2024 London Autumn Pen Show - 2024-10-13

[Mercian]

Hi all,

I am starting this thread today - 2024-10-12 - because the 2024 London Autumn Pen Show is tomorrow - 2024-10-13.

 

My intent in starting the thread is to create a place for members who go to the show to discuss it, and/or show off what they bought there, or to discuss any pens they may have given to restorers/repairers at the London Autumn Show (and what work those pens need).

 

I won't be there - I am currently 'enjoying' a respiratory infection - but, if you are attending, I hope that you have a fantastic time ☺️

Slàinte,
M.

[Kalamos]

Hi there

I was at the show; a first time for me. I arrived at 11am (doors opened at 10am) and left at 4.10pm to catch the train from Marylebone back to the Midlands. The place was heaving; 180 tables spread over two rooms. There was no plan given out as to the location of companies or dealers. Indeed few of the table tops had any signs on them as to who they were. This could have been done better!

I had it in my mind that I wanted to add to my Conway Stewart collection; specifically Dinkies. I didn't get any Dinkies (there were some there but nothing that took my fancy) but I did get a Parker Junior-ette; a Pocket Waterman and a Burnham. These are all pocket size; the Waterman writes with a fabulously wet line and could be used posted for longer letters and not just note taking and diary entries which was the initial reason for searching out this type of FP.

There was a good selection of dealers there including representatives from WES (Writing Equipment Society), foreign and British dealers and I'm pleased to say, nibsmiths. I was able to get there of my pens finetuned by Thomas Ang who was much in demand.

I met Conrad Zurawski from the ink company called KWZ from Poland. They had a good selection of inks. One of the swatches had "Green Grass", however there was no sample of that. Funnily enough, the next customer behind me also asked for the same ink. Anyhow I went for Green #5 which was a good substitute but may send off for the initial one I asked for.

Cult Pens had a selection of inks and I bought five that interested me from their swatches.

All in all a worthy show that will look to be conducted over two days next year. But hope that 2 day show isn't in London as, for visitors, that will mean an expensive hotel stay in an expensive capital city.

 

[Mercian]

Hi Kalamos!
Thanks for letting us know about your experience 😊

 

42 minutes ago, Kalamos said:

There was no plan given out as to the location of companies or dealers. Indeed few of the table tops had any signs on them as to who they were. This could have been done better!

 

I think that the layout plan for the London show is (was?) available on the UK Pen Shows website - but only as one layout plan, with a very long list underneath it, to identify who is on which table(s).

 

Their website → click me! ←

 

I have always been surprised that the organisers haven't publicised their shows on here themselves.
I even emailed them once, to ask them to do so.

One would have thought that 'advertising' on the internet's largest site devoted to pens would strike them as being a good idea, but apparently not 🤷‍♂️

[Kalamos]

Thank you.

Yes. I’ve since noticed there was a plan at the end of an email prior to the event. I think it could have been a little more obvious and indeed a printed version on arrival at venue would be good. Otherwise , very enjoyable.

[Stompie]

I would have liked to have gone especially as I have to go to London for family business but, I could not find any info on dates etc. so I missed out.

 

However, now that I am retired next year is a definite for me.