{"id":1774,"date":"2018-07-27T08:00:44","date_gmt":"2018-07-27T12:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/?p=1774"},"modified":"2024-01-15T13:09:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T18:09:31","slug":"fp201-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/fp201-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Fountain Pen 201: Pen Shows"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

Welcome to Fountain Pen 201! You’ve bought a few pens, some bottles of ink; basically, you’ve jumped head first into the fountain pen rabbit hole. So what’s next? I expect Fountain Pen 201 to be roughly the same length as Fountain Pen 101<\/a>, so if you enjoyed that, make sure to subscribe to my blog<\/a> so you don’t miss an issue of 201.<\/p>\n

For this inaugural issue of Fountain Pen 201, I’d like to discuss pen shows. I’ve been to two so far, the\u00a0Washington D.C. Collectible Fountain Pen Supershow<\/a>\u00a0in August of\u00a0last year<\/a>, and the\u00a0Baltimore-Washington International Pen Show<\/a> this past\u00a0March<\/a>. I’ll be at the DC pen show again next week, and am very much looking forward it.<\/p>\n

For those completely new to pen shows, they’re basically pen conventions. You’ll find a huge selection of fountain pens, paper, inks, etc. If you have an opportunity to go to one, I highly suggest you do so. Check out the schedule of pen shows at the end of the article.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Have a Plan<\/h2>\n

Now, the main thing to know about shows is that they can get overwhelming, so make sure you have a plan. Whether it’s a detailed listing of what you’re looking for and from who, or something as simple as “I’m only going to spend X dollars” doesn’t matter. It’s just good to have a plan.<\/p>\n

I suggest researching who will be at the show. If there’s someone you\u00a0really<\/em> want a pen from, visit them first, so you have access to the best selection.<\/p>\n

If your plan involves buying a specific pen, do a little price research. Check with a few different people\/stores to make sure you’re getting the best deal. The pens will not be the same price at each table. But, DO NOT try to get people to price match. That’s just a dickish thing to do.<\/p>\n

Have a Budget<\/h2>\n

Next, have a budget. A pen enthusiast at a pen show is like a kid in a candy store. Speaking from experience, it’s really easy to get caught up in the pen show atmosphere and deals and overspend.<\/p>\n

Having a set budget helps. If you can, just bring cash. Not only will it help you stick to your budget, but not everyone takes cards. Even those that do are reliant on wi-fi and cell signal, neither of which are fully reliable at shows. Cash will get you through the line quicker.<\/p>\n

Enjoy the Show<\/h2>\n

Most pen shows encompass Saturday and Sunday. Some include Friday, and maybe even Thursday. Thursdays are guaranteed to be “industry days” meaning you’ll pay more to get in, if the public is allowed to enter at all. Fridays may or may not be industry days. Saturdays tend to be the busiest, but are also likely to boast the best section.<\/p>\n

I’ve yet to make it to a show on Sunday, so I don’t know if pen shows mirror other conventions in having really good deals on Sundays. Leave me a comment if you know.<\/p>\n

Other than that, have fun! Stay for the “Pen Show After Dark” activities. Chat with fellow pen nerds. Take the chance to get to know the pen makers. Enjoy the pen shenanigans \u2014 they’re the best type of shenanigans, really.<\/p>\n

So, will you be going to a pen show this year? Check the schedule to see if there’s on near you and when it is. I don’t know much about pen shows around the world, so if you know of a show I’ve missed, please drop the link to the comments and I’ll add it.<\/p>\n

I’ll see you next week for an issue on indie pen makers.<\/p>\n

Pen Show List<\/h2>\n

NOTE: Starred items are within the United States.<\/small><\/p>\n

January<\/h3>\n

Philadelphia Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

February<\/h3>\n

LA International Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

South West Pen Show<\/a> (UK)<\/p>\n

March<\/h3>\n

Baltimore Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Pen Show Barcelona<\/a><\/p>\n

Arkansas Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Eastern Pen Show<\/a> (UK)<\/p>\n

International Fountain Pen Collectors Meeting<\/a> (Germany)<\/p>\n

April<\/h3>\n

Atlanta Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Northern Pen Show<\/a> (UK)<\/p>\n

Long Island Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Pen Show Poland Katowice<\/a><\/p>\n

May<\/h3>\n

Chicago Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Triangle Pen Show<\/a>\u00a0(North Carolina)* – May\/June<\/p>\n

N\u00fcrnberger F\u00fcllhalterb\u00f6rse<\/a>\u00a0(Germany)<\/p>\n

June<\/h3>\n

Midland Pen Show<\/a>\u00a0(UK)<\/p>\n

St. Louis Pen Show<\/a>* – June\/July<\/p>\n

July<\/h3>\n

Miami Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

August<\/h3>\n

Washinton DC Supershow<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Sydney Pen Show<\/a><\/p>\n

San Francisco Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

September<\/h3>\n

Commonwealth Pen Show<\/a>\u00a0(Boston)*<\/p>\n

Dallas Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Belgian Pen Show<\/a><\/p>\n

October<\/h3>\n

Colorado Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Scriptus Pen Show<\/a> (Toronto)<\/p>\n

London Writing Equipment Show<\/a><\/p>\n

Hamburg Pen Show<\/a><\/p>\n

Austrian Pen Show<\/a><\/p>\n

November<\/h3>\n

Ohio Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Michigan Pen Show<\/a>*<\/p>\n

Yorkshire Pen Show<\/a> (UK)<\/p>\n

Madrid Pen Show<\/a><\/p>\n

Moscow Pen Show<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Fountain Pen 201. Read on to learn about fountain pen shows and check out the international list of shows I know about.<\/p>\n

Keep ReadingFountain Pen 201: Pen Shows<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[417],"tags":[113],"class_list":["post-1774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pen-shows","tag-fountain-pen-201","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8Z77k-sC","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2038,"url":"https:\/\/racheldelafuente.com\/blog\/fp201-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":1774,"position":0},"title":"Fountain Pen 201: Community","author":"Rachel","date":"August 31, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Welcome back to Fountain Pen 201, and happy Fountain Pen Friday! 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