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The Really Big Shew - Page 3

Wizard At Work

If you want to see the parade, watch the crowd at Richard Binder's table.

Richard, ever charming, seemed to always be hunched over, working on a customer's nib.

It was fun to watch the nib wizard work his magic on pen after pen. He would carefully take pen after pen, examine the nib under magnification, work his grinding and smoothing conjuring, and hand the transformed pen back to his eagerly waiting customers. He was fun to watch!

The only chance I had to talk much with Richard was Friday evening when he was still busy after everyone else had left the trade floor for the free pizza and drinks. We had a chance to discuss recent finds. He also showed me two pens he acquired, a pretty Sheaffer Balance in roseglow and an oversize WASP "circuit board" gray Clipper. Two really nice pens.

The Masters From Japan

A highlight of the show was the Nakaya table. It occupied a whole corner of the main ballroom. Nakaya brought a several people and a complete pen shop with them. It was amazing.

The corner of their set-up included a complete work area where pen parts were being made on premises. This was a rare glimpse into the world of custom penmaking that few will ever see. You can see work being done on pen in this shot.

The foot powered lathe spun furiously and the master's hands were impossible to freeze, even at high speed.

The front of the Nakaya table (sorry for the poor shot) was very busy. Some of the people did not speak English, which made conversation very interesting. They had a placard showing English to Japanese translations of nib adjustment words to help those who came to get a specially tuned pen.

Yes, Virginia, You Really Have The Really Big Shew

There is no way to fully capture the size and scope of the Washington DC Pen Show. It's the biggest in the world, and can hardly be taken in in a day, or covered fully on three pages. If you are anywhere near Washington DC in August, you really need to make time and plan to come. You'll see more pens and from more eras, variety and price ranges than anywhere else. Yes, it is the really big shew.

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Cheers,

Jim Mamoulides

August 31, 2004