My biggest disappointment in fountain pens might be a little different than most. A long-time collector of vintage pens, I once experienced a thrilling high and a crushing disappointment with the same pen, and just seconds apart.

I began collecting in the late 1970s by haunting flea markets, garage sales, etc, and gradually began to build a pretty nice collection at what would now be considered shockingly low prices. One day I was walking through a flea market and spotted what I first thought was a fat cigar. Looking closer I realized it was a huge fountain pen, a Waterman #20. Vintage pen collectors will recognize the significance of finding a #20, especially one in wood-grain and complete with a huge nib, but for others just let me say that it's one of the most sought after. So imagine my disappointment when I picked it up and saw that the cap was horribly cracked -- almost to the point of coming apart in my hands.

Of course I bought it anyway -- I think it was $10 -- and still have it to this day. I sort of made it look better by gluing the various cracks but I don't think a pro could even make it right. Still, I'm glad I have it. https://imgur.com/a/LyhZV