Fontoplumo: Filling a Need

Frank van Krieken turned a hobby into a pen store, and he is spreading the gospel across the globe.

- NICKY PESSAROFF

The city of Delft in the Netherlands is a historical wonderland. The home of artist Johannes Vermeer and the scientist Antonie von Leeuwenhoek, the center of Delft blue porcelain and the historical hub of Dutch trading, Delft also boasts a tourist attraction for the pen enthusiast. In the historic heart of Delft, behind a 14th century church that houses the final resting places of deceased Dutch royal family members, is Frank van Krieken's cozy and beautiful Fontoplumo pen shop.

Fontoplumo is a solo operation-made all the more impressive by the fact that the Fontoplumo pen shop is the front-facing aspect of an online shop that Frank also owns and operates. He describes Fontoplumo as a hobby, but if so, he is one of the most serious hobbyists you will meet.

His interest in fountain pens dates back to grade school experiences of learning cursive with those writing instruments. When a friend received a Parker Sonnet and Frank tried it for himself, he was hooked on the writing experience. He purchased his own Parker Sonnet with a stainless steel nib and used it for years.

When he moved to the Hague, he discovered the pen shop PW. Akkerman and "a whole world of Italian pens. That is the moment I got really into pens." Looking for a challenge outside his professional field, Frank parlayed his knowledge into the Fontoplumo web store in 2012.