THE ENDURING APPEAL OF THE FOUNTAIN PEN.

(Photograph: iStock.com/AmbientIdeas)

There’s something immensely satisfying about writing with a fountain pen, especially in our ballpoint-driven world. Ink on paper with a well-designed pen, like the Sailor below. Hard to beat that. (http://www.sailorpen.com/king-of-pens.html)

The fountain pen was invented in 1827 by Petrache Poenaru, who upgraded the dip pen by adding an internal reservoir of ink.

Beautiful nibs by Laban.

An infographic that tells us everything we probably want to know about fountain pen nibs. Click on the image for a larger version. (https://www.penchalet.com)

In New York City, there’s the Fountain Pen Hospital. You can get an antique pen repaired, or buy a new one. (http://www.fountainpenhospital.com)

For people with truckloads of money, there are some alarmingly expensive examples. You can whip one of these out when required to sign a contract, and dazzle everyone with the gold and diamonds.

The Golden Man HRH by Visconti (above), costs $44,000. Encrusted with 250 white diamonds (2.5 carats).

This one might need to be kept in a bank vault. The Aurora Diamante is a mere $1.5 million. It’s embedded with 30 carats of diamonds, and only one is made per year.