Which pen to take to a desert island? I’m no avid collector of pens. Even though there are a few here in the photographs below. Also there are a few more not photographed existing in drawers that are irksome to use. These here in the photographs are very much picked up a number of times over a year. The ones in drawers do come out on an odd day to see if life can be realised through resuscitation. Get ink pumping in their veins again. But usually they go back and I’m left with inky fingers for the rest of the day.
Inky fingers reminds me of school days and yesterday was a case of looking at some nibs I’d bought to change and house within the Osmiroid 65 and 75 interchangeable option pens. Their current nibs were scratch-fests. Upward strokes caught on my favourite paper of choice. This being Khadi Papers which are hand made in India from cotton fibres.
Vintage? What is vintage? If an entry were to be made into a journal re: my day to day thoughts, it would expand upon the notion of why vintage is so important to people. Myself included. Hankering after the past, memories inherent in specific items, the perceptible nature and familiarity of oft handled treasures, the ‘look’ if worn, being publicly used or carried around, being a technophobe frightened of modern introductions, admiration and love of the aesthetic and dependability values in timeless classics, an interest in nurturing them to keep them alive, etc. The answer for writing down rationales is to simply focus upon one single item. Collectively, vintage is loved for separate and specific reasons. The burgundy Osmiroid 65 pen of mine isn’t considered an iconic masterpiece. Made around 1960 it isn’t really an antique either. The burgundy colour isn’t easy to find though. Not many around. As a considered pen for use in schools and one which calligraphers also picked up on because of their usefulness….there are many Osmiroid’s about. Mine is simply part of my history. Too many stories to write into a blog regarding what it has become to mean and has contributed in Summers’ land over the decades. School work, song lyrics, letters to friends, note taking for Deaf students, University and other training work, and writing in patients’ medical notes, etc. It has led a full life ee’ ba gum. Isn’t that phrase a minced oath? If so, the Ozzie Osmiroid doesn’t deserve it. Change required……It’s led a full life bless it’s little ink filled heart. There! That’s better.
Please tap on individual photos to enlarge.
So. The other day a small bundle of nibs arrived. Amongst them was a little gold coloured Osmiroid interchangeable stating ‘Tipped medium soft England (TMSE)’. The TMSE with a Rare Metal Tip (RMT), for increased wear and corrosion resistance, was a fine looking nib example. I truly believe it to be an Osmiroid original although no Osmiroid name is stamped above this TMSE information. Unusual, as all the nibs I’ve seen on the internet since getting it, have Osmiroid stamped into them. It’s feed is definitely Osmiroid. A generic feed used with the many interchangeable nibs. There are italic, regular writing and specialist ones like copperplate, music, sketching, left handed, etc. It is a great single pen with many interchangeable nibs available. The single units are of a simple screw one out and screw another in. Get on with it! This TMSE has a gold plated feel, but with no indication that that is the case. In for a penny, in for a pound I unscrewed the medium italic straight nib that took me through my school days and put this new little treasure in place. My old school italic medium nib friend was housed into a black Osmiroid 75. The Osmiroid 75 had a very difficult ‘scratch-fest’ performance value. So my old nib was the lesser of the two evils.
Upshot is, the TMSE RMT nib wrote beautifully. A nice flexible point with lovely consistency in flow. Wet and wider ink strokes on normal low weight GSM smooth paper. But very nice to use on the Khadi. Finer in performance and look. Letters shape in a totally different way.
Back to the Desert Island considerations? I glanced at all the collective pens. In the majority of cases? Vintage. Vintage is a strange word. When does vintage become antique? Then actually started thinking, ‘Okay! Which one of these would you take to keep above all others?’ There is no true answer. But push to shove, imagine the Faerie fountain pen police are knocking on the front door, come inside, look at the state of your pens with a frown, say they’re taking them away for inspection in order to check they’re being used and cared for with love and attention (akin to wielding a Wizard’s wand in the correct manner and performing no dark magic) and they are allowing you to keep one fountain pen only to record daily meanderings. Because they are good Faeries. Choose! And quickly.
Please tap on individual photos to enlarge.
Okay. I would definitely pick up the Osmiroid 65 school pen…….but with the new nib! But, but, but…….the old nib is sacrosanct. It got you all those A++’s in your school work. It’s good to look back and pretend at times. In logical land reality it can still be used in the Osmiroid 75. So still available for carrying on it’s interesting life. The thing is. The ambience of this 65 burgundy coloured work of beauty actually lies in the pen itself. Holding a vintage aesthetic over decades as created a history that is of my patina. Being honest though, the medium italic nib is definitely a struggle to wield even though I still love to use it. But it is used with fondness and not practicality. And I don’t want the burgundy 65 to become irksome and hardly used.
So. Blog for today is done. Which item, from a collective similar items on show, would you take to a desert island?
The Osmiroid 65 school pen with new nib. And Khadi paper as the luxury item. Can’t write on sand can you?
Gray Summers 
Vintage usually means a well made and quality item as compared to mostly anything that can be bought today, I’m afraid. Maybe that’s the reason we love vintage so much – the appreciation of an item made with care and quality materials. An item made to last.
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Hi Ianto. A thread throughout my uploads over the years has been the vintage theme. You hit the nail on the head. That programme where people take items to be renovated, The Repair Shop, has people in tears through emotional memories of what the item actually meant. Like your own craft work. As you said, a lot of love and attention is woven into them. Oh! Still been busy decorating the front room, giving new ‘vintage’ pens a look over and clean up and over J’s place sorting the garden. Myself and Angie are ‘cream crackered’ at the moment. Hope you are keeping well. Cheers and all the best.
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You’re a saint, Gray! Almost done with J’s move now, or more to do? I’m not surprised you’re both done in; you’re both rushed off your feet! I’m guessing that seeing to the pens is a welcome oasis of calm. Rare moments in this current climate!
Off to town in a bit with Awen. Teachers are on strike, so we’re hitting the charity shops. Her Christmas money is burning a big hole in her little purse. Might see you in town if you’re about. Big love to you both and see you soon xxx
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Oh! Shame I can’t get there. Angie left early for work and the VeeDub is a non starter. A local Mach guy is looking at the Bus soon. Dropping the engine out. Also. The hall, stairs and landing carpet is coming on Monday. So have to get the room sanded, painted, etc before it arrives. Going great guns with stripping the paint down to wood. Today and Friday tackling the wall preparation. Tomorrow going over to J’s and moving boxes into the new place. So have a full weekend of cleaning down everywhere for Monday. After this week, will definitely go to Mach. Happy charity shop hunting for today. All the best. Xx
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Thanks Gray. Look after yourself and see you soon. Happy Imbolc, by the way!! X
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You are a fountain of information and knowledge. I had to look that one up just now. Happy Imbolc to yourself too. Spring is arriving and the garden beckons. I have some of J’s beautiful trees to plant in my garden too. Cheers. Xx
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It’s always such a treat to get your insights Gray. I hadn’t realised you used fountain pens at school. No such pleasures for me – I guess that’s why fountain pens seem special and “romantic”
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I was a child born in the 1950’s. We had an exam in junior school called the eleven plus. If you passed it you were considered for Grammar School. I did pass, but it was all choice ABCD or E tick boxes and a wing and a prayer. My school was in those ‘Nativity’ Christmas films. Very posh and I was not in my element there. Working class background and expected to be a Doctor or some such profession. Rock and Roll star with a guitar ambitions weren’t part of the Grammar School curriculum. But fountain pens were what we wrote with. Inkwells in desks. Romantic wasn’t especially true for school experiences. Fond memories are. But definitely Romantic re: poetry and lyrics. I loved Marc Bolan’s mystical poetry and lyrics and The Beatles and Harry Nilsson’s views of the World. Trying to write in similar manner myself as a musician still puts a smile on the face. So ‘special’ is very apt. Cheers Brenda. All the best.
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They’d stopped the 11 plus by the time I was 11, and we all just went to the local comprehensive
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All my friend’s did the Comprehensive School route too. My brother also followed to Comprehensive with them. So, in reality, I was on my own. Two other lads from my junior school went to my Grammar School at the same time, but we were all in different houses. So didn’t get together really. We had to wear suits, buy rugby and cricket gear and it was pretty expensive too. I suppose that is what my pen, School scarf/cap/tie bring back. Memories to attach to how you felt back then both in family input and socially. My Mum and Dad had to find quite a bit of money to get me through that period of life. That is why my Mum said she was proud when I had become a nurse. I know I said it was all about Rock and Roll. But I secretly had ambitions back then of becoming a medic. Maybe a doctor which was an expensive dream. I suppose the musician dream was bravado. When I passed nursing exams later in life she was over the moon. She said she regretted not being able to support my initial dream of becoming a doctor. My heart broke. I never realised that was the case. Mind you. She was one amazing individual my Mum. Looked after abuse victims. Then went on to build a nursery for the children of abuse victims. All these memories from writing a blog on an Osmiroid pen. Life is strange isn’t it?
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Life is very strange sometimes, and we don’t always know what we’re going to have attachments to. It sounds like your parents were very supportive and encouraging. They did everything they could to give you the best start in life.
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My Mum has passed away a number of years ago now. She did see the nurse qualification realised. My Dad is still getting along ok. But you are spot on. They were really supportive of all four of us. Our children and now their Grandchildren too. My Mum never saw the great grandchildren. It’s my Dad that has the great grandchildren to witness getting older now. Life is fantastic when you sit and ponder it all. It is what gives us direction. Thanks for the thoughtful reply Brenda. All the best. Hope you have a very fine ‘post early morning coffee’ day. 😊
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I’m just getting ready to head into town – I forgot I have a class this afternoon – oops … but just means a lunchtime coffee before class at 2 – but does defer the marking until tomorrow
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Coffee is good anytime of day. Happy lecturing.
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Well done. You most definately have fountain pen ink in your blood. I would imagine Osmiroid made unbranded nibs for competitors – it was not uncommon. This is my assumption only. Interestingly, you touched on 2 topics I have penciled in – inky fingers anf vintage (my thought is when is vintage no longer vintage). I believe I will borrow from this post, with full credit of course, unless you would prefer I not. All the best
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You can use whatever you want Danny. No need to credit. It gives you more freedom to express in your own unique style. Inky fingers were spoken about on a YouTube upload by a pen enthusiast. He used a soap which just worked really well to make it disappear. I thought I’d remember the name of it……but no! Thanks for the nod re: unbranded nibs. Another bit of great knowledge to add to the pot. I thought they put ‘warranted’ or other words to avoid their brand name being used. All the best.
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I will give you credit, I try hard not to pinch from other work. Osmiroid made nibs that screw on to the vintage Esterbrooks – I have some and there is a post coming about them…. You are hitting all my future topics today.
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I did find some upload sources re: Esterbrooks and Osmiroid nibs as interchangeable. Sorry about the crossover subjects. I suppose all and any information is valuable to people needing insight and knowledge. My uploads are lightweight compared to your in depth write ups. I found an eBay sale of five different Osmiroid 65 and 75s. Three sold and one of them was exactly like my 65. The seller’s description added little insights. That’s how I pick up information really. From all sources. Bit like when writing essays. Little nuggets of literature with only a few citations attached to them gave really useful information related to particular enquiries. Cheers again Danny.
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