Up at 4am and out the door at 5am, I fire up my trusty Volvo and finally, I am no longer counting the days down to my long anticipated road trip to one of my favorite pen shows. Driving distance is exactly 402 miles and only a little over 6 hours, an enjoyable ride with nice Fall colors and not too bad scenery, if you like very flat Indiana and Ohio countryside. The secret of the trip, by the way, are the back roads and the intentional meandering. That is, I usually take my time and hit as many back road antique shops as possible before dark, I find them much more fruitful than the 1,000 stall mega-malls along the highway. But this day it’s a dash to the show, the meandering will have to wait for the return trip on Monday. The car is well balanced with the trunk packed full with my bags of pens and ephemera for trading and selling.

I made an almost nonstop dash to Columbus on this Friday. My usual habit is to arrive Thursday afternoon for evening trading until midnight after a wine and cheese welcome party hosted by show organizers Terry and Sonya Mawhorter. About 20 collectors and dealers had had arrived as early as Wednesday and were set up earlier in a conference room for the two day pre-show early pen business. Other exhibitors and guests traveled from South America, Germany, Canada, Australia, England, Spain and Japan. Yup, Columbus sure is a prime target on the global pen show circuit.

I arrived at about noon Friday, and within 15 minutes I found myself surrounded by pens and ephemera in the ballroom with about 40 tables total set up. Dealers were also set up in the long hallway leading to the ballroom. Soon 50 or 60 dealers/collectors set up and the action was beginning. There is a mixed attitude at early trading. Some buyers will simply shop the table tops, determined to wait and see what will appear in the next day or two. Sometimes this is foolish, if one has a goal for a certain pen, the old rule always applies…the right time to buy that pen is when you see it. In most cases, it simply will not be there when you return later, and whinning or crying in your beer is not allowed. One case in point a friend saw a hammered silver cap Parker “51” that has been trying to find for a long time and it immediately went into his pocket. A rare 1947 red thread “51” also was found on a table top in random disarray with other low cost pens, bought at a modest $45. Fortunately for me a wise buyer snapped up my rare Parker 41 oversize eyedropper with GF overlay. I almost regretted letting this sweet one go, but I now have some others dancing before my eyes.

Frank Dubiel with 'Da Book'

By 6 pm it was time for the famous OH pizza party sponsored by Sam and Frank Fiorella of Pendemonium. It was a great mingling of Zossers, Pentracers and many friends gathering around tables munching pepperoni and veggie pizzas. How about that, even pen guys and girls get hungry, and soon about 50 pizza were promptly devoured. After the pizza party, which essentially was our dinner, the PCA Pen Collectors of America brought in more food, wine, cheese and crackers prior to holding the PCA meeting. The tables were piled with the latest issues of the Summer, 2003 PENnant and prior issues. The new issue had a nice surprise. A new printer has designed a new typeface layout which makes for a very nice appearance. Also on display was a selection of prototype ballpoint pens and design sheets from Sheaffer Industrial Designer William Bunn, who is featured in the new PENnant issue. The most attractive of the prototype pens I thought was the copper hand hammered ballpoint, very arts and crafts appearance and quite stunning. After the wine and cheese the PCA hosted a drawing for several donated prizes and ended with an auction for a large stained glass ornament which raised $125. for the PCA.

Back to pens….not to waste a moment, most people retired back to the tables, either to sell or to hunt. This continued until about 10pm when the room was locked down with security present. This is actually very convenient so sellers can leave their larger displays intact for the next day as tables were assigned. Many people soon retired, not to bed, but to the lounge for more talk and pen pocket peeking ‘til the wee hours.

. The new Signum miniature ballpoint and fountain pens

Saturday morning dealer set up is from 8 to 10am. The coffee station, essential equipment at any pen show, was sponsored this day courtesy of Pentrace. Happily my table was right next to Maryann and Steve Zucker of Penstop, so it was easy to step over and see their new Signum pens. The new miniature ballpoint and fountain pens at 4” with solid sterling caps and brilliant color barrels are gorgeous. Many new and vintage dealers arrived to set up, so the first two hours are really hectic with the hunters quickly visiting every table for the first pickings. I have a system for setting up, really takes me only a few minutes, so I kind of position my goods on the table without opening my pen cases, I display the Parker Spitfire then I join the fray like everyone else. A few times during the day I will be able to break away for a short time while a local friend John Stone watched my table. I was also very happy to see so many Pentracers, some of the names I remember are Paul J Ste.Marie, Rob Jack, Alan Steytler, Don Burns, MarkVB, Lynn Brant and others who I apologize for not jotting the names.

Jim, Jane Marshall and Sue Courtier always bring a beautiful display of vintage English writing instruments and ephemera, a literal museum and a wonderful opportunity to closely examine some wonderful examples. Jim has also written two new books, Collectible Pencils and Collectible Dip Pens in a soft cover loaded with color images, you can contact him at www.penpencilgallery.com

Lynn Brant

I talked with Lynn Brant, and saw his black chased hard rubber Doric, evidently very rare, only one or two known to exist and quite stunning, along with one of his Blood Red Dorics, also very rare and he probably has the largest collections of this scarce color.

Giovanni Abrate

More news, Giovanni Abrate is working with Howard and Louis Kaplan of the Great Parkers in Miami to form the Miami Pen Club, meetings may be held at The Great Parker’s offices. More news will follow on this soon. Giovanni had his table set up next to Richard Jarvis and had a large display of our favorite Italian pens Bruno, Filcao and Columbus in a terrific display of colors and styles. Between Richard Jarvis’ Penspiration and Richard Binder customizing these nibs, Giovanni’s pens have become quite popular, the right price and great styling.

Lisa Hanes and Carla Mortensen

Lynn Sorgatz, the other pen maker from Janesville displayed his Baby Parker eyedropper replicas which he hand turns from mottled hard rubber. He also made a few with gold filigree overlay, and a beautiful cable twist taper cap.

Baby Parker eyedropper replicas and cable twist with taper cap

Joel and Sherrell Tyree drove in from St Louis, Linda and Steve Bauer drove in from downstate IL and are serious vintage ballpoint collectors. Lisa Hanes and Carla Mortensen shared a table loaded with Lisa’s designer memo pads and a clever mouse pad made from a paper memo pad. Lisa had a super 1950’s Montblanc single desk pen and holder, mint in the box, almost enticed me to get back into Montblanc pens. Not surprising, the set sold very promptly. I got my hugs from Lisa, another highlight of the show What a bundle of energy this girl has, she was non-stop all weekend, I swear I never saw her stand still. Bert and Alice Heiserman were set up near the entrance and were giving pen appraisals to visitors, they came in with our friend Warren Granek from Maryland. .

Sherrell and Joel Tyree

Roger Wooten from IL finally completed his production of his vintage Sheaffer catalogs. Printed on heavy gloss paper stock in full color, the selection of 10 catalogs are from the years 1923 to 1939 and are quite impressive. Desk sets, bases and the entire line up, the best catalogs I’ve ever seen. Roger will have a web site up on this very soon. Chris Thompson displayed his new Waterman 58 reproductions and immediately set up serious discussions on the pro and cons of how absolutely perfect Chris can produce these pens. Remember Chris, the only thing worse is when they don’t talk about you.

Chris Thompson

Howard Levy from Bexley pens presented his newly commissioned very Limited Edition $13,000. gold pen. My table top photography was a real challenge, but this should be up on his web site very soon. Sailor pens also exhibited. Paul Erano has a second edition soon on his book, Collectible Fountain Pens Past and Present-available Mar-April, he also has a newsletter called EQPR Erano’s Quarterly Pen Review with remarkable short stories and articles, contact him at plerano@aol.com to subscribe.

Broadwell Samuri

Roger Cromwell and Richard Binder provided on site pen repair services, with Richard and Barbara having a great time with constant visitors to their table. Overheard….”Dear, it’s time to go, they’re locking the doors already!” …as Richard rarely lifted his head from his tools.

The show also featured several seminars on Saturday and Sunday. John Mottishaw presented “ Let’s get to the point-what makes a great nib?” explaining the characteristics of various pen nibs, and also covered tips on repairing nibs. Roger Cromwell, pen repairman, presented a seminar on what to look for when purchasing vintage pens. Condition, general problems and repair of vintage pens was discussed. Stephen Overbury, co- author of Namiki - The Art of Japanese Lacquer Pens presented a seminar on lacquer fountain pens, and brought a stunning display of rare lacquer and vintage pens.

Giant Namiki

Bill Lilly, the only know living person to have earned an “gold seal” from the Zanerian College in Columbus, Ohio, for his script calligraphy gave demonstrations throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday on the specialty of engrossing. Bill teaches his craft to students from around the world.

Saturday night was dinner with many friends and tall tales of pens found and pens lost. Later we had a pool side dessert party sponsored by Terry and Sonya Mawhorter, complete with killer Bon Bons, cheesecake and Death by Chocolate Cake. This was a neat event, while I managed at the same time to watch the full lunar eclipse and thought of astronomer Stuart Williams and friends around the globe that may be watching this same event this evening. I tried, but my hand shadow bunnies didn’t quite work on the moon.

Auctioneer Craig Bozorth

Next was one of the highlights of the show, the pen auction and this was called by pen collector auctioneer Craig Bozorth. Now let me explain, Craig is well known, everybody’s friend and has a pretty fast lip as an auctioneer, but this evening he had a slight cold and was sipping a remedy of medicinal syrup from a small bottle on the side of the podium. What a great mix, warm room, cough syrup and Craig the Lip, this was going to be fun.

Craig proceeded to call the auction with his inimitable character of joking, and subtle insults. After a few more sips of medicine, the faster he was provoking bids from friends front to back. “Bid bid bid…If I had your money I would throw mine out the window!” …for the benefit of foreign visitors, Craig was calling his bids in non-stop English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and I’m sure I heard Esperanto. Craig was so fast calling the bids a few winning bidders were heard to say " “Good grief, what did I just buy?" A highlight of the show, I am going to see if we can capture him for the Chicago auction next year.

Sunday night I enjoyed dinner with Richard and Barbara Binder, Jean and Mike Wascher and Giovanni Abrate at our favorite Spain restaurant with the ever flowing Sangria. Rick Propas and David Isaacson soon joined, and we ended our great weekend with drinks and toasting one another until we meet again at our next show.

Terry and Sonya later told me that the visitor traffic on Saturday has surpassed any other previous two-day show. The show came and went all too fast, and now I start counting the days again for my next OH trip.

Terry and Sonya Mawhorter with the crew

Monday morning I hit the road early, stopping at my favorite Waffle House for pecan waffles and made a bee line for some back roads hunting at a few antique shops. I found a few modest pens and ink blotters, but my main target was a visit to Zionsville, IN to visit Terry Johnson at Private Reserve Inks who was not able to make the pen show. When I arrived in the afternoon I walked in and to see Michael Fultz and Mike Conway who also stopped by to visit. A few minutes later the door bell jingles and in walks Ken Smoot and Jim Ryan, two more of the Chicago pen mob. So what happens when 6 pen guys and Charlie the house cat gather around cases of pens and inks? Of course, we just started the 2003 Zionsville Pen Show party and had a great time. Some good news from PR inks, Terry tells me he is now exporting Private Reserve to Australia, Japan and Korea.

Thank you Sonya and Terry from OH, and also Terry, Susan and Charlie the cat from Zionsville. See you next year if not sooner.

Also see the photo gallery by Paul J Ste Marie http://www.ste-marie.org/pens/OhioPenShow2003.html