LA Pen Show Report
#1
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:48 AM
BTW in my report the Dark Lord=David I.
I always know when it's time for the LA Pen show. You spend the latter part of the year saving a pool of money for the show and then just weeks before the show, all kinds of pens come into the market to tempt you into spending you show stake. It's kind of like bears coming out of the holiday hibernation. This year was no exception but thankfully, Marc Shiman was kind enough to announce ahead of time that he was bringing a huge load of Italian pens the show for sale. So I resisted temptation and headed to the show. More on this later
The weather was cooperating this year. Two years ago, the east coast was snowed in and a lot of dealers missed the show and last year it rained all weekend. But the weather was good and we were good to go.
As usual, I don't show up very early on Thursday since very few dealers set-up on Thursday. I was eating a leisurely breakfast at 9:00 am and checked FPN. Loren posted two hours earlier that he had already sold an entire collection of pens and bought another collection. What!!!!! :yikes: I told the waitress, "Give the me the check! I need to get to LA!" So I hopped into my car and made it to LA city limits in 4.5 hours then I hit the 405. :doh: More on the 405 later.
When I got to the show, the room was already a third full and very active. It felt more like Friday morning rather than Thursday afternoon.
The outer areas, as usual, were like empty fields awaiting planting.
Pen Posse members Teri Morris and Fred (sketchy) setting up
Two of the special events at the show this year was the unveiling of Andreas Lambrou's new "Fountain Pens of Japan" and Michael Sull demonstrating beautiful calligraphy.
I'll have a bit more to say about the book in the section of Friday.
Michael Sull was hosted by Greg Minuskin and doing demonstration of some of the most beautiful calligraphy. He spent the weekend writing people's name on request as well as a seminar. At the end of the report I'll have a special segment with photos of his technique.
Michael's gorgeous pen holders for sale
As I mentioned earlier, Marc Shiman brought a huge collection of vintage Italian pens to the show. He contacted me the week before and sent me a list of the pens he was bringing. As I posted on FPN, I told him "You bring the pens, I'll bring the cash". As promised, I did clean him out of his best pens. Actually, Marc and I could have just hung out in the lobby exchanging pens for money.
Marc Shiman-my drug dealer
Some of Marc's pens
Some of the most beautiful modern pens to have been introduced recently are the handpainted Artus pens from Russia. The artwork is out of this world and done in the classic Russian style.
#2
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:48 AM
Here are last pics of the closing part of Thursday
Greg Minuskin's pile of pens
Got tools?
Got parts?
It was getting late and I was hungry. We rounded up the SF Pen Posse members and started to look for food. At the risk of a bad meal we decided to give Lido Italian food a try. The restaurant was featured in Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Nightmares". I remember watching the episode and saying "Hey I know where that place is!" This could have been bad but it looks like Gordon Ramsey did his magic. The place was full and the food was pretty good. Of course, sticking Gordon Ramsey's name all over your menu helps.
As I always say, pen shows do not end when the official hours end. When we go back from dinner, the show was still abuzz with pen activities.
In the lobby lounge area
Who is this masked man?
Why it's Pendleton
Pendleton is like James Brown. The hardest working man in pens. He was grinding away through dinner. We always go hang out with Pendelton after dinner. There not as much activity in the room this year.
Is that fried chicken and biscuits underneath?
Mauricio came down to hang with us
Mauricio and the Dark Lord
The Dark Lord and Farmboy
#3
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:49 AM
Beautiful SoCal dawn
The story of Friday is where's Ethernautrix and Roger's party that evening.
Pendleton's bad boy with bullet hole.
Friday morning set-up
Sarj and Jas
Sarj brought his two daughters along this year. I walked up to Sarj and he introduced me to his daughters. I go "Hi. Which one of you had their hair catch on fire." There was a look of confusion and embarrassment and laughter from the one daughter whose hair did not catch on fire. Sarj goes, "Ricky's a Facebook friend". Ah. The dangers of social media. BTW-it was a birthday cake incident.
Bjor-Refill Monster
Mario Campa gets props for bring this display case
I wonder if the show organizers agree. :roflmho:
Things begin to roll
Andy talking about the new book
Pendleton's still working. Doesn't he ever sleep?
Farmbaby guarding his new pen
Did you want to see some pens? I thought so.
Ooooo....look......vac group buy!!!!
#4
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:50 AM
There were a lot of new Danitrio's this year. They wisely introduced new models with maki-e but at a more reasonable price point. (At least reasonable in my book.)
Bryant (evil pen purveyor) brought a bunch of cool new stuff
Look! A non fuzzy picture of Bry. (After three years of trying!)
It's Kenny! (Actually, it's just Farmbaby)
Got ink? (FPN you had your chance)
Things pick up steam
Rick Propas (that's pen show dog in the background)
Frances
#5
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:51 AM
Everyone needs ink.
Pens aren't the only thing for sale
Back to pens.
Here are some cute Peter Pan pens
Overlay Peter Pan
Since people were so uppity about new Conway Stewart pens, here you go.
The new Marlborough. The ebonite pens (shown here) are LE with300 pens in each color. There will be a version in black resin that is a standard edition. This is the same pen that I showed in October in the SF pen show coverage.
New carbon Fiber pen
Solid gold CS pen
Mary Burke setting up for the NBC camera crew
Mary with the camera guy.
Brian Gray was in his usual spot along with Ernest Shin this year.
Edited by AltecGreen, 21 February 2012 - 05:00 AM.
#7
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:52 AM
Rare Swan
One of the best things about pen shows is the amount of expertise people willing to share their expertise. Toaster Pastry had a problem with a Soennecken 444 pen. At the show Wayne and I talked about the pen and I suggested asking Osman. I didn't really know Osman but someone made an introduction. Osman proceeded to describe the process of removing the piston. He also shared some much nicer Soennecken pens.
Random Friday stuff
SoCal Posse
Mauricio
Mario Campa and giant display case
Gary Lehrer
Pen Torture Tool?
More of Michael Sull's work
John Mottishaw
Rita
Back to Ethernautrix. As the afternoon wore on, we kept on getting the 'Where's Lisa?" questions. We were expecting her since she was attending the party Friday night. At 3pm she checked in that she was jsut before the Grapevine. Ok, that's good. The party is normally on Saturday night but because of some scheduling issues, it was moved to Friday night. As it got later, we were getting worried. At 5:30 pm, Lisa calls me and is a bit frazzled because she hit the 405 during Friday night rush hour. "I'm at exit 55!?!!!" What. Do you have a street name. "No, exit 55". After some questions, I figured out she was just before the 10. So we all gather at 6 pm in the lobby but there's still no Lisa. At 6 pm she calls and we figure out she was about 4 miles away on Culver Dr. I volunteered to stay and wait and drive her to the party since I've been to Roger's mom's house. 35 minutes later, she makes it to the hotel. 35 minutes to go 4 miles. So we hop in my car and drive to the party. What a day.
It was a fabulous party and Marilyn is a very gracious host. It was party for a number of the show attendees.
Here was our amuse bouche for the night. A sweet pea shooter.
At the end of the evening, Pendleton hit the piano and belted out a few tunes.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/6908228049/]
And that's all for Friday.
#8
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:53 AM
Dawn breaks over the show
The LA show builds each day because of the format.
Mauricio and Stan Spezzi
Looks like Loren got sleep and did not buy a Montblanc (see last year's coverage for details)
This was the coolest thing at the show. The world's largest pocket knife!
Danitrio was doing well at the show and was selling out of pens. They needed a pen re-fueling Sunday morning.
Lisa's new hairdo
Lisa's pen holster
Hakase pens were surprisingly available for sale. Alan Gross is bringing in small lots of Hakase pens for sale. Why wait?
There was a new vendor of pen materials. Good looking stuff. Brian Gray is getting a bunch of test samples. The group buy people might want to wait for Brian to do his tests because the new material looks promising.
More group buy fodder
Edited by AltecGreen, 21 February 2012 - 05:03 AM.
#9
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:54 AM
My vote for the most over the top presentation.
Some Gisi pens at the Penopoly table
Some steam punk pens
Taccia came out but surprisingly Sailor did not.
At some point, the hotel staff started to play with the ballroom lighting. Attempts to improve the lighting failed. I felt bad for this guy. I think he needed a ladder.
Random cool pens and stuff
#10
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:54 AM
Osman's tools
The People
Scott Franklin
Shu-Jen of Taccia
Paul Erano
Mark Hoover
Jon and Susan
Saturday was the day for the SoCal/SF Pen posse dinner. While waiting for people to show up, we were pressed into making a liquor run for Jon Martinson. Next year, I'm bringing a case of booze. We had a great dinner at Sammy's woodfired pizza. It was a shame the restaurant could not seat all of us at the same table but at least we got seated, outside, in the cold. Fun times were had by all. Our only problem was getting back too late. Poor Maxim of Artus pens. He waited for us but when we returned he was gone. And he had all of that Russian vodka. I'll make it up to you next year Maxim. We all feel really bad. As for the rest of the evening.....
That's all for Saturday.
#11
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:55 AM
Sunday is the public day at the LA Show. This year there was extra carnage.
So peaceful at 7 am in the morning.
Yafa's set-up
The calm
Thanks to Refill Monster for the free coffee and pastries on Sunday morning
Getting set-up for the hordes
Maxim of Artus pens
Fred and the banner
The official pen cleaner (Don't try this at home kids)
Checking in
#12
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:56 AM
Plotting to take over the world.
Double checking game plans
Getting some last minute advice. Jon Szanto was smart to get some personalized service in the morning before the pubic arrive.
Now where did I put that?
We buy pens? Who doesn't at a pen show?
This is going to be my new avatar.
Last minute QC trash
Just in case
The first people in line
My last look at some pens
Oh no! The hand.
It got Ralph
The new 'Franck Mueller' old style Paragon
#14
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:57 AM
#15
Posted 21 February 2012 - 04:58 AM
Sunday this year seemed to be much more crowded than last year. If that is even possible. It was so crowded in the main room that I was trapped several times and could not even shoot any more pictures. I finally gave up and put the camera away. Then I found Lisa and went for some lunch. It was still pretty crowded at 3:30pm when I made my round of goodbyes and hit the road.
All in all it was a great show. As Lisa puts it, it was so much FUN! Having gone to the show for a few years, you do build bonds with a lot of the people in the community. You know everyone and they know you. Coming to the show is like a big family reunion and leaving is a bit hard because you have to say goodbye.
Some observations:
1. On the vintage side, there were a lot of people on all of the days but there was a lack of new vintage stuff. Had Marc Shiman not brought all of the Italians, I might have really underspent my budget. As it stands, I stayed within budget unlike the two previous years.
2. There was some good action on the new pens. Danitrio's strategy of moving a but back into a more affordable price range paid dividends. Kevin had to get emergency re-stock on Sunday morning because so many of the new pens sold on Friday and Saturday.
3. There were a lot of new people and young people on Sunday.
4. It was good to meet a lot of the new FPN people. Although on Sunday, I was trying to find MikoB1 to no avail.
5. Next time, Maxim should come to dinner with us so he won't have to wait.
6. Speedy did not come this year (I believe he is in Taiwan) ad his sons did not show up other than to give Pendleton some pens.
7. Lisa do not arrive in LA at 4 pm on Friday again. The 405 is a parking lot.
So that's all for this year.
#17
Posted 22 February 2012 - 08:01 AM
Sam and Frank were there with a full presence, and Sam did an ink seminar on Saturday as well. In fact, she was one of the most interesting people I spent time talking to! (esp. since I'm a Sheaffer nut...)No pics of Sam and Frank from Pendemonium? They've stopped going to yhe shows I attend but I thought they went to LA still.
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