Well, this is embarrassing. I had pencilled in a post for this week, intending to call it a pen show recap, as “my haul” would not work on a “no-buy”. But as it turns out, the “no-buy” promptly went out of the window as soon I got through the gates. Another generous interpretation from one of my pen club friends, is that purchases during a pen show do not count in a no-buy.

Anyhow, I had a brilliant day at the show as always, running into many friends. As most of our pen club (The London Fountaineers) had arranged to meet up nearby at Latymers for a pub lunch during the show, I decided to go for the 9.00am early bird admission, to compensate for the lunchtime erosion of shopping time. This worked out perfectly and it was lovely to sit down and catch up with friends over a delicious Thai meal and share what each of us had found.

Over the course of the day, I acquired nine pens. I know that this sounds like a lot but none of them was terribly expensive and many folk spent more than my total on a single pen.

The only pen that I had specifically hunted for, was a Parker Duofold Senior, in blue. I found that the typical prices of these old Duofolds rise as you progress through the seven different sizes. The “Senior” (with a #35 nib), is the second largest of these and I paid £80.00 for a very nice example. The largest one was called the Maxima (#50 nib).

One of my earliest finds was a “Ty-phoo Tea” pen, a lovely old (1930’s?) lever filler, in black etched with a wave pattern, flat ended and clipless and a small, 14k gold nib. This would have been acquired as an offer in return for coupons from packets of tea. It is said to be “British Made” although the maker is not specified. I have since read on FPN that there were several such models made for Ty-phoo Tea over the years, likely to have been supplied by Swan, Wyvern or Conway Stewart. With a sudden brainwave, I have paired it with Jacques Herbin Lie de Thé.

I picked up a TWSBI “Eco T” in Saffron with a lovely EF nib. Admittedly, I thought that I was buying a standard Eco, but later discovered it to be an Eco T, which has three, softly rounded facets on the grip section and a triangular cap and piston knob – a model that I had not been aware of, but still a pleasing buy with summery vibes.

I had a successful run of buying three vintage Parkers, all in glossy black with gold trim, each from different vendors. First, a Duofold button filler (1940’s?), the first button filler I have owned, from Heritage Collectables. Next a Duofold Junior, with a Fine nib which, amazingly, was in near mint condition with original chalk marks and an aero filler which appeared never to have been inked. This was from Justin Janse van Vuuren. Finally, a gorgeously cute irresistible Parker 17 Lady (Fine), which posts beautifully to become a really delightful pocket pen, sold by Carneil Pens. I have been using this for sketching, with Parker Quink Black.

I also bought my first Parker 25! I had never much liked the oddly industrial brushed steel tapered barrel and so had refrained from buying one when they were part of Parker’s range. But having learned that they were designed by Sir Kenneth Grange, also responsible for designing the Inter-City 125 train, I felt it was high time I tried one. There were several to chose from at the show and so I could examine their nibs with a loupe. In the hand, the pen is more comfortable than it looks and the cap posts beautifully, flush with the barrel, whereupon the tapering barrel makes sense.

Otherwise, my pen-buying flurry included a Pelikan Jazz and a Sailor High Ace neo, each offered at just £5.00 from Cult Pens. I also stocked up on ink, finding bottles of new old stock Waterman Florida Blue and Waterman Blue Black, plus a luxurious box of 6 Pilot Iroshizuko kon-peki cartridges and a couple of boxes of the Kaweco Royal Blue cartridges.

The day was punctuated by lots of lovely conversations with friendly dealers including Jeremy Collingbridge, John Hall, Kirit Dal, Ray Walters, John Foye, Sarj Minas, Kasia Stier, Justin Janse van Vuuren, my good friend Jon of Pensharing and many others. On the train home, I also tried to list all the friends I had seen and this came to more than 20.

For anyone serious about being on a no-buy, the London Pen Show is not the place to go. As a recent retiree, I discovered that I am still at heart, a child who wants a new toy a little too often. But I am thrilled with my acquisitions which I am sure will punch well above their weight in providing joy for years to come. Thanks, as always, to all the organisers, dealers and the fountain pen community. See you all next time!