Dallas Pen Show 2013

[Octo]

Is there any news on when the various seminars will be scheduled? So far, there's nothing on the official pen show website.

 

Thanks

[PAKMAN]

Never have had time to get away to seminars at Dallas, too busy at our table. I may have some time Saturday afternoon this year. The card I got from the show doesn't show any times either for seminars.

[oldcards]

My office is about a block away from the hotel where the show is but I am always out of town the weekend of the show, but I will be in town this year. This will be my first pen show. Don't know what to expect but I'm looking forward to it!

Andy

[blefevre]

Michael Kovacs will be offering a 90 minute seminar on "the art of letter writing" on Saturday. There are usually at least a half dozen or so seminars over both days.

 

Byron

 

[caribbean_skye]

Oooh, too bad they're not posting seminar information, esp if some of them require payment (would be nice to budget for those).

 

Looking forward to seeing some of you there. I'll be driving up early that morning.

[Mags]

I will not be at the show but as in the past I like it when those who do attend share some pictures and highlights from the pen show. I look forward to reading more posts after the show from everyone on the forum as to what they found or impressions from the pen show. Cheers,

 

Mags

[Ceilidh]

The Show Website has posted this:

10:00AM–11:00AM—Writing Personal Letters Presented by Mike Kovacs

11:15AM–12:15PM—Handwriting: Not a Lost Art, A Lifeskill for Today. Presented by Michael Sull

12:30PM–1:30PM—Repairing your Fountain Pens Presented by Joel Hamilton

1:45PM–2:45PM—Writing In Style: Your Book, Everbody Has One. Presented by Cindy Zimmerman

 

As far as nib grinding goes, Pendleton Brown has posted that he will be there, but I haven't seen any others mentioned. Ah well, nothing wrong with being surprised. It's getting close and I'm really looking forward to it.

[The Write Pen]

I hope Pendelton is beside me again this year. We have a great time.

[johntdavis]

Can't wait for this year's show. Is there a map of the table layout? I looked on the website and didn't see one.

[Buzz J]

The show starts Thursday evening (5:00pm) with an open room for meetups and preshow trading.

 

Friday hours are 10:00AM to 8:00PM

 

Saturday hours are 9:00AM to 5:00PM

 

We also have a great silent auction.

 

Hurry up Thursday!

 

John

[opiloo]

This is my first pen show and i have a couple questions? what is the best time to be there? What is it expected to be like?

[blefevre]

opiloo

 

As someone who has attended yearly for the last decade here are a few opinions:

 

Any time is a good time. Friday morning and early afternoon are a bit less frantic but you will want to be there Saturday afternoon if you bid on any items in the silent auction.

 

Dallas has the most friendly show on the circuit. Everyone has a great time. The inital site of 10,000 or so pens in one location may overwhelm you ar first but it is almost impossible not to have fun. Be prepared to meet new friends.

 

There are many vendors who are considered specialists on certain brands. Brian Anderson and Esterbrook, Walnut and the Wahl/Eversharp, Joel Hamilton and Parker, and Several Sheaffer people.

 

Set aside enough time to talk with people. You will come away with a much greater appreciation for the era when Fountain pens were essential communication devices instead of cell phones. Lots of very intelligent, thoughtful people go to pen shows.

 

Byron

Edited September 18, 2013 by blefevre

[Octo]

As someone who has attended 3 or 4 times, I still feel overwhelmed at a Dallas pen show. Plan to come early, take a snack break to reorganize your thoughts, and then dive back in.

 

The first times, I just showed up and wandered through the crowd. Now, if I want to be sure I get something particular, I contact the vendor in advance. First, I pick up my desired purchases and then feel free to explore the show knowing I won't be distracted and go home without that special something.

 

The first couple of trips I focused on displays. Now I know more people to visit with and attend more seminars (but still look at the display tables.) Unfortunately, it's hard to correlate people there with their FPN names.

 

No matter what you do, you'll enjoy the show. It is worth a long drive.

[PAKMAN]

You guys can find me at the "The Write Pen" table selling pens and talking pens and trading pens and generally having a fun time! Danny Fudge will be there making your vintage pens live again! I'm easy to find because I almost always have on the same Hawaiian shirt as my Avatar! I'm packing up stuff right now and trying to decide what pens I may want to let go to new owners so I can get some new ones!!

[dperez28]

This wil be my first Pen show as well. Being from a small town(Stephenville tx). I don't see other FP user so it will be fun to be arounlots of them. I do have a question for some of you that have been for years. I want to buy a pen, I have $200 to spend at the show. Am I way off by wanting to buy a Montblanc or should I go for something else. Any thoughts would be good.

 

Thanks

David

[blefevre]

dperez28

 

It depends on what kind of Montblanc you are looking for. There are 1960's 22 and 38 models that could be for sale within price range, maybe even a 234 1/2 from the 50's. If you are looking for a Meisterstuck 149, it would probably be double that amount if the condition is good.

 

Don't worry about being able to find something you will fall in love with.

 

Byron

[JLS1]

dperez28

 

It depends on what kind of Montblanc you are looking for. There are 1960's 22 and 38 models that could be for sale within price range, maybe even a 234 1/2 from the 50's. If you are looking for a Meisterstuck 149, it would probably be double that amount if the condition is good.

 

Don't worry about being able to find something you will fall in love with.

 

Byron

 

+1 for the above. I'd suggest also looking at the 24x and 34x pens from the 1950s; you'll probably be able to find something in pretty good condition within that price range.

[johntdavis]

Where's a good place to look for MBs at the show? Last year was my first time, and I was overwhelmed by some of the bigger tables. I'm sure I missed just as much as I saw.

 

In particular, I'm interested in Mont Blanc 344s/244s/144s with flex nibs.

[Octo]

I was at the show yesterday (Friday) and had a great time. The folks were friendly and the chatter interesting. I only bought papers and inks as I didn't see the pen I wanted. I came home with lots of valuable advice and information. Actual conversation and handling real pens just can't be duplicated online.

 

Tables overflowed from the main room into a second room. There was a lot to see. I especially enjoyed seeing some of the hand made or hand carved pens.

 

Dromgoole's was there with their annual complementary ink (Blue Steel) and I look forward to trying it. Some of their exclusives have become favorites.

 

It was nice to see that Lucas Tucker's Scribal workshop table was back. He's a local man who makes custom inks for both dip pens and fountain pens and even very washable inks for children. He also had interesting recreations of early writing systems, i.e. wax tablets with stylus. I picked up a bottle of "Mermaid."

 

I've attended a few Dallas Pen Shows now and am already looking forward to the next one. It's a treat to be anticipated from year to year.

[Illegible]

A fun time was had by all. Lots of really nice people and even more amazing pens. We stayed both days. That helps keep the head clear because it gave us time to look and not get totally overwhelmed. The Andersons had all sorts of pens, inks, and accessories. And lots and lots of paper products. They are really nice folks. Franklin-Christoph had a very nice booth with all of their pens and complete sets of all of their nibs inked and ready for sampling. I did leave a fair number of dollars at their booth. Of course Dromgoole's had an amazing collection of pens from a few dollars to many thousands. It is really worth your while to attend.