The first book designed to supplement and support the fast-growing fountain pen collectibles hobby. Provides historical information, detailed item descriptions, and values for a wide variety of desk accessories -- a category not covered in other books focused on writing implements.
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It's not just what you write, it's what you write it with. In a world where e-mailing and word processing are the new norm, nostalgia for fountain pens, inkwells, and other erstwhile desk accessories is on the rise. What's more satisfactory--signing a letter with a Bic or a black rubber gold-nibbed 1950s Parker Duofold? For lovers of pen and ink, The Write Stuff is an informative book on the history of ink and ink containers, pen making, and collecting.
Filled with black-and-white photographs and illustrated advertisements (plus a 31-page full-color section), The Write Stuff takes us through the advent of the writing trade up to the rediscovery of the fountain pen in the 1980s. Beginning with Egyptian scribes and lasting until the Middle Ages, inkwells were plain and serviceable and pens made from reeds or feathers. With the Renaissance, inkwells became ornate and were often made of precious metals or delicate porcelain (for the most part, only the wealthy could read and write). The steel pen debuted in the mid-1700s, and not until the 20th century did fountain pens, which are now sought-after collectibles, appear. Inkwells and desk accessories are often of more value than fountain pens, but the pens invoke a fond sentiment for less-hurried times--and these days, represent style, prestige, and power.
Written by Ray and Bevy Jaegers, longtime pen and inkwell collectors, The Write Stuff tends to focus more on the history of the inkwells, pens, and their makers than on how to collect or on the going rate for these collectibles. But they do make you want to push that keyboard aside and reach for a thick sheet of combed cotton paper, a cut crystal inkwell, and a white goose quill. --Dana Van Nest
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful Reference For "Writing Stuff" Collectors !,
This review is from: The Write Stuff: A Collector's Guide to Inkwells, Fountain Pens, and Desk Accessories (Paperback)
This brand new (2000) 208 page softbound volume contains more than 200 full color and 300 black and white very large, sharp photos of every type of writing tool and desk accessory. In addition to the great photos, there is plenty of detailed information about the various collectibles. Topics range from: history of ink and ink containers; stone to shell-inkwell materials; inkwell designs and motifs; history of pens; to collecting pens; advertisintg item;, and restoration and repair tips. Plenty of valuable data for the collector. There are pen ads, and year 2000 values. Pen collectors will be interested in the history provided, which takes you from quill pens to the ballpoint, and back to the old nib-style pens. There is an interesting chapter on the major fountain pen makers. Well worth adding to your collectibles library.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A very good introduction, but no more than that,
By Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Write Stuff: A Collector's Guide to Inkwells, Fountain Pens, and Desk Accessories (Paperback)
This large and attractive book is a 199-page (not including table of contents, etc.) history of everything that covers the desk: from pens and inkwells to paperclips, paperweights and bookends. The highpoint of the book is definitely chapter 9, which gives tips on the repair and restoration of such items for the collector. Along the way, the reader is treated to numerous black-and-white pictures, and even 32 pages of color pictures!This book is an excellent gift for someone who is interested in taking up the hobby of collecting desk accessories. However, as it is only intended as an introduction, it does not have any real depth. If you are hoping to use this book to help you understand the items you already have, then you will be disappointed (as I was). But, if you want this book for the introduction that it is, you will enjoy it.
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