Customer Reviews

Pens & Pencils: A Collector's Handbook (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)

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Ms Martini, an avid and well known collector has tried to give us a book which is usable and friendly in the amount of color photos - however, there is a paucity of written information and this puts the reader at a loss for learning, further education and good comparisons of writing instruments. This is not a true learning tool but a good shopping guide. The publisher has turned out better books in varied areas so should try to provide a more thorough text in the future - Ms Martini has the skills, knowledge and collection she needs assistance in translation and more word space.

I obtained this book based on the comments on the back. I found the book virtually useless as a resource for Sheaffer or Parker pens. Maybe it's better for Waterman. B&W images of a half dozen or more pens with no direct listing of what they are and no explanation of terms such as Triumph, Aerometric, Vacumatic, Lifetime, Senior Junior, or any other descriptive terms. Terms such as button filler and Jack Knife are used with no clue as to what they are or look like. If you want a book with lots of pictures of pens with their caps on, get this one. If you want a book to help you identify any pens, look elsewhere.

I own several fountain pen books and refer to this particular book more than the others. Though it does not have enough information on some big makers like Shaeffer, it does have good info on others such as Parker and Mont Blanc. There are better books but there are alot more useless reference books. If you had to buy a book to begin your pen collecting hobby, get this one. It is a pretty good reference with a good brief history on some pen makers.

Worth the price of admission if only for the superb table of vintage Pelikan pens, and a fine section on Parker. Regina Martini is an excellent dealer, especially in German pens; her most recent offerings can be found on e-Bay.

Very BASIC book about the hobby of collecting writing instruments. In all honesty, I have no clue where this book now resides as it didn't make it to my "special bookcase" where I keep the more interesting and useful boooks. In retrospect, I wasted my money...just a case of buyer's remorse having nothing to do with the quality of the book's contents. Good Luck to all.........