St. Louis Pen Show

[bunnspecial]

So, I have never actually been to a pen show(I'm sorry I never went to the Cincinnati one when I still lived in Kentucky) but now that I live in the St. Louis area, I see that I have a show coming up basically in my back yard at the end of June.

 

I'll be going regardless, and it looks like there are going to be some great vendors there.

 

Still, though, I'm wondering for those of you who have been there, how is this show generally?

 

For reference, I have years behind me of attending watch meets/shows(which often have their own small-scale pen shows) not to mention gun shows, coin shows and the like so I'd like to think I have some idea of what to expect. I see it opens on Thursday, and at least at the watch shows the "good stuff" is often already gone before the doors even open. Of course watch shows foster that environment(which has its ups and downs) considering that the cost for a table and early entry is so low, but I'm basically wondering if a "Trader Pass" is worth it. I'd not be able to be there until probably 1:00 or 2:00 on Thursday. I'm mainly going to be watching for Montblancs and Parkers(nothing in particular on the want list at the moment unless I walked up to something like a reasonably priced burgundy OS vac with an oblique nib...one can dream, but I can always find something interesting to catch my eye) but this also likely won't be a show where I have a ton of cash free to spend perhaps, especially since it's my first one, maybe just regular admission on Friday would do me.

 

In any case, I'd appreciate any information that can be provided on this show specifically.

[PAKMAN]

I plan to be there this year! They do a great job with this show, lots of vendors and a great selection of pens!  Danny Fudge will be there repairing pens on site. It is a great venue with lots of things going on. I will probably be there 2-4 on Thursday afternoon, not sure about the trader pass, never have done that.

[bunnspecial]

Thanks!

 

Looking at the website, it looks like the "trader pass" is needed for Thursday admission.

 

I see Richard Binder is going to be there also.

[JotterAddict62]

I will be there all 4 days. I will be a new vendor at the show. [ 1st Timer ].

[sharonspens]

I went in 2019; was there all day on Saturday. There was plenty to see and buy; I didn't feel that things were picked over or sold out. There were good deals to be had, and I was able to get a couple of nibs adjusted. For reference, I have rarely missed the Ohio show in the last 15 years, at least; I've also been to Chicago and DC. All were good shows, and offered plenty of opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. I am used to attending a variety of arts shows where the good stuff may be gone. I would not worry about it with STL, unless you are looking for something very specific I do think you'll be fine.

 

I am also considering going; it has been on my calendar for three months with the understanding that I would be heading out on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, I just learned about a local (Indiana) event that may keep me home. It may come down to which place I want to spend my money (because guaranteed I will be spending money that weekend).

 

Sharon In Indiana

[PENny Dreadful]

I am quite looking forward to attending this show!  It will be my first pen show, and I have really just gotten into the hobby a month or so back, so I won't even really know what I'm missing if I miss anything.  And I am sure to miss much, as my band is playing in Memphis on Friday night, so I won't get to the show until Saturday...

[PAKMAN]

Going to be a great time! Can't wait to see folks there, found a great stash of pens that I will have on our table. Come by and see us at The Write Pen table!

 

Some of the pens I bought from a collection.

2 Sheaffer Snorkels, Waterman Inkview, Morrison Tourister, 2 Sheaffer Balance Black and Blues! A couple of advertising pencils just for fun.

[Misfit]

I hope you all have a great time in the Show-Me state. I wish I could attend. Some year… 

 

Please be sure to post photos of the St. Louis Pen Show, and all the pens, inks and all else you buy, so I can enjoy it vicariously. 
 

In case it isn’t obvious, I’m a Missourian.

[JohnUphill]

After looking forward to getting back to this show since attending in 2019, I have regretfully decided not to attend. My son is getting married next weekend and I feel I cannot risk the chance of COVD-19 exposure from a crowded event. Oh well, maybe next year.

[bunnspecial]

Unfortunately wasn't able to make it today, as I ended up being at work far longer than I'd expected.

 

I'm really still hoping that things will work out tomorrow, as I don't want to miss it, although I'm also trying to rearrange some things so that I can make it.

[Misfit]

Waah!  I just saw that KWZ has a St. Louis Pen Show 2022 ink called Missouri Norton. Norton is the state grape of Missouri, also known as Cynthiana. It is a wine making grape. And I can’t get a bottle because I’m trapped at home as a caregiver. 

[PAKMAN]

The show was great, I had a wonderful time with some great pen folks! Got to meet a few pen nuts that I only knew through facebook until this show. The Write Pen table had a very successful show selling, buying and trading a lot of pens and restoring many, many pens to working condition for some very happy pen friends. One sweet lady had tears running down her face when her grandmother's Snorkel was restored and she got to write with it for the very first time.  We will definitely be back next year. Here are a bunch of pictures in way of a show report.

 

[Misfit]

Thank you for all the photos @PAKMAN  I appreciate getting to see all the tables, products, and people. I kind of like those striped pen holders.  

[PAKMAN]

14 minutes ago, Misfit said:

Thank you for all the photos @PAKMAN  I appreciate getting to see all the tables, products, and people. I kind of like those striped pen holders.  

The table with all the pen holders was cool. He 3D printed all of those. I bought one that looks like a coffee cup and saucer, it holds 9 pens.

[Misfit]

That sounds so cool @PAKMAN

I so wish the pen show in Missouri was in Kansas City instead. Then maybe I could go. Not that I begrudge St. Louis. 

[Matthew Lee 1959]

I had a great time, but went into pen overload with all the tables and pens.  It did get me to rethink using disposable rollerball pens.  I enjoyed the seminar on inks, but missed the one on signatures.  I am planning on being back next year, but with money.  I left one of my pens to be worked on, but I have a couple of others that need a little nib work.  I also saw a couple of others I would love to add to my collection.

 

Did anyone notice the Game of Thrones inspired pen and holder?  The creator told me he spent 600 hours making the pen and holder.  I would have loved to have had the pen made from the deck wood of the Missouri.

[sharonspens]

Oh, these photos made my heart skip a beat - I was so sad to have to miss this show. And if the KWZ show ink was a purple, that hurts even more. 

 

Ah, next year, perhaps! And all the more resolve to NOT miss my beloved Ohio show. 

 

Sharon in Indiana

[inkstainedruth]

@PAKMANThat show is a bit too far for me to travel, so I was wondering about the size of it compared to other shows I've been to.  I've been to the Ohio Show a bunch of times (that's the "close" show for me), and to the Triangle show a couple of times.  Have not been to DCSS since they moved to the new site, but that was my first show and it was GINORMOUS at the old site (the first year I didn't know where to look, it was so overwhelming).  And I've been to the Commonwealth Show a couple of times (which is VERY small in comparison -- the first year I went there were only 17 vendors ).  Went to Chicago last fall but that was too long a trip for me (I gave myself 2 days each way, and hit antiques stores through Ohio and Indiana on the way out and back to break up the drive) and was exhausted on the way home (and was not impressed with the hotel).  I've also been to the Baltimore Show a couple of times (last spring I stayed at a hotel a couple of blocks away from the site hotel, and which turned out to be next door to the kabob place someone on here recommended and I ended getting TWO meals out of it because there was so much food that I took half of my dinner home and stuck it in the hotel fridge).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth