The Chronicle of the Fountain Pen: Stories Within a Story (Hardcover)

~ Joao Pavao Martins (Author), Luiz Leite (Author), Antonio Gagean (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A beautifully illustrated, well-researched presentation of the evolution of fountain pens, showing how political and social events influenced their designs, the trends in their evolution process, and competition, fights, and mergers among manufacturers. This guide shows more than 3000 fountain pens, in 606 full color photographs, with competing models side-by-side to reveal their similarities and differences. At the end of each chronological organized chapter, a timeline shows the main events in the world together with the models introduced by each manufacturer. 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. Many of the pens shown here have not previously been published in other books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing (April 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764326163
• ISBN-13: 978-0764326165
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,529 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice pen pictures, but the text is debatable, August 18, 2007

By	Dr. Ronald Pohoryles "rpohoryles" (Wien) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A seminal work of distinguished excellence, May 12, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

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.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderfull book, October 29, 2008

By	V. Pisco - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!!!