Customer Reviews

The Chronicle of the Fountain Pen: Stories Within a Story

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book has a lot of very nice pictures; it is a proof of an excellent taste of the authors who are apparently collectors themselves.

The text, however, was rather disappointing, especially in relation to the claim the authors hold:

"Other books have addressed the history and development of fountain pens, typically, looking at the evolution of individual manufacturers. That approach, however, leaves out two important aspects: the interaction between manufacturers and influences world events had on their designs.
The whole history of the fountain pen is told as a sequence of small stories about the main events."

The simple listing of some historical events does not give any information about the "interaction" between the different competing companies, let alone a socio-economic or cultural history that puts the design and technology development in the pen industry into context.

The charts that should ensure a chronical overview are rather confusing, as they are organised year by year.

The book has its merits. Had in been advertised for what it is - an impressive collection of pen models with some history on the pen industry - I would not have been frustrated and would most likely have bought the book as well. But the promise of the book - to put the pen industry into its historical context - was not fulfilled at all. Andrew Lambrou's book is still the benchmark in this respect. The timetable in Juan Manuel Clark's book (published by Flammarion) might be much more superficial. But the book does not claim more than presenting collectible fountain pens - which it does, nicely organised according to periods, again more superficial than Lambrou's structure. But it does not matter: You get what is promised. You can take it or leave it.

I found this an excellent book on fountain pens. It is more than a collection of great photos because it put in prespective pens of the same age, leting the reader whith an overview of competition bettwen brands.
Another positiv aspect of it, is the presence of lesser known brands.
Due to the nature of the book it is not the easyest for identifying that pen that you just bougth!

This book is a plus in any collections of "aficionados" of pens,and as a good price.The paper and the photos quality are excellent!!!

An impressively presented and organized 352-page compendium of information and images, "The Chronicle Of The Fountain Pen: Stories Within A Story" is the collaborative work of Joao Pavao Martins, Luiz Leite, and Antonio Gagean, beautifully showcasing more than 3000 fountain pens. Fully illustrated with 606 full color photographs (with competing models of pens side-by-side revealing both their similarities and their differences), "The Chronicle Of The Fountain Pen" features a timeline of the main events in the world along with the fountain pen models introduced by various manufacturers at the end of each chronologically organized chapter. Here in a single volume is the entire history of the fountain pen from 1865 through 2005, along with small vignettes about them and the uses to which they were put in world history. Enhanced with the inclusion of a chapter on 'Sources of Information', a Price Guide, and a comprehensive Index, "The Chronicle Of The Fountain Pen" is a seminal work of distinguished excellence and a prize addition to any personal, university, or community library collection.

I bought one book and you charged my VISA Card with 3 (!!!) equal books. It's a shame!