Atlanta Pen Show 2003
| Another pen show is over, another set of memories to treasure.
Ready for business It’s hard to condense in a few words the three days of total pen immersion that was this year’s Atlanta Pen Show (or, to be exact, the “ Great Southeastern Pen Show”). I flew into Atlanta straight from Madrid and called up the Holiday Inn shuttle bus from the airport, waited the 15 minutes that I was told were needed for the bus to reach me and after a short ride I entered the spacious, comfortable hotel. I had been carrying a huge, heavy suitcase and five (!!) large boxes full of pens that I had picked up at the FILCAO factory in Italy. I was jet lagged and tired and looking forward to a hot shower and a comfortable bed.
John Mottishaw Unfortunately, when I got to the Holiday Inn, I found out that I was
in the wrong hotel…..!
Pentracers Glen & Trish After reloading my bag and boxes, I sat ready for the 45 minutes trip (it was Thursday’s rush hour). Halfway there, the driver announced that we had a problem: a flat tire. We waited for another shuttle bus to be dispatched and it finally got there after another long 45 minutes. My body clock kept telling me that it was the middle of the night in Madrid, but the adrenalin kept up and we were soon reaching our destination.
Joel Hamilton Apparently, I was the early bird and the only other pen persons I saw on Thursday night were long-time pal Craig Bozorth and his lovely wife, happy newlyweds, having tied the knot only a week earlier! Hugs and congratulations and a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant and then it’s really time for me to get some sleep.
Craig Bozorth (right) Friday morning and it’s time to setup for the first day: the first day is the day when dealers do their own shopping before the rush of the public days : I managed to buy a nice Conway Stewart from fellow Pentracer Mort and also a couple of inexpensive but interesting pens from Susan Wirth (one may appear in a future quiz …).
Pentracers Bill and Ken In addition, Sam Fiorella brought me two of the new Parker 45s, great pens that have recently been revamped and now sport a lovely black jewel atop the cap.
Sam's ink table The day flew: there were lots of friends to meet and many pens to look at and long for. The camaraderie in pen circles is truly amazing and I know that many dealers go to shows as much for the social get-togethers as for the trading and dealing. The Atlanta Show is slanted towards modern pens, with lots of attractive LEs to look at and drool about; there are several vintage dealers and also a couple of parts dealers, but most of the tables offer modern pens from all the major (and quite a few minor) manufacturers.
David Nishimura (white shirt) I spent Friday night with Richard Jarvis of Penspiration, his lovely wife and his two younger sons in a great restaurant overlooking the apron of the local airport: plenty of ambiance, great food and even better company: Richard’s youngest son, who is three, was dressed up as a cowpuncher and sang and even yodeled for us: what a great evening and what a lovely family! I am proud to be your friend, Richard.
Richard Jarvis and Mort Epstein Saturday we set up in the huge ballroom and readied ourselves for a very busy day: sales were brisk and I was happy to see that the new “Tukano” pen, which we were launching here at the Show, was generating positive comments. My friends in Settimo will be happy.
Pentracers Gary & Mort Penspiration’s table was busy all through the show and Richard’s salesmanship and readiness to help prospective customers were very much in evidence. I bought the best pen of the show from Richard: a eautiful Aurora Afrika BP and FB set! Lovely! The three days of the show were made memorable by the fact that many Pentracers came and introduced themselves to me: we immediately found a common bond and the conversations we had were truly the best part of the show: it was like meeting old-standing friends finally in person! Thanks for the warmth and the welcoming words! Grazie!
Richard Binder Among the many friends who had tables at the show, some of my very favorite people: Richard Binder and his lovely wife, busy working wonders and always great company after business hours, Lisa Hanes of Pen Kreations, who is THE foremost Esterbrook expert and whose smile always cheers me up, Susan Wirth (Happy Birthday, Susan!), Lee Chait (Mr “Parker 75”), Bill Wheatley, John Mottishaw, Roger and Dani Cromwell, Jimmy Dolive and Kathy Orr of Total Office Products, who, together with Boris Rice, did a great job organizing the show, Sam Fiorella (thanks for the Parker 45s!), Bob Scott, Bob Cole and Dick Egoff of Sailor and many, many more! Bud Holcomb and I raved about the great ballpoint pens of the past (ballpoint pens!!!scandal, horror!!); I gave him a BIC M10 and he sold me a nice Reynolds in the original display box: we were both happy campers!
Lisa Hanes
Lee Chait
Susan Wirth Bill Riepl and Dean Tweeddale from Penlovers.com were there, photographing pens and getting material for future Stylophiles articles as were my friends Lou and Howard from the Great Parker company. The list could go on and on, and I apologize to the many friends I have accidentally left out.
The Great Parker table I took pictures of several tables and I know that you will
recognize many of the people in the photos.
Steve Zucker Sunday night is always a bit sad: many dealers leave to catch early flights, boxes are packed, last minute deals are made among dealers and the hall is soon empty and deserted.
It's over! The only consolation are the memories of three great days
and the knowledge that we’ll meet again soon at another show, with
new “finds” to show, new “Sumgais” to boast about
and a new opportunity for renewing the friendship and camaraderie that
makes this hobby so special.
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