Fountain pens remain the top seller, ranging in price from $20 to $20,000. A popular option is the 1911 Sailor pen featuring platinum trim and a 21 karat gold nib.

Sale: Vintage and modern pens Location: Bonhams and Butterfields, 7601 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles Date: February 22. On view Saturday and Sunday noon-5pm. Tel: +1 510 754 3278. Catalogue ...

Yet Birmingham also typifies the modern fountain pen companies that offer alternatives to established brands like Waterman and Montblanc. There is Clyde Pen Company, for example, founded in ...