber

Jade Green

Orange

Pink

J. Herbin

Lie de Thé

Poussiere de Lune

Rouge Opera

Vert Olive

Kaweco 

Camel Brown

LAMY

Bronze

Red

Levenger

Fireball

Pinkly

Smokey

Skies of Blue

Always Greener

Blue Bahamas

Montblanc

Bordeaux

Racing Green

Noodler's

Apache Sunset

Nightshade

Saguaro Wine

Tiananmen

FPN Dumas' Tulipe Noire

FPN Galileo Manuscript Brown¹

Russian Authors Pushkin¹

Russian Authors Dostoyevsky¹

Russian Authors Chekhov¹

Golden Brown²

Red Black²

Zhivago²

Parker

Penman Mocha

Penman Ruby

Quink Black (Solv-X)

Pelikan

Brilliant Brown

Edelstein Olivine

Edelstein Tanzanite

Pilot

Ajisai

Asa-Gao

Edo-Murasaki⁴

Fukagawa-Nezu⁴

Fuyu-Gaki

Fuyu-Syogun

Kiri-Same

Momiji

Shin-Ryoku

Syo-Ro

Tsuki-Yo

Tsukushi

Tsutsuji

Yama-Budo

Yama-Guri

Yu-Yake

Security Black³

Platinum

Carbon Black³

Blue Black

Private Reserve

Blue Suede

Burgundy Mist

Copper Burst

Fiesta Red

Shoreline Gold

Avacado

Gray Flannel

Rohrer & Klingner

Alt-Bordeaux

Alt-Goldgrün

Fernambuk

Helianthus

Magenta

Morinda

Salix³ (Iron Gall)

Scabiosa³ (Iron Gall)

Sepia

Smaragdgrün

Solferino

Verdigris

Sailor

Brown

Gray

Red Brown

Yellow Orange

Sakura Mori

Waka-Uguisu

Bunzo Smoke Green⁴

Kiwaguro / Nano Black³

Hougado Deep Rust Black⁴

Hougado Deep Moss Black⁴

Hougado Souseki Uranari Green⁴

Mitsukoshi Dandelion⁴

Stipula

Verde Muschiato

Sheaffer

Skrip Black

Turquoise

King's Gold *

Van Dieman’s

Azure Kingfisher

Black Truffle

Black-tongue Spider Orchid

Blackened Seas

Blonde Bombshell

Cradle Mountain Grey

Eclipse

Elizabeth’s Violet Eyes

Eucalyptus Regnans

Federation Peak

Firetail Finch

Hailstorm

Hanging Lake

Launceston Fog

Leatherwood Honey Amber

Oakwood Brown

Rita Hayworth’s Locks

Sailors Delight

Spotted Sun Orchid

Styx Valley Forest Green

Sweet Fig

Tamar Pinot Wine Red

Tasmania Vine Purple

Tiger Snake

West Coast Sunset Tangerine

¹ Noodler's Eternal / Bulletproof (Waterproof & Permanent) Ink 

² Noodler's Near-Bulletproof Ink 

³ Other Specialty Waterproof Ink 

⁴ Special Edition Ink 

CARTRIDGE INK 

J. Herbin Cacao du Bresil 

J. Herbin Indien Orange 

Montegrappa Bordeaux 

Parker Penman Emerald * 

Parker Penman Mocha * 

Parker Penman Ruby * 

Pelikan Brilliant Green 

Pelikan Light Green * 

Pelikan Pink 

Pelikan Rose-Coloured * 

Pelikan Royal Blue * 

Pelikan Sunflower Yellow * 

Pelikan Umber * 

Pelikan Violet 

Pilot Black 

Pilot Blue 

Platinum Black 

Platinum Blue-Black 

Platinum Red 

Private Reserve Arabian Rose 

Sailor Black 

Sailor Blue 

Sheaffer Blue 

Sheaffer Blue-Black 

Sheaffer Brown 

Sheaffer Burgundy * 

Sheaffer Gray * 

Sheaffer Green 

Sheaffer Jet Black 

Sheaffer Lavender * 

Sheaffer Peacock Blue * 

Sheaffer Red 

Waterman Florida Blue 

* Color is Discontinued

Review: Montegrappa Micra

I wrote a little review today for the Montegrappa Micra, a wonderful little fountain pen I picked up in February. I have also posted this review (complete with many pictures) over at The Fountain Pen Network: Montegrappa Micra

Repairs, Levenger Ink

I sent my Sheaffer Snorkel Autograph and Waterman 452 1/2V fountain pens away to Melbourne Vintage Pens to be serviced today, as each pen needs the filling system repaired. I am hoping the Sheaffer will only be $30 to repair, and the Waterman $25, but the Waterman's lever feels loose to me though, so I hope it has not got a more serious problem.

Several weeks ago, a very kind FPN member offered to act as a 'middleman' in order for me to get a couple of packs of Levenger ink. (Levenger's FedEx shipping rate to Australia was obscene, so I had posted a little rant about it.) I forwarded the money, and this kind soul ordered my ink from Levenger, and worked out postage to Australia. Well, the ink is all packed up ready to be posted and I have paid the final postage amount, so I should be receiving a "Slightly Wild" six-pack in a couple of weeks! I've very excited - I have been dying to try the Fireball ink!

Won a Sheaffer Autograph

I won an Australian Sheaffer today, but I don't know much about it. I think it might be a Sheaffer Snorkel Autograph. I'm not to sure on the Snorkel part, for all I know, it may be some kind of Triumph, although it does look too long and too slim for that. Perhaps it is a TM Touchdown? At any rate, it is a White Dot Sheaffer with a two-tone 14K Triumph nib, a 14K cap clip and 14K wide cap band:


I have been reading a bit about Sheaffer's on PenHero.com, but I do not know if the information applies to the Australian Sheaffer company. I guess it's fairly safe to say the pen is from the 1950's. I have read that the Snorkel may have been manufactured in Australia until 1962, but again, I don't know yet if this pen is a Touchdown or a Snorkel.

I'm really looking forward to getting this Sheaffer. However, I think maybe that I paid a little too much for this pen - it was $58US. If it needs $50 worth of work, I won't be happy. A big plus is that the nib seems fine, and more importantly, the pen has *not* been autographed - the cap band is clean. It seems like it is in good 'user' condition, but I have no information about what the condition of the filling system may be like... fingers crossed that it will be fine.