Barry Rubin

Who: Barry Rubin has amassed one of the largest limited-edition pen collections in the country. Through his latest venture, Ink, he’s now selling the collection he started as a teen.

To the Point: Ink is open by appointment, and  pens are arranged by price point, not brand, to ease the intimidation factor and allow customers to test-drive and comparison shop. The selection ranges from a $45,000 jade pen, complete with rose-gold fittings and a matching inkwell (sold separately), to fashionable pens priced for less than $100.

The Inkwell Runs Deep: “In grade school and high school, I used a fountain pen. There were ink splotches on my homework,” says Rubin. “But I thought pens were a cool thing to have, and my teachers thought it was great. Now it’s considered a fashion accessory.”

Write Mentality: “You are what you write with,” he says. “When you’re dressed in a suit or dress and have a twenty-nine–cent Bic, it just doesn’t add up. It doesn’t have the flow. I call this art. Five inches tall.”

Not Disposable: “If someone asks to borrow your pen, you should charge interest. If you carry something of value, it has mind-share. You watch good pens.”

Fight for the Write: “We have customers who appreciate value and uniqueness. The pen becomes a part of them. There’s a group of people who appreciate art and functionality. Some use their pens. Some just look at them. They come from all walks of life.”

Handwriting Hygiene: “There are health benefits to carrying your own pen. There are more germs on pens than anything. I’m not a clean freak, but I’m going to use my own pen.”

Love Letters: “How many kids do you have? Who’s your favorite? It’s hard to stop collecting and hard to sell some of the pens. It can be like cutting off one of my arms.”

Pack Rat: “Everybody’s addicted to something. I actually have more toys than pens.”

Ink, IDS Center, 45th floor, by appointment, 612-455-2600