Baltimore Washington International Pen Show

Dear Pen Friends and Enthusiasts,

I can’t believe that the Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Pen Show is coming up in just a few short days! Another milestone is the fact we are on our 4th location of this ever-expanding show! From the show’s humble beginnings in 2011 at the beautiful Masonic Temple in downtown Baltimore at the Tremont Hotel. (Everybody liked that place – even Lee C. didn’t complain about it) to a one-year appearance at the Marriott BWI to the Hilton Doubletree BWI for the last two years. Now the show has doubled in size, and those venues can no longer accommodate the show. So, for 2017, the BWI Pen Show has a new home at the Westin BWI. This modern (and much larger) hotel will be able to accommodate the 100+ tables we have already booked.

Vendors from across the country will bring you the largest varieties of vintage and modern pens from the world over. We even have our own Chocolatier! This year’s BWI Pen Show will have more pen repair technicians (from Richard Binder, Mike & Linda Kennedy, Joshua Lax, Martin Ferguson, and others) on hand to repair your pens. This includes but is not limited to, sac replacement, nib tuning, adjustment, and grinding.

The BWI Pen Show will also be featuring some of the finest custom pen makers. Richard Greenwald will be featuring his Fantasy Vanishing Point Collection, made from his own Flexigran. Hugh Scher of Kanilea Pen Co. brings Hawaii to the show with his collection of Hawaiian themed fountain pens. Other custom pen makers include Richard Kleinhenz with his hand-turned and finished collection of pens, Dale Penkala with his watch-themed pens, and Ryan Krusac the master of wood and other natural materials.

If you’re looking for what’s new in the world of pens, the show is hosting several industry leaders. Anderson Pens from Appleton, WI and Vanness Pens from Little Rock, AR, and Crazy Alan’s Pen Emporium from NC, are making the long pilgrimage with their vehicles packed full of today’s latest and greatest writing instruments inks and accessories. Total Office, Toys From The Attic, Power Pens, will offer the limited editions of today and many others that are long sold out and are only found at a show like this.

Kenro Industries of Mineola, NY will showcase the best and latest writing instruments. From brands like Aurora and Montegrappa (two of Italy’s prominent brands), and featuring limited edition pens from $800.00 to $8,000.00.

Closer to home in North Carolina, Franklin-Christoph brings with them pens made right here in the US. Along with fountain pens, Franklin-Christoph has a wide selection of journals and leather pen cases. Franklin-Christoph is known for tuning and adjusting any nib they offer. As for the nib selection, I know it’s a lot more than fine, medium and broad.

Bexley Pen from Columbus, OH goes way back to the pen business. They’re the first company to start making pens in the US when we saw many years of contraction as ballpoint and disposable pens came to market.

A special guest and close friend, Michael Hochstetler, of Michael’s Fat Boy Company has agreed to make the long journey to Baltimore. Mike and I go way back, so I’m really excited for him to attend his first BWI Pen Show.

While on a short stop, David Oscarson will arrive early Saturday. He’s bringing his latest limited editions such as the Sagrada Familia, Sancta Lucia and many others. David’s pens can be ranked in the higher-end range of writing instruments.

Not only will there be pen makers on hand, but we are also happy to have Tom Harvey of The Pen Guardian displaying his pocket pen cases.

No pen show is complete without the Queen of Pens – the Energizer Bunny, if there ever was one, Susan Wirth. Susan brings many years of knowledge, personality, and experience. A stop at her table will be one to remember. Susan has pens most folks have never seen. She has an amazing ability to know exactly where and when the pens were made. Richard Vacca and his bride Evelyn will have the largest booth of vintage pens and memorabilia at the show, hauling their entire inventory from Hedgesville, WV.

Throughout the weekend, we will feature several seminars and workshops even a pens for kids program. Deborah Basel will offer her nationally acclaimed calligraphy class and with time permitting another class on Sunday

The pen show runs for 3 full days. Friday March 3rd from 11-6PM, Saturday March 4th from 10-5Pm, and finally Sunday March 5th from 10-4pm.

Admission costs as follows:

1 Day $10

2 Days $15

3 Days $20