“I know collectors of coins and stamps, sports memorabilia, rare books, and even classic cars, but I've never known anyone to have a serious collection like yours,” I say to Allen Jones as he shows me a large display of pens and a few pencils. “What is it about these you find so interesting?”

He points out one in his extensive collection.

“Here’s a hefty, little fellow. It belonged to my granddad. He was an accountant who graduated from Bowling Green Business University. Granddad used blue lead pencils for checking his reports, and when he died in 1930, dad got them. Dad treasured those old pencils and kept them in storage.”

I mention that Henry David Thoreau worked in his family’s pencil factory before retreating to Walden Pond. Allen already knows that and explains the kind of graphite core used in pencils of that era.

“I understand why you keep the pencils, but what about the 200 or so pens?” I ask.

“I’ve been collecting pens since 1984. Dad bought me an executive pen and pencil I still use today.”

“I assume you have changed the ink refills?”

He nods. “I’d say I’ve used at least a hundred refills.

“Both my parents—especially my father—had wonderful penmanship. He always had a ballpoint with him. Mom, too, would use a pen to write recipes. They came from a time before pens were readily available, but they managed to find some.”

Allen identifies many of the pens in his collection that came from his parents after their passing. Each pen seems to have a special story that connects to fond family memories.

Allen describes a single pen in enormous detail. Apparently, a pen can have more details than I ever considered possible.

He talks about the style: “This one commands a professional presence. It gives confidence for going into a job interview.”

He talks about the history: “Now here’s a Cross Pen like several I’ve had over the years. They were first produced in 1846 in Connecticut. Oh, and here’s a rare pen from the 50’s. It was before pens had clips.”

He talks about the mechanics: “When you get a pen with a loose spring, stretch the spring and put it back in to make it tighter.”

He still recalls where he got each pen—even those containing advertising he received through promotions. Of course, Allen especially remembers his favorites—a couple of fine Montblanc pens a friend gave him.

“Mine are nice pens, but not as expensive as another Montblanc I’ve seen advertised.”

“And what is the price on that one?”

He gives a sly smile and says, “One I’ve seen can be ordered for a few thousand.” Then he quickly adds, “They will let you make payments, but I’m not hunting one.”

Allen gave one of the Montblanc pens to his son, so the younger Jones could start a collection of his own. “He’s not yet on my level,” Allen comments.

“At first I thought your compulsion to collect pencils and pens was a bit curious,” I admit to Allen. “Now I see how four generations of fathers and sons have found it to be quite meaningful. I’m beginning to understand and appreciate your interest.”

He quickly responds, “Most do not understand or appreciate my interest, but my friends and family do support it.”