The London Show will come back bigger and better next year and events will take place over the weekend of 5th-7th October 2007. With organisation by the UK Writing Equipment Society and with sponsorship from a major manufacturer we hope it will stand out as the best event of its type anywhere in the world and will celebrate all aspects of pens and writing.

More details to follow.

Martin

I've put it in my book - my first pen show....and a whole year to save up for it!

Excellent news Martin. Glad to hear the dedication and hard work of you guys has become fruitful.

Thank you from all us UK pen types.

I've just got to hope now that it doesn't clash with my end of September holiday again!

- Mark

Wonderful!
The date will go on my diary too.

Excellent. Added to the diary

As I said in my e-mail to you the other week, it's a great step forward and I'm pleased to see the show back again, now under the WES banner.

And if Mark can't arrange his holiday around the show given the best part of a year's notice, I have no sympathy for him!

Andy

You mean to say you're not going to give the Northern Pen Show a try before that?

Martin, thanks for posting about this, sounds interesting. Now do I need to get saving and plan a trip down to London. Added it to the diary

Sadly, this particular weekend always seems to fall that way. Hence why I couldn't make the Conway Stewart study weekend this year, or the show last year.

"To win the war, you have to choose your battles". The Mrs always likes to grab a last bit of sun around then. Not sure my passion for pens is sufficient to booster my braveness to take that particular discussion on.

I attempted to stop the late Sep/early Oct holiday this year, on the basis that we were heading to the Maldives early Nov. Suffice to say it didn't work.

Boy, am I hard done by.

- Mark

Northern Pen Show..... I know its at the Clifton arms in Lytham but can someone remind me of the date please.

Thanks.

Ian.

Ian, it's April 22nd, website here.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks for the date and link.

Much appreciated.

Regards,

Ian.

Woohoo!!

two shows a year again... surely that shouldn't sound impressive?

Great news Martin. See you all there

Bren

I was at a WES Council meeting yesterday and I am pleased to write that the organisation of the London Writing Equipment Show, to give its full title, is well underway. Table prices have not yet been released but I think this will happen soon.

The Show has its own website which you can visit here:
London Writing Equipment Show.

Watch this space!

Martin

Important news:

If you book your table for the LWES before 30th April you will receive an Early Bird discount. Furthermore, if you are a WES member you will also receive a further discount on your table booking.

Please e-mail or PM me for further details if you would like to book your table and/or join the WES. Please note that I am not handling table bookings myself but I will pass your details onto the person responsible. However, if you decide to join the WES I will ensure that your information is passed to the coordinator so you receive your discount.

Martin

LATEST NEWS !

Arrangements for the show are really hotting up now. 60% of the vintage trading tables have been now booked and seven stands in the manufacturers exhibition area have also been reserved - this on the first day that they were released for sale.

More interestingly is the news that Parker are producing a limited edition Duofold for the show. The edition is limited to 88 pens (one for each year of Duofold production) and will only be available on the day at the show. There is also a very strong possibility that Geoffrey Parker, the sole remaining Parker heir still involved in the pen business, is flying in from the USA for the show.

There is also a wide range of associated writing equipment displays along with lots of calligraphers. You might also want to check out the seminar programme which covers a wide range of interesting subjects. Vintage dealers already booked include Gary Lehrer (USA), Francis Goosenns (Belgium) - of Fountainbel fame, Sarj Minhas, Henry (the penman) Simpole, David Parisi (pencil specialist), Battersea Pen Home (get your Duofold LE from Simon) and many, many more including me (Cathedral Pens) I'll be there with two tables with plenty of vintage stuff and lots of ink for Carol:-)

If you want a copy of the show flyer (pdf attachment) and a copy of the first newsletter (pdf attachment) just email me at trade@wesonline.org.uk in the meantime please check out the show website www.lwes.org.uk.

Best to everyone

Ian

Trade Liasion Officer The Writing Equipment Society
Marketing Coordinator The London Writing Equipment Show
Webmaster The London Writing Equipment Show

Thank you Ian! It's already in my diary - only 129 more days to go!

That's me booked my flights, down on the Friday, back on the Monday....

et

There's a brief article that gives good publicity for the show in the Observer (Sunday edition of the Gruniard).

Martin

It would be about £200 return for me to get there from Shetland without accommodation, so sadly I think that this is out of the question for me with unemployment looming. I will be thinking about you all, green with envy!

The London Writing equipment Show

The major UK writing equipment show is getting really close now, opening its doors on Sunday October 7th. 2007.

The show promises to be an exciting one with plenty to interest everyone. From fountain pens to calligraphy displays; repair workshops to book signings; Mauchlineware to Stamp boxes; Stanhopes to ephemera; historical plastics to street jewellery; seminars to photographic demonstrations, you certainly won’t be bored!

With a packed vintage dealing hall and a manufacturer’s foyer displaying the latest products from some of the world’s key suppliers of writing equipment you will have plenty to spend your money on!

For the latest news and views you can see our newsletter here www.lwesnewsletter.cathedralpens.co.uk

It would be a great help and would contribute greatly to the success of the show if you could forward this post onto any friends and family who have an interest in writing equipment and it would help even more if they could do the same.

Many thanks for reading this and I look forward to meeting some of you at the show.

Regards

Ian

Ian P Williamson
Marketing coordinator The London Writing Equipment Show 2007
www.lwes.org.uk
Trade Liaison Officer - The Writing Equipment Society
www.wesonline.co.uk

www.cathedralpens.co.uk

Probably too randoma question to answer but..........

What it the chance of me being able to buy any Nakaya at the show? And from whom?

Andy

I have an original Nakaya FP (black & Gold) with a Fine nib, & i'll be going to the show. I got it just before I had one made for me, so it's been sitting in it's box ever since. I'll try to get you some pics if you're interested.

let me know

Bren

PM Sent

Looks like this will be a good show and a few members are going, I am hoping to get there, my first pen show quite exciting really almost like my first Led Zep/Stones/Who gig (OK I exaggerate, not quite that exciting but looking forward to it anyway).

May see some of you there although apart from some of the exhibitors we probably won't know we met.

Andy

That's why FPN should start producing and selling 'pen show' badges, with the logo and a space for a number. You are number 6...

It might be an idea to set up an FPN members meeting area at the show with chairs and tables; maybe a message board. If this is of interest let me know and I can approach the rest of the show organising team to see if it can be arranged. Things are really hotting up now, we've had to increase the number of dealer tables to meet the demand and we only have four of those left! The manufacturers area in the foyer is rapidly filling up and we now have Conway Stewart, Waldmann Pens, Pilot/Namiki, Lincoln Pen, Mackinnon Pens, Retro 51, Coles Pens (distributors for Monteverde, Laban, Yoropen, Usus and their own very excellent range), Suchak & Suchak and GBA (distributors for Visconti, Tibaldi, Aurora, Delta and many others).

Geoff Parker will be our guest of honour and will be available for informal chats ( I wonder if he would agree to a chat with all FPN members at some point in the day - again if enough people are interested I can ask the question.

Anyway please let me know what you want me to do, if anything, on your behalf.

I'm looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the show.

Ian

LWES Organising Team
Trade Liaison Officer - The Writing Equipment Society

www.lwes.org.uk
www.lwesnewsletter.cathedralpens.co.uk
www.wesonline.org.uk
www.cathedralpens.co.uk

Ian,

First thank you and the other members of WES for their hard work and efforts to bring this show back. I for would like to put forth an interest in both ideas, an FPN and WES members meeting area, and a chat with Mr. Parker. That would be interesting.

Cheers,
PP

Ian,

Me too, still not absolutely sure I can make it, just juggling some things but hoping to put in an appearance and would be nice to put some faces to names. Thanks for the offer.

Andy

Only 6 days to go .

Martin

Oh well, having missed out on the Led Zep reunion (I doubt they will be as good as when I've seen them before, so will leave the tickets for those that won't know any better), looks like the Pen show will have to be my consolation prize, now about 75% certain to be going now but still a few things to sort out.

Hope to see some members there.

Andy

Hi All,
Nearly there now! Having been heavily involved as one of the WES organising team for the show I'm only now putting my stuff together for the show!

A meeting point has been set up for FPN and other online groups. You will find it in the trade foyer opposite the entrance into the vintage trading hall. You will find pads of 'Post It' type notes on the shelf and hopefully some pens, the idea being when you arrive simply write your name on a post it note and stick it to the wall of the meeting area that way new arrivals can check which of us is around - simple, but it should work!

You can find the latest newsletter here www.lwesnewsletter.cathedralpens.co.uk it includes a useful (I hope!) show guide which has floor plans so you can find your way around easily. You'll find me (Cathedral Pens) on tables 19 & 20, you'll find Martin on table 59.

Looking forward to meeting you all on Sunday.

Ian

[waving madly] Hi Ian!!

See you on Sunday - only two days to go! Yippee!!



This is a great idea!

As well as a sack of cash, don't forget to bring some pens to trade, people.

See you all there.

Bren

Hi all,
Been in London since friday, looking forward, to tomorrow, hopefully, I will get a chance to say hello to some of you.

All the best,
Eric

Got back from the show a couple of hours ago, firstly thanks to all those who organised it almost felt as if I had died and gone to pen heaven.

Had hoped to say Hi to Laurence Oldfield (Penpractice) and Francis (fountainbel) both of whom have repaired pens for me, but whenever I wandered in their direction they seemed deeply involved with customers and felt rude to interrupt.

In some ways far too much choice (yes there can be such a thing), I had gone with two priorities to get myself a Tortoise pencil to make up my Pelikan M400 trio, succeeded here with one of the European sellers, who had a nice selection of Pelikans mainly vintage. Thought long and hard about buying one of the Tortoise 400NNs he had but resisted and he also had some Pelikan 100s (seemed smaller than I thought they would be) but again resisted didn't even ask the price, so hopefully they were very expensive.

Prority two was a full size L/F Sheaffer Balance preferably striated, also succeeded there, also picked up pencil to match a L/F Junior Balance I have plus a black L/F Junior Balance from an oddments box.

Had hoped to trade/part exchange a couple of pens, but (boohoo) the couple of pens I saw that I was interested in trading on the dealers didn't want to play ball and I didn't really want to part with all cash for the pens I wanted although prices weren't bad (well I suppose they need to maintain cashflow), so came home with my trade pens intact (closest I have come to getting rid of any, not sure if I have the heart to hit ebay).

If I have any criticism it is that things were a bit crowded, the aisles needed to be a bit wider as it was a bit cramped and sometimes difficult to look at things as people tried to get past and some stalls seemed permanently busy, still I suppose it shows that it was a popular event. There were a couple of sellers I had intended to go back to but didn't get a chance as they were still pretty crowded, so ended up leaving without getting either a spare fine or italic nib for my Duofold Internationals.

Got some ink a couple of bottles from The Writing Desk stand, got a chance to say Hi to Martin (twdpens) and Col who was trying out some inks, also got a replacement bottle of Diamine Indigo (one of the inks I used most).

Overall a good day, lots of great pens to look at although I often found myself thinking 'do I really need another one of those'? hence no more Pelikans/Vacs/51s/61s or even some of the modern CSs that some sellers had for very good prices. Regretting not asking the price of the Pelikan 100s (at least then I would know) or not buying a Tortoise 400NN, but hey hopefully there is alway next year.

Thanks again to all those involved in organising the show, hopefully will now be a regular date, already saving my pennies for next year.

Andy

I wandered back to look at those more than once, too. Which one caught your eye - the paler-coloured one? I thought that stood out, but was not so happy with the nib. He did offer to swap it for any of the other 400NN nibs, but in the the end I resisted as well.


Well, the 400NNs were (as you probably know) £75 for the tortoises, £50 each for the green striated selections; actually not too bad considering some of the inflated prices on some of the other tables. Those German guys have been regulars at the show, so I'm sure you'll have another opportunity next year.

Col,

Yes it was the paler one, the set I have is the darker colour and I wanted something different, price was good but I am trying to resist duplicating too much. Prices for the green ones were pretty good as well, but I have an M400, old style 600 and a 140 in green so if I were to buy another it would be a Tortoise, I will probably resist another 400 for now and get myself a 100 at some point.

Aside from the Pelikans there were also some great looking Vacs on Sarj's tables as well as some great Sheaffers, but prices reflected the quality and were on the high side for me £150-200 or more, although his prices on Balance IIs were quite reasonable. There was also a table with some nicely priced vintage CSs, but I couldnt really get close enough to have a good look.

I will certainly be there next year, will have to find something for my poor wife to do though as she was a bit bored and didn't really like the crowds strangely she didn't take me up on the offer to hit the shops with the credit card while I browsed.

Did you buy anything interesting?

Andy

Bought a very nice Visofil from the very pleasant gentleman who was doing the repairs near the entrance.

Got various bits and bobs to complete pens I have.

Was insulted by the attitude of of some woman stall holder, who was selling pens as restored, when from what I saw, they patently had not been. Come on, I expect as a minimum a restored pen to be clean.

Generally a mixed day, which on reflection was enjoyable, I did expect the London show to be bigger though, and some of the prurveyors of pens, to be more knowledgable on their wares.

The day was made for me by meeting Fountaibelle(sp), an absolute joy, whose love for pens and enjoyment of them, is very obvious.

et

Wow, what a day! It was non-stop from arrival, setting up, opening time all the way until 5 o'clock. A complete contrast to the ghost-town of 2005. So busy, in fact, that we didn't have time to look round the show at all, apart from very brief visits to a couple of dealers! I was hoping to look at Charles Whitehead's Swans and have a nose at Laurence's repairs, but never mind.

A big Thank You to all those who came to our table. It was good to put some faces to names and talk face-to-face.

@andyk (hello again ) - I agree about the hall being crowded. It helped the atmosphere but at the expense of practicality. I will make sure that the organisers are aware of this and any other comments, both positive and negative.

Did anyone manage to get to any of the seminars? It would be interesting to get some feedback for the organisers.

Martin

No pens, only some ink from Martin & Anna, plus a sealed bottle of Pelikan 4001 from that table selling the vintage inks. I did get my VP fine nib adjusted and smoothed though, which was good. And I had the opportunity to handle some pens in which I had an interest: Bexley, and a few Omas 360s, including a Wild LE (£350). My interest has moved away from English pens somewhat of late, but in previous years I've bought some nice Conway Stewarts there.

I spent a fair bit of time chatting to various people - Henry Simpole, Jim Marshall, Simon Gray (Battersea Pen Home) - and it's always good to see David Nishimura back in town. I felt tempted to follow him around, just to see what pens he was homing in on!

A good show. Very crowded at times in the trade hall, but you'd whinge if it wasn't. Got a couple of nice P51s (NOS) from Henry Simpole, and an expensive but very nice Vac, some ink from TWD, and a new VP from Ian at Cathedral pens. Hope it runs again next year!

Hi, I think it was me that you bought the burgundy senior maxima vac from. I hope you enjoy it.
The show was great. I had a constant stream of visitors at my table and had a very successful selling day.
There was a very healthy mix of seasoned FP enthusiasts from the UK and oversas.
It was very heartening to meet and talk with so many newer potential collectors. This hobby is alive and kicking!

The organisation was excellent. Ian Williamson, David Wells and the rest of the WES crew should be congratulated on their superb marketing and communications.

I'll try an d post a fuller review with some photos later in the week once I have had time to get over the "M1 lag" and the sensory overload!

What is whinge...?

I was really sad to have missed out on yesterday. I had hoped to come but I couldn't come due to work commitments yesterday - maybe next year!

JD - Whinge is to moan and complain in an ongoing manner (you might often use it of young children whingeing about something not being right).

To complain petulantly - similar to whine.

Sarj,

I didn't realise you were a FPNer or I would have introduced myself. I spent a lot of time at your table browsing your lovely pens and was very tempted to buy.

I was the woman looking at all the burgundy pens (you made a comment that I seemed to be interested in that shade!).

Hope to catch up with you at another show!

Where are the photos................?

Hi, I think it was me that you bought the burgundy senior maxima vac from. I hope you enjoy it.




You are correct, and very nice it is to.