In this issue

In this issue: With the new Backgammon limited edition collection, Italy’s Visconti takes the ancient tradition of table games very seriously. As Germany’s Diplomat enters its next 100 years of pen making, it finds itself at a literal and figurative Nexus of creativity. And as the classic comic book series The Rocketeer celebrates its 40th anniversary, Retro 51 introduces a new collection of officially-licensed writing instruments. Meanwhile, the iconic brand Sheaffer enters the William Penn era of stewardship, Richard Binder wraps up his two-part series on WWI-era trench pens, and we profile two up-and-coming nib masters. Plus, Trends in ’23: the new year promises exciting pens, inks, papers, and accessories from brands new and old, big and small.

2022 Pen Artisan Guild Award

The first annual Orlando Pen Show, which took place September 8 to 10, 2022, was well attended by artisan pen makers.

2 mins

The Universal Appeal of Table Games

Being a successful table game player involves a little bit of luck and a lot of strategy. Bere: of a table board, at least two players, and the rolling of dice, table games have challenged us in a playful way for 5,000 years now.

3 mins

News from Pen World

As the calendar turns to the next year, Pen World continues to expand and change.

1 min

Graceful, and Award-Winning, Envelopes

In 2022, the Washington D.C. Calligrapher Guild's annual Graceful Envelope Contest invited contestants to send their \"Greetings and Salutations.

1 min

John and Jon, Modern and Vintage

Two makers with very different techniques create a new kind of pen and pencil set.

2 mins

The Great War and the Trench Pen:Part II

The first trench pens did the job and did it well, but what would life be without competition?

1 min

The Great War and the Trench Pen: Part II

The first trench pens did the job and did it well, but what would life be without competition?

5 mins

Filling a Need: William Penn and Sheaffer

As Sheaffer celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2023, 20-year-old Indian fine writing retailer William Penn is giving this legacy U.S. writing instruments brand a new lease on life.

5 mins

Diplomat and the Nexus of History

As Diplomat’s marks its 100“ anniversary, new releases in 2022 and 2023 prove its future is as bright as its past.

6 mins

RETRO 51'S ROCKETEER COLLECTION BLASTS OFF!

A new collaboration from the makers of the Tornado honors the 40\" anniversary of The Rocketeer comic book series.

5 mins

Visconti Scores a Backgammon

Under the leadership of Francesco Poggesi, the Italian pen and accessories company is winning on all fronts.

8 mins

Trends in 2023

Van Gogh with the flow! The new collection of Visconti Van Gogh fountain pen inks are the perfect companion to the Italian brand’s popular line of fountain pens inspired by works of the Dutch master painter.

10+ mins

Anabelle's Opus

Anabelle Hiller’s journey to nib making was a process of self-discovery, one tine at a time.

4 mins

The Mad Scientist of Nibs

He goes by the name CY,” but Chinyi Chow’s nibs give writers a seemingly endless variety of expressiveness.

4 mins

Read all stories from PEN WORLD

PEN WORLD Magazine Description:

Founded in 1987, Pen World is the premier niche luxury magazine of fine writing instruments and handwriting culture. Based in Houston, Texas and issued bi-monthly, Pen World entices both new and experienced pen connoisseurs to look at writing instruments in an unconventional way. In our pages, you will find contemporary fountain pens and other writing instruments at all price points, fine papers, inks, and desk accessories. Our long-form articles cover leading brands, vintage pens, pen-and-ink artists, how-to guides, and much more. If you love pens, then Pen World is the magazine for you.