Finally, an entry! With a pen in it!

I think I must have done something very good in a past life to have deserved this pen for my birthday.

Conway Stewart Dandy-sized prototype
Conway Stewart Dandy-sized prototype

My boyfriend connived most endearingly with Andy Russell to make sure the periwinkle precious made it across the pond (technically several ponds) before my birthday. He then connived with McVie to smuggle it, together with other surprises, into my new, now ex, office.

Birthday boxes
Birthday boxes

It then waited in its box for a few more days together with its crisply-folded instruction sheet – which I am sure scarcely taxed its patience as it has survived mint and stickered since the 1920s.

Careful handling of gift is a must
Suspicions confirmed

I am used to casein in Dinkies (most of my Dinkies are from Andy), but this is the first Dandy-sized casein pen for me, and it is so lovely. It is also the first time I’ve seen casein in stripes; in this color combination, it looks surprisingly edible, like pastillas de leche con ube.

Mint and stickered!
Mint and stickered!

The pen has a fresh sac, so I can write with it.

The CS lever
The CS lever

The striations remind me of old glass beads, especially at the ends, where I imagine the casein being pulled like hot glass or taffy.

To ink or not to ink?
To ink or not to ink?

The color makes my digital camera squint; the closest to correct would be its second image in this entry.

I start my new job on Monday. There are many forrmalities, including the filling of forms.  Will I ink this pen, with all the meaning and history it holds, to sign my way into a fresh chapter?