My fountain pen collecting has always focused more on collecting vintage fountain pens for their particular quality of writing. At first what inspired me was finding pens that wrote especially smoothly. After collecting for some time my interest shifted toward enjoying fountain pens with flexi nibs. I love the way that a flexi nib cushions the feel of the nib on the paper. Also, how relaxed one’s hand can be while writing with one. I particularly love the look of shaded letters, letters that have both very fine and heavy lines. Along with this interest it was natural to play with improving my handwriting and then to experiment with ornamental scripts.
One of the wonderful things about this hobby is being able to share these wonderful instruments that we have come to love. “Sharing” from the people who owned them in the past, sharing the ones I have come to love, and finding treasures that other collectors have enjoyed.
This is a hobby for me. My professional life is spent as a psychiatrist where I have the privilege and pleasure of being able to take notes on intimate conversations. I live in Madison, Connecticut with my wife, Diana. I have two grown daughters.
John Corwin