March 29, 2025 After a long hibernation, the Philadelphia Pen collectors Group is again an enthusiastically active club. Judging from the large turnout and active conversation, it is more vibrant than ever. Twenty-four members and guests including both long-time and new members climbed the stairs to the second floor of Fergie’s Pub on Sansom Street in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 29 th for lunch and to enjoy the camaraderie of cheerful and like-minded friends to talk about fountain pens, inks, and whatever else came to mind. We had a wonderful microcosm of our membership: long-time collectors to new users who have only recently discovered the pleasures of handling fountain pens and their unique feel when writing. The afternoon was filled with the pleasant sound of people enjoying the exchange of ideas and opinions about an interest common to all.
In addition to the conversation, we tried something new. We had a “Share the Wealth” table, an idea from the Washington, D.C. Pen Collectors Club and introduced to us by a PPCG member. It worked as well here as it does at the D.C. Pen Collectors Club: members put out pens, inks and related items on a table. We were all encouraged take what interested us and to leave something we no longer needed behind. Nothing was left behind…
The meeting concluded about 3 PM.
We are looking forward to our next meeting, probably in later June.
We are pleased to announce that the Philadelphia Pen Collector’s Group is out of hibernation and ready to get back to sharing our interest in collecting and using fountain pens . A few months ago, we sent out an emailed request seeking volunteers to take over the leadership duties of the pen club. A few people responded and are making tremendous and effective efforts to keep the club going.
Cynthia Stinger has volunteered to update our website as well as moderate our Facebook group. Please feel free to reach out to Cynthia at ultcyn@gmail.com if you would like to add any content to the website.
We are fortunate to have a table at the upcoming Philadelphia Pen Show scheduled for January 17 – 19, which Richard Kunin has managed for many years. We will have the table fully staffed with volunteers looking forward to meeting you. New this year, we will have a scannable QR code to encourage new membership. Cynthia redesigned the club brochure for people to take.
We will be having our next club meeting sometime in March; more information will follow in the new year. Any ideas for meeting places, topics, or volunteer opportunities, please reach out to us. We have held most of our meetings in Philadelphia. Perhaps you know of other locations in the metropolitan area.
We thank you for hanging in there. Without you, we would not have a club. We hope you are as excited as we are as we move forward into this new chapter and hope you will be there to help write it. We are looking forward to seeing you at the next event!
Yours, Bob Mand, Cynthia Stinger, Alan Blacker, Tom Levien, Richard Kunin
A casual club of local Philadelphia area fountain pen aficionados
Philadelphia Pen Collectors Group 