======================================================================== Nib Noise Volume 2 Number 11 ======================================================================== Welcome to Nib Noise. This newsletter is a joint effort of Richard Binder and Don Fluckinger. We hope you'll enjoy reading this month's issue. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Coming Soon: Return of a Classic *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Remember the first pens I ever offered with preground custom nibs? They were Waterman Phileas pens, in green. I’ve ordered a quantity of these excellent inexpensive pens, with nice broad nibs, and I will soon have them available in Red, Green, or Blue, with your choice of 0.8-mm stub or 0.9-mm cursive italic nibs. Watch my site for an announcement of these pens' arrival -- if history is any indication, they'll go fast: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=sale_txt.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** Customized Pelikan M150 Pens -- In Stock with More Choices *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I've replenished my supply of Pelikan M150 pens, and I'm now offering them in burgundy, black, or gray with your choice of customized nib, either 0.9-mm cursive italic or 0.6-mm stub. (Green is temporarily out of stock, but I will be reordering soon!) In case you've never handled an M150, it's a small pen, almost exactly the same size as an Esterbrook SJ. It has a black barrel with a lightly tinted visulated window; the cap, blind cap, and section are all color matched. (I do happen to have one pen with a green barrel and black cap and blind cap; if you want that one, just make a note when you place your order.) Note: M150 pens cannot use M200 nibs. Don't forget my wide selection of customized M200 nibs that will fit all M2xx, M4xx, and M6xx pens (including the M620 City Series, M700 Toledo, and Originals of Their Time limited editions). Check them out: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=sale_txt.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ *** You're late! You're late! For a very important date! *** ------------------------------------------------------------------------ You may not be a White Rabbit, but are you missing appointments because you don't have that 2004 calendar you should have bought last year? Delay no longer; I still have some of my 2004 Sheaffer pen calendars. Each page features a full-color photo of a Sheaffer pen, a witty bit of writing (not mine!), and "mini-months" to help you plan last month's activities (or next month's) at a glance. The calendar is 8-2/1" x 11", and it'll look great on the wall of your den or office. Check out this and all of my other accessories on my Web site: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=acc_txt.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Broad Strokes" by Richard Binder ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There you are, standing in the middle of the floor at a pen show, and you want to buy a vintage pen. You want the *right* vintage pen, and you want it to be a great one. Know what to look for? The newest in my series of articles about pen shows can help. http://www.richardspens.com/?shows=vintage ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Extra Fine Points" by Don Fluckinger ------------------------------------------------------------------------ While we *write* with modern pens frequently, Richard and I both decided, unbeknownst to each other, to actually *own* (different) modern models in the same month -- after swearing off them years ago. http://www.richardspens.com/?page=extrafine/xf0402.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pens for Sale ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I've recently come back from the Philadelphia show and have been deluged with stuff to do, but I've managed to prepare a few pens for you. Please check them out! Pens are graded according to the following condition scale. Within a grade, I use + or - to indicate shades of variation; for example, a pen that is B+ falls into the B grade and shows so little use that it is only marginally not A2. Condition Description    A1 Mint (uninked). Shows no signs of use. A2 Mint (inked). As for A1 but may have been dipped or inked. N New Old Stock (NOS). Unsold dealer or manufacturer stock. Not dipped or inked but may show shop wear. B Excellent. All parts original and showing only very slight signs of use. Very slight surface scratching; very minor discoloration or brassing; crisp imprints; no significant dings. C Fine. All parts original. Some discoloration and brassing; light or worn imprints; small dings to metal or scratching on plastic. D Fair. Some parts possibly not original; significant brassing or discoloration; very worn imprints; dings and scratches. Maybe a good writing pen or usable for parts. Esterbrook ---------- Black SJ, NOS 2550 nib. Condition: B+. Price: $40.00 Blue Dollar Pen, NOS 1555 nib. Condition: B+. Price: $60.00 Uncommon Brown J (not Copper), 9556 nib. Condition: B. Price: $45.00 Red J, 1555 nib. Condition: B. Price: $40.00 Transitional Foliage Green J, 2556 nib. Condition: B. Price: $45.00 Pearl Gray J, 2968 nib. Condition: B. Price: $40.00 Esterbrooks for sale: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=sale_est.htm Parker ------ No new Parkers this month Parkers for sale: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=sale_pkr.htm Sheaffer -------- Fineline pens: 12-pen dealer display card and pens. Condition: N. Price: $600.00 Sheaffers for sale: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=sale_she.htm Other ----- Uncommon Marine Green Eversharp Skyline Demi, GF cap with vertical grooves, rigid F nib. Condition: B. Price: $125.00 Others for sale: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=sale_oth.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the Reader's Corner ------------------------------------------------------------------------ My site's Reader's Corner features a monthly pick, a book that I like and think that you might enjoy, too. I've been rereading all of my pen books, and I've decided to showcase one that was already there instead of trying to come up with something new that might not be as good. This book is central to any fountain pen collector's library: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=acc_txt.htm#readerscorner My monthly pick also appears as a link on my welcome page. ======================================================================== If you received this newsletter from Richard Binder, you are a subscriber. If not, you can subscribe by sending a mail message to richard@richardspens.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, or by clicking on this link: mailto:richard@richardspens.com?subject=SUBSCRIBE To unsubscribe from this newsletter, send a mail message to richard@richardspens.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line, or click on this link: mailto:richard@richardspens.com?subject=UNSUBSCRIBE Note: We will never sell your name or email address. Your privacy is as important to us as it is to you.