The group was unofficially started by Paul Erano and Bob Novak. Tom Heath joined later, and the public version was officially launched by Erano in 2010. Originally a "secret" society that still requires the correct answer to a special question to join (secret handshake is a work in progress—wink, wink!), the Black Pen Society is now a fun excuse to get together and talk about pens and pen collecting (as if we needed an excuse!). Even more fun, Erano, also known as the Grand Poobah, designs new lapel pins every year. The first year, only 100 pins were made and are now highly collectable.
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