It’s difficult to put into words what it was like to walk onto a show floor 18 months after the 2020 Baltimore Pen Show, the last show I attended. Setting aside the inevitable discomfort with being around large groups of people at a crowded event for the first time in more than a year, the experience seemed surreal because part of me didn’t really believe it would ever happen again. Was Friday at the 2021 D.C. Pen Show back to “normal”? No. The show seemed far less crowded than in years past, which was to be expected, but it certainly wasn’t sparsely attended. Vendors seemed to be doing well, people generally gave each other space where available, and mask compliance wasn’t an issue.
What really struck me was that people seemed to be reveling in the experience - in being able to catch up with friends that they hadn’t seen in a year and a half, as opposed to participating in the buying frenzy that D.C. can turn into as soon as the organizers open the door. By all accounts, Friday sales were decent, but most attendees took in the show at a more leisurely pace than in years past.
Ultem pens at the Schon DSGN Table. Is that … black ultem?
Since I spent most of Friday behind the table with Vanness Pens, I didn’t get a chance to do that much shopping, though I did finally pick up a Schon DSGN Pocket 6 fountain pen in hammered brass! Stay tuned for more pics today, as the show opens to the public.
If You’re At the D.C. Show, Come See Us By the Entrance!
The Vanness Pens table is located on the right-hand side as you enter the hallway to the main ballroom, next to the Pilot Pens table! We’re fully stocked with ink (of course), as well as pens from Pilot, Opus 88, Kaweco, Conway Stewart, and more! While I didn’t bring a full array of T.G.S. merch to the show this time, I do have a small selection including Traveler’s Notebooks and Refills (including the Lightweight Tomoe River refills), my Sunderland MK1 special edition in matte black and matte burgundy, and a few select products such as the Caran d’Ache Nespresso collaborations and some Book Darts (of course).
A small selection of what I brought with me to D.C. Vanness has everything else!
Since Saturday is the first public day, where you can enter without purchasing a full weekend pass, the show will be much more crowded, so please remember to take it slow and be safe! Hope to see you there.
For those of you who are unable to attend the 2020 D.C. Pen Show in person, I’m running a special promotion through Sunday Night! Take 10% off all orders in the T.G.S. Curated Shop using the coupon code “DCPENSHOW10” at checkout!