Another pen show is over, another set of memories to treasure.

Ready for business

It’s hard to condense in a few words the three days of total pen immersion that was this year’s Atlanta Pen Show (or, to be exact, the “ Great Southeastern Pen Show”).

I flew into Atlanta straight from Madrid and called up the Holiday Inn shuttle bus from the airport, waited the 15 minutes that I was told were needed for the bus to reach me and after a short ride I entered the spacious, comfortable hotel. I had been carrying a huge, heavy suitcase and five (!!) large boxes full of pens that I had picked up at the FILCAO factory in Italy. I was jet lagged and tired and looking forward to a hot shower and a comfortable bed.

John Mottishaw

Unfortunately, when I got to the Holiday Inn, I found out that I was in the wrong hotel…..!
How could that be; after all I asked them when I called the shuttle bus if that was the hotel where the Pen Show was being held and they had assured me it was…. Never mind, the hotel manager was really helpful and she arranged for the shuttle to take me to the right Holiday Inn, about 35 miles away, in exchange for a well deserved tip for the driver.

Pentracers Glen & Trish

After reloading my bag and boxes, I sat ready for the 45 minutes trip (it was Thursday’s rush hour). Halfway there, the driver announced that we had a problem: a flat tire. We waited for another shuttle bus to be dispatched and it finally got there after another long 45 minutes. My body clock kept telling me that it was the middle of the night in Madrid, but the adrenalin kept up and we were soon reaching our destination.

Joel Hamilton

Apparently, I was the early bird and the only other pen persons I saw on Thursday night were long-time pal Craig Bozorth and his lovely wife, happy newlyweds, having tied the knot only a week earlier! Hugs and congratulations and a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant and then it’s really time for me to get some sleep.

Craig Bozorth (right)

Friday morning and it’s time to setup for the first day: the first day is the day when dealers do their own shopping before the rush of the public days : I managed to buy a nice Conway Stewart from fellow Pentracer Mort and also a couple of inexpensive but interesting pens from Susan Wirth (one may appear in a future quiz …).

Pentracers Bill and Ken

In addition, Sam Fiorella brought me two of the new Parker 45s, great pens that have recently been revamped and now sport a lovely black jewel atop the cap.

Sam's ink table

The day flew: there were lots of friends to meet and many pens to look at and long for. The camaraderie in pen circles is truly amazing and I know that many dealers go to shows as much for the social get-togethers as for the trading and dealing.

The Atlanta Show is slanted towards modern pens, with lots of attractive LEs to look at and drool about; there are several vintage dealers and also a couple of parts dealers, but most of the tables offer modern pens from all the major (and quite a few minor) manufacturers.

David Nishimura (white shirt)

I spent Friday night with Richard Jarvis of Penspiration, his lovely wife and his two younger sons in a great restaurant overlooking the apron of the local airport: plenty of ambiance, great food and even better company: Richard’s youngest son, who is three, was dressed up as a cowpuncher and sang and even yodeled for us: what a great evening and what a lovely family! I am proud to be your friend, Richard.

Richard Jarvis and Mort Epstein

Saturday we set up in the huge ballroom and readied ourselves for a very busy day: sales were brisk and I was happy to see that the new “Tukano” pen, which we were launching here at the Show, was generating positive comments. My friends in Settimo will be happy.

Pentracers Gary & Mort

Penspiration’s table was busy all through the show and Richard’s salesmanship and readiness to help prospective customers were very much in evidence. I bought the best pen of the show from Richard: a eautiful Aurora Afrika BP and FB set! Lovely!

The three days of the show were made memorable by the fact that many Pentracers came and introduced themselves to me: we immediately found a common bond and the conversations we had were truly the best part of the show: it was like meeting old-standing friends finally in person! Thanks for the warmth and the welcoming words! Grazie!

Richard Binder

Among the many friends who had tables at the show, some of my very favorite people: Richard Binder and his lovely wife, busy working wonders and always great company after business hours, Lisa Hanes of Pen Kreations, who is THE foremost Esterbrook expert and whose smile always cheers me up, Susan Wirth (Happy Birthday, Susan!), Lee Chait (Mr “Parker 75”), Bill Wheatley, John Mottishaw, Roger and Dani Cromwell, Jimmy Dolive and Kathy Orr of Total Office Products, who, together with Boris Rice, did a great job organizing the show, Sam Fiorella (thanks for the Parker 45s!), Bob Scott, Bob Cole and Dick Egoff of Sailor and many, many more! Bud Holcomb and I raved about the great ballpoint pens of the past (ballpoint pens!!!scandal, horror!!); I gave him a BIC M10 and he sold me a nice Reynolds in the original display box: we were both happy campers!

Lisa Hanes

Lee Chait

Susan Wirth

Bill Riepl and Dean Tweeddale from Penlovers.com were there, photographing pens and getting material for future Stylophiles articles as were my friends Lou and Howard from the Great Parker company. The list could go on and on, and I apologize to the many friends I have accidentally left out.

The Great Parker table

I took pictures of several tables and I know that you will recognize many of the people in the photos.
A very special mention goes to Maryann and Steve Zucker, whom I knew through Pentrace and with whom I had exchanged emails, but had never met in person. To say that we got on like a house on fire is a gross understatement. What great people, warm and generous and it feels like we have been friends for years. I am really looking forward to seeing them at the NYC Pen Show and I thank Maryann and Steve for being regular sponsors of the Pentrace Saturday Quiz.

Steve Zucker

Sunday night is always a bit sad: many dealers leave to catch early flights, boxes are packed, last minute deals are made among dealers and the hall is soon empty and deserted.

It's over!

The only consolation are the memories of three great days and the knowledge that we’ll meet again soon at another show, with new “finds” to show, new “Sumgais” to boast about and a new opportunity for renewing the friendship and camaraderie that makes this hobby so special.
Thanks fellow pen enthusiasts! See you again soon!