Outstanding contributors to the pen hobby
I happened to have a revelation the other day, thinking of all those I know, met or heard about that can be considered as making significant contributions to this small and seemingly insignificant hobby.
Several years ago someone once projected what appeared to be a reasonable number of pen collectors in our hobby at around 100,000 or more world wide. This includes an estimate of those that may be “closet” collectors, quietly going about their business, lurking on web sites and maybe attending shows or reading pen magazines.
Among this tally of collectors you can count a very small number of individuals that have been significant and influential to the 100,000 plus. These people are researchers, authors, pen show promoters and all of them are pen collectors.
In no particular order as they come to mind, friends, acquaintances and authors whose books I treasure …but most significantly
Cliff Lawrence, who single-handed literally started this hobby with his Pen Fancier’s Club which begat every pen club and pen show in existence today.
Malcolm Brian Jones, MBE, WES member, one of the founders of the Pen Room Museum, Birmingham.
Andreas Lambrou with his prolific works including Fountain Pens of the World
David Shepherd, dedicated researcher and author of books on Parker pens and history.
Stuart Schneider & George Fischler, authors of several pen books.
Henry Gostony & Stuart Schneider History of Ballpoint Pens.
Pierre Haury & Jean-Pierre Lacroux, authors of A Passion for Pens.
Henry Simpole, from the UK historian, craftsman and collector
Donald Jackson, author, The Story of Writing, he was the Scribe to Her Majestys Crown at the House of Lords.
Philip Poole, founding member of the Writing Equipment Society.
Arthur Twydle, UK historian, collector and master pen mechanic.
Jim Marshall, historian, prolific author, master pen mechanic
Alexander Crum Ewing, UK historian, author
Toshiya Nakata, Nakaya Fountain Pens – saving & restoring significant craftsmen to the trade.
Bernard Lyn, Danitrio, significant work to revive the art of maki-e
Paul Erano, U.S. author and prolific author in hobby magazines
David L. Moak, for his significant work to publish the history of Mabie Todd
Frank Dubiel, the rascal responsible for people to break open pens and take a look inside.
Bob Tefft and Boris Rice, PCA founders, starting pen clubs and the LA Pen Shows.
Don Lavin, Dan Zazove and Michael Fultz, starting one of the first major U.S. pen shows.
Maryann and Steve Zucker, life long collectors and spirited pen show promoters.
Letizia Jacopini, expert on Italian pens and author of The History of Italian Pens
Paolo Maggi, author Fabulous Fountain pens
Jurgen Dittmer & Martin Lehmann historians and authors of Pelikan Schreibergate
Osman Sumer, expert on German pens and significant repair person
Miroslav Tischler, author and historian on Penkala pens
Thomas Neureither, researcher and work-in-progress author on German pen makers.
This is a short list that comes to mind spontaneously – I am sure you can name a few more who have been significant to the hobby.
Why not give them a big "thank you" today?
© 2008 Len Provisor
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