Friday 24 July 2009

286 in green...


Yes, another week goes by, and another addition to my collection of 286's.
This week's is third from the left, and a sort of drab olive green colour. I thought I'd set it in with the other 286 greens, just to show the shade.
I bought it from an eBay seller in New Zealand, and wasn't really sure of the colour till I had it in my hand, this morning...the risk was worth taking! Of course, being an old pen, it will need a bit of TLC...and I'm really looking forward to that.
The left hand pen is in the 'standard' green marble; second in is a lighter green, and is different from the other four in that it has a coloured bottom to the barrel; third is the olive green; and finally a green hatch.

Wednesday 22 July 2009

Mythical Creatures



This stamp set is a lot better looking than my photo suggests, and I shall try to do something about that. Strangely though, I've tried to get some of this edition to use for mailing, and I can't. It would seem that I'll have to buy another set and break it up, which seems a shame and a waste.




Above, is a detail from the card the stamps are mounted on. Fantastic isn't it.

The illustration and stamps are the work of fantasy artist Dave McKean.

Saturday 18 July 2009

Early Conway Stewart 286


Early Conway Stewart 286, originally uploaded by Octoberchild....
Another 286!
Just how many do I need?
This example of an early 286, was sent to me by Max Davis at Conwaystewartpens. It's in excellent condition...which is amazing, seeing as how's this would date back to the 1930's.
How to identify an early 286?
Flat top...ball-ended clip...round logo on lever...dotted line under the Conway Stewart imprint on the barrel...and this blue marble has all of those.
Cheers Max.
Thought I would post a pic of some of my 286's...


Left to right:
Cracked Ice x 2; Green Hatch; Brown; Light Brown Marble; Burgundy/Plum Marble x 2; Green Marble; Light Green Marble; Green Marble; Blue Marble; Light Blue Marble; Blue Marble; Black; Reversed Cracked Ice; Green Marble Ink Visible.

Conway Stewart 286 set.

I collect fountain pens, maybe along the way, I'll discover why...but I do.

My favourite pens are vintage Conway Stewarts, and in particular, the Conway Stewart 286 range. Now, I have quite a few of the 286's in the usual 'find them all over the place' colours...but am now getting serious, which basically means spending serious amounts of money, and seeking out the more obscure variants.

OK, given that, the other day I was searching on eBay, and came across a 286 boxed set (fountain pen and pencil) in rose marble. "Brilliant!" thought I, I've got three pens in that colour (also called burgundy or plum) but It would be great to have the boxed set. So I bid...and won.

I picked up the package this morning...

Carefully extracted the box from the padded envelope, and bubble wrap...

Set it on the table...

Opened the lid...

And there, sitting inside this box...

An almost mint condition set in RASPBERRY marble.




Talk about stunned!!!!!

I've only been on the look out for this colour for two years.....

Cheers eBay!