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Chicago Pen Show 2016: Photo Report

By Len Provisor

May 2016

Chicago! What a great pen show!! 

It was cold, windy and raining on Saturday. Walking from the far end of the parking lot I arrived looking like a wet cat in a rain storm. A miserable Chicago weather day, however this is a huge benefit for a pen show. Instead of frolicking in Springtime weather the crowds come to the Pen Show. This works everytime. The weather cleared somewhat on Sunday with a great attendance from the public. 


I attended the show on Saturday and Sunday. Everything you ever want to see in vintage and modern. Saturday the ballroom was packed with visitors and dealers among 160-some tables including dealer set ups filling the foyer. 

Since about 1990 I used to visit 4-5 U.S. pen shows a year but I have since retired, downsized, sold off much of the collection but still have a few dozen of my favorites. However, but being a local boy, Chicago Pen Show is a must and I would never miss the event. 

My greatest pleasure is seeing many old friends and looking over the sea of table tops as almost everything has a story. Here is where I can see the rare, the unusual, the long lost and the “OMG! What is that?” 

One of my more fascinating discussions was with Syd Saperstein, resident Wahl-Eversharp expert and now bringing us modern pens faithful to the Golden Age. 

Syd Saperstein of Wahl-Eversharp, smiling and holding a blue Wahl-Eversharp fountain pen at his table at the 2016 Chicago Pen Show

Syd Saperstein of Wahl-Eversharp. (Len Provisor)



Syd has a passionate focus on the history of Wahl Eversharp. The final manufacturing facility for Wahl Eversharp was at 1800 Roscoe Ave in Chicago which is now a residential condo complex. Syd happened to visit the location and consulted with the resident historian and was able to explain some unusual features of the building. In his research Syd happened to have knowledge of the original architect plans for the building which was built around 1917. He was able to explain some of the unknown features which related to manufacture. Railroad lines in the concrete floor that remain actually came into the building to deliver metals and bulk products, patterns of yellow brick in the floor that outlined the original heating plant and he knows exactly where each phase of manufacture was on each floor. Syd promises that someday, hopefully in my life time he will publish a 200 pound book with every known fact on Wahl-Eversharp history. 

100th Anniversary SkyScraper 



The Wahl-Eversharp 100th Anniversary SkyScraper fountain pen, rose gold with a blue cap top, in its open presentation box

The Wahl-Eversharp 100th Anniversary SkyScraper. (Len Provisor)



See the new Oversize Decoband, pneumatic filler, Superflex nib writes from Fine to Double Broad. 


 http://www.wahleversharp.com 

First time exhibitor from Japan is Motoshi Kazuno and his wife from Stylo-Art.com 
Beautiful hand turned woods with gold nibs made in Japan. Marvelous woods and Urushi with great styling and beautiful writers. 

Motoshi Kazuno and his wife standing at their Stylo Art Karuizawa table under a banner in English and Japanese

Motoshi Kazuno and his wife of Stylo Art Karuizawa. (Len Provisor)

Two trays of Stylo Art hand-turned wooden fountain pens in many wood grains, with a Japanese Nibs sign

Stylo Art hand-turned wood pens with Japanese gold nibs. (Len Provisor)



http://www.stylo-art.com 

Ryan Krusac is making a solid impression with his gorgeous rare woods, scrimshaw and hand painted pens. 

Ryan Krusac standing beside his Ryan Krusac Studios banner

Ryan Krusac of Ryan Krusac Studios. (Len Provisor)

Two Ryan Krusac fountain pens, one in dark burl wood and one in reddish wood, resting on pale spalted wood

Two of Ryan Krusac’s rare-wood pens. (Len Provisor)



http://www.fountainpenstudios.com 

Kim Sosin at the PCA Pen Collectors of America exhibit 

Kim Sosin seated at the Pen Collectors of America table with trays of vintage pens and a laptop

Kim Sosin at the Pen Collectors of America exhibit. (Len Provisor)



http://www.pencollectors.com 

Modern and vintage pens on every table…. 

A wooden tray of lacquered, plaid and sterling overlay fountain pens, with more pens in a box behind

Modern and vintage pens on every table. (Len Provisor)



Warren Granek, the most perfect restorations you can imagine 

Warren Granek seated behind trays of restored vintage pens

Warren Granek. (Len Provisor)

Rows of restored vintage fountain pens in many colours, standing in wooden cases

Pens restored by Warren Granek. (Len Provisor)

David Nishimura, Dan Zazove and Paul Erano 

David Nishimura, Dan Zazove and Paul Erano sitting at a table of vintage pens in the show ballroom

From left, David Nishimura, Dan Zazove and Paul Erano. (Len Provisor)



Ron Zorn fixing and tweeking and he was busy all weekend. 

Ron Zorn at his repair bench at the show, surrounded by tools and parts

Ron Zorn of Main Street Pens. (Len Provisor)

Close view of Ron Zorn’s hands working on a pen, with pliers and repair tools on the table

Ron Zorn at work. (Len Provisor)



http://www.mainstreetpens.com 

Jonathan Veley - resident expert on everything pencils, author of The Catalogue of American Mechanical Pencils. John recently purchased a pencil lead company, the last one to make leads in the U.S. and has one million-some leads available of every description and size. 

Jonathan Veley smiling at his table, with copies of his books on American mechanical pencils in front of him

Jonathan Veley with his books on American mechanical pencils. (Len Provisor)

A colourful rack of boxed pencil leads under a Legendary Lead Company sign reading Fine leads for vintage and modern pencils

Pencil leads from the Legendary Lead Company. (Len Provisor)



http://www.jonathanveley.com 

Huge appreciation to show organizers Don Lavin, Roger Wooten, Paul Conterato and Nathaniel Cerf 

The 2016 Chicago Pen Show in Photos

A colourful rack of boxed pencil leads under a Legendary Lead Company sign
Pencil leads from the Legendary Lead Company.
Roger Wooten in a cowboy hat, smiling in the show ballroom
Roger Wooten, one of the show’s organizers.
Pete Kirby in a red sweater beside a table of pens
Pete Kirby.
Ralph Stillwell seated at his table under a New Old Stock Pens banner, beside a younger man
Ralph Stillwell.
Jonathan Veley smiling at his table, with copies of his books on American mechanical pencils in front of him
Jonathan Veley with his books on American mechanical pencils.
Ron Zorn at his repair bench at the show, surrounded by tools and parts
Ron Zorn of Main Street Pens.
Close view of Ron Zorn’s hands working on a pen, with pliers and repair tools on the table
Ron Zorn at work.
The crowded show ballroom, rows of dealer tables under chandeliers
The ballroom on Saturday.
Two dealers smiling behind a table of boxed pens
Wayne S. and Terry Mawhorter.
Warren Granek seated behind trays of restored vintage pens
Warren Granek.
Sarj Minhas standing behind long cases of vintage pens
Sarj Minhas.
David Nishimura, Dan Zazove and Paul Erano sitting at a table of vintage pens in the show ballroom
From left, David Nishimura, Dan Zazove and Paul Erano.
A black board covered in calligraphy samples, with an inkwell and practice sheets in front
A board of calligraphy samples.
Two rows of tester pens labelled Broad, Really Broad and Acct., Needle, Extra Fine
Susan Wirth’s testers, from extra fine to really broad.
A pen table hung with calligraphy signs reading Italics and Flexibles
Susan Wirth’s table, with its Italics and Flexibles signs.
Ernesto Soler smiling behind a table of pens in open boxes
Ernesto Soler.
Miroslav Tischler wearing a head magnifier, looking at a pen at a busy table
Miroslav Tischler.
Rob Lott standing in a black shirt in the show ballroom
Rob Lott.
Plastic tubs piled with vintage pens and pen parts
Tubs of vintage pens and parts.
Vintage pens, pen parts and small bagged pieces spread across a table
Loose pens and parts.
Bill Wakley seated at a table of boxed pens and inks
Bill Wakley.
A wooden tray of lacquered, plaid and sterling overlay fountain pens, with more pens in a box behind
Modern and vintage pens on every table.
Dealer tables set out among palm trees in the hotel’s atrium
Dealer tables in the hotel atrium.
People at a table working on nibs under magnifying lamps
Nib work under the magnifiers.
Susan Bowen smiling at the Pen World magazine table
Susan Bowen of Pen World.
A board of numbered dip pens standing in rows for testing inks
The ink testing table.
A round table crowded with antique ink bottles, stoneware jars and boxes
John Hinkel’s display of antique inks.
Close view of antique ink bottles in blue, green and brown glass and stoneware
Antique inks from John Hinkel’s collection.
Kim Sosin seated at the Pen Collectors of America table with trays of vintage pens and a laptop
Kim Sosin at the Pen Collectors of America exhibit.
Linda Bauer smiling at a table in the hotel atrium
Linda Bauer.
Several Ryan Krusac wooden fountain pens laid on a fan of pale spalted wood
Ryan Krusac’s wood pens on a stand of spalted wood.
Two Ryan Krusac fountain pens, one in dark burl wood and one in reddish wood, resting on pale spalted wood
Two of Ryan Krusac’s rare-wood pens.
Ryan Krusac standing beside his Ryan Krusac Studios banner
Ryan Krusac of Ryan Krusac Studios.
Five Ryan Krusac pens painted with birds, standing on a slice of tree trunk
Ryan Krusac’s hand-painted bird pens.
Ryan Krusac burl wood pens propped on pale spalted wood
More of Ryan Krusac’s pens.
A wooden display of pens in bright swirled acrylics
Pens in bright acrylics.
Brian Gray working at his table, with a tray of colourful pens in front
Brian Gray.
Folded denim and black shirts with a fountain pen embroidered on the pocket
Shirts with pens embroidered on the pocket.
Rows of capped pens standing upright in two wooden blocks, their colourful tops showing
Pens standing in wooden blocks.
A tall wooden case of pens in swirled and marbled acrylics
More pens in bright acrylics.
Close view of capped pens standing upright in a wooden block
Pens standing in a wooden block.
Tim Pierson seated behind a long table of cased pens
Tim Pierson’s display.
A wooden display case of vintage pens with paper price tags
Tagged vintage pens in a wooden case.
Pete Kirby in a red sweater behind his table as visitors look at pens
Pete Kirby at his table.
Lih-Tah Wong and Lee Chait seated at their table
Lih-Tah Wong and Lee Chait.
A knife with a Parker 75 style grid pattern handle in a display case, beside a card naming its maker
A Parker 75 knife.
A gold Wahl-Eversharp Decoband fountain pen in its open presentation box
The new Wahl-Eversharp Oversize Decoband, with its pneumatic filler.
Syd Saperstein of Wahl-Eversharp, smiling and holding a blue Wahl-Eversharp fountain pen at his table at the 2016 Chicago Pen Show
Syd Saperstein of Wahl-Eversharp.
Tim Pierson in a patterned shirt behind cases of vintage pens
Tim Pierson.
A display case of pens, pencils and penknives on red and grey cloth
Pens and penknives in a display case.
The Wahl-Eversharp 100th Anniversary SkyScraper fountain pen, rose gold with a blue cap top, in its open presentation box
The Wahl-Eversharp 100th Anniversary SkyScraper.
A SkyScraper pen standing in a crystal holder over a Wahl-Eversharp SkyScraper poster
The SkyScraper on show at the Wahl-Eversharp table.
Dale Beebe standing at his table of pen repair tools and supplies
Dale Beebe.
A table and pegboard covered in pen repair tools, sacs and supplies
Pen repair tools and supplies.
A pen warmer showing 150 degrees on its digital readout, with its sign
A pen warmer with a digital readout, for easier, safer disassembly.
Susan Wirth working under a lamp at her table
Susan Wirth at work.
Nathaniel Cerf in a brown waistcoat, smiling and holding a pen
Nathaniel Cerf, one of the show’s organizers.
Nathaniel Cerf in a brown waistcoat, holding a pen to his chin
Nathaniel Cerf.
Visitors walking between the dealer tables in the show ballroom
The ballroom on Sunday.
Pat Mohan and Mike Conway standing together in the show ballroom
From left, Pat Mohan and Mike Conway.
Two trays of Stylo Art hand-turned wooden fountain pens in many wood grains, with a Japanese Nibs sign
Stylo Art hand-turned wood pens with Japanese gold nibs.
Motoshi Kazuno and his wife standing at their Stylo Art Karuizawa table under a banner in English and Japanese
Motoshi Kazuno and his wife of Stylo Art Karuizawa.
Two trays of Stylo Art wooden fountain pens with paper tags
More Stylo Art wood pens.
Brian and Lisa Anderson standing with another man in the show ballroom
Brian and Lisa Anderson of Anderson Pens.
A row of Taccia fountain pens in black, bronze and woven metal finishes
Taccia pens.
Rows of restored vintage fountain pens in many colours, standing in wooden cases
Pens restored by Warren Granek.
A black and gold Titanic pen lying in a dark case
A Titanic pen, made with a piece of the Titanic.
The black and gold Titanic pen with its cap posted, in a dark case
Another view of the Titanic pen.
A row of first-year Parker 51 fountain pens in a case under a Parker 51 Club badge
First-year Parker 51s.
Two rows of vintage pens with white price tags in a black zip case
Pens in a zip case.
Don Lavin walking through the crowded ballroom
Don Lavin, one of the show’s organizers.
Close view of the rose gold Wahl-Eversharp SkyScraper pen and its cap
The SkyScraper up close.
A framed group photograph of W.A. Sheaffer staff in front of the factory, 1960s
A 1960s W.A. Sheaffer company photograph.
Fountain pen desk sets with green and black bases on a table of pens
Desk sets.
Lee Chait and Lih-Tah Wong seated at their table under a Parker75.com banner
From left, Lee Chait and Lih-Tah Wong at the Parker75.com table.
Visitors at the long Anderson Pens table in the ballroom
The Anderson Pens table.
Vintage pens and pencils in yellow, orange and black in a zip case
Pens and pencils in a zip case.
Three rows of vintage pens in black, grey and marbled celluloid in a zip case
Vintage pens in a zip case.
Vintage pens in red, yellow, silver and marbled finishes in a glass-topped case
Vintage pens under glass.
A table of illustrated coffee mugs from past Chicago Pen Shows
Chicago Pen Show mugs.
Trays of vintage pens with small labels about early numbered nibs
Pens with numbered nibs.
A Wahl-Eversharp pen with a red-brown nib beside flexible blue writing on graph paper
A Wahl-Eversharp nib’s writing.
Miroslav Tischler and Len Provisor taking a selfie by a Chicago Pen Show sign
Miroslav Tischler and Len Provisor.
Mike Carter and his wife seated at their table
Mike Carter and his wife.
Susan Wirth and John Martinson standing together at a table
Susan Wirth and John Martinson.
Sherrill Tyree seated behind trays of pens
Sherrill Tyree.
Two rows of Sheaffer Balance fountain pens in green, black and marbled celluloid in a wooden case
Sheaffer Balances.
A black and white photograph of a pen balanced on a stepped, sculptural form
A László Moholy-Nagy design.
A gold-coloured 1930 Italian Parker pen lying on a napkin
A 1930 Italian Parker.
Dan Reppert standing behind wooden trays of vintage pens
Dan Reppert.
Jack Lynch at his table, by a sign about all-new hard-coat anodized aluminum Vacumatic parts
Jack Lynch.

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