We had an interesting week at "Knoblauch`s" which is located in Heidelberg, Germany approximately 54 miles (90 kilometers) south of Frankfurt.

University Stained Glass Window
Heidelberg Castle and the University of Heidelberg

One of the charms of Heidelberg is the permanent dialogue between history and modern. My town is a picturesque, romantic city that has inspired writers, artists and composers, from Goethe and Victor Hugo, to Schumann and Brahms.

Here is the famous Heidelberg Castle and the University of Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university founded more than 600 years ago.

The Print Media Academy

On the other hand modern science institutes and productive industrial factories, like LAMY fountain pens with its futuristic building or "Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG" This is the company that makes the famous Heidelberg printing presses. They are known to make the best printing machines in the world for over 150 years. The picture shows the new building of the “Print Media Academy” with the mechanical metal horse with three legs.

Store Front
Inside the store

Knoblauch’s is the oldest shop with the best reputation selling writing articles and stationery papers.

Several top brand companies visited to promote their writing articles, from curiosities to the highest quality goods. Other people who visited presented an interesting program during the day. Maybe this was the smallest pen show in the world, but this day was most exciting.

It began Saturday 11 Oct and Monday 13 Oct with "History Days".

Exactly 120 years ago the first manufacturer located here, this was the "Heidelberger Federhalterfabrik Luce und Ensslen". This company started to produce wood penholders and writing equipment. I made demonstrations at the wood turnery to show the visitors, how writing articles were made in these early times. Decades ago my grandfather used these machines and tools to produce and repair fountain pens at the KAWECO factory until 1929

above and below: KAWECO

The writing instruments of KAWECO and the Osmia, which were made here in Heidelberg, became world famous. Lots of now nearly unknown trademarks were born here like Luxor, Böhler, Reform, Pan, Artus, Mercedes pens for example. Several examples of these golden times of the Heidelberg Fountain Pen Industries were presented to the public.

Osmia

Tues 14 Oct. was "Handwriting Day"

The graphologist analyzes handwriting and is then able to tell something about your personality or psyche

Hand Made Paper

Wed 15 Oct. was "Paper Day".

Rössler, a well known high quality paper trade mark presented their products and the visitors could make their own hand made papers

A paper artist also came to visit and made demonstration of how to create cards and paper art articles.

Pelikan P700A

Thur 16 Oct was Pelikan Day

Many beautiful new and rare vintage Pelikan pens were on display.
I presented my vintage Pelikan P700

Lamy Pens

Fri 17 Oct was Lamy Day

Many pens were on display that are sold out from the latest Lamy Lady.
Unfortunately Dr. Manfred Lamy was ill and could not attend.

Montblanc Day

Sat 18 Oct was Montblanc Day.
Between several collectors we could see many pens. A very special Montblanc was on display with black diamonds covering the entire cap and barrel. This pen is valued at 125000 Euros

Vintage pens from my collection

Left to right
1. Adredo Dossenheim near Heidelberg
2. Reform "Refograph" Mutschler, Heidelberg
3. Montblanc Hamburg
4. Osmia, Dossenheim near Heidelberg
5. PAN Heidelberg (look at the arrow- clip)
6. Hermann Böhler Dossenheim near Heidelberg
7. Unknown no-name

Below them is a celluloid rod- the raw material

Sandro Rudolph, the 'pen doctor'

Friday and Saturday Sandro Rudolph, our pen doctor, was here. He showed his Pelikan 100 and Montblanc safety collection. He gave excellent advice for keeping old writing instruments and how to make careful repairs, as it is possible to damage pens immediately if not worked correctly.

Thank you for visiting my home town Heidelberg, Germany. This is a beautiful town with much history and tradition which includes a long tradition of pen making and writing equipment.

Vintage pens shown from the collection of Thomas Neureither

© Copyright photos and text Thomas Neureither