Tuesday, September 15, 2009

CENTURY PEN DAYS FALL 2009

F A L L   P E N   D A Y S   are back at Century Pens for their 15th year.  I started these events at my last location in 1994 at Stevens Maloney.  After holding two events in the Fall my customers were asking why not do them in the Spring too.  So  Spring Pen Days events were born in 1996 and have continued to this day.  When I opened this store in Fall 2006 Pen Days were my opening event.  The 2009 edition is held on Wednesdays and promises to be just as good as the first in 1994. The reps are in the store from 12-3 each Wednesday.
To the novices Pen Days entail meeting the representatives from my various pen companies, saving 20% on your pen purchases, and most importantly viewing the many new pen lines that my companies are presenting for the first time.  This year should be very good as you can see if you've read any of my Blog talking about all the new pens coming to market this Fall.

P E N    D A Y     S C H E D U L E

October 21st      Sheaffer, Waterford, Lamy, Yard-O-Led, Filofax, Caran d'Ache

November 4th     Parker, Waterman, Sailor, William Henry Studio (no discounts are ever offered on
                               William Henry)
November 18th    Pilot, Fisher, Caran d'Ache

December 2nd      Lamy, Yard-O-Led, Filofax, Caran d'Ache, Delta,Visconti,  Monteverde, Yoropen,
                             Online

December 9th       Krone, Think, Taccia, Curtis of Australia, Diplomat

December 16th    Cross, Pentel

Sunday, September 13, 2009

NEW PREMIER LINE FROM PARKER

P A R K E R   P R E M I E R  is a revival of a classic line from the 1980's but is a total new pen line.  One segment of this new line is called the Premier Custom.  It has a brass barrel covered with multiple coats of black lacquer, and a silver plated cap done in a Guilloche tartan pattern with 18kt gold nibs on the fountains.  It is available in fountain, ballpoint, and roller.  The retail prices for Premier Custom are fountain pen $300 USD,  ballpoint $150 USD, and rollerball $200 USD.

NEW PARKER PREMIER 


 The black lacquer version comes in silver and gold trims and is priced at $265                                                                                    USD, $125 USD. and $ 165 USD  for the for the three modes.
                                                  




 The truly unique version of this new Premier is the silver-plated model with an overall lines engraved pattern and is the most expensive model at $350USD for the fountain, $200 USD for the ballpoint, and $250 USD for the rollerball.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

NEW PENS FROM A.T. CROSS

C R O S S  pens is introducing four new pen lines for the Fall.  The first is called Affinity and is a 21st Century redo  of their popular Solo Series from the 90's.  It  is  crafted of lustrous, high-gloss crystalline resin in black, red, and blue with polished chrome appointments.  The fountain pens have stainless steel nibs and retail at a special  introductory price of $80 USD.  The ballpoints and selectip pens retail at $50 USD and $65 USD.




The second line is called Masquerade and aims to be a beautiful ballpoint fashion accessory.  The design of the pen evokes a swirling peacock design over pearlescent lacquer in black, green, and red, and is accented with silvery engraving that adds  a jeweled dimension.  It will retail for $65 USD.











The third line is called Sentiment and has a removable charm that attaches to the clip of the pen.  It comes with a heart and key charm and can also use your own charms.  There also will be a Breast Cancer pink version with a pink enameled ribbon charm at $55 USD.  10% of retail price of this pink version is donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.


The fourth line is an extension of the Townsend ballpoint with chrome tops in black and blue lacquer bodies, and a frosted chrome. All three at an amazing $50 USD retail.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

NEW PELIKAN PENS FOR 2009

P E L I K A N   is introducing a new blue transparent fountain pen in a limited one time production.  It has chrome plated trim and a polished stainless nib in EF, F, M , and B. It features their patented internal fill system that they invented in the 1930's.  Clear as crystal, precision technology and craftsmanship combine in this exquisite new limited production fountain pen.  It is to retail at $110 USD.

They are also introducing a bright red Toledo fountain pen with the distinctive engraved Pelikan motif in sterling silver ands an 18kt nib in fine, medium, and broad.  It is limited production and retails at $1,100 USD.




















They are also bringing back a true classic from the 1930's, and last produced in the 1980's.  It is the Tortoise 400 series  in fountain pen only and limited production as well.    It has a 14kt gold nib and gold plated trim and will retail at $285 USD.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

NEW SPECIAL EDITIONS FROM WILLIAM HENRY STUDIO

W I L L I A M    H E N R Y   is a new addition to my store, and a uniquely American one at that.  WH specializes in custom made knives, money clips, and most recently pens.  They are handmade in Oregon using processes that go back several thousand years. Each product envolves hundreds of steps and eight months to complete.  In the production of their products they employ mammoth tooth, gemstones, carbon fiber, mother-of-pearl, exotic hardwoods, and carved silver. Also used is koftgari ( a traditional method of inlaying and burnishing 24kt gold), damascus steel, titanium, and many other rare materials and techniques that ensure the quality of their products.  They are so unique you have to experience them in person to truly appreciate their qualiy and uniqueness. For the Fall season they are introducing roughly a dozen new products, and they can best be viewed at their website www.william henrystudio.com .  Drop by my store to see some examples or read this Blog to discover my Fall Pen Day Schedule where William Henry along with representatives from all my Pen Companies will be represented at the Wednesday events in my Pen Shop.

 The William Henry Representative will be in my store 12-3 on Wednesday November 4th.
( The William Henry items are not discounted by my shop or by any other shop because of their limited uniqueness. )

NEW PEN FROM SAILOR

S A I L O R   pens have always been known for their excellant nibs, and now they're coming out with an affordable fountain that has greats looks and a great nib.  It is called the Procolor 500 series and available in red, beige, purple, and blue with a medium or fine titanium/gold plated nib.  It is to sell for $90 USD and should be available around October 1st.  Sailor pens are so widely sought by my Pen Customers that I'm sure this will be a very successful series.

NEW PENS FROM LAMY

L A M Y   has several new items for Fall 2009.  The Safari line of Lamy pens that has been around since the early 1980's introduced Orange this Summer which just happens to be the very first Safari color from 25 years ago.  Except this edition is a glossy orange as opposed to the original matte orange.  It is available in fountain and ballpoint.  Another new Safari color is the pink that just came out, also available in fountain and ballpoint.  This series continues to be very popular because Lamy has kept the price low over the years by introducing less costly packaging, and removing the ink converter that used to accompany every Safari fountain.  Today the fountain pen sells for $30 USD & the ballpoint for $22 USD.

Another new Safari color is the black purple in the aluminum barreled Al-Star,  it is available in fountain, ballpoint, and rollerball.  They sell for $40 USD, $30 USD, and $35 USD respectively.

Another new product from this Heidelberg, Germany based company is the very unusual Dialog 3.  It joins the Dialog 1 & 2 which are very unique in themselves.  All three are designed by top European product designers and architects. They include the Dialog 1 a futuristic triangular ballpoint, and Dialog 2 which is a sleek retractable rollerball.   The Dialog 3 is to be a retractable fountain pen in palladium finish with a 14kt nib. The nib and the clip retract with a twist of the pen.  This is sure to be a great addition to the Dialog series.  It will be available in EF, F, M, and B nib sizes, and the price is to be around $250 USD when it debuts.

Another new finish is coming in the Studio series when they introduce Violet with chrome trim.  It will be available with a 14kt gold nib in fountain, ballpoint, and rollerball from $90 USD - $135 USD.
The last new item is a new finish in the Swift series, the original retractable roller that debuted 25 years ago.  The new finish is called rubinblack and is a metallic matte finished lacquer with a clear lacquer covering.  This is a Special Edition for 2009 only, and will have a limited production run.
If you have questions about any of these great new pens from L A M Y go to lamy.com.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

If you want more info about my Pen Shop go to www.centurypenschicago.com.
On Tuesday after Labor Day when I start blogging I will post news about new pen lines coming for Fall from Waterman, Parker, Lamy, Pelikan, Sailor, and many others.  Also watch this blog about news concerning Fall Pen Day events at Century Pens,  my store in Chicago.  Have a great Labor Day, as for me I'll be sitting in the sun beside the rooftop pool at my apartment building.