Philadelphia Pen Show Questions

[Portia_of_Belmont]

I'm excited to be attending the Philly Pen Show next month.  I haven't been since 2017, and am excited to share the event with my 10 year old daughter who also enjoys fountain pens.  Since it's been a few years, I have a few of questions...

 

1.   We're planning to attend Friday.  I remember the show being small enough to fully enjoy in a single day.  Is there anything I should consider or be mindful of since we'll only be there on that first day?

2.  Is there any possibility of selling/trading pens with vendors who are at the show, or should I try to sell them in advance? 

3.  I have several ink bottles and samples that I'd like to destash.  Is there an ink exchange/swatching table I can donate them to for others to sample or take if they'd like? 

 

Thanks all!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Did you ever find out?  I have student grade/beginner pens to donate.

[Portia_of_Belmont]

I emailed the organizer.  They're hoping to have a table for this sort of thing, but are not sure they'll have the room.  If they can't have a dedicated table, they'll take this stuff at the registration table to make them available to folks who are interested.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks!  And Happy New Year.

[alkman]

Just some observations having attended many Philly Pen Shows, including quite a few with my daughter until she trundled off to college.

 

Fridays tend to be a bit lighter for both attendees and vendors. The bigger folks should be set up by then. It's usually a good day to seek out nibmeisters. 

 

There are usually vendors buying pens (most will advertise if they are). And there are often tables around where you can engage in some horse-trading with other attendees. 

 

I'm not sure about ink swapping...definitely never seen that.

 

Philly Pen Club has had a table in the past run by Richard Kunin and Alan Blacker, but I am not sure if they are still doing this. Members could shill for the club and hawk their wares. PM me for their contact info if you cannot find it. 

 

In the past there was a youth scavenger hunt on Saturdays, but I'm not sure if the organizers are still doing it.

 

I hope y'all have fun!

[avlisyar]

Anybody have any reports on the Philly Show? Before coming to South Florida it was my home show which I attended for some 10 yeas.

[inkstainedruth]

I've never been to that one.  The idea of driving across PA on the Turnpike in January has always seemed to be a really bad idea....  Especially this year (we had another half inch of snow in the Pittsburgh area this morning -- with the Laurel Highlands being MUCH worse -- and the temperatures are about to plummet for most of the upcoming week).  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[JCC123]

I went on Friday and Saturday. Skipped Sunday. Stayed at the venue hotel Sheraton Hotel. Friday was fairly well attended even though not all of the vendors were there. Saturday was a madhouse with so many people that I considered it crowded. I hear Sunday was sparse probably because there was a football game the night before and a big snowstorm starting around noon.

 

Here are some shots of the Saturday session around 10:30 AM before the real crowds.

[LMpensandthings]

@JCC123 thanks for the run down and the pictures, I might have to check it out in the future - haven't been to a show in a little bit. Seems that life always finds a way to get in the way whenever it's show season

[Portia_of_Belmont]

I was there on Friday and it was fantastic!  Enough people to feel like there was some activity, but not so many that you couldn't see everything and find time with a nib-meister.  I brought my 10 year old who is now also into fountain pens and was blown away by the kindness and generosity of everyone in our community welcoming a child into enjoying this fun hobby.  We had a great time!