Hi Everyone: Myrna and I are over at the Ohio Pen Show -- and it's GREAT! The ballroom is full and folks are scurrying from table to table buying and selling pens of all ages, shapes and colors. I'm sitting at the Penlover's table where I have a great overview of the whole room. You still have time to get here for the main activity tomorrow (Sunday). We hope to see you here.   Gary Lehrer

As usual, this pen show is wonderful. I brought my mom again for her 71st Birthday and she is really enjoying herself. Peter Miller came along for the first time, and he's impressed. As you know, he's difficult to impress. Hope you can make it!   Tom Bickta

We're out here having a good time buying and selling pens et al. Weather has been great. Traffic has been good and we're looking forward to the auction and dessert party later today. Dean is alive and well and has a good taste for Pizza.   Lee Chait

Greetings from the Ohio Pen ShoW! Great crowd here and it's pretty neat sitting hear at the show doing this live from Dean's table! Good weekend all!   Sam - Pendemonium

Wow! What a show. Great pens and great pen pals. Very busy from Thurs eve, Friday was the busiest Friday I've ever seen at a pen show. So far the hit of the show was meeting Mr. Dante Delvecchio from Visconti, introducing his magnificent hand painted "Dragon" pens, which are painted on the Millineum Arc, Off to the auction, more to report later,thanks to Dean for bringing his laptop for this on-site report.   Len Provisor

I just want to let everyone know what a great show the Columbus Fountain Pen Show was. There were lots of nice pens and people. Thanks to Len Provisor who was my host at the show. I hope all that attended had as good a time as I did. I hope to see you all again next year.   John Stone

Great Show. Well managed, friendly atmosphere, many pens. Hope to see you all next year.   John McDaniel

I keep telling collectors that nothing beats a pen show. Dealers were selling off large quantities of parts which enabled me to complete some great projects I had going. I found numerous desk sets and desk set parts which required me to hire a bearer to get to the airport. The comoraderie this weekend was outstanding with a great mix of local and foreign collectors and dealers and a large number of collectors from all over the U.S. Lots of trading going on and prices keep fluctuating as the dynamics of the show keeps changing. Lots of ephemera and old inks available. Lots of ads, old letterheads, blotters, you name it. And meeting old friends is always a great pleasure as well as meeting new collectors so try to get out and support pen shows especially your local shows, if you are lucky enough to be in an area which has a pen show once a year. I can safely say that you will be able to feed your "addition".   Donald Lavin

Here at the Columbus Show situated next to the PenLovers Table. Columbus show a great success as usual thanks to the efforts of the show host. What is selling. -on my table I sold out of the Two Provisor Duofold Airplanes, but have 6 more being delivered after the show. Other sales, a Sterling Parker LE Snake, several Namiki Vanishing Points, Books and Wrapping Paper as people are buying writing items for gifts. You should be here, so next year for sure.   Regards Bill Weakley

Had a great time. Bought and sold lots of pens. Columbus has always been a good show for me. See you all next year!   Sean Stillwell

Just a brief hello from a busy show on a busy day at Columbus. Yes, I'm alive and well and extend my best wishes to all.   Frank Dubiel

Well, there you have it, the Ohio Pen Show is now solidly entrenched as one of the premier events of the year. This was one of the busiest from the start on Thurs. with half the main ballroom filled with sellers and early buyers. Friday was just as busy, with a few "frenzies" when new sellers arrived with cases and boxes filled with new treasures. Friday night pen lovers gulped down 50 pizzas, a new world record for a pen show. The Saturday Auction was very successful with over 100 lots, only 3 or 4 were not sold. A Parker 51 first year with a rare smooth sterling cap went for $500., a 51 Nassau Green double jewel went for $350., #74V Rose Gold Holland hatchet filler for $475., a #71 Sterling Filigre Holland hatchet filler went for $600., and a Conklin fancy gold filled filigree crescent filler with original box went down for $900. By Sunday there was a constant traffic from the public and I heard from many that this was their first pen show, telling me that advertising works. About 120 tables were brimming with new pens from many dealers. The surprise honored guest was Mr. Dante Del Vecchio, President of Visconti, bringing the new L.E. Dragon pen, about 800 world-wide with about 200 for he U.S. The pen is a Milliniem Arc with a beautiful airbrush hand painting of a Dragon, also featuring a new metal piston filler with an ink view window in the piston body. Rob Rosenberg was showing the new Conklin Nozac, and I found it to be true to the style, more hefty in girth and having all the appearance of a classic. I was impressed, and I would make this a recommended buy for beauty and quality. Unfortunately the Conway Stewart Churchill didn't make it in time for the show. Other international exhibitors were from Italy, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, France, UK, some I may have missed. I had delivered an orange and a Mandarin Parker Duofold airplane model to Bill Weakley of Power Pens, they were sold in a matter of minutes. Dick Johnson had a parts "blow-out" sale, a rare event in itself. Like I said before, if you're anywhere in flying or driving distance to Columbus next year, make it a point to be there.   Len Provisor

I just want to add my kudos to all the others concerning the Ohio Pen Show. I thought this show was one of the best I have attended all year. OK, I am prejudiced---I have known the Mawhorters for many years---but this show, while not a monster show, was large enough to attract a wealth of beautiful pens and wonderful dealers, yet intimate enough to feel like old home week. I met with old friends and new, and everyone, even members of the public, was unfailingly friendly and gracious. Terry and Sonya worked tirelessly on this show to make it run smoothly, and as a staff member, I know what a daunting task that is. While very little created a panic among us, we now know what to do (or not do) next year. But that is the beauty of "next year." I don't think any other pen show could be as user-friendly, in terms of the appreciation Terry and Sonya have for the dealers and buyers. The tributes to Abe Schwartz, Lynn Brandt, and Dick Johnson were especially moving because they were heartfelt. Terry and Sonya are nothing if not generous and loyal. That sums it for me. I hope to see you all again next year in Ohio, and perhaps at some other show in the future. I'm still reeling from all the great stuff I saw but DIDN'T buy. There's always a next time. (And I forgive Bert Heiserman for bidding a great Parker counter-top display case right out from under me!) Best!   Melinda Adams