|
Chicago! What a
great pen show!!
It was cold, windy
and raining on Saturday. Walking from the far end of
the parking lot I arrived looking like a wet cat in
a rain storm. A miserable Chicago weather day,
however this is a huge benefit for a pen show.
Instead of frolicking in Springtime weather the
crowds come to the Pen Show. This works everytime.
The weather cleared somewhat on Sunday with a great
attendance from the public.
I attended the show on Saturday and Sunday.
Everything you ever want to see in vintage and
modern. Saturday the ballroom was packed with
visitors and dealers among 160-some tables including
dealer set ups filling the foyer.
Since about 1990 I used to visit 4-5 U.S. pen
shows a year but I have since retired, downsized,
sold off much of the collection but still have a few
dozen of my favorites. However, but being a local
boy, Chicago Pen Show is a must and I would never
miss the event.
My greatest pleasure is seeing many old friends
and looking over the sea of table tops as almost
everything has a story. Here is where I can see the
rare, the unusual, the long lost and the “OMG! What
is that?”
One of my more fascinating discussions was with
Syd Saperstein, resident Wahl-Eversharp expert and
now bringing us modern pens faithful to the Golden
Age.
Syd has a
passionate focus on the history of Wahl Eversharp.
The final manufacturing facility for Wahl Eversharp
was at 1800 Roscoe Ave in Chicago which is now a
residential condo complex. Syd happened to visit the
location and consulted with the resident historian
and was able to explain some unusual features of the
building. In his research Syd happened to have
knowledge of the original architect plans for the
building which was built around 1917. He was able to
explain some of the unknown features which related
to manufacture. Railroad lines in the concrete floor
that remain actually came into the building to
deliver metals and bulk products, patterns of yellow
brick in the floor that outlined the original
heating plant and he knows exactly where each phase
of manufacture was on each floor. Syd promises that
someday, hopefully in my life time he will publish a
200 pound book with every known fact on
Wahl-Eversharp history.
100th
Anniversary SkyScraper
See
the new Oversize Decoband, pneumatic filler, Superflex
nib writes from Fine to Double Broad.
http://www.wahleversharp.com
First time exhibitor from Japan is Motoshi Kazuno
and his wife from Stylo-Art.com
Beautiful hand turned woods with gold nibs made in
Japan. Marvelous woods and Urushi with great styling and
beautiful writers.
http://www.stylo-art.com
Ryan Krusac is making a
solid impression with his gorgeous rare woods, scrimshaw
and hand painted pens.
http://www.fountainpenstudios.com
Kim Sosin at the PCA Pen
Collectors of America exhibit
http://www.pencollectors.com
Modern and vintage pens
on every table….
Warren Granek, the
most perfect restorations you can imagine
David Nishimura,
Dan Zazove and Paul Erano
Ron Zorn fixing and
tweeking and he was busy all weekend.
http://www.mainstreetpens.com
Jonathan Veley - resident
expert on everything pencils, author of The Catalogue of
American Mechanical Pencils. John recently purchased a
pencil lead company, the last one to make leads in the
U.S. and has one million-some leads available of every
description and size.
http://www.jonathanveley.com
Huge appreciation to show
organizers Don Lavin, Roger Wooten, Paul Conterato and
Nathaniel Cerf
see 2016 Chicago Pen Show photo album slideshow to
see description titles and names.
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/propro/slideshow/Chicago%20Pen%20Shows%2001-05/2016%20Chicago%20Pen%20Show
|
