DC Pen show is just around the corner

**brianw** · 08-11-2012, 03:28 PM

All I can say is OH MY. One pic to leave you with

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**beginish** · 08-11-2012, 07:27 PM

Did you pick up that vintage Preppy I was looking for?

**brianw** · 08-12-2012, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by beginish

Did you pick up that vintage Preppy I was looking for?

Why yes Bob I did. It is Faux gold plated and only cost 50,000.00. Please forward the money Ima Cheet c/o Grand National Bank
Cayman Islands

**Isaac** · 08-12-2012, 07:39 AM

So how are things going out there? I hear things are pretty expensive compared to previous years.

**brianw** · 08-12-2012, 07:41 AM

Yes they are

**Isaac** · 08-12-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by brianw

Yes they are

I suppose that could be a good thing, in the way that it is a sign of the times. Fountain pens are becoming increasingly more popular and people are cashing in.

I remember back in 2007, you could buy a Livi razor for around $600 and a Filarmonica for $100-200. Now....well....you have to arrange a layaway plan.

**beginish** · 08-12-2012, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by brianw

Why yes Bob I did. It is Faux gold plated and only cost 50,000.00. Please forward the money Ima Cheet c/o Grand National Bank
Cayman Islands

Woo hoo! I'm glad you got the faux gold. Real gold is so gauche. Check your Paypal.

**The Knize** · 08-13-2012, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by IsaacRN

So how are things going out there? I hear things are pretty expensive compared to previous years.

The pen show always seems kind of upscale to me! Managed to get a good deal from one seller on some Esterbrooks, only one of which needed a sac replacement!

Still a nice thing to go to. Overwhelming. Tiring.

**Isaac** · 08-13-2012, 11:36 AM

Which pen show would you all say is better suited for the deal savy shopper?

**BRuhling** · 08-13-2012, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by IsaacRN

Which pen show would you all say is better suited for the deal savy shopper?

The one in BrianW's basement!

**The Knize** · 08-13-2012, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by IsaacRN

Which pen show would you all say is better suited for the deal savy shopper?

I am not the one to judge! The pen cases and similar at the DC show, of all things, seemed well-priced!

**Suzuki** · 08-17-2012, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by IsaacRN

Which pen show would you all say is better suited for the deal savy shopper?

Not a pen show!

Seriously, pen shows cater to enthusiasts and vendors know this - I'm not saying you can't get good deals as some vendors offer show specials etc., or that the prices are inflated, just a pen show isn't necessarily the best place to get great deals - plus good/great deals get snapped up fast.

There are still good deals out there - especially if you're looking for writers, as opposed to keepers. I bought a refurbished Parker 51 from a reputable online dealer (single jewel grey vac-fill with a medium nib in very good condition) for $50 to $60 (I can't remember exactly how much but it was within the last 6 months). I wouldn't be surprised if the cap wasn't original to the pen, but I don't care since its a good writer and looks very nice - not to mention being reasonably priced for a refurbished pen from an online vendor.

Good places to look if you're willing to do some repair work yourself or willing to invest in having the pen refurbished are smaller antique markets/weekend antique sales (you know the type where there are multiple vendors each with their own table) etc. Sometimes folks want crazy money (Duofold Juniors with chewed up end caps and missing/broken nibs for $100!), but sometimes there are good deals - especially if you know something has been sitting for a while and the prices are negotiable (I once saw a beautiful Parker VS in very good to excellent shape for $75 (asking price - which means you could have likely gotten it for 25% less).

**DET** · 08-17-2012, 11:37 AM

I've never been to the D.C. pen show, but I have been to the Los Angeles pen show the last two years -- just on Sunday, the public day, not during the vendor days. I noticed no amazing deals, really, on new pens, but I also didn't look too carefully, as I mostly prefer vintage pens. For vintage pens, prices vary greatly. I don't think you'll find any really dramatic bargains, as you sometimes find on FPN's classifieds section, but some sellers have reasonable-to-slightly high prices. (Others charge what I feel is far too much for pens that are not in good condition at all.) That said, I did pick up three pens at the show, all at what I thought were pretty good prices. It helped, though, that one of them was a semi-obscure (though wonderful) pen, and the other two (one lesser-known, one better-known) I picked up right before the show closed, which I'm sure made the vendor more willing to bargain.

It helps, of course, to know what you're looking at, and know the going rates.