Pen Shows: The 2013 Chicago Pen Show Wishlist

The first week of May is really one of my favorite weekends for a multitude of reasons. The long winters here in Wisconsin are finally starting to subside, and if we’re lucky we’ve even had one or two nice warm days outside with shorts, a bike ride, and a fire in the fire pit. The birds are coming back, the grass and flowers are growing, and maybe even the grill is getting fired up. The first weekend in May also brings about our Wedding Anniversary, which happened at the 2010 Chicago Pen Show. So, of course, the third main reason I love this weekend is THE CHICAGO PEN SHOW!!

I’ve been going to the Chicago Pen Show for 14 consecutive years now (Lisa a bit less). I realize amidst some of the other veterans of this hobby that places me practically in newbie territory, but I’ve seen a lot of pens here over the years. And since this is our “home” show, and is a meager three hour drive, we love it for that reason alone. That this is probably one of the top five largest shows in the country makes this even better.

This year’s show is going to be jam packed with events and I look forward to every single minute of the show. Not the least of which is the Friday night auction, with 100 lots going up for bid, including several that Lisa and I will have to bid on. Outside of that, let’s take a look at our wish list for this show and see what we can come up with!

Brian
1) Omas Paragon – Ok, this one isn’t really fair, since I know I’m getting one, having contacted someone about this in advance. I couldn’t get it in Atlanta, but since he was coming to Chicago, we just asked him to set it aside for us. This pen is simply awesome, and I can’t wait to get it.
2) A Sterling overlay – When I first started collecting overlays I only bought sterling. Then I switched over to gold filed overlays, and haven’t picked up many sterling since. There are some options in the auction, so perhaps one of those may make it home, otherwise, it would be great to get an Aikin Lambert or other second tier maker with one.
3) Wirt – I’ve been hounding on this for a while, and am really starting to put together a few nice pieces. We’ll see what comes up at a reasonable price once the dust has settled from the auction.
4) Any Esterbrook I don’t currently have – I know this is a tough one, but I’ve picked up some cool pieces of ephemera lately. I’m still on the lookout for the Esterbrook Duograph, the eyedropper fountain pen and pencil combo that was made in 1909. There are also a couple of twist fillers, and any eyedropper filled Relief 314 would be on the list.

Lisa
1) ST Dupont – Lisa’s find of another slim ST Dupont in Atlanta from our friend Peggy was awesome. If we get her one more it is officially considered a collection. Last year in the Chicago auction, she bid on, and won, the first one of these she got in a tiger eye color. Very cool pens, and of course, she loves the “click” sound they make when they are closed.
2) Aurora Sole and Primavera – We’re still on the lookout for a nice example that isn’t going to break the bank. It doesn’t need to be mint, doesn’t need to have the box, but does need to have a Fine nib. There will be several there for sure, we’ll see what we can come up with.
3) Kaweco Sport and or Lamy Safari – These pens seem to be accumulating here lately, and acquiring one of every flavor of Lamy safari is quite a goal. The Sports are cool little pens too, and finding them can be a bit of a challenge sometimes. Neither one will break the bank, which is awesome, since they are both very fun pens.

How about you, what are you going to be looking for? If you’re going to be in Chicago, do stop by and say hi!

Brian & Lisa