Deals & Drops: Holiday Shipping Update/Cutoff and Last Call on Low-Stock Items

Now that we’re about two weeks out from Christmas, I probably should provide an update on where I am, shipping-wise. I’m happy to report that I’ve managed to stay on top of orders despite being historically busy (thank you, everyone!) and have mostly managed to get everything out the door within 2-3 business days of an order being placed. If you have not received an order confirmation, let me know. That’s likely due to the Amazon Web Services outage that took place earlier this week, that prevented my shipping software from sending automatic updates. It didn’t actually affect me getting anything out the door so your orders should be on the way.

While I of course can’t guarantee that a carrier will deliver anything by a certain date, I suspect that all orders placed by early to mid-next week will arrive by Christmas. In addition to the new arrivals from Life Stationery and CW+T, I wanted to highlight in today’s post some low-stock and last-call items that are either going away forever because they’re limited, or may be subject to a lengthy restock period. You’re also doing me a solid by clearing some of the older special and limited editions out to make room for new arrivals, since I’m already having to start my buying for 2022! In addition to the items featured below, please check out the 2021 T.G.S. Holiday Gift Guide!

All links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, unless otherwise noted. By shopping with us directly, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

1. Platinum Preppy Wa Limited Editions. I am down to the last few Preppy Wa limited edition pens, in a few of the colors. If you’ve been sleeping on these, what’s left is all there is, though I do hope that Platinum continues to issue limited edition versions of the Preppy fountain pen in the future.

2. Caran d’Ache Ecridor Racing Mechanical Pencil. The Ecridor “Racing” series is one of the best-looking releases from this past year, combining black chrome with a red racing stripe in an automotive-inspired design. I have exactly one mechanical pencil remaining in stock.

3. T.G.S. x Sunderland Special Edition MK1 Rollerball Pen. I won’t be restocking these until after the first of the year, so if you’ve had your eye on one for the holidays, or don’t want to wait, I only have a few left.

4. Most WMS & Co. Reading and Desk Accessories. While these are favorites of mine and I will certainly restock them, I’m currently low due to this entire range making exceptionally thoughtful holiday gifts for readers and home library enthusiasts. Last year I did almost all of my own Christmas shopping from the WMS & Co. lineup. (and the gifts were a hit!)

5. Mazzuoli Nobile ITALIA Ballpoint/Mechanical Pencil Combination Set. My favorite from the Giuliano Mazzuoli lineup, the ITALIA combines history with with a practical design. The pen/pencil ships with three different Schmidt Easyflow ballpoint refills and a .7mm mechanical pencil insert for maximum versatility.

6. Caran d’Ache Infinite 888 Swiss Cross Edition. The Infinite series is one of the better-kept secrets in the Caran d’Ache lineup and a surprise best-seller, and the Swiss Cross version might be my favorite. I have a couple of the mechanical pencils left in stock. Check out the standard Infinite series here.

7. Field Notes “Fifty” and “Trailhead” Editions. We tend to be selective in which Field Notes editions we stock, and these are two of the best that we’ve seen in a while. (“Trailhead” might be my favorite from the past couple years, actually.) We didn’t buy many of these and once they’re gone, we won’t restock.

8. Wilco x Field Notes Box Set. Know any Wilco fans who might appreciate this collection of six Field Notes pocket notebooks designed in collaboration with the members of the band? I have exactly one and probably won’t restock this one.

9. Penco “Perfection Light” Pocket Ballpoints. While the Penco “Perfection” Brass Bullet Pen has been popular, we’ve been selling a lot of the lightweight plastic version, which also takes a universal D1 refill. We’re down to two colors and will try to restock in the future, but it may be a little while.

10. Traveler’s Company “Travel Tools” Special Edition Refill. This special edition cover uses high quality Midori MD paper, perfect for all Traveler’s Notebooks and “Traveler’s-sized” covers. I picked up a bunch of these while I could, but haven’t done a great job of putting them out there. I love the cover design!

Deals & Drops: New Arrivals and Holiday Restock Reminders

Just a reminder to please consider the T.G.S. Curated Shop and other smaller retailers for your holiday shopping needs! We are currently fully stocked on pens, notebooks, and desk and reading accessories from a wide range of makers, including special products you won’t find anywhere else! In addition to the items featured below, please check out the 2021 T.G.S. Holiday Gift Guide!

All links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, unless otherwise noted. By shopping with us directly, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

1. T.G.S. x. Sunderland Machine Works mk1 Rollerball. Our exclusive matte black and burgundy rollerball is down to the last few pens from this initial run. If you’re looking for a unique gift, or just something nice for yourself that you’d like before the holidays, it’s an excellent option.

2. CW+T Pen-Type C. Though known for their popular Pen Type-A and Pen Type-B models, both of which house the full-size Pilot Hi-Tec-C refill, the Pen Type-C is a bookmark/pocket pen that features the Hi-Tec-C Coleto, a needle-tip multipen refill that comes in a wide array of colors. Titanium construction at an accessible price.

3. Penco “Perfection” Bullet Pen. Love the bullet pen format but wish your Space Pen had a bit more heft to it? This brass version by Penco comes in three different finishes, and accepts the universal D1 refill.

4. Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball Pen. This one will likely make two of my 2021 year-end favorites lists: Favorite products stocked in the shop and favorite new releases in general. The larger barrel is extremely comfortable for longer writing sessions, and the fact that it accepts standard Parker-style refills makes it an extremely versatile choice on par with the Retro 51 Tornado.

5. Caran d’Ache Ecridor Racing .7mm Mechanical Pencil. Combining black chrome with a sharp red racing stripe, the Ecridor Racing series is the best-looking version of Caran d’Ache’s higher-end Ecridor pen/pencil that I’ve seen.

6. Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style Ballpoint, Edition No. 3. The monochrome color scheme from this year’s Claim Your Style pens is likely my favorite of the three releases, especially the dark blue, green, and orange versions.

7. Midori MD Fountain Pen. Midori’s fountain pen features the same off-white color scheme as the rest of their stationery products (like their “B” grade pencils), but that’s not what makes this one so much fun. They’ve tweaked the stainless steel nib from the Traveler’s Company brass fountain pen and angled it slightly downward to compensate for those who write with heavy pressure.

8. WMS & Co. Bronze Octagonal Custom Rubber Stamp. Of all the desk accessories made by WMS & Co., this customizable brass stamp is my favorite. I personally use it as an “ex libris” library stamp, but the purchase includes a voucher good for creating a custom stamp of your choice, whether that be a professional seal, return address, monogram, etc.

9. WMS & Co. Sterling Modern Page Markers and Page Points. These handcrafted sterling silver bookmarks are perennial sellers, and absolutely perfect gifts for any occasion if you have someone on your list who is a serious reader.

10. Traveler’s Company Brass Pen Case. I don’t know which of the Traveler’s Company brass accessories is my favorite, between this and the Brass Ruler. Don’t forget to check out other options like the Template Bookmark and Number Clips that you can use to organize your notebooks.

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Midori MD: All Notebook Sizes Now Available!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, I received a shipment of Midori MD Notebooks in all sizes, including A4, A5, A6, and B6 Slim, as well as blank MD notepads and a fresh restock of the Midori MD Fountain Pen, Midori MD Pencils in “B” grade graphite, and the Midori MD Color Pencils! I have a few more surprise arrivals in store for the weeks to come, so stay tuned.

If you’ve already begun your holiday shopping, don’t forget to check out this year’s T.G.S. Holiday Gift Guide, featuring gift ideas from Midori and more. For the coming week, I will be shipping orders, but due to the Thanksgiving Holiday in the U.S. orders placed Wednesday (11/24) and Thursday (11/25) will likely ship Friday or over the weekend. Many thanks!

Deals & Drops: Penco Pocket Pens and Hightide Accessories Just in Time for the Holidays!

As I mentioned earlier this week, the holiday shopping season has kicked off, whether we want it to or not. To be honest, I’m actually looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas, as the festivities offer a respite from the stretch of “sameness” many of us have been experiencing. This week I’m featuring the Diamine “Inkvent” Calendar from our friends at Vanness, the latest Sailor 110th Anniversary Fountain Pen that I had the opportunity to handle last week at Anderson Pens Chicago, as well as a bunch of pocket pens and other accessories from Penco/Hightide that I recently received. Finally, don’t forget to check out this year’s Holiday Gift Guide, which is chock full of gift ideas for the shopping season!

A note on orders next week: Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday (including a combination of my own travel schedules and postal delays/closures, orders placed next week will be delayed. If you have an order that you’d absolutely like to receive next week, please get it in by noon on Tuesday, November 23. Many thanks!

All links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, unless otherwise noted. By shopping with us directly, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

1. Diamine Inkvent Calendar (via Vanness Pens). Why not kick off this week’s edition of Deals & Drops with the most festive release of all! Diamine is once again launching their “Inkvent” Calendar, containing 24 12ml bottles of ink and one 30ml bottle of ink for the first 25 days of December. Maybe this year I’ll pick one up and play along?

2. Sailor 110th Anniversary Limited Edition Kurogane Fountain Pen (via Anderson Pens). So during my trip to Anderson Pens Chicago last week, I had the opportunity to handle Sailor’s anniversary release, and while this particular design won’t appeal to everyone, you have to admire that they’re pushing the design envelope.

3. Penco “Perfection” Bullet Pens. After a somewhat lengthy backorder period, the Penco “Perfection” Bullet Pens are back in stock, in chrome, brass, and matte black finishes. These bullet-style pocket pens, which are chunkier than the Fisher Space bullet pen, use a D1 refill for maximum versatility.

4. Penco Pocket Drafting Pens and Pencils. When we first added these pocket-sized drafting ballpoints and mechanical pencils, they were hard to keep in stock. I finally was able to get my hands on a few of them once again.

5. Hightide Folding Metal Bookstands. A T.G.S. Curated Shop favorite, once again fully stocked for the holidays in nearly a dozen different colors, including new hues such as Khaki (really an “army green”) and grey! One of the most versatile items in the collection, which can be used as a traditional bookstand or, alternatively, as a stand to hold your handwritten notes/drafts for transcribing or even an electronic tablet.

6. Hightide Sandglasses. I have a limited number of the larger 30 minute sandglasses currently in stock, but more should be on the way and will be listed as soon as I have them in stock in all available sizes.

7. TWSBI Rose Gold Fountain Pens. For some reason, I find rose gold trim particularly festive headed into the Holiday Season! We have the TWSBI 580 Smoke and Rose Gold II fountain pens in stock, as well as the TWSBI Eco Rose Gold in both black and white color combinations.

8. Caran d’Ache Claim Your Style Edition No. 3. I think these monochromatic Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoints are some of the best looking Claim Your Style releases to date, especially the Moss Green and the Night Blue.

9. Caran d’Ache 849 “Gold Bar” Ballpoint. From the “Pop Line” series, the “Gold Bar” edition would make for a great holiday gift. This matte gold finish looks absolutely spectacular in person.

10. Caran d’Ache 849 “Brut Rose” Ballpoint. Like the Gold Bar, the Brut Rose 849 is always popular around the holidays. I’ve stocked up accordingly!

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This year’s Caran d’Ache 849 “Claim Your Style” edition offers a range of choices in a unique monochromatic color scheme!

Deals & Drops: At Long Last, More Book Stands and Bullet Pens!

It’s been quite a while since we’ve had the Hightide Folding Book Stands in stock, and I’m happy to announced that they’re back, in nearly a dozen colors! These versatile desk accessories can hold anything from a book that you’re reading, to a tablet, to a notepad you’re using to transcribe handwritten notes. We also recently received a small shipment of Hightide 30 minute Sandglasses (Clear glass), so if you’ve been eyeing one of the larger sandglasses now’s your chance! Plenty of other new arrivals as well, and stay tuned for the release of the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide sometime next week, just in time for the start of the holiday shopping season.

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It folds flat for easy transport.

I did want to take a minute to talk holiday shipping. Given the high volume of orders all retailers receive in November and December, and more traffic with the carriers, deliveries may be delayed. This is something we have very little control over. While we are nearly always able to ship orders within 2-3 business days on our end, carrier delivery may take longer due to volume, weather, etc. USPS has been our default, but we now offer UPS Ground as an additional option and will be shifting some orders to UPS if postal delays get worse. Should you need an order expedited, please reach out to arrange expedited shipping. Just remember to be kind, and to place time-sensitive orders with plenty of time to spare.

All links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, unless otherwise noted. By shopping with us directly, you are supporting original content, pen reviews, pen show events, etc. from The Gentleman Stationer. If you would like to support us even further, please consider checking out the T.G.S. Patreon Program, which offers access to online meetups, exclusive discounts and pre-orders, and more!

1. Hightide Co. Folding Metal Bookstands. Now available in 11 different colors. A T.G.S. favorite!

2. Hightide Co. Sandglasses. IMHO, everyone needs a non-digital timing device for their desk. Whether for your journaling sessions, morning pages, or simply longer periods of deep concentration, it’s sometimes nice to avoid the jarring buzz of a cell phone or alarm clock. 30, 15, 5, and 3-minute increments available.

3. Penco “Perfection” Bullet Pen. These sturdy pocket pens are perfect for those who love the “bullet-pen” format, but want something a bit more substantial. Featuring chrome, gold, and matte black finishes over a brass body, with lighter plastic versions also available.

4. Penco Drafting Ballpoint Pens and Pencils. A shorter, more portable version of the traditional hexagonal drafting pens/pencils, in either matte black or silver. The mechanical pencil sports a .5mm lead size.

5. Modern Fuel Bolt-Action Mechanical Pencil (via Kickstarter). Modern Fuel is back with a new design - a bolt-action version of its high-end mechanical pencil designed to last a lifetime. This latest design is available in copper, stainless steel, brass, and titanium. Only five days left on this project, which has raised over $138,000 to date.

6. Caran d’Ache 849 Rollerball. Back in stock in all colors! The 849 Rollerball keeps the shape of the Classic 849 ballpoint, only upsized and now compatible with Parker-style refills. If you’d like to learn more, check out this post taking an extended look at the pen.

7. Caran d’Ache 849 Claim Your Style, Edition No. 3. By far my favorite Claim Your Style edition, this year’s pens feature a more muted, monochromatic design than in years past.

8. Traveler’s Notebook 2022 Planners (and Undated Versions). It’s planner season, and likely will stay that way until early January. We carry the full range of dated and undated refills for your Traveler’s Notebook and other compatible notebook covers. 2022 versions are now in stock.

9. Midori MD 2022 Planner/Calendar Stickers. Don’t use/need a dedicated planner? Consider these stickers, made from Midori MD paper that allow you to turn any notebook into a planner (or easily add a page to a bullet journal, etc.).

10. Write Notepads Classic Hardcover Notebook in Dot Grid. Finally, one of my favorite Write Notepads products is now available with Dot Grid paper. I use one of these as my commonplace book, where (at least most of the time) transcribe notes from my reading.