The start of my Vintage Fountain pen collection journey (SINGAPORE)

The start of my Vintage Fountain pen collection journey

Collecting vintage fountain pens is my first "serious" hobby. My first fountain pen belongs to my father.

I damaged my father's Parker 45 fountain pen during my childhood days and rediscovered the fountain pen when I was in the University.

I took the pen to a local dealer and to my surprise, the fountain open could be repaired. At that time, I was told of the meaning of "Life time guarantee".

This incident in 1988 has inspired me to start my search for the vintage fountain pens. The first areas of my search were the old book stores in Singapore & Malaysia. I ahev managed to find several Parker 75, Parker 21, Parker 51, 61 and several Sheaffer's fountain pens in near mint condition.

As I was only an University student with limited income, I have to work part time as T shirt salesmen (I went to the "Glomenti "Polo T shirt factory to source for the T shirt and then sell them to my school mates with some progfits) In addition, I was very active in giving tuition and doing part time works (such as helping other students do their school project works) plus selling T shirts in order to generate income for the hobby.

During the early 1980s, there were very little books on vintage fountain pens, I will have to gather my facts from the old bookshops and old fountain pens repairer (in Peneisula Plaza and at Bras Basah complex). In addition, I was fortunate to have met my vintage Fountain pen's Sifu Mr. TK Lee who has provided me with clear directions on how to collect and what to collects. The meeting of Mr. Lee was an interesting story. Mr Lee was formerly working and staying in Hong Kong. During the early 90s, I was featured in a Singapore Vantage magazaine. His friend in Singapore found the magazine while visiting a dentist. After the dentist session, he then took the magazine back and mail them to Mr.Lee in Hong Kong.

Upon reading the magazine, Mr Lee then visited Singapore and contacted the GM of Parker who then passed my contact to Mr. Lee. We have had several session of interesting exchanges and we viewed each of our collection. Upon seeing his collection, my eyes began to open and I finally know the meaning of "collection".

I have since lost contact with Mr TK Lee. If Mr. Lee, you have happen to read my blog, please drop me a line so that we can re-establish contact...