The Chicago Pen show, something I wait for all year. I do attend some smaller shows but this is the big one. I can only spare time for Saturday and Sunday, two days of mind numbing pen-filled dreams. Walking inside the hotel the first dealers were Maryann and Steve from Penstop; quite a beautiful display of tasty pens. White Mountain with a display of wonderful pen chests and every Michael Perchin pen made. Enough to make your eyes fall out of your head!

A few more steps and the big smiles of Sam and Frank Fiorella, Pendemonium greet you. They had oodles of Noodlers for sale as well as journals, pens, ink wells, books... you get the idea. Susan Wirth was set up with her famous writing station and was wearing a stunning WHITE DRESS!!! Talk about tempting the ink spiller demons!

Dan Reppert has an amazing display of Sheaffers, truly a Sheaffer maven! Bill Weakley had his wonderful display of Pens, nibs, cases and his beautiful new wife Nadia. Talk about the beauty and the beast! My weak attempt at Russian didn't make her laugh, at least until I left!

On to registration and the main ball room, walking through the double doors is breath taking. There are hundreds of tables lined up with pens, inks, displays, ephemera and lots of people as pen crazed as I am. Taking a right turn and sticking to the wall, I found Len Provisor and his magnificent P51 model. A chat with Jeff Parker was an honor. A few more steps and the Fountain Pen Hospital display with the beaming smile of Ed Fingerman and Terry Wiederlight were so bright you had to put on shades. Some great deals on pens, books and repair parts were enticing siren songs.

It is difficult to maintain any type of personal discipline at a pen show. I want to see everything all at once. The magpie effect draws me away from my tact of going row by row after ringing the room; smiles at every table with wares beckoning a closer look. The Krone display was impressive and informative. To see the very pens that historical figures used was inspiring and interesting.

Detlef Bittner is a must stop-and-buy-something table. He is very gracious and patient, not to mention generous in his pricing! I did pick up a Namiki Bamboo with a fine nib, writes like an XF and is super smooth! Thanks Det! I saw a crowd building in one area and quickly found out why. The Nakaya area was like a magnet! I spent quite a bit of time there. Chairs were set up for folks to test their new pens and have the nibs adjusted and to sample pens for purchase. Watching Mr.Watanabe-san was educational, mesmerizing and entertaining. He was adjusting nibs for customers and would beam with delight when they were satisfied. He watched them write very carefully. It seemed like the differences in language didn't matter much, he understood by observation. Mr. Matsubara-san worked the lathe with a touch that can only be called organic. He didn't machine the hard rubber off of the blank; he coaxed it off with a deftness that amazed everyone who saw him work. The director, Mr. Nakata-san was very attentive to customer needs. He really worked hard to satisfy every customer and answer every question. He is a very humble man as well. A customer asked him to sign the Nakaya poster, and he was stunned. His response to the request was "Why? I am not important, I don't do anything, they are the craftsmen!" I think that may explain the success of this wonderful company, an attitude like that is impressive. I did get a chance later to sit and try every nib they offer in an array of Tamenuri red pens. Oh, my, I have to start saving! What an experience and what an honor!

Not far was the smile face of Ken Jones of Bertram's Inkwell. These guys work the crowd like jugglers. So many wonderful pens and accessories with prices that make your head spin! Decisions, decisions!!! Jimmy Dolive coaxes a bunch of green out of my wallet for a Mont Blanc Big Boheme with a fine nib. Thanks Jimmy! A true southern gentleman!

Fred Gorstein sat quietly in front of a spread of pens that I can't believe I am actually seeing! Omas pens from the 1930's that look better than my collection of new ones! I have never seen such perfect examples! He patiently shared information about the different models and specific details that enhanced my appreciation a hundred fold. He had stunning examples of the Colorado scissors and a Zerolo that I have only seen in books. He also shared information and showed a magnificent collection of continental overlay safety pens and again, I have to say that I was awe struck. Thank you for sharing!

Craig Bozorth brought me a cap for my Waterman 100 LeMan briar that I shattered a few months ago, thank you! Craig is a true renaissance man; there is hardly a subject that he cannot come up with a wondrous story or exemplar. Craig weaves stories and sells pens and ephemera from one end of the country to another.

Miroslav Tischler is a dear friend from Zagreb, Croatia. He had a great display of vintage Pelikan pens and ephemera. He is so enthusiastic about his pen passion, Penkalas! He wrote a great book about a wonderful company called Penkala.

Ann Marie patiently answers the gazillion refill and ink questions from the crowd that always seems to hover around her table. She has a super display of inks and seems to have limitless patience

Tsachi Mitsenmacher came all the way from Israel. His passion like Lih-Tah Wongs', is the Parker 75. But like me, he has a passion for good food, philosophy, and people. He told me his approach to pen collecting was holistic; it includes the pens the people, the fun! Speaking of Lih-Tah, his table was beautifully laid out with a sea of 75's! Such a spectrum of pens! He is a joy to talk to and learn from.

It was fun chatting with Jonathan Steinberg. I told him that his first book is what infected me with the passion for pens. The example of flex writing in the front of the book set me on a quest for the perfect nib. Like I'll ever find it! Jonathan is very charming and offers pens that are very rare and beautiful.

Chris Thompson was showing his wares that drew quite a crowd. It seems that he could make a pen out of any material! His Balance reproductions and some prototypes were very intriguing. Chris also suffers tons of questions with the utmost patience.

A very wonderful treat was running into Terry and Susan Johnson from Avalon Pen / Private Reserve ink fame. They don't often come to pen shows and were warmly greeted by many long time friends. These two folks are jewels in pendom.

Dr. David had a remarkable set of pens for sale. Sure, there were a gazillion pens for sale in the ball room but Dr. I had assembled the pens for which we all lust, great examples of each no less. The doc was like a machine, all you had to do is point at a pen and he would tell you all about the pen, its rarity, its characteristics and, most importantly, a very fair price. It is no wonder he did so well. Selling great pens at fair prices seems to be a winning formula.

I had a chance to tell Victor Chen something in private that I wanted to share publicly; I thanked him for all that he did for the late Father Terry. Victor's selflessness is a shining example of the goodness of humanity. Father Terry started me on my repair track, and was a patient friend to us all.

Others have written about pen shows and talked about the people, the friends that one makes. The common interest in pens is but an ice breaker. The amazing thing about these folks is that they are wonderful, giving people that love to talk about pens and any other subject near to your heart. Be it pens, watches, knives, pipes or model planes, someone will talk about it with you. I stayed to the end, sadly watching the last of the attendees and dealers take down their displays, say goodbyes and head back to the regular world.

Now to get ready for next years show!

(c) Copyright 2004 Wayne Samardzich