The antiques circuit is essentially the only source other than auctions for non fountain pen collectables. The Antiques for everyone show at the NEC Birmingham is no more than 200 stands but is still well worth a visit, however regional antique fairs such as Peterborough, Harrogate, Builth and Malvern continually have resident writing equipment vendors such as Digby antiques, The Wilsons and Nick and Jenny Banks.
Portobello is changing and there is less space for antique stands as modern shops are replacing the old warrens of basements and corner shops; there are really three vendors of interest to our members, Fletcher Wallis, John McKenzie and Henry Simpole. It is still the best place for atmosphere in London and fun to search and learn but more and more collector attention is being given to Website options.
Internet
For non-
Ebay has it’s following and a few keywords will bring up flikmywick, shoutysam, digerlee, insanityrules, stubbsywubbsy and ………a few thousand other!
Museum of Writing
Alan Cole gives me optimism for this year, as their blog has developed well, but we are all waiting for The Virtual Museum of Writing. The initial introduction is now completed and has been checked for exposure to the public. It has encountered irritating funding and organizational difficulties-
Social Networking
The use of personal networks and communication is now part of our lives and we cannot ignore it. If we are to influence the younger generations then we have to embrace such media of blogs, instagrams, what’s app, twitter and facebook. How we should progress is important and we would like members reactions to this. Not all are “technophobic”, nor “computo-
Parkers Museum/Archives In Hammersmith
This will be reviewed in one of the next journals and a summary of what is available
will be on the web site.
It is interesting that accessories are so important and this is illustrated by the Books,Desk and Tool page in the FPH catalogue with the iconic Zagory pen rest and other desk furniture plus basic tools for repairing.
Shows
UK – The programme in the UK is given on the UK shows schedule -
Europe – starts on February 20th in Paris and Milan then Cologne, Florence, Barcelona in March; Letitia Jacopini and Tom Westerich are trying to promote a 2 day Rome show this year (May). Don’t forget Katowice (Poland) in April as an interesting option.
Asia -
USA – change is now obvious regionally -