Here is a cigar pen I made from a 150 year old sycamore blank I got a while back from Jon Lanier. I am sending this off for a pen exchange I am participating in on another website. The photography sucks, so please overlook it but I would like your comments. I also think this is the first time I've posted a picture of my work.
The blank is from a 150 year-old quarter-sawn Sycamore that came from an old barn in Xenia, Ohio, which served later as the first established Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphans’ home in Xenia, Ohio.
The Home, located in Xenia, Ohio, was founded in 1869 by veterans of the Civil War. The barn served the Orphans’ Home through the Osso family. Later, the farm became a place of learning for the children as well as a source of income and food. The Home officially closed its doors in 1995. The history of this place was quite significant to orphans of military personnel for almost 100 years.
I think it’s always good to have a story behind each pen – I also like to think of the craftsmen, such as this one over 150 years ago, who originally used this cut plank to build the barn: I’ll bet they never thought the wood being used way back when would be nothing but a barn!
Thanks for looking-
Michael