Northern Pen Show (Sun 26th April)

This year's Northern Pen Show has been arranged for Sunday 26th April 2009 at the Clifton Arms Hotel, West Beach, Lytham St Annes, England. The show is a great opportunity for pen collectors and writing enthusiasts to see a good mix of vintage/rare as well as modern writing instruments from a wide variety of vendors. Included in the day's activities will be calligraphy demonstrations as well as opportunities to ask questions of the experts who will be present, and to trade pens and writing-related items and accessories. See the Northern Pen Show website for further information.

The previous day, Saturday 25th April, will also see this year's sponsor, Gerrards Auctioneers (St Georges Road, St Annes, Lancashire, FY8 2AE), holding their Writing Equipment and Ephemera Sale, which will also include fountain pens and desk accessories. This starts at 12pm noon. Enquiries by telephone can be directed to 01253 725476.

The most exclusive, valuable writing instrument in the world

Aurora Diamante ... the most exclusive, valuable writing instrument in the world.

The only pen in the world known to contain over 30 carats of diamonds, this masterpiece is created by Aurora, the oldest and most prestigious fountain pen manufacturer in Italy. An exquisite diamond cabochon crowns nearly two thousand "4 C" certified De Beers diamonds on a two hectogram solid platinum barrel.

With only one such Diamante pen available each year, and with a price tag around €1 Million Euros, Aurora have created what may well be the most exclusive, valuable writing instrument available in the world.

Click here for further information on the Aurora Diamante fountain pen limited edition.

Pen of the Year 2008

The Pen of the Year 2008 by Graf von Faber-Castell is a unique limited edition fountain pen, in magnum size, which incorporates the world's smallest herringbone pattern (parquet) of no less than 84 individually cut pieces of carefully-selected satinwood. Due to the naturally varying wood grain and colouring, no two fountain pens are the same and the craftsmanship is simply incredible. There is a chessboard-faceted citrine gemstone mounted in the end-cap, the metal fittings are platinum-plated and the nib is of bi-colour gold which has been largely hand-finished including a final 'running in' stage common to all fountain pen nibs in the Graf von Faber-Castell range. Medium, fine or broad widths available.

The edition is limited to manufacture during the year 2008 and, if all previous years are anything to go by, these delicious writing instruments are likely to sell out completely soon after the year end.

Owners may register their purchase with Faber-Castell for a professional clean and check which is completely free (correct at time of writing).

Each of these limited edition fountain pens is individually numbered and comes in an exclusive wooden case which includes a beautifully designed brochure plus authentication certificate bearing the personal signature of Count Faber-Castell.

More details on the Pen of the Year 2008 by Graf von Faber-Castell here.

National Handwriting Day (U.S.A.)

Today (23 Jan) is National Handwriting Day if you live in the U.S. This is the day to pick up a writing instrument and get writing, rather than clicking away at your keyboard (now... if only I could blog without using one of those!). With a traditional fountain pen in your hand, you can rekindle the sometimes lost art and true creativity of handwriting. So, if you haven't written a poem lately, updated your journal for a while or started that book yet, today is the day to get begin!

So, why January 23rd? Well, apparently, it's because today is the birthday of a certain Mr. John Hancock .... and his is the large, bold signature on the Declaration of Independence. The date was chosen back in 1977 by The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA).