Frank Dubiel and I founded this show 40 years ago as the “New England Pen Show”. It was quite a fun show, expanding over the following years. The name changed to the “Boston Pen Show”, then, eventually to the “Commonwealth Pen Show” now run by Jim and Cheryl Baer. What distinguished our shows from the others in the early days was that this show was equally aimed to users as well as collectors. Most other shows were geared to the collector. At other shows I had to bring my own ink to try out pens! One dealer at the Philly Show was astonished saying, “You mean you USE these?” He didn’t let me dip the pen in ink to try it…Dammit. If Boston wasn’t such an expensive city this show might have grown larger in the early years, but the intimacy of this show is part of its charm. All the dealers know each other well, and our walk-in traffic is consistently large in number, loyal and strong. Many of my customers are students and professionals, calligraphers and illustrators. Collectors do come to me for a part or two…most of the pens they might want are in my collection….for now, at any rate. Though most of the vintage dealers do sell highly collectible pens, I sell the more modestly-sized pens that work just as well as the “fancy ones” but without the “fancy” price. A plain black Waterman writes as well as the same pen with a sterling silver overlay, after all. Another new thing about this year’s show was the gothic look. The Armory was perfect and the black tablecloths helped make the pens sparkle! Sorry I missed seeing your disco dance in person. You see me in the background, though, wearing my black fez trying to find the right nib for a customer.
Dance party-pen show, BRILLIANT!! The wax stamp looks like the main figure of the Laocoon Group?! Those Esterbrook prototypes are SO fun, wow!! Helen's filming is absolutely perfect once again!
HJ, thank you for taking us along. I've never been to a pen show, so this was wonderful. Helen did a great job of making this video for us. But I missed seeing her. It's always great to see your beautiful daughter. And she does not look bored. Was she interested in any pen? See you soon back in Your library. Blessings
Planning to attend the Dallas, TX show the last Friday and Saturday of September. It is also a smaller show but a great mix of vendors. I always love going Friday afternoon. See y'all there!
I mentioned my collection of fountain pens to my best friend when we were out on a walk today, and she responded, “I LOVE my fountain pen.” When she finished her chief residency in medicine many years ago, the Chief of Medicine at the hospital gave her a Mont Blanc 149, which she uses to this day. She mentioned another friend of hers who “actually goes to somebody called a ‘nib Meister’!” And I was like, “Martha, I go to a nib meister . . .” I thought it was just my little, narrow, nerdy, obscure rabbit hole, but I’m beginning to the there is a growing number of people in this hobby.
It was nice seeing you. I finally got to go to a pen show. It was so n8ce to meet so many people. I did manage to get 2 nibs ground by JJ Lax. I bought a few other things as well so happy I went!
Today has been a great birthday. I got to spend it with my wife, and then end the day off on watching your awesome content and enjoying my new Pilot Custom 823. I've been journaling for a while, but watching your journaling videos has reinvigorated the way in which I journal.
Hello, It was nice meeting you and your lovely family at the show. There was a pen I was sure you would gobble up, the MB Hemingway pen set. But I see you didn't bite from the video. I would have but I already have two. This year's show was smaller but very good. , Guy with Glasses in Japanese T....😮 Maybe we will meet again. Cheers, Dave.
@@HemingwayJones Really, I did enjoy following you through your visit. My visit to the Commonwealth fountain pen show was not fun at all. My questions were given short shrift and rudimentarily dismissed. All of the vendors, including nib meisters, were dismissive. They gave the impression that nothing other than a sale mattered to them. Just my experience. It was the first pen show I ever attended. It will probably -- not positively -- be the last. For sure, I will never go to the Boston show again. Just saying this so anyone reading can take it for what it's worth.
Now I really wish I lived in that part of the country. This pen show is much more my speed... so many of them have become enormous affairs and the crowds would send me running for the exits. Thanks for showing us a lower-key sort of option!
This is a great video thank you Mr. Jones for sharing all your wonderful talent and knowledge of these beautiful instruments I can only dream of having such a collection wonderful wonderful
Hi HJ! What a cool, smaller pen show! Something you can get around in one day. Thanks for sharing the experience with us! Might try to get to the Orlando Pen Show next year, but I think that one is a biggie.
I was waiting to see Pier Gustafson, world-famous for his epynomous test. He's a Boston resident. As for me, that bin of pen parts would be interesting! Someday I need to get to a pen show. Thank you for letting me see one virtually.
@@HemingwayJones I named it after him. It's rapid swirls with the pen and quick strokes. He's an artist and works in long, continuous strokes. He believes that modern feeds can't keep up the way vintage pens can.
@@HemingwayJones He is! A few years ago he invited me to spend a week in the family home in Minnesota. I got to sail with him and his brothers and see some amazing places I likely would never have seen. I've never had an invitation like that outside family. A very nice guy with a very interesting background! And it is so interesting that he comes at fountain pens from an entirely different perspective from my own!
Great to meet you briefly yesterday even though we didn’t get a chance to chat! Bought a pen I’ve been wanting for a couple of years and really enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous vintage pens. Can’t wait for next year!
Now that's a quick turn around Hem. Thanks. We met when you arrived. I hope you like the paper I gave you. The venue was great for dark academia. Wink, wink.
Thanks for sharing the video and your sound quality is much improved. I was hoping to go to this show as I live in Albany, NY but could not make it happen. I will be making some time for it next year though, looks like a good time.
Thanks so much for sharing this video. This show seems to have a nice cosy vibe. My next pen show is the London show so I was glad to hear that Esterbrook will be there as I have toyed with the idea of buying a few of their pens - looking forward to seeing and touching them. Will you be going?
Lovely video, and this time the audio was excellent. Thank you in working to improve the quality of your sound. I find it awesome that you bring along your family, your wife and daughter are great.
I am planning on going to Scriptus 24 in Toronto on October 27. I have wanted to go to this show for a while now and since I have seen some of your videos I must go!
Those ebonite Esterbrooks were very nice. The Accutron was a bit big for my taste but the Model J is a nice size. The lighting in there was odd. In some places it wasn't at all conducive to seeing the details of a pen. Other spots were okay. Nice to see there was a good turnout.
Yes! I agree completely. The lighting was terrible and strange in parts. We just had fun with it. But I was just glad that we had a pen show. It was cancelled last year. Sometimes you have to make do with what you have.
Hello, I'm looking to purchase either a Pilot Custom 823 to a Sailor Pro Gear, just looking for a daily writer, I'm not a collector. Is there one that you would recommend? Thanks
@@HemingwayJones Goodnight, last question, I have an opportunity to buy a Montblanc Homer (black one) or a 149, my understanding is that they both use the same nib, any thoughts? And I didn't purchase the Pilot 823 in Amber. Thanks
It was great to catch you guys before you really got rolling with the video. Glad you had a good time. Esterbrook is really on a roll! Good to see a great company doing well.
I was just there yesterday. I have mixed feelings about this show. I think it has potential. I also think that there is a lot that they need to do in order to improve it and get more vendors to come in.
It was bigger than this. They lost their venue. Last year there wasn’t a show. I was just happy that they had one. Ideally, they would have a venue with parking and better lighting. The lighting was funky.
@@HemingwayJones I remember getting the email about last year. The venue canceled on them too late to find a new one in time if I remember. I’ve been to a few of theirs.
I went on Saturday and found it disappointing. If you're on the hunt for odd vintage pens, I suppose that it would be great, but I like to have the opportunity to try current pens from various manufacturers. The only one there was Esterbrook (and I bought one of the new "Back to the Land" pens). There were also some shady characters selling cheap Chinese pens with a 500% markup. I picked up a few bottles of ink, but even that was a challenge - the two major retailers in attendance, Bob Slate and Federalist, didn't really have enough space, which made it very tough to find what I was looking for. I'll probably go every year, hoping for improvement, since it's less than an hour from home.
@@wkasimer as HJ mentioned the show was bigger. Their normal venue canceled on them last year and they now have to find a new home. This wasn’t a good venue due to limited space and parking. I expect they’ll find better for next year. More space means they can have more venues Jost from Appelboom Pens was there 2 years ago but he closed his Boston store and is now only overseas. I hope if they can have a few consistent years at a good place more vendors will attend. I think the best we can do is keep going and show that there is a demand for a big show in this area. Hope to see you next year.
Frank Dubiel and I founded this show 40 years ago as the “New England Pen Show”. It was quite a fun show, expanding over the following years. The name changed to the “Boston Pen Show”, then, eventually to the “Commonwealth Pen Show” now run by Jim and Cheryl Baer. What distinguished our shows from the others in the early days was that this show was equally aimed to users as well as collectors. Most other shows were geared to the collector. At other shows I had to bring my own ink to try out pens! One dealer at the Philly Show was astonished saying, “You mean you USE these?” He didn’t let me dip the pen in ink to try it…Dammit. If Boston wasn’t such an expensive city this show might have grown larger in the early years, but the intimacy of this show is part of its charm. All the dealers know each other well, and our walk-in traffic is consistently large in number, loyal and strong. Many of my customers are students and professionals, calligraphers and illustrators. Collectors do come to me for a part or two…most of the pens they might want are in my collection….for now, at any rate. Though most of the vintage dealers do sell highly collectible pens, I sell the more modestly-sized pens that work just as well as the “fancy ones” but without the “fancy” price. A plain black Waterman writes as well as the same pen with a sterling silver overlay, after all. Another new thing about this year’s show was the gothic look. The Armory was perfect and the black tablecloths helped make the pens sparkle! Sorry I missed seeing your disco dance in person. You see me in the background, though, wearing my black fez trying to find the right nib for a customer.
Love the Synthwave dance demo!! “Hello, Sailor!” 😂 Seeing Imogen with you makes me miss my dad. So sweet! Tfs a tour of this show.
Thank you so much! All the best.
The nightclub dancing is my favorite part. Classic!
Thanks Man! I couldn't resist!
Glad to see you and the family had a fun time at the pen show. You got your money's worth out of the new microphone.
8:58 Cherry Hill?!?! That’s 20 min from me and I had NO idea! AND, I grew up in Philly, too!!!!!!!!!
Nice! Love it down there. Send me a Wawa Hoagie and some Butterscotch Krimpets!
Nice to see fellow Philly replants! ❤
Dance party-pen show, BRILLIANT!! The wax stamp looks like the main figure of the Laocoon Group?! Those Esterbrook prototypes are SO fun, wow!! Helen's filming is absolutely perfect once again!
It is Laocoon. I thought it was the Belvedere Torso but my Helenie set me straight. Thanks so much!
HJ, thank you for taking us along. I've never been to a pen show, so this was wonderful. Helen did a great job of making this video for us. But I missed seeing her. It's always great to see your beautiful daughter. And she does not look bored. Was she interested in any pen? See you soon back in Your library. Blessings
Thanks so much! Imogen liked a few pens. She is into purple ones right now. Thanks!
Planning to attend the Dallas, TX show the last Friday and Saturday of September. It is also a smaller show but a great mix of vendors. I always love going Friday afternoon. See y'all there!
Have fun! One day I’ll get down there.
I visited as well! Good times.
Sincerely!
I mentioned my collection of fountain pens to my best friend when we were out on a walk today, and she responded, “I LOVE my fountain pen.” When she finished her chief residency in medicine many years ago, the Chief of Medicine at the hospital gave her a Mont Blanc 149, which she uses to this day. She mentioned another friend of hers who “actually goes to somebody called a ‘nib Meister’!” And I was like, “Martha, I go to a nib meister . . .” I thought it was just my little, narrow, nerdy, obscure rabbit hole, but I’m beginning to the there is a growing number of people in this hobby.
The audio was fantastic HJ and it looked like you enjoyed it.
Thanks John! I love these mics. They are really good!
It was nice seeing you. I finally got to go to a pen show. It was so n8ce to meet so many people. I did manage to get 2 nibs ground by JJ Lax. I bought a few other things as well so happy I went!
It was nice seeing you My Friend. It has been a while. I’m glad you had a blast.
Today has been a great birthday. I got to spend it with my wife, and then end the day off on watching your awesome content and enjoying my new Pilot Custom 823. I've been journaling for a while, but watching your journaling videos has reinvigorated the way in which I journal.
Happy birthday! Thanks so much for watching. That is a great pen enjoy it and your year!
I was there on Sunday! My first pen show. Really enjoyed it, though it was a bit overwhelming. I'm very new to fountain pens.
Sorry I missed you! I’m glad you had fun !
Your new mike worked great! 🎉
Thank you! It should add to the Channel.
Hello, It was nice meeting you and your lovely family at the show. There was a pen I was sure you would gobble up, the MB Hemingway pen set. But I see you didn't bite from the video. I would have but I already have two. This year's show was smaller but very good. , Guy with Glasses in Japanese T....😮 Maybe we will meet again. Cheers, Dave.
It was a pleasure to meet you My Friend! I am actually glad I didn’t see that pen. I am trying to be good! See you again soon!
Thanks for sharing your visit and lovely to see Imogen having fun.
Thanks so much!
I had a much better time watching your visit than I did several years ago when I went in person. Thanks for the dance!
Thanks! I’m glad you liked the video!
@@HemingwayJones Really, I did enjoy following you through your visit. My visit to the Commonwealth fountain pen show was not fun at all. My questions were given short shrift and rudimentarily dismissed. All of the vendors, including nib meisters, were dismissive. They gave the impression that nothing other than a sale mattered to them. Just my experience. It was the first pen show I ever attended. It will probably -- not positively -- be the last. For sure, I will never go to the Boston show again. Just saying this so anyone reading can take it for what it's worth.
Now I really wish I lived in that part of the country. This pen show is much more my speed... so many of them have become enormous affairs and the crowds would send me running for the exits. Thanks for showing us a lower-key sort of option!
Thanks so much. This one was very quiet.
This is a great video thank you Mr. Jones for sharing all your wonderful talent and knowledge of these beautiful instruments I can only dream of having such a collection wonderful wonderful
You are very welcome and thanks for watching.
Thank you for taking us on a journey through the pen show! It looks great.
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a fun video!
Thank you!
Hi HJ! What a cool, smaller pen show! Something you can get around in one day. Thanks for sharing the experience with us! Might try to get to the Orlando Pen Show next year, but I think that one is a biggie.
Thanks for watching! It’s a fun show!
This man is just as nice in person
Thank you! You are too kind.
I was waiting to see Pier Gustafson, world-famous for his epynomous test. He's a Boston resident. As for me, that bin of pen parts would be interesting!
Someday I need to get to a pen show. Thank you for letting me see one virtually.
Thanks My Friend! He was there. He is a lovely guy. I didn’t film him. He was across from Esterbrook. What’s his test?
@@HemingwayJones I named it after him. It's rapid swirls with the pen and quick strokes. He's an artist and works in long, continuous strokes. He believes that modern feeds can't keep up the way vintage pens can.
Gotcha. Thanks for this! He is a very nice guy.
@@HemingwayJones He is! A few years ago he invited me to spend a week in the family home in Minnesota. I got to sail with him and his brothers and see some amazing places I likely would never have seen. I've never had an invitation like that outside family. A very nice guy with a very interesting background!
And it is so interesting that he comes at fountain pens from an entirely different perspective from my own!
That is always so valuable.
Great seeing you and family at the Commonwealth Pen show HJ !!!
Always a pleasure, Fra!
Sorry I missed you! I spent most of my time at Richard Binder's table having him fix my Visconti nib. Hope you enjoyed the show!
That is important! I’m glad you got it sorted. I’m sure we’ll see each other at some point. All the best.
Great to meet you briefly yesterday even though we didn’t get a chance to chat! Bought a pen I’ve been wanting for a couple of years and really enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous vintage pens. Can’t wait for next year!
Great video! The sound was amazing!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you.
This was my first pen show. Pleasure to meet you! I already have a room booked for the Baltimore pen show.
Nicely done, Jon. The pleasure is all mine. Thanks so much for taking the time to chat. Speak more soon.
Thanks for taking us along.
Glad you enjoyed and thanks for watching.
Great tour HJ , I always feel intimidated when I go to a pen show. Maybe because of too many people. I have to try harder. Thanks for the tour.
Audio much improved. Great show
Thank you! I love these new mics. These could lead to new things on the channel.
Now that's a quick turn around Hem. Thanks. We met when you arrived. I hope you like the paper I gave you. The venue was great for dark academia. Wink, wink.
Truly and yes! Thanks so much. You described it well. Thank you!
Ha! I spotted myself in the video!! 😂
Nice! Great to see you.
So do I. Huh... I didn't realize my shirt was so _loud..._
Thanks for sharing the video and your sound quality is much improved. I was hoping to go to this show as I live in Albany, NY but could not make it happen. I will be making some time for it next year though, looks like a good time.
Thanks! I bought new mics! I’d like to meet you sometime.
@@HemingwayJones likewise, I will email you and maybe we can set something up?
Thanks so much for sharing this video. This show seems to have a nice cosy vibe. My next pen show is the London show so I was glad to hear that Esterbrook will be there as I have toyed with the idea of buying a few of their pens - looking forward to seeing and touching them. Will you be going?
I will not be in London for that show, but one day, I will. I’d love to experience it. Thanks!
Looks like yall had fun!
Imogen is always a blast!
@@HemingwayJones Cherish those times because children grow fast.
Interesting, thank you!
Glad you liked it!
HJ, your new mic worked well!
I’m really happy with them. They are supposed to be good. I suppose they are.
Oooo yay!!!!
Lovely video, and this time the audio was excellent. Thank you in working to improve the quality of your sound. I find it awesome that you bring along your family, your wife and daughter are great.
Thank you very much! I appreciate that!
I so want to go to the one in Dallas the end of the month. Hopefully we don't get any hurricanes the rest of the month here in Galveston County.
Thank you I have never been to a pen show
Thanks for watching.
I am planning on going to Scriptus 24 in Toronto on October 27. I have wanted to go to this show for a while now and since I have seen some of your videos I must go!
Are you coming to the Ohio Pen Show in Columbus?
Not this year, I’m afraid. I’d like to.
Nice video! Your daughter looks just like you!
Thanks so much! I am happy she has her Mom’s eyes.
I've been waiting on this all day. Looks like a good show. 👍 Atlas Stationers has Diamine Sweet Dreams ink.
Thanks so much! I need to pick that up for Imogen. Thanks.
If only I could teleport there!!
Those ebonite Esterbrooks were very nice. The Accutron was a bit big for my taste but the Model J is a nice size.
The lighting in there was odd. In some places it wasn't at all conducive to seeing the details of a pen. Other spots were okay.
Nice to see there was a good turnout.
Odd? How about horrible. I saw 1/2 the offerings. Though great for dark academia.
Yes! I agree completely. The lighting was terrible and strange in parts. We just had fun with it. But I was just glad that we had a pen show. It was cancelled last year. Sometimes you have to make do with what you have.
@@HemingwayJones Agreed, much better than no show at all.
Hello, I'm looking to purchase either a Pilot Custom 823 to a Sailor Pro Gear, just looking for a daily writer, I'm not a collector. Is there one that you would recommend? Thanks
Hello! I don’t know the Pro Gear very well. I do know the PC823 and I love it. So I am biased. I wish I could help more. The 823 is near perfect.
@@HemingwayJones which colour would you recommend the amber or transparent?
@@HemingwayJones Goodnight, last question, I have an opportunity to buy a Montblanc Homer (black one) or a 149, my understanding is that they both use the same nib, any thoughts? And I didn't purchase the Pilot 823 in Amber. Thanks
Going to my first pen show in about 6 weeks time - really interested to see how it will compare to what I have just watched…
Wonderful! Which one?
@@HemingwayJones there is a Yorkshire show, in Leeds, UK, which is about 40 miles from me
That would be fun. My wife lived there for a long time, in York.
Thank you that was a great video. I wish I was there. I love. How you nurture immagene in the video. Good dad.
Thanks very much! She is a treasure.
You tower over everyone Hemingway!
I’m 6’2” so I’m tall, but of course there was those taller. Thanks for watching My Friend!
It was great to catch you guys before you really got rolling with the video. Glad you had a good time.
Esterbrook is really on a roll! Good to see a great company doing well.
Thanks so much! It was a pleasure seeing you. Thanks so much!
Vannesspens has Sweet dreams
We saw it with them at the show. But they ran out there. Thanks.
I was just there yesterday. I have mixed feelings about this show. I think it has potential. I also think that there is a lot that they need to do in order to improve it and get more vendors to come in.
It was bigger than this. They lost their venue. Last year there wasn’t a show. I was just happy that they had one. Ideally, they would have a venue with parking and better lighting. The lighting was funky.
@@HemingwayJones I remember getting the email about last year. The venue canceled on them too late to find a new one in time if I remember. I’ve been to a few of theirs.
I went on Saturday and found it disappointing. If you're on the hunt for odd vintage pens, I suppose that it would be great, but I like to have the opportunity to try current pens from various manufacturers. The only one there was Esterbrook (and I bought one of the new "Back to the Land" pens). There were also some shady characters selling cheap Chinese pens with a 500% markup. I picked up a few bottles of ink, but even that was a challenge - the two major retailers in attendance, Bob Slate and Federalist, didn't really have enough space, which made it very tough to find what I was looking for.
I'll probably go every year, hoping for improvement, since it's less than an hour from home.
@@wkasimer as HJ mentioned the show was bigger. Their normal venue canceled on them last year and they now have to find a new home. This wasn’t a good venue due to limited space and parking. I expect they’ll find better for next year.
More space means they can have more venues Jost from Appelboom Pens was there 2 years ago but he closed his Boston store and is now only overseas. I hope if they can have a few consistent years at a good place more vendors will attend. I think the best we can do is keep going and show that there is a demand for a big show in this area. Hope to see you next year.