The Los Angeles Pen Show is definitely one of the more interesting shows I’ve visited. Most notable is that three out of the four show days are trader days, meaning that the show is open to the public only on Sunday (and therefore crazy). This is the exact opposite of how most pen shows run, with nearly all others being open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday typically being the “dead” day where things really slow down in the afternoon. As I write this, I’m mentally preparing myself for the Sunday rush in L.A., since I’ll be behind the Vanness Pens table helping out. If you’re at the show, come see me! In the meantime, here is a photo-heavy recap of some of the things I saw on Friday and Saturday. I should have some additional pictures later this week and some additional reporting on the show once I see how Sunday goes.
This year the entire L.A. Pen Show was held in a single downstairs ballroom. It remains to be seen how the new venue will handle the Sunday crowds, and there were already a few issues with the aisles being very narrow. I will say, however, that the lighting in this recently refurbished space was excellent - some of the best I’ve experienced.
One of the most exciting things I got to see this weekend was the launch of the Vanness/Shawn Newton production-line collaboration, The Pinnacle, which comes in two sparkly colors: Sassafras (on the left) and Wild Blackberry (right). Like Shawn’s famed Shinobi model, the cap has a single facet that acts as a roll-stopper.
I got to handle a Sylvester Stallone Chaos Pen at the Montegrappa table! I have to say that despite all my past skepticism this pen was impressive to hold in person.
Pierre from Desiderata Pens was set up, with a full stock of pens that included his latest Soubriquet model that features a vacumatic-style filler. I acquired the red and beige ebonite pen pictured in the gallery below. Pierre made his name selling pens that accept Zebra G Calligraphy nibs, but you can also purchase them with JoWo nibs.
The Montegrappa “Grappa” set, complete with - wait for it - a bottle of Grappa!
Mike Masuyama was present, and he changed things up at his workstation! I had two pens tuned today, nothing fancy!
And, of course, Brian Anderson showed me some rare Esterbrook “V-Clip” and Relief pens that he had “under glass” at the table. The kind of stuff you can only see at a Pen Show!