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MEETING SATURDAY JUNE 12th, 2004 at 12pm
A) A treat on the way!
Shortly after hitting Big Beaver Rd. my cell phone summoned with its “classical-music ring. Mike Krut was phoning to say that the he still needed the directions to the meeting at Erdvilis home. Rather than going through them at that point it was agreed that I would stop at Michael’s house and we would drive down to Ypsilanti together. After arriving at his home Mike asked if I would like to see his pen collection before we set out.
Every once in a while a little golden privilege presents itself to you without your knowledge and this was a case in point. On entering Michael’s Collection Room my eyes had to momentarily, adjust to what I was seeing. Everywhere they wandered showcase after showcase of pens, inks and writing ephemera presented themselves. It was like walking into a Pen Collector’s Wonderland.
Michael’s collection is breathtaking!. He has not only an examples of different pen makers, he has collections of their work. With popping eye balls, my eyes feasted over his Parker, his Sheaffer and Waterman collections … to start with. To suggest that he has beauties by only the big three would be to shortchange one’s view of this well rounded collection. Most manufacturers are represented. The number of mint pens is amazing and the collection is so well presented as to reinvigorate one’s desire to expand their collection; to immediately hit the flea market/ebay vintage pen trail.
In his typically shy and restrained manner Mike apologized for some of its order but proudly showed me pen after pen. After an hour I realized that I had only done a quick once over of this fantastic treasure-trove of fountain pens and had barely scratched the surface of looking at it in any detail.
While many of us respect Michael as a collector, a great repair man and pen builder little do many of us know that within our midst (the MPC) we have a man who has one of best collections that any of us will ever have the privilege of seeing.
It was not a collection built in a moment. Michael was one of the founding members of the Michigan Pen Club back in the early 1990’s (along with such men as Pat Spidel, Les Cook and Marv Stone and Terry Bose). The history of the MPC is filled with great stories of the early days of pen collecting and to hear how the club was formed gives one a better idea how the hobby was filled with fun, challenge and pride in the latest finds.
In the very near future we must attempt to hold one of our meetings at Michael Krut’s home so more of us can have the privilege of feasting over this pentastic collection.
B) The meeting – not to be missed!
The June meeting has always been much more than buying, selling, trading pens with a little business added in. This one was even more. It was a relaxed get together of friends from varied geographical starting points. (We were even treated to a visit by a fellow collector from California in the person or Ron Meloche).
Erdvilas however, made this meeting much more. In part it was also a wine tasting event. When presented with the challenge of presenting a ‘Margaux’ wine Erdvilas not only uncorked one from his collection (a 1960’s vintage) and went one step further by allowing us to compare and contrast this “Cab Sav” with a “Merlot” (of a similar vintage) so that we could ‘taste’ the difference between these two great grapes. We also tasted some ‘Italians (one a Valepochelli –‘a little past its prime but still eminently drinkable’ according to Erd’), a German Rheinhessen as well as a couple of interesting ‘Californias’.
The tasting was accompanied by a non stop flow of morsels from the kitchen from salads, to finger foods to smoked salmon (two different cuts) to trout and a variety of veggies and meats to make a gourmet’s eyes water and palate tingle. Each serving was accompanied by an explanation of what was being presented and a promise that more was on its way. Our host made this gathering so enjoyable that most members stated long after the business meeting because they were enjoying each others company.
Thank you Erdvilas for being such a great host.
C) … and finally THE MINUTES
- 1. President Eric Fonville opened the meeting at 2:00 pm.
- 2. Dennis Brown moved that the meetings minutes be waved. Seconded by Lih-Tah Wong
- 3. Old Business: Members were reminded of the need for those who had not done so, to pay their dues for 2004.
- 4. Our guest Ronald Meloche (from the Southern California Pen Collectors Club was introduced and warmly welcomed.
- 5. Pen Show 2004 (UPCOMING) report by Lih-Tah Wong
- a) The Pen Show will again be held at Cobo Hall however significant changes have been made to improve access and expand our meeting areas.
- b) The new Show Room will be re-located to the front of the building such that one can access it directly from the elevators.
- c) The electrical services in the room have been upgraded significantly.
- d) A Second room has been added for coats.
- e) A Third room is being added for dealers to both rest in and as a meal room with hot catered food.
- f) Bathrooms are located conveniently across the hall.
- f) The People Mover’s stop for Cobo is close to the ballroom.
- g) Eric Fonville has arranged for pads of ‘Post it Notes’ to be sent to dealers, pen shops and members to advertise the show. They of course announce The 15th annual Michigan Antique & Collectible Pen and Watch Show to be held on December 3rd, 4th and 5th 2004 Cobo Hall, Detroit (For details visit http://www.michpens.com/ )
- 1500 of these pads have been prepared (and copies were handed out to those present) for distribution at upcoming pen shows and to be sent to pen dealers. The cost was [removed] (or better than [removed] per pad.)
- h) Eric has joined the Michigan Calligraphers Club and they will shortly be added to our mailing list. It is intended that they will be invited to join our show in December and to put on a display/demos of calligraphy that might be enjoyed by pen collectors.
- 6. A motion was made thanking Erd and his wife Linda for hosting such a great meeting and this was roundly applauded by all.
Motion: Andy Rothman Second: Mike Krut
President declared the meeting closed at 2:40 and received no opposition.
This was a most enjoyable meeting and it should be noted that ‘penning’ and friendship went on for some time after the close of the meeting.
Secretary: Doug Ritchie
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