I can't believe I drove to Miami Wednesday morning with my daughters Carol and Catheryn along with loads of merchandise to display at the show. It was quite an adventure! As for Jim, he was on his way Thursday morning, morning,after he packed more merchandise for the show. Boy I don't know what I would do with out him. He, of course, traveled by air. No room in a Suburban full of pens for him. See our write-up on the tremendously successful show in this issue. A great time was had by all!

Now, on to new pens! Michael's Fat Boy has a new line of fountain pens that debuted at the Miami Show. These behemoths, completely machined from a solid block of aluminum, invoke an earlier industrial age, and his unique design will undoubtedly appeal to a wide-range of pen enthusiasts.

In addition to Michael's new pen, check out the pics of the very limited Delta Pompeii, a re-introduction of Delta's first and most popular limited edition series, This marvelous design is being reintroduced in the same beautiful red celluloid. With only 100 of each being made I don't even know why I'm posting this because we'll be sold out before they even get in the door. List is $1800.00 for the all red version or the black and red. Fountain pen only.

In other exciting news, I've also been retained to sell some rare and very exclusive limited editions for a long-time valued customer. I am in possession of a Krone Anno Domani fountain pen, as well as a very limited Omas Bernini which was released to mark the year 2000. With only a 100 of each of these phenomenal pieces produced, I can't believe that I've managed to get my hands on these!

On the new paper front, for the Rhodia fans out there Alvin and Company has introduced a new collection of paper that is very similar at half the price. If you're going through a lot of paper and would like to save a little here or there, this is a great place to start. This paper is of fantastic quality and a great price. Email me for a free sample and I'll be happy to send you a sheet or two.

On a much more somber note, two weeks ago I was asked to appraise the collection of a dear friend and US Army Veteran who passed away on June 12th. His collection consists of many different pens representing all the major manufacturers. Hopefully we can get these on the site in the coming week. It's always devastating to lose a member of the Bertram's family, and he will be sorely missed.

Have a happy July and keep cool!

Bert
bertoser@bertramsinkwell.com

The Pick for July is again the Namiki Vanishing Point. This pen is so popular and is such a great pen that we had to suggest it again! The retractable nib is smooth and the pen fits nicely in the pocket. The Vanishing Point now comes in a wide variety of colors.

Through August 4, 2006 receive a free pack of black ink cartridges when you order a Vanishing Point!

We’re back from the 2006 Miami Pen & Watch Show, and to paraphrase Paris Hilton, “It was hot!”

That applies to the muggy midsummer Miami weather, the incredible Biltmore Hotel (which was always cool inside), and the show itself. We had a great turnout and a lot of fun! All the tables in the Biltmore’s Grand Ballroom were filled with sellers, and the customers just kept coming in, looking for—and getting—great deals on all kinds of pens and some very nice watches.

This was Bertram’s second year presenting this13- year-old pen show with our primary sponsor, Aurora Pens of Italy. We’re pleased to report that it was a big success.

As we’ve said, this is a special pen show. We’ve opted to keep it a small, boutique show, with an accent on quality rather than quantity. We think it’s the most elegant pen show on the circuit. If you were fortunate enough to attend, you'll understand why. First of all, the pens were amazing. Manufacturers and dealers of both vintage and modern pens were showing exceptional items, including some of the finest custom items I've seen. And of course, the show is held at the exquisite old Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. It's a registered national historic landmark that was built in the "Roaring 20s" and quickly became an internationally famed playground and retreat for movie stars, royalty, and the cream of society. The hotel was completely renovated and restored within the last decade, and is now a 4-star and 4-diamond ranked resort. It’s an amazing place. If you’ve never seen it, you can find a link to the hotel’s website on www.miamipenshow.com. It’s worth checking out— and in!

Our thanks to all the exhibitors who made the show so special with the exciting merchandise and knowledge they made available to everyone who came.

Dick Krane and Danean Dymond of Kenro Industries were there representing our sponsors, Aurora, and Libelle pens. They were exhibiting Aurora’s latest limited editions, including the 2006 Miami Pen Show theme pen, the new, delightfully sunny little Aurora Sole Minima. They also generously provided a Sole Minima ballpoint for Saturday’s top prize drawing, and fountain pen and ballpoint set for Sunday’s Grand Prize. It made excited two pen show customers from the Miami area very happy!

Other manufacturers who exhibited included David Oscarson, Michel Perchin, Visconti, Signum, Michael’s Pens, plus Elle Bleu and André Mora of Paris. There were beautiful custom pens, an exceptional selection of limited editions, and terrific vintage pens and ephemera.

Customers kept coming through the door with their newspaper ads clipped from the Miami Herald, and business was excellent on both Saturday and Sunday for new and vintage pen dealers, alike.

Roger Cromwell was kept busy doing repairs, as well as showing a huge assortment of vintage and limited edition pens. On Saturday, Susan Wirth presented a seminar on how to choose the best nib for you, right in the middle of the incredible Ballroom, as the show was going on.

You can see pictures and get more information at the show's website, www.miamipen show.com. It’s not too early to start thinking about next year’s year show. We are.

Dear Readers,

We have received a rather large estate collection of pens, over 200 .We have many really cool pens from manufactures like Sheaffer, Bexley ,Delta, Stipula, Montblanc, Aurora, Ancora, Marlen, Namiki, Cross, Pelikan. The fellow we got them from was an avid across the board collector with great taste.

The pens are fairly priced and we have boxes and papers for most of them, some are filled and in need of cleaning, others are in pristine condition. Please call for detailed information. Ask for Jim or Bert only. With a collection so large I cannot take the time to list all the pens in the collection. I would be happy, time permitting, to go over the pens with serious buyers.

Jim

We are privileged to offer beautiful watches from Lalex. These great watches are available in a variety of styles and colors to suit any taste. Two models have automatic movements!

Jim is our resident pen guru. Jim is a "fountain" of knowledge when it comes to all things pens!

Question: What is the proper way to fill my 146 Mont blanc or for that matter any of my piston filled pens?

Answer: With ink! With all kidding aside the process is pretty straightforward and I give it to you step by step.

1) Turn the piston knob at the bottom of the pen counterclockwise until it comes to a stop. Do not force it. Make sure the nib of the pen is facing down and over something like a sink just in case the pen has ink in it. Do not return the ink to the bottle as this may contaminate the bottle.

2) Place the nib in the ink bottle, submerging the nib up to and including about 1/16 of an inch of the section. This will keep air bubbles from forming in the pen. Turn the piston knob clockwise till it stops ,do not force Lightly tap the nib on the inside of the ink bottle to remove loose ink.

3) Remove the pen from the ink and let out 2 to 3 drops of ink by turning the piston knob counterclockwise. Blot and wipe the nib to remove all visible ink. It is best to use a lent free paper towel, do not use a tissue.

4) Point the pen nib upward and close the piston (Turn clockwise) you might hear a slurping sound as you close the piston. This is the overflow from the feed going into the reservoir. Omission of this step is the main reason pens appear to leak. The feed is full and the ink expands into the cap and then down onto the grip section.This is why it is important to bleed the pen.


Jim