Pen Collectors of America (USA): One of the oldest and largest collector organizations, the PCA publishes The PENnant three times per year. Vintage pens are the focus here, with solidly researched original articles. Perhaps the greatest benefit of PCA membership, however, is one that most members pass by: the opportunity to order photocopies of old catalogs, advertisements, repair manuals, in-house journals, and other original literature from the Reference Library , an unparalleled storehouse of information. For more, including a selection of articles, visit the PCA website .
Writing Equipment Society (UK): Fountain pens are only a part of this group's interests. The Journal of the WES is published three times per year. Meetings are held several times each year, mostly in or near London. One can now join online and pay membership dues by Paypal -- a real boon for overseas members. Note, however, that the WES still does not send out reminders when memberships are due to expire! For further information, see their website .
Writing Equipment Society of Australia: Their website is now down; not sure if they are still a going concern.
Israel Pen Club: Another organization that would still appear to be active, but no more website..
Club Internazionale della Stilografica Armando Simoni (Italy): OMAS's own collector's club. Emphasis is on modern OMAS products and limited editions. For further info, see their website .
Accademia Italiana della Penna Stilografica (Italy): The largest pen collecting organization in Italy, the Accademia once organized shows and informal meetings, and published a fine quarterly magazine, Stilomania . Unfortunately, the Accademia has been in a state of suspended animation for the last several years; the website (in English) is still up, however, and contains much useful information on Italian vintage pens, including a series of original articles by the club secretary, Letizia Jacopini.
In addition to the above, there are a number of other national, regional, and local clubs, many of which have regularly scheduled meetings. Further information can usually be found online or through the larger national organizations.
You may find mention in older publications of the Pen Fancier's Club , based in Dunedin, Florida. The creation of pen collecting pioneers Cliff & Judy Lawrence, this enterprise began as a club but around 1980 became a retail pen-selling business. Their current catalog is the Pen Trading Post . Back issues of the Pen Fancier's Magazine remain an extremely useful reference for collectors.
Copyright © 1997-2008 David Nishimura. All rights reserved