KOCHI: V T Jolly has been collecting pens all his life. The 51-year old who has collected at least 6,000 pen varieties from over 30 countries across the globe is currently attempting for the Guinness World records, a feat he is hopeful of achieving. At the Ernakulam Women's Association hall where his pens had been kept for display on Wednesday, Jolly explains how he stumbled upon this unique passion of amassing pens which comes in all sizes and shapes.
What catches the eye among the sea of ball-point and ink pens at the hall is the plane shaped Israeli pen, huge in size and length. " This is the biggest pen in my collection. I received it from some one dear to me who wanted me to add it to my collection," says Jolly.
Most of his pens have been gifted to him through well-wishers and friends. " I started collecting pens, old and new when I was in tenth standard. I work as a painter for a living, where I used to receive a number of used pens. By 2008, I had 600 pens in my kitty. This is when I realised that I could turn this passion into something substantial and the need to collect different kinds of pens. For this, I put in a small ad in a newspaper after which I started receiving several calls with offers of unique pens," he says.
An eighty-year old pen is one of Jolly's most priced collection, so are the Rs 30,000 worth Mont Blanc ink pen and a pen with a platinum nib. " Also, a spray pen, radio voice recording pen, a pen having a cigarette lighter on the top, a torch pen are some of the most unique of his collections.
A pen shaped in the form of a plier was given to him by a foreigner who learnt of his fetish for the ball point pen. There are others like the pen which has the photo of the Mahatma Gandhi, Satya Sai Baba and Jesus Christ. Aromatic pens and ornamental ball point pens have been put up on display too.
Jolly V T's collection includes several ink pens like the 70's model parker pens, hero pens and waterman models.
Jolly already has been holding the Limca Book of records for four consequtive years. So has he received a place in the India Book of Records. In 2013, he became the holder of the Asia Book of Record, Unique World Record, Record Setter. Also, he has held the Tamil Nadu Book of Records and Golden Book of World Record.
Jolly, however, has one small woe. He hopes the government will renumerate him in even a small gesture for his unique initiative.