Why I Collect Rolleroalls!
PEN WORLD|October 2022
On the following two pages, we present two highlights from the work of the late Jerry Ceppos for Pen World. The article on this page, “Why I Collect Rollerballs!”, was originally printed in PW Vol. 24 No. 1 (2010). The essay on the next page, “Thanks for the Thank-You Note!”, was printed in PW Vol. 31 No. 6 (2018). To learn more about Ceppos’s storied career in journalism, see page 12 in this issue.
Why I Collect Rolleroalls!

aybe was looking for simplicity after

most of a lifetime spent on the madden-

ingly complex task of publishing a newspaper every night. Whatever the reason, walked into Fahrney’s Pens in Washington, D.C. that first time looking for a simple but elegant ballpoint, not a fountain pen.

A few minutes later, after a salesman introduced me to the joys—and simplicity—of rollerballs, bought a classy Cross Townsend platinum-plated Selectip rolling ball.” A colleague who also enjoys pens—our company’s Washington bureau was less than 1,000 feet from Fahrney’s, so it was not surprising that we both ended up there on my visits to the bureau—chuckled and asked, So, how many good pens do you own now?”

The answer was one. That one. 

Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av PEN WORLD.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av PEN WORLD.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA PEN WORLDSe alt
Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
PEN WORLD

Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)

On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
PEN WORLD

The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot

Do you like black pens? If so, you are probably already familiar with the fun, frivolity, and fellowship associated with the Black Pen Society (BPS).

time-read
1 min  |
October 2024
Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
PEN WORLD

Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show

Daisy and Neil Ni's twist on the traditional pen show is about community, not commerce.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)
PEN WORLD

"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)

The Italian pen company's experiment in modernism led to a revolution in late 20th century pen design. A two-part series.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
PEN WORLD

GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit

With new collections inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and Fender guitars, artisan John Greco is tapping into cultural trends.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
PEN WORLD

Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "

The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
PEN WORLD

S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne

The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
More Mail, More Dip-Less
PEN WORLD

More Mail, More Dip-Less

The six-part series on dip-less (or one-dip) fountain pens garnered some major attention through its run from October 2023 through August 2024 (Vol. 36 No. 6 Vol. 37 No. 5).

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2024
David Oscarson: A Reflection
PEN WORLD

David Oscarson: A Reflection

The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.

time-read
7 mins  |
October 2024
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
PEN WORLD

The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen

The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024