| The dividing lines among custom, vintage and | | | | Vintage pen collecting is a bit like hunting. |
| collectible fountain pens often get blurred. | | | | Estate sales and flea markets are the places |
| A vintage pen can be customized and added to | | | | frequented by fountain collectors. Old |
| a collection. Collectible fountain pens may | | | | jewelers and stationers come up with |
| include vintage, custom-made and customized | | | | collectible fountain pens sometimes. The best |
| vintage pens. Any fountain pen, new or | | | | way to buy collectible fountain pens is from |
| vintage, customized or ordinary, qualifies | | | | a pen show, where hobbyists and collectors |
| for collection if it appeals to the fountain | | | | buy and sell pens to each other. These shows |
| pen collector. A simple and plain look, a | | | | started as a place to swap pens. But now |
| gaudy design or an ancient technique can | | | | these shows are complete conventions with |
| enthuse a pen collector. There is no limit to | | | | advertisements, sales and auctions. And, of |
| the criteria for a fountain pen collection. | | | | course, one can buy collectible fountain pens |
| The reasons could be as varying as the number | | | | on the Internet.An online auction is a way of |
| of fountain pens. Costs do not deter fountain | | | | buying collectible fountain pens. This is |
| pen lovers from possessing their objects of | | | | different from the regular auction. In online |
| desire.Collecting new pens is easier, just | | | | auctions, a third person might come from |
| like buying coke from the supermarket. | | | | nowhere and take away the object of desire. |