Respond to this message Return to index Original Message The True Spirit of the PuristS (Login Park08) AP Discussion Group Posted Jul 3, 2009 5:37 AM That the PuristS is a community is beyond dispute. The many GTGs, scheduled meetings, PM conversations, watch trades, and sharing of information are all visible and familiar. Regular participants have all seen evidence of and expressions of gratitude for the friendships that have been launched through our shared interests. Today, however, I had an experience that goes deeper than this and that I want to share with fellow AP PuristS as an example of the generosity of spirit that this site represents. That generosity of spirit should develop from the site is natural, as it is the generosity of Thomas Mao with his expertise, time, and funding that created the PuristS in the first place and has sustained it to the point that generous contributions from others, particular moderators, patrons, and regular contributors have allowed the PuristS and PuristPro to grow and flourish. Today's experience has roots in correspondence that began exactly a year ago with MichaelC, a fellow AP afficianado and frequent poster on this forum. Over the year that passed, this became a friendship in which we've shared more than AP news and the excitement of our latest acquisitions. We've discussed things we were considering purchasing and have, I think, influenced each other's decisions. We've discussed the role of this hobby in our lives, approaches to collecting, and even the issues that collecting sometimes poses for family life. A few days ago, Michael gave me a hint that he was sending something my way. I imagined it might be a CD of AP photos, as I'd sent him such a CD in the past. But the package that arrived was larger than a CD and contained a box much more promising than a CD: Within the box was another box, cool enough in itself that had it been empty I would have been delighted: It was not empty, but instead contained the very thing that I had most wanted from my recent travels in Spain and France, but which had not been for sale when I saw it: It is the AP Royal Oak Fountain Pen, made for AP by Swiss pen master Caran d'Ache: The details of fit and finish, poorly capture by my photos, are exquisite in the metal: I think this is the most beautiful pen I've ever seen, and it is the crown jewel of my pen collection, made up mostly of Cartier, Tiffany, Dupont, and Porsche Design writing instruments. And now the proof that this represents the true spirit of the PuristS: This pen, which Michael gave me as a gift, is the prize he won at the recent AP-sponsored golf tournament in Florida. Friendship doesn't get better than this. Thank you, Michael, for this wonderful gift. And thank you, ThomasM and fellow PuristS, for making this wonderful place. Park Login Status You are not logged in Login Password   Optional Provides additional benefits such as notifications, signatures, and user authentication. Create Account Your Name Your Email (Optional) Message Title Message Text Options Enable formatted text (Huh?) Also send responses to my email address   Notice: This is a moderated forum. Your post will not show up until a moderator approves the message. If you regularly have full posting privileges, you may have to login first.

ThePuristS.com Home Page