Tilburg 2018 Show Sept 29Th. Anyone Going? What To Expect?

September 30, 2018

I saw your post too late, BinaryRun. Sorry about that. Perhaps next year?

On the plus side... the atmosphere was nice. Mostly friendly folks and a relaxed vibe. There were enough rare pens there that almost anyone would have been able to find something suitable. It was also nice to see Anabelle doing nib work. I think she had a busy day!

Some things that I personally didn't like that much... a lot of the tables were geared towards serious collectors, with ditto prices. Some tables had ink and paper ready to try pens, others didn't (simply because they cater to collectors who don't really write with their pens). A lot of serious prices, as well. In terms of inks and paper on offer, I had hoped for more.

I know pretty much nothing about vintage pens, and my goal was to acquire one or two nice vintage pens, in perfect working order, for a reasonable price. I succeeded, but it wasn't easy. In the end I found the small table of Carneil Pens from Scotland and immediately struck up a report with the owner. Here I found a ca. 1960 Sheaffer PFM-3 14k 'snorkel filler' in a very nice blue colour, which appears sky-blue in bright light and a dark cobalt-blue in darker conditions. I also found a wonderful ca. 1938 Onoto 5601 in 'Green Marble' with a no.3 standard nib, which appears to be a vac filler. The celluloid of this pen is something else... My son also hit the jackpot at this table, acquiring a lever-filler De La Rue / Onoto in the most stunning brown-flaked celluloid. The photo was made under poor lighting and it doesn't do the pens justice at all, I'll post a better one tomorrow.

I also discovered KWS inks and fell in love with their Azure #5 - what a lovely ink! It went into the Sheaffer. My green-flaked Onoto was filled with J. Herbin Lierre Sauvage and its a great match. My son's brown-flaked pen was filled with Diamine Ancient Copper.

I completely agree with you on the fact that some tables were really geared towards high end prices as well, at least half of them and that was quite disappointing especially for such a small show. However as you saw yourself, as long as you have a goal for yourself, you're able to succeed. (I know we did. )

September 30, 2018

Great people & show :-)

A few pictures from yesterday:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/159137301@N07/albums/72157673968626418

Cheers

Michael

Thanks for these pictures Michael very informative. I hope to get to the show next year.

In your pictures there is a gentleman in a blue shirt and glasses whose pens appear to be displayed on very light coloured pen trays. Could you let me know who that is please - by PM if that's easiest. Thanks.

September 30, 2018

I assume you mean Guillaume Chappuis from Empire de l'Ecriture / 123stylo.com (info@123stylo.com).

On the picture he is sitting behind his table.

Cheers

Michael

Edited September 30, 2018 by Michael R.

September 30, 2018

I assume you mean Guillaume Chappuis from Empire de l'Ecriture / 123stylo.com (info@123stylo.com).

On the picture he is sitting behind his table.

Cheers

Michael

Thank you!