The 2016 San Francisco Pen Show: A Personal Perspective

[JonSzanto]

http://i.imgur.com/bVnc9CDl.jpg

The weekend of fun rolled around again. This year was the third time for the new show organizers, and it was the best yet: still fun (funner, actually), very good attendance, all cylinders firing. I try to give a bit of a feel for a show when I report about it, and since many people post the pen porn shots, I may have fewer of those in favor of people and events. So...

THE VENUE...

As in previous years, the location was the Sofitel in Redwood City. The hotel is mingled among some of the tech firms (Oracle, Electronic Arts) and situated on one of the bay lagoons. Nicely appointed and very user-friendly:

http://www.ahstatic.com/photos/0922_slfh_01_p_1024x728.jpg

Location is good, with a fair-sized shopping center about 1/4 mile away, including a well stocked market and deli, and a number of food places (if you don't choose to eat in the hotel). Beyond that, though, there are a couple of eating districts within about 1-2 miles that have a lot of nice options. We enjoyed Vesta for a fine wood-fired pizza and craft salad one night, and the big date night was Donato Enoteca.Spacious indoor and outdoor seating with spot-on N. Italian cuisine:

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Ok, suffice to say, if you have civilians with you for the weekend, you can treat them nicely.

THE SHOW...

Now, on to the show. After entering the hotel, you find your way back to the main ballroom/exhibit hall. In the lobby outside, you'll be greeted by the friendly staff at the Registration Desk. Actually, you may actually see Franz Dimson, whom I call the "Walmart Greeter" of the show! (and I'll now add that due to my camera going south on me, many of the photos will be from Franz, whom I gratefully thank with @FD!) Here's Franz welcoming you!

http://i.imgur.com/VqzHoarh.jpg

The reg desk was staffed by a rotating group, many of whom are connected to the SF Pen Posse. These Posse people are without equal in their hard work and enthusiasm, and the show simply couldn't function at the level it did without all their great volunteer work!

http://i.imgur.com/A7Q7vtgh.jpg

Lena, Laralyn, Margaret, Rachel, and Spenczar are here to help! (@FD)

 

Then it is time to enter the main show room. There was good signage this year, assisting you with the times and locations for events, seminars, and classes. Once inside, the panorama of pens and stuffs awaits you...

http://i.imgur.com/Ohv4VVnh.jpg

THE INKS...

The Ink Testing Stations, a signature of the SF show, were even more impressive this year: 868 inks in individual pens, identified on the pen and on menu cards. Additionally, there was a "Black Ink Shootout" station that had a big number of unnamed black inks, identities of which were revealed later. The stations were in constant use throughout the show.

http://i.imgur.com/ZIxZT6Kh.jpg

So many inks, so little time!

http://i.imgur.com/9JoNvbLh.jpg

Marta (aka "plistumi", of "The Devil's Dictionary" fame, sampled each ink! (@FD)

 

Once you had the opportunity to try out all these many inks, there were vendors who could help fulfill your... needs. Both the Andersons and Vanness companies had veritable "walls of inks", including some of the newest players in this arena. I had Lisa Vanness set aside three of the new Robert Oster "Signature" inks, and I am quite pleased with them! In addition to these commercial offerings, there were vintage inks to be had by individual sellers, and one of the highlights of a pen show is finding those items not easily sourced elsewhere. Here is one offering, Valley Oak Iron Gall ink, hand-crafted by my friend Greg Weddig. This ink has received high marks from none other than Michael Sull.

http://i.imgur.com/maDguKuh.jpg

Greg's own blend, perfectly suited for dip pens. Really nice, antique-looking ink.

 

Next up: THE PENS...

Edited September 5, 2016 by JonSzanto

[JonSzanto]

THE PENS...

What can be said: we come for the pens (initially). The SF show strikes a good balance between large vintage collections, and sellers with current (and recent) pen offerings. There is something for virtually everyone, with the added bonus that you'll get assistance in making a sound purchase. Don't be intimidated or shy, because you have to figure that each and every person in that room loves pens, and is more than happy to talk about them and try to be of help - ask questions! Here is just a sampling of what your eyes feast upon in the aisles of the main room:

http://i.imgur.com/IH8jW3Gh.jpg

Pens for days, stretching to the horizon...

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Knowledgeable dealers, such as John Strother of Berkeley, have decades of experience to draw upon.

http://i.imgur.com/6UurtCqh.jpg

A colorful display of Italians at the Anderson Pens table. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/o9wMFlSh.jpg

Oh, my, all that Aurora beauty. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/YTk8Abjh.jpg

Penman Stuart Hawkinson has been to a few rodeos in his time, and he assisted me in finding a pen I was looking for.

http://i.imgur.com/L6eUqGih.jpg

Teri Morris of Peyton Street Pens had a really colorful display of their pens, made in collaboration with Indian pen maker Ranga.

http://i.imgur.com/2N52dx5h.jpg

Here's Ricky Chau (aka AltecGreen), one of the principals of the show, trying some of Teri's pens. (@Teri Morris)

http://i.imgur.com/QzMXJ2Kh.jpg

If you are looking for a Pelikan, you can't do much better than seeing Rick Propas and his wonderful Pels. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/OkanX1Ch.jpg

A great mid-50s Pelikan 400NN set at Rick's table. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/b16ucMMh.jpg

Penmaker Ryan Krusac had some new models of pen featuring caps and bodies entirely of fine woods. Stylish minimalism. (@FD)

Next up: THE VENDORS and THE ACTIVITIES...

Edited September 5, 2016 by JonSzanto

[JonSzanto]

Part Three: THE VENDORS...

Even when I was posting pen pics above, I can't help include the folks behind the tables. It might be that we overuse the phrase "come for the pens, stay for the people", but I honestly believe that to be the case. Once you start to get to know the fine personalities involved in this activity, you realize that you are building life-long friendships. Getting to know the vendors can really assist you in finding what you are looking for, and they'll even point you in the right direction elsewhere if they don't have the right thing. It is an invaluable resource, these many peeps who have years and years dealing with pens, the pen makers, and the history surrounding them.

Additionally, you are in good fortune if one of the current nib specialists happen to be at the show. Not only do you avoid waiting weeks or months to get a pen back (but sign up early for a spot in their queue!), you get to have a feedback loop as they hand you the pen, mid-adjustment, to see if it is meeting your needs. Here are just a few of people making a show happen...

http://i.imgur.com/bFz2cysh.jpg

It wouldn't be a show if not for Susan Wirth! With Deb Basel on the left and John Martinson behind, Susan lives by

the mantra of "finding just the right pen for your writing style", and always does a seminar on that very subject.

http://i.imgur.com/OoltDiLh.jpg

Lisa and Brian Anderson cover all the bases, from paper and writing supplies to pens, new and old, and a ton of ink.

You can spot Ana Reinert of the Well-Appointed Desk helping out, too. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/gMfXHGEh.jpg

Up from Monrovia, CA, Fred Krinke (2nd from left) brings an entire

lifetime of working with pens to each gathering. What a resource! (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/9N7Arc5h.jpg

If you will ever do repairs or restores, you'll want to see Dale Beebe of PenTooling.com.

He has every tool and supply imaginable, and even some only he dreamed up! (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/tquQR4jh.jpg

Mario Campa of Toys From the Attic assists Christina and Brian with one of his fine pens.

http://i.imgur.com/HZFdnsBh.jpg

One of two nibmeisters at the show, Dan Smith was always busy, adjusting and grinding pens. The nib guys get busy early! (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/Y0cHutDh.jpg

A true master, you can see the intense focus of Mike Masuyama. Believe me, this is as good as it gets for nibs. (@FD)

THE ACTIVITIES...

There is always so much to do at a pen show. SF had a full array, starting with Friday, which had beginning and advanced classes with Master Penman Michael Sull, and Parker Vacumatic and Sheaffer Touchdown/Snorkel repair classes from Joel Hamilton and Sherrell Tyree, respectively. I signed up for both the repair classes, and was in that room most of the day, which put a severe crimp in my pen show socializing, but was totally worth it. Saturday had an array of free seminars all day long, including a valuable entry-level class called "Pens 101", and both days also had informal meetups for journaling, planners, and snail mail activities.

http://i.imgur.com/P90tEKwh.jpg

The question was not if I could get my Vac Shadow Wave apart... but could I get it back together and working?

http://i.imgur.com/VjgL8BYh.jpg

The massive pile of washi tape at the planner/journaling meetup. (@FD)

On top of the educational events, there were nightly 'official/social' get-togethers and fun hangs...

http://i.imgur.com/ywn1uUIh.jpg

Friday night, Brad Dowdy (The Pen Addict) hosted a hang-with-beverages that included him giving away stuff. FREE STUFFS! (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/nW24FRFh.jpg

Saturday night saw a return of the great rockabilly band, The Royal Deuces, with drinks and dancing for everyone.

A fabulous way to end the day, hanging with friends and good tunes.

Next up: THE PEOPLE...

[JonSzanto]

THE PEOPLE...

I'll admit it: I'm biased. I simply love the people I've gotten to know in the pen world. From notable people, that I revered and respected from afar in print, to the other ordinary folks like me who just fell down the same rabbit hole, we come together in a unique and goofy way, pulled together by a world that many people don't even realize exist. In the last few years I've formed friendships deep and numerous, so I hope you don't mind me giving just a glimpse of the human side of the pen show world. Before I even post, I already know how many of my pals I've left out!

http://i.imgur.com/s7X4OFfh.jpg

One of the greatest treats this year was spending time with Mr. Insanity on Two Legs, artist Joey Feldman.

Joey designed a poster for the show via Vanness, and was custom coloring them (see below). (@FD)

[video=youtube;I5dBB62tfXE]

Joey custom coloring a copy of the poster for us, and chatting about Rob Oster inks.

http://i.imgur.com/Cq9AVDth.jpg

Here's Lisa Vanness goofing with Matt Armstrong of The Pen Habit. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/jCl0lDmh.jpg

Away from the show floor and hectosity, I was able to have some time with

show organizer Todd Eberspracher (aka Farmboy). Great moments. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/4bbmGv8h.jpg

Master Penman Michael Sull, in his element - just look at that NIB! (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/KDhr78Oh.jpg

The conversations that come about with people of this caliber of wit and intellect, I'll tell ya. Left-to-right:

Todd of ISellPens.com, Mario Campa, Paul Erano of the Black Pen Society / Fountain Pen Journal,

and Scott Franklin of Franklin-Christoph. Cheers, gents! (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/9MRDDKHh.jpg

Show sponsor and CEO of the Wahl-Eversharp Company, Syd Saperstein and his wife, Judi. (@FD)

http://i.imgur.com/uZEFF0hh.jpg

Dan Smith (the NibSmith) again, working with a member of the next generation of pen lovers.

http://i.imgur.com/oJDcjcPh.jpg

People be giving stuff away!!

http://i.imgur.com/dXNnVbBh.jpg

However, do not trust people like this. No matter how many dinky badges they are wearing. (@FD)

THE WRAP-UP...

All in all, it ends too soon. I was lucky to be able to take some time off of work, drive TEN hours up from San Diego to Redwood City (I HATE YOU LA TRAFFIC WITH THE PASSION OF A THOUSAND BURNING SUNS!) and eight hours back, all to be able to enjoy 2.75 days doing ridiculously enjoyable things. I was missing it all within minutes after heading south. For a person who loves pens, pen shows are simply indispensable. You. Must. Attend.

I'll leave with just a couple more images, and I'll have to post later a photo of the total haul from this show (not large, but varied). Doing these shows isn't just good, it's crazy good.

http://i.imgur.com/oyEQlzlh.jpg

One I had, along with my two pen purchases: the 1937 Parker Shadow Wave Vac I restored in class,

a new Aurora 88 in matte black and rose gold, from Dan Smith,

and a 1st gen Vac in Burgundy, gratefully acquired fromStuart Hawkinson.

http://i.imgur.com/ueW340lh.jpg

A big score for me: from Vanness, a silver Rhodia journal, the back laser-engraved with the

show poster, and the inside annotated for me by Mr. Feldman. Priceless.

http://i.imgur.com/H2Kb7rch.jpg

From Curnow Bookbinding and Leatherwork, the superb and superior fountain-pen-friendly journals of the show.

http://i.imgur.com/la8J5C9h.jpg

That's a wrap, SFPS. In another year, it will be time to go nuts once again.

 

Jon Szanto

Sept 5, 2016

[Beechwood]

Nice review Jon, thank you for taking the time to post.

 

Seeing the pics is almost as good as being there.

[zaddick]

A delightful story told with the right amount of photos to keep young and old alike entertained. Thank you for sharing your wonder with us all. I did see you this year on Sunday and was tempted to say hello and thank you for your insightful posts here, but you were in the middle of posing for some photos and I am just a stranger after all. I'll hope to change that next year.

[EbonitePen]

Wonderful report. Enjoyed this very much. Thank you for posting.

[Cryptos]

Superb report, Jon. Looks like you had a great time. I didn't recognise any of the people of course, having never been to a pen show (and likely never will), but it was nice to put names to faces.

[Notgatherox]

Pretty!

 

Can I just ask, what was the pen model used to test ink? I have a mind to get some of those for ink testing too!

 

 

 

~Epic

[bobje]

Jon,

It's difficult to convey the feeling of any event, and especially the atmosphere of a pen show. The objects are small, the lighting is usually fluorescent and overhead, and the people extremely focused on a specific, inner agenda. Your review and photographs succeed beautifully. Many thanks to you and to Franz Dimson, whose photographs manage light and the expressions and behavior of people better than any pictures I've seen of any pen show, anywhere. Thank you.

[whichwatch]

Great report, Jon. The SF show appears to have grown into a "must go" event. I'll put it on my calendar for a first time next year!

[inkstainedruth]

Nice wrap up of the show. SF is one of those shows I'll never get to because of the distance (as opposed to shows that are scheduling conflicts for me).

Totally jealous of that brown Shadow Wave, BTW....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[ENewton]

Pretty!

 

Can I just ask, what was the pen model used to test ink? I have a mind to get some of those for ink testing too!

 

 

 

~Epic

 

They are Dollar pens and write surprisingly well.

[dms525]

Love the photos and couldn't agree more with the sentiments. Thanks, Jon!

 

David

[JonSzanto]

Can I just ask, what was the pen model used to test ink? I have a mind to get some of those for ink testing too!

 

The pens used are made by a Pakistani pen company (I believe). The pen is a Dollar i717. The pen comes in models that have colored plastic, or a 'demonstrator' such as the SF Show used. This is a big project that is mostly attributable to AltecGreen, who designed the Ink Stations. You can see a review of the pen, with photos, here; I'll have to leave sourcing it for purchase up to you.

Edited September 5, 2016 by JonSzanto

[JonSzanto]

A delightful story told with the right amount of photos to keep young and old alike entertained. Thank you for sharing your wonder with us all. I did see you this year on Sunday and was tempted to say hello and thank you for your insightful posts here, but you were in the middle of posing for some photos and I am just a stranger after all. I'll hope to change that next year.

 

Aw, (bleep) - let's never let that happen again! Before the next one, we need to be in contact so we can meetup at the show. My being a poser should never be an impediment to deeper friendships!

[Notgatherox]

 

The pens used are made by a Pakistani pen company (I believe). The pen is a Dollar i717. The pen comes in models that have colored plastic, or a 'demonstrator' such as the SF Show used. This is a big project that is mostly attributable to AltecGreen, who designed the Ink Stations. You can see a review of the pen, with photos, here; I'll have to leave sourcing it for purchase up to you.

 

Thank you for your quick answer Jon!

 

I won't be able to get the pens in time for the Hub - perhaps next year then.

 

 

~Epic

[fireant]

Thank you so much for posting this! I really liked seeing the names with the faces.

Next year I hope to make it to the show!

[JohnEbach]

Thank you for sharing this event with us. I loved the commentary and the photos. Thank you again.

[Kelly G]

Thanks for a wonderful report Jon! One of these days...and it looks as if SF would be a great choice of show.