Scriptus Toronto Pen Show
We went to the pen show! Baby in tow, Jon sat me down for a stern talking-to about restraint and self-control, and we were off to Toronto Public Library's flagship Reference Branch. We aimed to arrive just after 10, hoping to avoid the crowds...but this was not to be.
Most of my pictures are of...people crowding around tables.
To the left here, apparently was Sean Gosse, nib tuner, however, I really wouldn't know because there were crowds and line-ups surrounding the table the entire time we were here.
There was a raffle for prizes donated by exhibitors, including new and vintage pens, inks, stationery and letterpress. Ours, right in the middle, was an Edison Collier and a bottle of the new Sailor Four Seasons ink.
Claudia, from FPN, had a table set up to display and give away (!) samples of the new KWZI and Black Stone Powdered ink, which I haven't tried yet! And she was also kind of enough to loan me a chair from her corner post so I could get a slightly better picture of more people crowding around tables.
The baby, who has spent most of his short life embarrassing us by alternately crying and spitting up at the least opportune moments possible, was dazed by all the sparkly pens (so was I, apparently).
I picked up a pen! A vintage Mabie-Todd flex nib. I was actually not looking for a flex nib, as I'm no calligrapher and flex nibs can be tough for on the go writing and notes, however, this was the pen for me.
Its nib is actually close to a medium/broad without any pressure, which is about what I like for most of my nibs. It takes some larger writing to get flex, but it's extremely wet, so I haven't been able to get any railroading yet! Jon sacrificed his own pen shopping because we ran so short on time we ending up opening the shop a few minutes late! This is why I married him...
The turn-out was great - so great that I didn't even get a chance to say hi to David, one of the organizers, because of the swarms of people around his table. It was wonderful to see so many of our regular customers at the show. In fact, while looking over trays and trays of pens with hunger eyes, I literally bumped into a few! It was also wonderful to hear from a few vendors about how more and more younger generations are starting to become interested in pens, both modern and vintage. Actually, one of the best parts of this community is how older generations are so welcoming to us younger folk, and willing to share all of their knowledge and enthusiasm. Being part of this community here in Toronto and throughout Canada is one of the most fulfilling parts of starting this business and seeing it grow. A show for next year has already been confirmed, and no wonder based on how many people were squashed into the rooms. Check their website for more updates. How exciting the things that are happening here in Toronto!
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Comments
Anonymous said:
Yes, it was definitely crowded first thing in the morning when it opened at 10:00, and I got there around 10:15!
Running a pen shop, I can certainly say first hand that you do need to take your time to look and browse and try out pens sometimes :)
Sash said:
Oh, thank you — I’m glad I wasn’t the only one feeling that way. As I was leaving, I was a bit upset with myself for not being able to cope. But the truth is, I just don’t do well with crowds. And given that the objects are small, all it takes is for three or four people to block the view. Of course, people need to take their time in examining the goods, and I noticed some people were able to dip the pens and test them. That takes extra time, and when making a purchase (especially if it’s an expensive vintage pen), people need that time to make their decision carefully. From what I’m hearing, it was crowded all day, even from the start of the show.
Anonymous said:
Yes, definitely – sometimes there can be a bit of pressure to look at the pens even when you get to the front of the table because you know there are people behind you!
I certainly have no influence (haha!) but I will pass on the sentiment to one of the show’s organizers for next year – we bumped into quite a few people that said they were having a hard time with all the crowds :)
Sash said:
I found the crowds to be somewhat overwhelming (about the same type of feeling that I get when I go in the Eaton Centre in December); not something I had expected for a show of that type. There were times when I could not see the pens because so many people were crowded around the vendors’ tables. I had looked forward to the show for quite some time and then after about 15 minutes, I had had enough and I left. A two-day show would be great (or a bigger venue) and if you have any input into that, it would be appreciated by many, I’m sure.
Anonymous said:
I know the feeling! We actually thought we would beat the crowds, but when we got there, the whole venue was full. It was a little difficult to really spend time looking at or trying out the pens, and I only got mine at the very end! I think with such a great turn-out this year, the organizers may consider a larger space for next year, or maybe even a two-day show!
Sash said:
It was a good show, but I found the crowds a bit much. I had hopes of buying something different but ended up buying nothing. Maybe next year.
Anonymous said:
What a shame that you missed out, but I think next year will be even bigger and better! I’ll hope to bump into you next year :)
The Iroshizuku Shin Kai is a beautiful ink for a flex pen! Amazing shading!
Paul Y said:
I had been looking forward to this show for months, but it turned out that I wasn’t able to go so I was a little bummed out. I had a feeling that the show would be a big success. I’m glad you took pictures; it’s nice to see those crowds. Now, I’m cheered to know that there will be a show next year.
Your Mabie Todd looks to be in a very nice shiny condition for a vintage pen. Yes, the ink does seem to go well with the pen.
Anonymous said:
Yes, you should come next year! It was great to see all the pens and paraphernalia up close :)
Ruth said:
It looks like a good time was had by all. Love the pen and ink combo. I’ll really have to try to get there next year!
Anonymous said:
The pen was calling my name through the crowds….haha :) It is Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-Kai, a new favourite!
Anonymous said:
It was!! You’ll have to stop by next year :)
Koshka said:
So sad I had to miss the show, it looked awesome!
Lee Munro said:
Looks like the show was a great success, so sorry I couldn’t make it. And Liz, that pen is definitely for you! What ink is that?