Nikon Coolpix L4
Topic: Photography
I bought a new little digital camera yesterday. A Nikon Coolpix L4. "Novices will appreciate its simple menu navigation and useful in-camera features such as cropping and repairing dark images. I was satisfied with both its picture quality and in-camera features, but the lack of a viewfinder and the inability to record video with sound hurt the camera's rating. Still, if you're a camera newbie or just need to return to the basics, the Nikon Coolpix L4 is a good choice...
... I was disappointed with the L4's lack of a viewfinder, although none of the L-line cameras have them. To make up for it, the camera has 2-inch LCD screen, unusually large in a camera this inexpensive." [Review by Jennifer L. DeLeo, PC Magazine]

»Read the complete Nikon Coolpix L4 Review at PC Magazine
»Compare prices before you shop for Cameras at PriceRunner
»Search eBay for Nikon Coolpix L4

12 New Magnum Bonum Nibs
Topic: Nibs
Rare 19th century nibs for sale on eBay. "12 New 'Bonum Magnum' Nibs in a beautiful box labelled 'THE CELEBRATED MAGUM BONUM OR COMMERCIAL PENS'. The paper covering and label look to be hand-printed. The box is damaged. Looks quite early 19thC."
Auction ends 28.May.2006. View eBay item #6282141718. (I am not bidding on this auction and I don't know the seller.)

UPDATE: Winning bid was AU $150.83 (Approx. US $114.28)

»Search eBay for nibs

Herge sculpture by Jacques Caffier
Topic: Comics
Un hommage a Herge, sculpte par Jacques Caffier -- cool Herge sculpture by JC Creations at www.objectible.net. (via the cartoonist)

»Search eBay for tintin statues

Elephant Nib Cleaner -- Essuie Plume Porcelaine
Topic: Nibs
Elephant Pen Nib Wipe for sale on eBay. "Essuie plume en porcelaine blanche peinte representant un elephant trompe en l'air (porte bonheur quand la trompe est en l'air) ouverture sur le dos laissant apparaitre un morceau de tissu velour pour essuyer la plume ni eclat ni egrenure ancienne trace de peinture bleue aux oreilles a la queue a la bouche et verte entre les pattes " Auction ends 28.May.2006. View eBay item #6631732652. (I am not bidding on this auction and I don't know the seller.)
UPDATE: Winning bid was EUR 10.50 (approx. US $13.38)

»Search eBay for nibs
»Check out this old Victorian Bronze Pig Pen Nib Wipe in my blog 13.March.2005.

Presentoir Plumes la Francoise
Topic: Nibs
Nib Display from France for sale on eBay. "Presentoir en carton la francoise blanzy, conte, gilbert, possedant 20 boites de plumes pleines. Les boites comme le presentoir sont dans un super etat. Apparement les boites contiennent chacune 10 plumes." Auction ends 22.May.2006. View eBay item #6629873050. (I am not bidding on this auction and I don't know the seller.)
UPDATE: Winning bid was EUR 20 (approx. US $25.50)

»Search eBay for nibs

Yoropen Pens and Pencils
Topic: Pens, Pencils
Yoropen --"Yoropen is the best ergonomically designed pen in the world. Winner of numerous international awards in design, invention and innovation, the revolutionary Yoropen relieves the discomforts of writing. It's features include finger support, adjustable grip and increased visibility. The finger support relaxes the writer's fingers, requiring very little pressure and reducing any strain. The adjustable tripod grip can be rotated to a preferred writing position (left-handers rotate the grip to the left). The angle of the pen allows for better visibility of your written work (left-handers won't suffer smudges). The mechanical pencil features a rotating barrel for a variable thickness of line. Perfect for artists and designers. Both pens and pencil are made of brass with a satin silver-plated finish." (I haven't tested it.)

»The Yoropen is available from FLAX Art & Design in San Francisco.
»Search eBay for yoropen

Gucci Silk Tie with Pen Nibs Pattern
Topic: Nibs
Gucci Luxe Silk Tie -- Spear Head or Pen Nibs Pattern? sold on eBay. "Pattern seems to be Spear Heads to me but may be Pen Nibs. Made in Italy. 'Signed' on the label and on the small point and in the lining. 100% Silk. Aprox 3-3/4" at the widest point ." Auction ended 14.May.2006. View eBay item #8283557344. (I did not bid on this auction and I don't know the seller.)

»Search eBay for nibs
»Search eBay for gucci
UPDATE: Winning bid was US $12.50

Fiskars Folding Flip Knife
Topic: Design
Fiskars Folding knife features a pivoting design that allows knife to fold in half for compact storage and transport. Locks in place when open for safety. Ergonomic handle includes a compartment for storing up to four additional blades. Simply push a button for blade changing. Comes with one blade, accepts standard size utility blades. (I found it in Mattonbutiken in Stockholm, Sweden)

»Search eBay for fiskars
»www.fiskars.com
»www.mattonbutiken.se

Pentel Retractable, Permanent and Refillable Marker Pen with No Cap
Topic: Pens, Pencils
Pentel NX50 -- I have not seen the retractable Sharpies in Sweden. But yesterday I found this cool Pentel NX50, Retractable, Permanent and Refillable Marker in a local store.

»Pentel, Handy www.pentel.co.jp
»Wirströms, Stockholm, Sweden.
»Search eBay for pentel

Swann-Morton Retractaway - retractable scalpel
Topic: Design
The Retractaway is a sleek graphite-finish metal handle offering the added safety of a hand retractable blade mechanism. It is a highly versatile cutting tool produced with designers, graphic artists and model makers in mind. With easy blade changing it fits and safely retracts surgical blade No's 10, 10A, 11 and 15.

»Search eBay for Swann-Morton

Whitelines - a new writing paper
Topic: Design
Whitelines -- "a new writing paper, where the white lines bring out everything you write or draw. The light lines disappear when photocopying." (Whitelines is printed on Amber 90g)

Pen Nibs Box -- 765 US Dollars
Topic: Nibs
Pen Nib Box -- Plume Presentoir, Baignol et Farjon, salesman sample box sold on eBay. Winning bid was: EUR 601.83 (Approx. $765 USD). Auction ended 8.May.2005. View eBay item #6625362793. (I did not bid on this auction.)

»Search eBay for nibs

Giant Nib Heintze & Blanckertz
Topic: Nibs
Plume geante Heintze & Blanckertz - Nibs for sale on eBay. "Plume geante a reservoir amovible realisee par la firme allemande HEINTZE & BLANCKERTZ de BERLIN. Cette plume est presentee en page 109 du livre de Jean-Pierre Lacroux et Lionel Van Cleem 'La Memoire des Sergent-Major'" Auction ends 9.May.2006. View eBay item #6626686420. (I am not bidding on this auction and I don't know the seller.)

»Search eBay for nibs

UPDATE: Winning bid was EUR 206 (Approx. US $263)

The billion-dollar space pen
Topic: Pens, Pencils
The billion-dollar space pen -- The Fisher Space Pen was developed with private money, but soon became part of an urban legend involving an expensive NASA program.
Read more in The Space Review

»Fisher Space Pen Co.
»NASA - spacepen
»Search eBay auctions for space pen

Cantina Sant'Andrea - Azienda Agricola
Topic: Art
I just came home after one week in Italy. Found some nice wine at Cantina Sant' Andrea

Arabic calligraphy
Topic: Calligraphy
An interesting article on disputes amongst different schools of Arabic calligraphy. (via microsoft typography)

MUJI Award
Topic: Design
Muji Award, International Design Competition -- "Muji is launching an international design competition. A project calling for entries from all over the world of designs that shake up and stir people. The results will be announced at the Milan Salone. Our first theme is “SUMI”, We're asking you to focus your design, not on the major pieces that are central to a room, rather to observe the extremes of the space, the unexplored areas of consciousness. We invite anyone in the world to propose a new Muji product!"

ABBA Repro Doll Box
Topic: Music
ABBA -- "This is a reproduction box for the ABBA Dolls that were issued in the 80's. The boxes are the result of a special order for a collector of ABBA memoribilia. This is for the Frida doll." The full set of 4 is available from recovertoy.com

Vinnie Jones
Topic: Advertising
Vinnie Jones -- the Official Vinnie Jones website -- News, Pictures, Film, Football.

Read and study seriously...
Topic: Education
Read and study seriously, thoroughly criticize Lin Biao and Confucious. -- "Renzhen kanshu xuexi, shen ru pi Lin pi Kong." -- Chinese propaganda poster from maopost.com, printed in June 1974.