I sit here in the Raleigh-Durham airport beginning this post after a great day at the Triangle pen show. Here's an account of my first visit to the Raleigh Pen Show, better known as the Triangle Pen show. This is a "Friday only" view due to my limited time schedule.

I started my trip one week prior, on Friday May 30 by flying into Birmingham, Alabama, for my real-life job. I worked my way east with stops in Cullman and Lincoln, Alabama, Greenville, SC, Atlanta, GA,and Dublin, VA, to do my automotive plant thing.

Needless to say, I pillaged several antique malls along the way and did well (two Duofolds and two Conklins (to mention a few). I left a Sheaffer desk set on the shelf in one place that I an having pangs over, which will probably get me a lashing from Roger Wooten. I do plan to discuss it with him for reasons I will explain in later posts.

I arrived in Cary (NC) late Thursday night, a scant couple of hours before David's witching hour arrival ( I sympathize... see previous post).

My 8:00 AM arrival at the showroom found the tables very premature in setup. Must have been a good time the night before. First stop, a hearty handshake and check-in with Terry Mawhorter. I am priviledged to attend my first Raleigh show as an honor and tribute to Terry's late wife, Sonya. While I did not know her more than a casual chat at the registration table at the Ohio shows, her character is evident as a legacy through her fine family.

Terry granted me a one-day admission and succumbed to my incessant badgering for an FPH calendar; my fourth year in a row.

My first stop near the door was Lee Chait's table full of Parker goodies, including some Janesville Jotters. I enjoyed oogling the Parker imprinted Jotters including one with the "other Parker" advertised on the barrel. Those in the industrial sector like me recognize it as the fluid hose and fittings "Parker". Of course there was a generous selection of 75's too.

My second table was Dan Reppert's table where I spied him getting set up while David was pillaging his boxes of cool Sheaffer parts, pens and "engineering department booty" from the deep dark corners of Fort Madison. I cut my first deal and drew a little blood.

Next I made a few rounds with the vintage regulars. Tom Mullane (Old Griz), Frances Meinhardt, Paul Erano, Roger Cromwell and of course, Richard's and Ron's repair tables side-by-side. While I visited several other tables, I spent much of my time chatting with Ron and his better half. I love shop talk.

I am typically attracted to the vintage pen tables so I lack in adequate coverage of modern tables, which were well represented. I was particularly intrigued by the Pens of Dist-INK-tion table by Carl Seidl. His specialty is taking junker Parker 51 and Vacumatic barrels & components and modifying or morphing them into cap-actuated and twist-actuated ball points. Very unique and creative. He informed me that it took him months on the lathe to "get it just right."

Many attendees mentioned that there were more tables this year than in previous years. I had limited time to spend so I was unable to attend any of the usual seminars offered by Ron Zorn, Susan Wirth and Roger Cromwell. There was a bevy of parts available between Dan Reppert's Sheaffer booty and Gary Garners Parker parts. Yummy!

It seemed odd to see David without his photo studio set up. I'm sure he had more freedom to acquire a treasure trove of supply for the Vacumaniac.

I will leave the other reviews to the likes of Lee Chait in hopes that his entertaining food reviews will entertain us once again. I hope the other days are reviewed as well. Terry does, indeed, I put on a good show with the help of his assistants, mentioned in his previous postings as well as his two fine sons.

This was a much needed pen fix for me and it did not disappoint. For a somewhat smaller show than the others, it was everything I'd hoped.

I am now landing amongst severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings in Detroit so its time to retrieve my luggage and toddle home to rest up for my weekend, keeping up with a 4 year old. A pleasure indeed!

Regards,

What a fantastic wrapup! I'm very jealous...I wanted to get out to a show this year, but alas, I don't believe it's going to happen.

Here's a link to some photos taken Friday at Raleigh.

http://tinyurl.com/3oooh8

Regards,

Well, I'm back from the show (had to leave about lunch time today - other things that I had to do), but I was there all day Friday and from opening until lunchtime today. Excellent summary, Mike.

I had a great show and hat's off to Terry Mawhorter and crew for all the long, hard work they put into pulling off a great show, especially while dealing with the death of Terry's wife, Sonya, who was greatly missed at the show.

I had the chance to meet up again with some other FPNers and to meet some face-to-face for the first time. Andy Lambrou was a sheer delight to talk with and I got to peek at some new prototypes for next year that are simply stunning! He is a true gentleman and just fun to chat with. Ron and Robyn Zorn were there and did a superb job fixing up three of my pens. It was nice to finally meet them in person as they've worked on quite a few of my pens in the past. Richard and Barbara Binder were there and it was good to see them again. Richard worked his magic on a nib I had stupidly bent and then ground it and stubbed another one. Tom Mullane, aka Old Griz, was present and graciously allowed me to take a load off my feet. He also has a splendid set of Chiltons that I'll probably never see the likes of again - WOW! I met Bert Heiserman of Pen Haven and had a nice, long chat with him and was able to find an excellent example of a pen I had been wanting (and at a good price too). I met Scott Frankin of Franklin-Christoph Pens and had a good time joking around with him. It was very nice to finally meet in person KathyWC in person at the show and had a great time chatting and solving the world's problems. I also got a chance to meet Howard Levy of Bexley Pens - very nice - and Barry Gabay who is simply overflowing with pen enthusiasm.

All in all I had a great time, snagged some pens, got some fixed, truly enjoyed a wonderful escape, but most of all, enjoyed the time spent with friends. If you haven't been and are nearby, I encourage you to go. It's not too late and Terry and crew have done a splendid job - check it out!

Here's a link to some photos taken Friday at Raleigh.

Great Photos! I really wish I could have gone, especially now but DC is coming so I will just save up. Great coverage!

Great coverage, Mike!

It WAS a wonderful show....my first ever, and many thanks to Old Griz, Ron (the 51s you refurbed while I waited are writing in fine style), and others whom I met for the first time. I'm so looking forward to many many more!

I'm really looking forward to my first pen show. Too bad the closest to me, Washington DC, takes place when I'll be out of town. Maybe Columbus later in the year... yeah, my wife likes Columbus...

You will like Columbus. It is my personal favorite and organized by Terry and Company, too. I have made that one my first priority for pen shows every year now.

I'm most of the way home from the show, and I'm tired from the drive, but I just have to take a minute before I crash to drop a link here to last night's post-show blog entry. I think you might want to see this one.