elesquire
February 13th, 2014, 09:19 PM
Hello all! This is my first forum post of any significance so please bear with me. Any kind words of advice for improving would definitely be appreciated. I apologize in advance for the poor quality of the photos.
The 2014 LA Pen Show has finally begun! The weather is indecently warm, hitting around the mid-60s during the day with clear skies. If it's any comfort for snowed in readers, Southern California will certainly pay for it with a massive drought soon enough.
This year's show marks my second time attending. Last year's show was overwhelming and this year looks to be no different. There's a large ballroom packed to the gills with tables surrounded on two sides by foyers, also lined with wall to wall tables themselves.
9912
I really enjoyed the overall friendliness of attendees and dealers in general their willingness to answer questions and teach a bit about their pens. For example, I learned that one way to distinguish original Parker 51 vac demonstrators from Ariel Kullock's fantasy Parker 51 demonstrators (which are excellent!) is to look for small Parker markings and the date code on the barrel right next to the metal clutch ring. The originals also go for about two to three times as much as the fantasy versions.
9913
I also learned that Waterman produced a giant pen-shaped flask for surreptitiously carrying around liquor during Prohibition. From the outside it appears to be a huge safety. I put a 3.5" W-E ringtop next to it for scale. If I had to compare it to a regular household item I'd say it's about as big if not bigger than a Mini Maglite.
9914
John Mottishaw's table featured a Pelikan 1,000,000 loaded with radioactive ink.
9915
Oooh Nakayas...
9916
A close-up of the fine gold inlay on the Piccolo Chinkoku Housoge Writer.
9917
Sarj "The One Man Pen Show" Mihas lives up to his name. Great guy with encyclopedic pen knowledge.
9918
You know the contents of Sarj's glass cases are special when Waterman Serenites in their various wood materials don't make the cut!
I even spotted an Oldwin in gorgeous jade green celluloid.
9919
This picture looks like a fairly ordinary selection of fountain pens for a show... until you uncap them and see Greg Minuskin's skilled nibwork on each and every one of them. This show might be your best chance of beating the fabled Singapore Sniper. The vintage peacock desk set base (made by Carter) is also quite nice.
9920
Greg also sells loose Parker 51 nibs, some stock, and some retipped to awesomely broad widths.
9921
End of Part 1...
The 2014 LA Pen Show has finally begun! The weather is indecently warm, hitting around the mid-60s during the day with clear skies. If it's any comfort for snowed in readers, Southern California will certainly pay for it with a massive drought soon enough.
This year's show marks my second time attending. Last year's show was overwhelming and this year looks to be no different. There's a large ballroom packed to the gills with tables surrounded on two sides by foyers, also lined with wall to wall tables themselves.
9912
I really enjoyed the overall friendliness of attendees and dealers in general their willingness to answer questions and teach a bit about their pens. For example, I learned that one way to distinguish original Parker 51 vac demonstrators from Ariel Kullock's fantasy Parker 51 demonstrators (which are excellent!) is to look for small Parker markings and the date code on the barrel right next to the metal clutch ring. The originals also go for about two to three times as much as the fantasy versions.
9913
I also learned that Waterman produced a giant pen-shaped flask for surreptitiously carrying around liquor during Prohibition. From the outside it appears to be a huge safety. I put a 3.5" W-E ringtop next to it for scale. If I had to compare it to a regular household item I'd say it's about as big if not bigger than a Mini Maglite.
9914
John Mottishaw's table featured a Pelikan 1,000,000 loaded with radioactive ink.
9915
Oooh Nakayas...
9916
A close-up of the fine gold inlay on the Piccolo Chinkoku Housoge Writer.
9917
Sarj "The One Man Pen Show" Mihas lives up to his name. Great guy with encyclopedic pen knowledge.
9918
You know the contents of Sarj's glass cases are special when Waterman Serenites in their various wood materials don't make the cut!
I even spotted an Oldwin in gorgeous jade green celluloid.
9919
This picture looks like a fairly ordinary selection of fountain pens for a show... until you uncap them and see Greg Minuskin's skilled nibwork on each and every one of them. This show might be your best chance of beating the fabled Singapore Sniper. The vintage peacock desk set base (made by Carter) is also quite nice.
9920
Greg also sells loose Parker 51 nibs, some stock, and some retipped to awesomely broad widths.
9921
End of Part 1...