Ohio Pen Show 2021, Part 1: The show before that show that most people never get to experience – catering to collectors

When the doors first opened to the public for special interest shows in the 1980s, the fish stories were already being told behind the vendor tables. [1]

Least impressive among these were incredible deals made on price, although there were certainly those as well). Rather, these were fantastic tales of grail findings, illusive pristine examples that had been made available for the briefest of intervals, as well as technical and mechanical unicorns. [2-5]

For camera shows during that period, more modestly held in Ann Arbor, on a larger scale in Southfield, those most important transactions took place between the sellers themselves, during their own setup preparations prior to opening. With that bit of intelligence in hand, it wasn’t hard to deduce that some number of the spaces that presented an unoccupied, blank face to attendees throughout were not those of waylaid sign-ups.

These were evidence of the ruses in support of gaining early floor access for those who had contracted for them.

Today and at The Ohio Pen Show that wrapped yesterday in Columbus Ohio, there is little need for such posturing. That “three day” public show opened to the public last Friday at 1:00pm. But it was preceded the day prior by a full nine hours of “Pen Trading” on the floor — open only to exhibitors and “Weekend Registrants.” [6,7]

Another four hours of pen trading took place the following day before general admission ran from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.

Without revealing our sources, Saline Journal sought out a number of exhibitors from the 2021 Detroit Pen Show that had closed eleven days prior, and inquired about some of the exceptional fountain pen examples that had been there. [8]

The rare piece you showed toward the end of the Michigan show isn’t on your table here. Did you decide you couldn’t bear to part with it yourself?

“Not at all,” came the response with a reserved laugh. “I sold it while I was still setting things out. I got my price—.

You should have bought it while you had the chance in Detroit.

With No Time to Die back in the news as the motion picture moved to streaming video release, it was both timely and perhaps a bit surprising to see two different ST Dupont “James Bond 007” limited edition fountain pens available from separate sellers during the pre-show. Both were expected to sell before close of this event. [9-11]

A more measured pacing and freedom of movement about the floor also provided enhanced options for comparison shopping. Those in the market for a Montblanc “John F Kennedy Special Edition” were not only lucky enough to find a single example of this pen and complete packaging offered for sale; they could, if they’d kept their eyes open and memories tuned, consider it against the choice of another set out far across the ballroom.
[12]

In the market for a Waterman Le Man 100? Ubiquitous. The less common “Opera” variation? Less so. How about the more grail-ish first-year issue, with “1883 1983” century nib? One was found. [13,14]

One of the sources footnoted above named “The King of Pen” by Sailor in Ebonite as a grail pen. Those who were in Columbus on Friday for The Ohio Pen Show had an opportunity to see one in person, if not purchase it. [15-17]

Like so many other things associated with the evolving “new normal” of 2021, a final noteworthy difference from our coverage of special interest events of thirty-five years ago is the ongoing supply chain crisis. Though it was hard to imagine a richer offering of writing instruments on display last week, a common lament amoung exhibitors was that any arrival of new products was not anticipated until the second quarter of 2022. [18-21]

As much as early trading periods provided selection advantages in a show that itself dates its own beginnings to 1983, this time added new credibility to the phrase “Offer ends Friday.”

References

1. “Jaws (1975) – Scars Scene (6/10) Moviclips” Movieclips (May 27, 2011) YouTube.
2. “Buying A ‘Grail Pen’ – A How-To Guide for Purchasing Your Dream Pen” (February 7, 2014) Ed Jelley.
3. “Grail Pen: A Tale of Heartbreak and Woe” (September 19, 2015) Ken Crooker.
4. “Top 10 Grail Fountain Pens” Figboot on Pens (December 28, 2018) YouTube.
5. “The Holy Grail of Pens” Augusto L Toledo II (March 22, 2019) Past is Prologue.
6. The Ohio Pen Show (home page).
7. “Schedule of Events” (November 11-14, 2021) The Ohio Pen Show.
8. Detroit Pen Show (home page).
9. “No Time to Die” (2021) IMDb.
10. “‘No Time to Die’ Will Be Available to Rent Next Week in the US” Katie Song (November 6, 2021) Variety.
11. “James Bond 007” ST Dupont.
12. “John F Kennedy Special Edition Fountain Pen” Montblanc.
13. “Pen Review: Waterman Man 100 Patrician, a Neglected Workhorse” (June 8, 2016) The Gentleman Stationer.
14. “Waterman Le Man Opera 100 / Akkerman Delfts Blauw / Fountain Pen Review” What I Ink (August 21, 2020) YouTube.
15. “Sailor Ebonite King of Pen” Anderson Pens (July 29, 2016) YouTube.
16. “The King of Pens” Sailor.
17. “What Is Ebonite (And Why Make Fountain Pens From It)?” (July 19, 2021) Unsharpen.
18. “Adjusting to the New Normal” Purdue University.
19. “Ongoing supply chain issues create push to shop local this holiday season” Katrina Nickell (November 12, 2021) Fox 11 News.
20. “6 tips for reporting on supply chain disruptions during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the holiday shopping season” Clark Merrefield (November 12, 2021) The Journalist’s Resource.
21. “Black Friday deals starting now due to supply chain issues” Melanie Layden (November 12, 2021) News 4 Nashville.
22. “The Ohio Show….. In the Beginning” The Ohio Pen Show.
23. “Future of Trade Show Marketing? You Decide” Dell Deaton (July 1997) Exhibitor Magazine.