A lot has been going on this last week and I’m not terribly great at telling a story, so I’ll just jump right in. 🙂
The Arkansas pen show was Friday and saturday. I only had a couple of pens with me, but lots of parts and pieces, wraps that my wife made, and boxes that my friend Jere made. I was set up for show and tell and had a great time with it. I got a commission and sold a few wraps and a box. I also had 10 Vanness 75th Anniversary pens to show off.
I also picked up some really cool pencils. I found an old 1920s Wahl, a 1920s Sheaffer, and a huge box of old pencils I picked up for my classroom. Sure, the erasers are hard as rocks, but they draw just fine. 🙂 I also found a couple cool nibs. One lucky curve nib still in the section with feed in great shape and a Lamy 2000 broad nib. I thought that was pretty cool.
We also got to see a very interesting and TINY little pen. Henry Simpole brought along a Waterman’s 00 (or Doll?) safety pen. Can’t remember the name exactly. Whatever the name, there are not too many of those around. Looked even smaller in Andrew’s hands!
I talked with several people about my scholarship, too. March first was the deadline for this years scholarship and I received 27 applications. I’m very grateful to the people who have volunteered to help read through them all and help pick the recipients. I’m hoping to raise some more money this year before graduation so that we’re able to help more kids with their college expenses.
Thanks for reading, and thanks to all who have helped support this work. 🙂
Hi — every time I read your postings about scholarships, I mean to ask: are you only willing to auction pen-related items? (Perfectly laudable and wonderful, understand…) I ask simply because I might have some random items (glad to donate). I know this probably sounds loony. Credential-wise, I’m a journalist and have written about FPs and Brian Gray and Edison Pens.