LA Pen Show 2014 Report

[AltecGreen]

LA Pen Show Report 2014: Other People’s Money


The theme for this year’s report is other people’s money (OPM). This report reflects my own interests in the pen world is shaped by the pictures I take at the show. Farmboy and I are running and financing the 2014 San Francisco Pen show with our secret third member. Actually, it’s not that much of a secret but….. Thus I spent a great deal of time promoting the SF show and less time focused on taking pictures and buying pens. Thank god because this was a buying show. The last two years I was struggling to find pens to buy while this year I had to make some tough decisions regarding which pens to buy and which pens to leave behind.

The second event that loomed over the show was the weather in the Eastern part of the United States. Coming into the show week, a huge storm brought ice and snow to parts of the country not used to that kind of weather. The storm then proceeded north creating more havoc for people in the Northeast. This did have an affect on the show since many did not make the show and had to cancel. Some notable people including Paul Erano and Bill Weakley did not make the show. In addition, a few others did not make the show due to other reasons including Pendelton Brown.

After the fiasco of two years ago where I was munching on breakfast in Northern California while Loren was texting me a message on how much he had already bought at 9 am, I decided to always arrive on Wednesday. Thus I woke early to have an incredibly over priced breakfast and head off to the show at 8 am. The usual suspects were already in the room. Every time a new person arrives and sets up, a crowd forms like a pool of ravenous piranhas.


Thursday


Here, Rob Lott staring to put things out and a crowd begins to form.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/12583711774_2d611b0e0f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583711774/)


Still, the room was a bit less crowded than last year because several of the people who missed the show due to weather are regulars on Thursday morning.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/12583255355_ca3f12806a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583255355/)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/12583372023_8dd71d97a2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583372023/)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/12583372023_8dd71d97a2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583372023/)



The side hallway areas is deserted as usual on Thursday.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/12583334153_8681a76b80_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583334153/)





For all those that remember our Pen Posse Saga of Loren’s MB 236, the story continued at the show. Farmboy determined that the barrel could not be saved. Loren found Osman Sumer early on Thursday morning for a second opinion and to see whether a donor part could be found.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/12583251775_8b5f1117ee_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583251775/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/12583707444_709af5a18c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583707444/)


In the end, Osman did not have a donor barrel but would sell Loren another MB 236. Loren decided the best course of action is a bionic (i.e. modern custom made) barrel replacement. Stay tuned.

[AltecGreen]

The pen show is great for all of the knowledge. While I was passing out brochures for the SF Pen Show, I struck up a conversation with a Conklin expert. He pulls out a case from underneath the table of rare and pristine early Conkin Crescent pens. It was quite an education of the early Conklins and the evolution of the crescent.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/12583246935_85785200dd_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583246935/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/12583246025_fbb1696f7f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583246025/)





I thought this was cool. I just can’t remember why though.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/12583249605_0a61c40e21_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583249605/)




Susan Wirth got a late start.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/12583362913_db967beea5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583362913/)





Actually, it seemed like a lot of dealers just started late. They were at the show but did not set-up as early in years past.




The show begins to pick-up by mid-morning.
https://ycpi-farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/12583693874_96317aba2f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583693874/)



https://v4s.yimg.com/so/7460/12583230265_a686f8f63b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583230265/)


The Anderson’s arrive. Thus we have ink at the show on Thursday. Yay! https://ycpi-farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/12583352263_07ee74c386_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583352263/)



I was chatting with Bob Nowak and he had this stunning 18k solid gold Parker 61 in pristine condition. I’m not a Parker guy and Bob’s not a 61 fan but this was fabulous.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/12583347663_c62a3616ab_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583347663/)



I was chatting with Hirsh Davis and he had one of those vintage pen collecting mysteries. In the picture below is what he showed me.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/12583688964_28d9824f71_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583688964/)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/12583356393_731e603301_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583356393/)




The black barrel is a barrel from a Chilton desk pen. There’s was nothing odd until you look inside the barrel. The picture above does not really show it but the inside is not black. The pen had been turned from the Clown material and painted black. How this came to be is one of those mysteries of vintage pens.

[AltecGreen]

Outside in the hallway, there was only Mario Campa and Maxim and his Artus pens set-up. I’ve known Maxim for three years since he came to the 2011 SF show. We chatted about the latest pens they have been doing. Here is a tribute ones to the first dogs that retuned from space.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/12583220425_f6128b2f98_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583220425/)


Here’s is the pen nominated for the 2014 Reader’s Choice Awards
https://ycpi-farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/12583676894_497e29b28c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583676894/)



One thing I dod not know was that their beautiful pen boxes are made from paper mache. I said paper mache!?! Apparently, this art originated in Germany but has been kept alive by Russian craftsmen.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/12583680434_c8c69eca7c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583680434/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/12583339373_8471daa9a4_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583339373/)




John Strother arrives after lunch causing another feeding frenzy.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/12583668824_b0c7c241f0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583668824/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/12583670664_369764633d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583670664/)



If you’ve been paying attention you can identify the sharks by now.




The Anderson’s finished setting up (well almost).
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/12583668094_eabf94e1c6_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583668094/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/12583673304_030d128d39_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583673304/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/12583216295_190be83e22_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583216295/)



One of the finniest moments on Thursday was Brian Anderson showing off his Google Glass.

Here is the other Brian playing with it.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/12583302573_e7b0a17763_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583302573/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/12583301883_1f3e3055e0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583301883/)




This prompted the following quote

“No wearing Google Glass to bed!”-Lisa Anderson.

We quickly dispersed after that. :-)

[AltecGreen]

One of the highlights for me last year was the attendance of Mr. and Mrs. Kazuno of Stylo Art. They came back to LA this year and brought Mr. Endo of Eboya. Eboya was a company I’ve heard of for a while but never experienced their pens and their ebonite.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/12583163775_2db5836462_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583163775/)



I had already traded e-mails with Mr. Kazuno a few months back. This year he brought more of his sublime wooden pens. The difference is that he brought ones that could be fitted with nibs from any of the three big Japanese companies. This includes the Pilot #10 specialty nibs.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/12583637554_3d21f6ed2c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583637554/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/12583636704_0e91fa97b9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583636704/)


Mr. Endo of Eboya also runs Nikko Ebonite, the only ebonite manufacturer in Japane. Brian Gray already uses some of his materials.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/12583918184_6dc0efc1e8_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583918184/)



Eboya makes a line of beautiful ebonite pens and other ebonite products including guitar picks (yay!).


Pens
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/12583634454_d6497aecdb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583634454/)

Pen rests
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/12583177085_c16f43bf3b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583177085/)

Guitar Picks
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/12583175615_2df267b4ce_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583175615/)


A piece of raw rubber and some ebonite rods
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/12583630394_11a83f8e1f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583630394/)




Later in the afternoon, John Mottishaw and Co. set-up.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/12583200665_4f63c75549_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583200665/)



Here are the usual drool worthy Nakaya pens
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http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/12583174075_1883afecbd_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583174075/)




New for this year is the custom Nakaya made test pen holder.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3693/12583626734_40dc64ce7e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583626734/)




Here is a new Nakaya Dorsal Fin pen in Awai-Murasaki, a color I pioneered.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/12583621074_8c7b25e1ba_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583621074/)

[AltecGreen]

Parts shopping at Richard Lott’s table
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http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/12583318313_e708cbe978_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583318313/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/12583321573_f88f44ef32_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583321573/)

https://ycpi-farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/12583322913_5a0d45ed75_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583322913/)





Sarj-“the one man pen show”
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3735/12583268703_9426ce5f76_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583268703/)


There is no shortage of Parker 51 nibs.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/12583604044_0d8b44b848_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583604044/)






Pelikan City Series pens-I saw several of the rare ones on sale.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/12583653734_4310d29a67_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583653734/)




Sailor Thing-a-ma-bob
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/12583306483_8fa9721c80_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583306483/)




Rare Vintage Japanese (more on this in my Ricky’s Haul report)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/12583153405_ee74762f55_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583153405/)


A crowd at Gary Lehrer’s table
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Gary always has some nice pens. Aurora Ethiopia anyone?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/12583698894_c7c46e1a7a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583698894/)




Emanuel and Bernard brought huge amounts of pens and small amounts of really huge pens.


https://s2.yimg.com/sk/3674/12583691514_70a0ba53ee_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583691514/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/12583349913_0a1855696a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583349913/)

[AltecGreen]

Some Thursday Afternoon Miscellany


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Pininfarina
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/12583681534_bc12ab4ee2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583681534/)



Old Visconti
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/12583645044_8a198e55ae_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583645044/)




http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/12583275463_a12fb46efd_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583275463/)



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There is a story with this little nugget. I’ll get back to this one when I get to the Saturday coverage.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/12583305573_dc1271a9da_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583305573/)

[ethernautrix]

Ah, my fix is rolling in.

Super job, Ricky!

[Laura N]

Fun! I see a green marbled Stipula in one of the later pictures that would have been hard to resist, if not for the $360 price tag, which makes it easy to resist.

The benefit of sharp, detailed photos, right there. :)

[AltecGreen]

Bonus pic from Thursday night. Maxim brought the vodka from Russia. The rest is self explanatory.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/12599647794_1a82ba1c3a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12599647794/)

[ethernautrix]

Bonus pic from Thursday night. Maxim brought the vodka from Russia. The rest is self explanatory.



I remember that vodka. It was immoral to shoot it. But... I didn't want to insult Maxim. (I sipped the second shot. Hee hee!)

[pengeezer]

I collect pen signage(when I can) and that Parker/Quink sign is sweet!

Thanks for the pics,Rick!


John

[caribbean_skye]

now i want to go to the LA show next year.

[AltecGreen]

Friday


As I commented in a few threads already on various internet venues, Thursday was a good day for business. Many of the vendors both modern and vintage said they did really well on Thursday. I spent 75% of my budget on Thursday. It was weird because there were less people but more pens and people were spending.

I started my morning by avoiding the hotel breakfast and hit the local bagel joint. It was near a bank where I had to make my customary annual withdrawal a day early. Normally, I do this Saturday. I didn’t get back to the hotel until 9:00 am.


As usual Friday has much more people activity. Some people came in late Thursday but did not bother to set-up.


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The usuals were setting up in the hallways.



Here’s Rik from Rikwell.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/12583492895_9c8c4e227a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583492895/)



Between the last LA Pen Show and this year, Mike Masuyama moved from Georgia to LA. Thus he was in attendance at LA with a secret partner.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/12583490985_78854a945f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583490985/)




Right next to Mike was Brian Gray. Brian always brings a large collection of pens. I caught up with him to see what the latest trends were with Edison pens.


https://v4s.yimg.com/sj/2893/12583488735_90d7bbb892_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583488735/)



The current hot ticket item is his pump filler/vaccumatic clone. It’s a nice pen and the mechanism seems very nice.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/12583487405_5a021c0d7e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583487405/)



These come in a nice array of colors. I like the colors.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/12583941094_511b322c01_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583941094/)

Brian did make a double nibbled pen a la the Golden Age of fountain pens. He did not have a finished pen at the show but did have one that was partially finished. It’s a pretty cool pen that harkens back to the 1930’s. This one still needs the middle section and final polish. I did kinda like the satin finish at this stage of production.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/12583482665_cfa4062a53_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583482665/)



Here is Sarj buying a lot of pens.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/12583481405_8fb02e4920_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583481405/)


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[AltecGreen]

Here’s Frances
https://s3.yimg.com/so/7303/12583932194_c1ef8b216e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583932194/)





I checked up on Syd at Wahl Eversharp. The new Skylines are doing well. It was the one year anniversary of the unveiling of the new Wahl Eversharp. So far the anodized aluminum pen has been the hot seller. It is cool that the modern parts are made to the same exact specs as the vintage ones. Here’s a modern clip that could fit a vintage Skyline.

https://ycpi-farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/12583929944_293a252775_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583929944/)




Rick Propas was right on the other side from Syd on Friday,.

He had arrange for several members of the SF Pen Posse to help him at the show. Here are Brian and Christina talking to Bruno. I OPM’ed the two of them on Saturday for big points. This was the day before.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/12583928464_7d599ebd23_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583928464/)



The next story is a lesson on what not to do at a pen show. To protect the innocent I’ll use fake names. Rick has a beautiful Quadretti dual nib pen in red lined celluloid. This is considered a grail pen among vintage Italians. A person we shall call “Bob” was expressing interest even though the pen was beyond finacial reach short of a quick divorce. Rick said name your price and “Bob” answered with a number he thought Rick would never except. Rick said yes. We all got a good laugh.


https://v4s.yimg.com/sm/5524/12583472365_9525ca138d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583472365/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2844/12583587343_ef0f96de02_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583587343/)




Since the title of this year’s report is “Other People’s Money”, we should start spending some of that. I ran into Cherry right after the quadretti incident. I know exactly the kinda of things she likes so I took her over to the Stylo Art Table to show her one of Mr. Kuzuno’s pens and his selection of specialty Pilot nibs that are not normally available in the US. I had her pegged and she bought a pen with the last Pilot #10 FA nib.

Here is Mr. Kuzuno setting the FA nib on the chosen pen body.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/12583583973_154c30a58a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583583973/)


https://ycpi-farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/12583582633_401ec4a858_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583582633/)


Mr. Kuzuno sets and adjusts every pen he sells. He is as good as any of the US nibmeisters in that regard.


Here is Cherry with her new pen.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/12583922364_a243594224_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583922364/)



I took more pictures of the Stylo Art ones while waiting for Cherry. I should have bought the pen in Tamo ash.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2812/12583581263_fcf3b673e6_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583581263/)



Stan the moderator from FPN brought some of his best pens for show and tell. You won’t easily find pens like this in the US.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/12583462705_63144d414a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583462705/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/12583914324_619105ae22_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583914324/)



He was showing Mr. Prenton. Mr. Prenton lives in Japan and deals in antiques. He brought a quantity of rare Japanese maki-e pens and other items. This is a sterling smoking pipe made by two masters. A very cool item.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/12583458405_d1fa5253b3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583458405/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/12583571673_a903b8da7e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583571673/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/12583456145_22ccdaa77a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583456145/)

[AltecGreen]

I was asked to look at some vintage Italian pens. Here are four vintage Tibaldi pens including an early hard rubber pen. People familiar with the 90’s incarnation of Tibaldi will recognize the material and design of the pen on the left. The material and shape was used in the Modello 60 line of the 90’s Tibaldi. This is the original.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/12583908054_26c4716a03_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583908054/)




Right next door was Taccia. They are bringing out some very nice pens at a reasonable price.

These are pens in their Timeless series. The one kinda invokes a more upscale version of a Rotring 600. The pen has a heavy and sturdy feel and is quite elegant.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/12583451605_54225a261f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583451605/)


Another cool pen is from the Covenant series. The open has a single large and long cap. It can be used capless like a medium sized pen or ‘posted’ to a large sized pen. The pen is light and balanced.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/12583904714_890a87cb94_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583904714/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/12583447915_b193cea419_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583447915/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/12583446865_384c624514_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583446865/)


Taccia was running a promotion. If you bought two pens, they would give you a very nice Japanese made silk pen wrap. Here is Shu Jen demonstrating the wrap.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/12583559353_b523732682_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583559353/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/12583446015_2104906349_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583446015/)


https://s3.yimg.com/so/7353/12583445315_c3e2b26028_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583445315/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/12583843374_44c08d7412_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583843374/)

[AltecGreen]

One of the coolest thing at the show was Ryan Krusac and his friend Chef Brandon Lee. Ryan makes wonderful pens from wood and other materials. He brought his friend Chef Brandon Lee of Modern Chocolatier who was selling his delectable chocolate truffles at the show. There was even a pen and chocolate paring. Anyways check out Ryan and Brandon’s work.

Here are some of the chocolates
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/12583441955_52169c1df1_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583441955/)


https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/12583555773_f9c478904e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583555773/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3733/12583440205_8f26ee1631_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583440205/)



Chocolate and pen Pairing!
https://v4s.yimg.com/so/7294/12583554063_42605ae398_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583554063/)



http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/12583437465_6ee9cf9069_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583437465/)



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7360/12583551203_8f7077174b_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583551203/)



http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/12583435245_6df3170657_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583435245/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/12583551753_660bfa97fa_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583551753/)

[AltecGreen]

Right behind Ryan and Brandon was Conway Stewart.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/12583888694_a7b46758bb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583888694/)



The latest offerings from CS is the introduction of a new series of model 100 pens.

Here are the new pens. Mary told me they are about six weeks from launch.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/12583545393_78e4338ab7_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583545393/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/12583884364_788b32d1a5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583884364/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/12583543353_7084cebd95_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583543353/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/12583427245_fb4bd412c7_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583427245/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/12583879824_9f31a82d4d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583879824/)



I always like the CS silver and enamel pens.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/12583424085_aae109bc2f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583424085/)


Here is the normal picture of Mary. She’d kill me if I posted the other one. :-).
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/12583535913_185140b177_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583535913/)


More CS pens. CS has been pretty busy so they didn’t have as much for Mary to show.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/12583534743_beec573943_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583534743/)





Rich Littlestone and Argent Blue pens.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/12583512703_5139afc340_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583512703/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/12583855444_44610eac26_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583855444/)




Franklin Christoph did make the show. They were able to catch one of four flight to make it out of North Carolina.

Leather goods
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/12583850114_f96d2e17a0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583850114/)


Tester pens
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/12583847534_8e1fb7a2e5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583847534/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/12583507133_fbbf8702ff_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583507133/)

[AltecGreen]

Late in the day, I ran into Dan who was showing off some pens. Dan is known for his John Holland and Wirt ones but he was showing off a wonderful collection of Eclipse pens. I got an education on these ones. Eclipse was not the highest quality pen but these had fantastic color. So what if the threads are very good.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/12583809854_78940a2aa1_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583809854/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3735/12583355355_4afe8d55d8_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583355355/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/12583479093_7e5e5ec9d9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583479093/)


https://s2.yimg.com/sk/3700/12583359945_207bf71705_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583359945/)



http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/12583473943_b2a79e2026_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583473943/)


Look at that yellow.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/12583357015_6cd5d8fe0f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583357015/)



Friday Miscellany



Here’s Azeem form the SF Pen Posse.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/12583533303_10f782e10f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583533303/)


Jon Szanto talking to Syd.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/12583416235_d4113a1378_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583416235/)


Look Real Parkers?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/12583469613_399399380f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583469613/)


Wait? Which ones are real?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/12583352665_fbfaa0dc23_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583352665/)


Here’s Sam Fiorella wondering where she left her cell phone. Long story.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/12583381205_a5efbcc41d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583381205/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/12583829184_16c361d623_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583829184/)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/12583830104_05dd5f9aa1_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583830104/)

[AltecGreen]

Wait! What happened to Michael Sull
https://s3.yimg.com/so/7346/12583373445_f0098cd8d9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583373445/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/12583826534_061b2b3ae2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583826534/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/12583825204_be7fcab3fb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583825204/)


Greg Minuskin
https://v4s.yimg.com/so/7296/12583834024_50a10defb1_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583834024/)




Teri and Nevarrdo
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/12583842554_230fc96935_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583842554/)



Andreas Lambrou
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/12583385245_7f6725ac60_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583385245/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/12583838044_0ddeb0ef92_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583838044/)



The end of Friday
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/12583467493_c48f3b1fbf_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583467493/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/12583804724_b8c2882e38_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583804724/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/12583349695_c627517cd9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583349695/)

[purplepencils]

breathtaking! wish I could have been there.

[AltecGreen]

Saturday


Saturday last year was inexplicably dead followed by a crushing Sunday. This year Saturday had good traffic all day. As usual, the modern guys star to set-up on Saturday although really their business is on Sunday. There was still a lot of vintage business to do on Saturday. On Friday, John Mottishaw announced that he was going to sell a bunch of parts on Saturday morning at 9 am. We’ll see how that played out.




Saturday morning around 8:00 am. Pen people get up early for this stuff.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/12583690755_f0418fc087_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583690755/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/12583689655_e39cf0cae3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583689655/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/12584140474_a4b6a0023e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584140474/)




Sarj the “one man pen show”
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/12583685075_8e14ebf41e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583685075/)


He does have a nice inventory of pens covering both modern and vintage
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/12583683895_5758d51a9e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583683895/)


The Monster drink for pen show energy
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/12583682805_c77f2a1439_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583682805/)





Still no shortage of 51 nibs.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/12584130444_ce16d5a3cb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584130444/)




Good deals can be found at pen shows at all levels.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/12583675905_4fe28a474f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583675905/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/12584127944_689f18bdf6_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584127944/)




Darlene from Vegas Pens was in attendance for first time in a few years.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/12583670175_f0be2b34de_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583670175/)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/12584120564_c090e8c2b3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584120564/)

[AltecGreen]

The outer hallway was filling up for the weekend crowd.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/12583663245_98295417a7_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583663245/)


YAFA was the primary sponsor and they had a nice display out front.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/12583770383_2dbfd4e656_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583770383/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/12583656875_45f4520c05_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583656875/)



http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/12583651185_f3c2cf43ee_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583651185/)



https://v4s.yimg.com/sj/2872/12583646915_4fe7052a8d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583646915/)



http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/12584099084_287b8ec418_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584099084/)






Back to John Mottishaw’s sale.

I told a few people who might be interested. Said person camped out at John’s table. This was not normal behavior.



I get over there and I see this. Something is wrong with this picture. Why is John on the other side of the table?
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/12583755563_7a1e4216c8_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583755563/)



More camping. Cue the Jaws theme.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/12583748723_78f3652583_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583748723/)



Release the Kraken.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/12584070234_4dccf87be5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584070234/)


If you are wondering about the weird camera angles, it was the only angle I could get. :-)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/12584069414_4b94bb4778_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584069414/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/12583727213_6c11703759_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583727213/)


https://s3.yimg.com/so/7455/12583726403_94cea2b1eb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583726403/)



I felt kinda of bad for Tony, one of John’s new employees. I think this was his first LA show. He was trying organize the parts while Todd and Tim were just grabbing whole bags. In the end, Todd and Tim took the bags outside to feed on the good stuff. Then they got Loren to bring back the remains.


In the pile I found this “Kilroy was Here” ballpoint.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/12584064424_55aee0ab6f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584064424/)




In the aftermath, Todd and Tim bought up a bunch of parts. I ended up with a Japanese pen from the 50’s with the original box. It was all good.

[AltecGreen]

Saturday was the day I scored big on OPM points. Earlier, I mentioned Brian and Christina from our Pen Posse. Brian made the mistake of asking me about vintage Omas pens. He had acquired a couple of black vintage Omas and loved them. However, he was interested in pens with colored celluloid. That was all the opening I needed. Marc Shiman could not make the show but sent two trays of vintage Italians pens to Mario Campa to sell for him at the show. I had options on one tray of pens. On Thursday, I did my business but there still a lot of juicy pens for sale. So I hooked up Brian with Mario. I sat down and explained the remaining pens and facilitated the pen buying. I scored big OPM points and I think Brian and Christina are happy. Fortunately, I did not have to bank. Several times that weekend, I acted as an ATM machine on two legs to facilitate several purchases by my Pen Posse cohorts.


Here are some of the pens on offer.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/12584057134_d6ff39ba77_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584057134/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/12583715293_395b92d012_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583715293/)




Even though I don’t buy a lot of modern pens anymore, it was good to see some of the latest OMAS offerings. They are truer to their heritage.


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/12583705643_27c7cf34bd_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583705643/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/12583702923_0382629ee4_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583702923/)




Kenro had a nice display. I especially love the non-pen items.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/12583593625_72c445dcc9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583593625/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/12584054844_e438c55d23_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584054844/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/12583598775_a62ed32d5e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583598775/)




This was the first year I saw modern Onoto pens at the show.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/12583696343_a8306e5254_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583696343/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/12583581195_0a93d5fbee_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583581195/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/12583579985_76ab1f8912_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583579985/)





So Loren and I were bumming around and came across this Parker Princess pen. The debate can now commence on gender of a pen.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/12583569435_75f5246723_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583569435/)



Mike was busy at work with his mystery guest.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/12584085584_4878e5c529_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584085584/)


https://s2.yimg.com/sk/3669/12583633735_fd517ee288_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583633735/)

[lsmith42]

Mission accomplished!

[AltecGreen]

David Issacson has a lot of really nice pens. He showed us a tray of fabulous Parkers. I’ll let David comment more on these pens.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/12583991784_469b3284b5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583991784/)

Stunning!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/12583534175_07924838e4_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583534175/)





Here is An Tran. He has a lot of nice vintage American pens.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/12584032864_9ca4bff7a3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584032864/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/12583690203_5004217dff_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583690203/)


https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/12583688743_0d62f7e0a4_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583688743/)




Friday Miscellany




Doug Berg. I hope he wasn’t trying to fix the pen. :-)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/12583789303_b548423542_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583789303/)




I love the furry pen cases at Penopoly made by Steve Curnow
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/12583786253_daf90ffbdb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583786253/)





Osman Sumer
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/12583625285_8591c1aa98_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583625285/)



The tools
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/12583626425_957822a099_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583626425/)



The MBs
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/12583624195_5cca1f2c73_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583624195/)



Ariel Kullock caps
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/12583622125_2e77f498d2_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583622125/)



http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/12584071744_96ac4e2513_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584071744/)

[AltecGreen]

Joel and Sherrell
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/12583668173_e1a8ba446c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583668173/)





Marta's (aka Plitsumi) new Paul Rossi. At least the first one she bought this weekend.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/12583558965_51cfe269c9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583558965/)




Farmboy using Farmkid to look for 51s
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/12583665103_f7a45fc0b3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583665103/)



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/12583660653_e5a540a533_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583660653/)



Michael Sull
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/12583999274_4462e30e9e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583999274/)




Roger Cromwell and Ron Lee
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A happy customer
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A 51 cap made from a piece of copper pipe.
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Finally, more on that MB stylus. Loren saw that thing and had to buy it. The process by which Loren came into possession of the stylus is too long of a story for this thread. Those styli were meant for old Palm Pilots and do not work on modern capacitive tough screens. Loren did some checking on the internet on how to modify the stylus and I contributed some other complicated schemes. So we set out to try to modify it at the show in an attempt to impress the seller. So Loren dragged Feed and I to Fry’s to find conductive foam on the premise Radio Shack would only have cell phones. We get to Fry’s and Loren asked the employee, “where do you keep the conductive foam?” I’ll leave it at that.

[tandaina]

Wow! So many gorgeous pens!

[AltecGreen]

Point taken about proof reading. I usually do that after I put everything up since people are anxious to see the pictures. It becomes a balance of speed versus proper grammar. What I should do is write this up while I'm at the show so I have more time on Monday to proofread. Although based on the alcohol consumption, that might not be a good thing.

[Crazyorange]

Thanks for all the pics. It's great to view the action, people and pens.

[joiedwards]

I thought I snuck through on Thur and Fri but you got me in a picture!
Can't wait to see the rest of the days.

[kia]

Thank you! Ah, the LA Pen Show report fix is just in time.

[Jon Szanto]

Point taken about proof reading.

Dude, not to worry. I know everyone is enjoying this!

[AltecGreen]

Point taken about proof reading.

Dude, not to worry. I know everyone is enjoying this!

It's funny because I get grammar corrections on this site and content corrections on FPB. It is very funny.


I have made some edits to the most glaring issues. If you analyze the grammar mistakes you can get a glimmer of the different thoughts going through my head while writing that section. I might have to do an addendum later in the week because I left out a few interesting tidbits.

[AltecGreen]

Sunday



Sunday this year was a day for ‘process improvement’. For those who are not familiar with the format for the LA Pen Show, Sunday is the only day for the general public. All of the other days require a trader pass. Thus, the traffic in LA for more casual fans of pens is concentrated on Sunday. Last year, Sunday was the busiest I’ve ever seen in LA and the dealers were pretty much crushed.

This year the show organizers implemented a new admission system for the general public. I believe there were a few implementation problems.


Sunday morning is always the ‘calm before the storm’.

Early morning on Sunday
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Steve Mandell and his purple pants. He made a big point for me to capture the pants.
https://s3.yimg.com/so/7307/12583955165_0904185316_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583955165/)



The scramble to set-up

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[AltecGreen]

Many table holders did not make the trip to LA due to the weather. There was enough demand that many of the vacated tables were quickly picked by others. Tim managed to acquire tables right behind his usual spot. I call this the “Straits of Gibraltar” maneuver.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/12584413704_5761d78757_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584413704/)




While the dealers were busy setting up, others took the time to shop. Thus I have renamed Ron Lee the ‘pen vulture’.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/12584076013_8156e73fc9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584076013/)






It is my tradition to photograph the first person in line so I went out to the lobby where I found no line. This also disturbed quite a few dealers when they saw no line. The show had decided to form the line outside rather than inside the lobby. Process improvement.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/12584386804_ddc19ef294_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584386804/)




The show organizers also had people pay and received their tags and swag before 10 am. So in principle, people could just enter once the show opened. That was the idea.
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The line
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Nearly to the end of the hotel.
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[AltecGreen]

Meanwhile inside



Susan Bowen of Penworld prepping the table with magazines.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/12583987403_5cc9c4b12c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583987403/)


Bryant and his wife setting up their table (He’s actually in focus)
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Maxim and his wife Anna
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/12584397324_332d6721ba_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584397324/)


One of the nicest displays in the ballroom
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Jonella arming the Nakaya deskpen holder
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3685/12584035083_3b150d5848_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584035083/)


Mike setting up
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/12584038253_64bb2af421_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584038253/)

[AltecGreen]

With seven minutes to go, I park myself in the outer hallway preparing to take pictures.


a few calibration shots
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Time!
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After a few minutes, there was no rush and the line remained outside. It seems people who just entered the show were filling out forms for a drawing and a pile of people were still trying to pay in another line. So typical for LA there was a traffic jam. Eventually something happened and the line began to move.



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[AltecGreen]

It takes a while but the crowd finally makes it way inside the ballroom
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/12603459904_ee9f65d311_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12603459904/)





It was good to see Richard Lott stay for Sunday. It was an opportunity for some of the Sunday attendees to buy pen parts.
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I saw Cliff Harrington spend time explaining some details of certain vintage pens.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/12603461944_38ba594cdb_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12603461944/)



There were a good number of kids at the show. I saw this cute Chinese family take things in.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7298/12603121113_0752e084ab_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12603121113/)


There was a big crowd at nibs.com
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There were several of the next generation manning tables
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7327/12603158003_85e1d797a9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12603158003/)



Michael Sull always attracts a crowd with his penmanship
https://ycpi-farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/12603495234_403366950c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12603495234/)

[AltecGreen]

Mike and his mystery guest had a steady but not overwhelming stream of customers. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m not going to reveal who Mike’s mystery guess was. We were asked not to give any details while we were at the show for good reasons.
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People testing nibs at Franklin Christoph
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Mario answering questions
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Brandon packaging up several orders of truffles. Hmmmmmm……so good.
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Mary enjoying a snack during a late afternoon lull.
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Stan and Miro looking at pens
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Syd with a customer
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Roger and Darlene
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Even though Sunday is focused more on modern pens, Cliff Harrington put out for display some incredible vintage pens. A Parker Aztec, Parker Snake, Parker Ribbon pen, two hard rubber Parker pens with a gold filled and silver overlay, and a rare Parker Overlay pen. I’ve seen some of these pens before but these were exceptional examples of each.

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[AltecGreen]

Sunday Miscellany


Some Peilkan porn courtesy of Rick Propas
https://ycpi-farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/12583939055_9f82d3ca0a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583939055/)



It even still works.
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Marta (aka Plitsumi) was happy. First, she made it out on the last plane to leave New York before the storm shut everything down. In my mind, I had images of her plane taking off as the ice encased New York. Then she proceeds to spend money like I do.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/12603488964_796b67bc22_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12603488964/)



Here’s her second Rossi pen for the show
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She bought this beautiful Stylo Art Rankaku pen so so didn’t have to buy it.
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Nice Overmax Parker Vac
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My Stuff
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Stan had some interesting pens for sale. A rare Centro Pen from the Czech Republic (according to Miroslav Tischler), a Soviet era pen, and a hard to find Platinum 3776 in the Parker like ringed celluloid.
https://ycpi-farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/12584352744_b363b9bc5c_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584352744/)



Lots of luxury goods
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http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/12584007543_f5db3093e9_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12584007543/)


I love bargain boxes of pens. These actually all work.
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Fred negotiating with David I.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/12603503414_89599b6d9a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12603503414/)
Fred bought the MB Boheme from David. Loren proceeded to earn OPM points by finding a single pen MB pouch to go with the pen. Fred needed to go to the ATM because the bank of Ricky was closed.





I think this picture sums up Sunday and the show as a whole. While I was walking around on Sunday, this gentleman insisted I take his picture. I think the smile says it all.
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I have some observations to close this report. Sunday was busy. It was not as heavy as last year but there was constant activity well into the late afternoon. The pace this year was much more manageable for the dealers. Last year, it was complete chaos on Sunday. I think the LA Show has been very good the last two years. It was a really good buying show this year and I think others have echoed the same sentiment. Both the tables and hotel rooms sold out early. I know people were still trying to get tables once the show started. It seems the LA show wants to be bigger.


We’ve been having discussions in our local Pen Posse about vintage pen prices. This show did not give us any new surprises. The pricing on the upper echelon pens have remained stable or even gone down significantly in some areas. The low end vintage pens like an Esterbrook or a single jewel Parker 51 have all come up the last few years. I suspect the internet has a great deal to do with the increases on the pricing of lower end vintage pens.

On the modern pen front, I sense some shifts. I don’t have any specific evidence but I think the race for bigger and wider pens have subsided. I had conversations with one particular manufacturer about their pens and the comments were surprising. Their clientele are buying less of the F/M/B nibs on pens that used go into a safe. Instead, they are asking for EF, F and M italics, and other specialty nibs. That is to say people buying these higher end luxury pens are buying them to use rather than store away.

[tenney]

I'm so sad that I couldn't be there... I had forgotten about the Eboya mentions from last year. Hmmm... Maybe Ricky can get them to the SF Pen Show ... hint hint, nudge nudge.

I can't wait to here more at the Posse this Sunday... From Loren about what Osman said (since I've got a similar cracked barrel problem, but with a 234 1/2), and Todd with what parts and stuff he found from John... and from everyone else who was there!

[earthdawn]

Talk about a show NOT to have been missed.. WOW !!!

Thank you for the pictures and full report

[Jon Szanto]

Where else but a pen show can you walk up and have someone like John Mottishaw work on six pens while you sit there and watch and learn and chat with him? This occurred over a couple of days, and I actually went back on Sunday so I could pay him a little bit (the other days are gratis). It's so wonderful, not just the end product, but the skill involved, and such a good fellow.

I'm hooked.

[Jon Szanto]

When both men are facing the camera, Mike is the one on the left of the photo.

As to your first question... http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb204/EnvoyC/emotes/cocktail.gif

[ethernautrix]

Ah, the strong gravitational pull of OPM. No wonder I wrote to Ricky asking him to pick up a Nakaya for me (John Mottishaw has my cc number on file, which has not been so dangerous for me as it has been for Ricky in the past). Unfortunately, the pen I wanted (heki tamenuri clipless Piccolo, EF) was not in stock, and I'll have to wait until the new shipment arrives. Of course, I can wait. Thought I would be waiting until late Summer, anyway.

I think it's funny, though, OPM - how I unwittingly participated from Poland. Hahaha.

Another great report, Ricky. It was easy to imagine being there, although I missed the excitement (Todd and Tim in a feeding frenzy at John's table, hahaha) and all the gossip, er, discussions. I love the caption on your photo of Doug: "I hope he wasn't trying to fix the pen." Hahaha!

Sigh.

Oh! And Marta's pens! WOW! The Kazuno or Stylo-Art? The black with white design. And the Paul Rossis! She has a beautiful collection of pens.

Now I will go look at your haul. *Giddy

[BMG]

Many thanks, Ricky, for the report. I have enjoyed them each year and appreciate the time and effort you put in to putting them together.

For the first time I purchased a trader's ticket and attended each day, actually twice on Friday and Saturday. :) It was a treat to have the time (and elbow room) to wander through the show repeatedly, talk to vendors, really look over their offerings, and hunt out the pens I was looking for. In the end, I showed some restraint and only bought one: a "Marine Green Striated" late '30s Sheaffer Lifetime Balance. Not a rare one, to be sure, but one I "needed." The other pen on my list was a Montlblanc 234 1/2 "Luxury" model of which I actually found two – one NOS and in the original box, believe it or not – but both with broad nibs, which are unusable to me. Ah, well... I did get to spend some time with John M.'s Nakaya offerings. I've been hemming and hawing about these for a couple of years now and am finally considering getting one (current fav: a Portable Cigar in the Kuro-tamenuri finish). Oh, and Michael M.'s "mystery guest" did a beautiful job fine tuning a nib for me. A couple reactions to previous comments:

I agree that Sunday's crowd seemed less intense than last year, though it was still a challenge to get close enough to some tables to actually see and handle the pens.

I found the vintage prices to be consistent with what I see on-line, and even noticed a few bargains: Pelikan 140s for $80, a gray 400 for $250, a tortoise 400N for $250...

If Loren's going to go bionic with his MB 236, perhaps he should go whole hog (is it appropriate to use that expression when talking about Montblancs?) and have a new barrel with a custom binde made for it.

I'm already looking forward to next year's show.

[plistumi]

SNIP...

Nearly to the end of the hotel.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/12583961173_0d2eb64c7f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583961173/)


Wow! Sorry for the photobomb! <=== Just practicing modern vocabulary.

Ricky, thanks for the wonderful report.
And, yes, I fell in the Ricky;s sandtrap of OPM. He did a good job spending mine!
This was indeed a great show.

[BMG]

@ethernautrix – I just noticed that you're located on cloud 8 1/2. Please say hi to Giudo for me!

:)

[Tyto]

Last year's and this year's LA show were only my first and second pen shows ever, so my observations don't have the benefit of much experience, but your comment about this year being much more of a "buying show" compared to last year rang true for me. Last year, I had a list so small and anodyne as to barely deserve mention, and I still found very little. This year was an embarrassment of riches and, like you, I struggled to stay within my self-imposed limit. Also, your observation about the lower level of Sunday chaos this year seemed right. That said, Pendleton's absence this year clearly contributed to the chaos surrounding the nibmeisters that attended.

Regarding Masuyama's Mystery Guest, I was initially disappointed when I sat for my appointment and was shifted away from Mike. That evaporated when I read the other name tag.

[RudyR]

Last year's and this year's LA show were only my first and second pen shows ever, so my observations don't have the benefit of much experience, but your comment about this year being much more of a "buying show" compared to last year rang true for me. Last year, I had a list so small and anodyne as to barely deserve mention, and I still found very little. This year was an embarrassment of riches and, like you, I struggled to stay within my self-imposed limit. Also, your observation about the lower level of Sunday chaos this year seemed right. That said, Pendleton's absence this year clearly contributed to the chaos surrounding the nibmeisters that attended.

Regarding Masuyama's Mystery Guest, I was initially disappointed when I sat for my appointment and was shifted away from Mike. That evaporated when I read the other name tag.

Sorry, I guess i missed out on who the mystery guest was. Who is he and why is he so important?

[lsmith42]

If Loren's going to go bionic with his MB 236, perhaps he should go whole hog (is it appropriate to use that expression when talking about Montblancs?) and have a new barrel with a custom binde made for it.


The bionic 236 will (hopefully) stop with a new, unpainted celluloid barrel to show off that telescoping piston mechanism. But alas, it will be at least a year away...

[BMG]

The bionic 236 will (hopefully) stop with a new, unpainted celluloid barrel to show off that telescoping piston mechanism. But alas, it will be at least a year away...

Hmm, hmm...

Would it be indiscreet to ask who will be doing the work?


Sorry, I guess i missed out on who the mystery guest was. Who is he and why is he so important?

I'm getting curious about this one myself! I'm sorry now I didn't take note of who he was...

[Tyto]

[QUOTE=Tyto;67361]
Sorry, I guess i missed out on who the mystery guest was. Who is he and why is he so important?

Show's over, so I guess it's OK to mention: it was Yukio Nagahara, the son in the father-son team of exotic nib design at Sailor.

[lsmith42]

Hmm, hmm...

Would it be indiscreet to ask who will be doing the work?


Sorry, I guess i missed out on who the mystery guest was. Who is he and why is he so important?

I'm getting curious about this one myself! I'm sorry now I didn't take note of who he was...

Joe DaCosta will be checking on his material store in Portugal to see if he has the right rod stock (he was concerned about the ID needed). If so, the pen will meet him in Arizona in November (there are apparently massive issues with Portuguese customs and pen repairs, in that they think they are actual purchases to be taxed - something about a retaliatory divorced customs official whose ex spent all their money on pens).

As for the second question, that information remains classified.

[lsmith42]

[QUOTE=Tyto;67361]
Sorry, I guess i missed out on who the mystery guest was. Who is he and why is he so important?

Show's over, so I guess it's OK to mention: it was Yukio Nagahara, the son in the father-son team of exotic nib design at Sailor.

Or not...

[Sketchy]

After thirty six hours of wandering the pen show you'd think everything had been seen but Ricky's report was like adding another day of things I'd missed. Thanks for a great report Ricky!

It was really quite fun this year to show up with a list of pens I wanted and to find them with the help of my OPM facilitators...although it does get a bit, or a lot, more expensive if one does not leave upon completion of the list and makes a new list.

[BMG]

Joe DaCosta will be checking on his material store in Portugal to see if he has the right rod stock (he was concerned about the ID needed). If so, the pen will meet him in Arizona in November (there are apparently massive issues with Portuguese customs and pen repairs, in that they think they are actual purchases to be taxed - something about a retaliatory divorced customs official whose ex spent all their money on pens).

Sounds quite interesting (esp. the retaliatory divorced customs official whose ex... :) ). I do hope that you'll keep us updated on it.

[DanDeM]

Outadapark, Ricky. You hit it outadapark.

BTW Geekers, when I bumped into Ricky on Thurs morning, he had already spent the better part
of my annual pen budget --- so it wasn't just OPM.

Many thanks. Fun to see.

[AltecGreen]

Outadapark, Ricky. You hit it outadapark.

BTW Geekers, when I bumped into Ricky on Thurs morning, he had already spent the better part
of my annual pen budget --- so it wasn't just OPM.

Many thanks. Fun to see.

It was great seeing you again.


I loved those Eclipses. It was weird not seeing you without a John Holland or a Wirt.

[AltecGreen]

[QUOTE=Tyto;67361]
Sorry, I guess i missed out on who the mystery guest was. Who is he and why is he so important?

Show's over, so I guess it's OK to mention: it was Yukio Nagahara, the son in the father-son team of exotic nib design at Sailor.

Or not...

At least it wasn't one of us who said it. I suppose word would have gotten out eventually.

Still, it may have been better in the long run had his name not been mentioned here.

[conib]

While I was passing out brochures for the SF Pen Show ...

So have you guys set a date?

-- Constance

[AltecGreen]

While I was passing out brochures for the SF Pen Show ...

So have you guys set a date?

-- Constance

San Francisco Pen Show
August 22-24, 2014

Sofitel San Francisco Bay
223 Twin Dolphin Drive
Redwood City Ca, 94065
Ph: (650) 598-9000


We'll try to have a more formal announcement later in the week.

[Koyote]

I didn't click "thanks" for each post, but will rather just post a big "thanks" here to AltecGreen for this photo show. I really enjoy this!

[joiedwards]

He does great as a surrogate for anyone not at the show. He did no OPM me as I was too busy working for Susan Wirth, though I did get two of the four pens on my want list by trading and selling several pens. An Aurora 88 vintage and a Mont Blanc 146. Also got Michael Sull to write my name and got one of his wood pen blocks for my home setup.

[leighpod]

I LOVE ALL THE PICTURES! I have never been to a pen show. I think I will just roll around the floor and get up covered in pen fairy dust. Thank you! :D

[KarloT]

Great pictures AltecGreen! I asked Leighpod if Mike's guest was the younger Nagahara as he did look very familiar. Turns out it was Yukio-san after all.

[youstruckgold]

Fabulous! Thanks for sharing

[82-Greg]

He was showing Mr. Prenton. Mr. Prenton lives in Japan and deals in antiques. He brought a quantity of rare Japanese maki-e pens and other items. This is a sterling smoking pipe made by two masters. A very cool item.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/12583458405_d1fa5253b3_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583458405/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/12583571673_a903b8da7e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583571673/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/12583456145_22ccdaa77a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/12583456145/)

I am reliably informed by a friend who collects both pipes and pens, that the sterling smoking pipe is almost certainly made for smoking opium!

[Fawkes]

That Pelikan 600 or 700NN set is absolutely gorgeous!

[Kudzu]

Well, I had a blast at this year's pen show, and Ricky's guidance and OPM assist helped me come home with such a lovely Stylo Art pen with the FA-10 nib (did I get that right?) that is a glory to use. Wow. And my marriage was saved in the process, so all is well. (And, Todd, you are welcome that I saved you from the tyranny of the alpine snowflake. It writes great.) Terrific summary and pics, Ricky -- thanks so much.

[franzdimson]

First time to attend the LA Pen Show and I loved every minute of it consequently, my wallet hated very minute of it as well.

Helping out at Rick Propas' table also helped me get the full pen show feel. Thanks Rick!

As for OPM, Ricky and Loren tag teamed me and got me to purchase my first Nakaya. It's a Long Writer in Ao Tamenuri finish. Thanks for getting me hooked in the madness guys!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/24/atega3u8.jpg

Now the LA pen show will be an annual tradition for me. Can't wait for next year and the SF pen show coming in August!