I am hoping to attend the LA pen show next month. Is there a reason to go to the whole show or would just the last day be enough? I am not a collector and may spend a few hundred bucks. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you, Peace, Tom

I will be there this year, as usual. I usually go from Wed-Sun. I leave first thing sunday morning because there are just too many darn people and I get irritated with people bumping into me. Besides I have a really bad back. Anyways, Saturdays are wonderful because there are plenty of classes and seminars throughout the whole day. There is less people on Saturday than on sunday and plenty of deals to be had.

I like Saturdays because I can walk around chat with people and not get bumped into and crowded around when I want to look at something. On Saturdays, 85 to 90% of all the booths are set up and ready for Sunday. I find that Sundays you can get some good deals because the sellers dont want to take back all that stuff with them. Regardless, it is madness because everything is high paced and people want stuff right now.

If you want to get a real taste of a pen show, go on Fri Sat and sunday. Wed, thursday are great for the early birds and for lots of vintage pens and stuff. Fridays are really nice because most of the people are already coming in and setting up. I have had a lot of late nights on thursdays and Fridays with Susan Wirths booth. She is really fun and seems like a night owl. My Pops and I were at her booth until around 1230 am or even longer. I lost track of time!!!!

So IMHO, I would go to the pen show on Friday through Sunday. It is well worth it and you can see how laid back Fri and sat are compared to the chaos of Sundays!!!!

TNS

On the LA Pen Show page, it says it's the 4th biggest in the country. For those of us new to the concept of pen shows, what are the three bigger ones?

D.C. is the largest.

Attending the big-4 annually for 6 years or more, i find the LA show seems larger than just fourth in table count. Very large. Very nice mix of VIntage and Modern. For the pen show experience hanging on the early days is a must. BUT... if you just wish a couple hours of intensity and to grab a couple mondern pens, there is no need to be an Early Trader, and if you choose to visit just Sunday you will be fine. However, i do recommend getting there early. Many folks are packing to leave by midafternoon.

regards

david

I agree with David. Sunday is not a good day to hang out and chat with pen friends since it is so busy. There is a view that there can be bargains found at the close of the show when dealers would rather sell at a discount than pack up a pen and take it back home. However, by Sunday pretty much anything particularly rare/scarce will be gone.

I can't spend the time/money require to attend from Wednesday through Sunday, and therefore usually hit the show Friday evening and Saturday. The extra 45 bucks (or so) for that trader pass is well worth not having to fight the greater crowds on Sunday. It is also nice to have time to visit with folks.

Regards, greg