THANK YOU
for supporting the 2024 Washington DC Fountain Pen SUPERSHOW
Mark your calendars NOW:
2025 Washington DC Fountain Pen SUPERSHOW
Thursday, July 31 - Sunday, August 3
Fairview Park Marriott
Falls Church, VA
Table registration will be announced January 2025
Weekend Trader 4 day tickets will go on sale January 2025
Marriott room reservations will open in January 2025 with the special SUPERSHOW rate - reserve your room when you register for a table because rooms will SELL OUT FAST
The information on this website refers to the 2024 DC Pen SUPERSHOW and is for reference only
Exhibitor table registrations and Weekend Trader tickets - use the above "Register Now" button.
EXHIBITOR TABLES ARE SOLD OUT. REGISTER FOR A WAITING LIST TABLE. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED IF A TABLE BECOMES AVAILABLE.
PUBLIC ADMISSION
DAILY
Public admission tickets can be purchased for Friday ($25), Saturday ($10) and/or Sunday ($10). This is a great opportunity for a burgeoning enthusiast or for those curious as to what is a pen show to experience what all the hullabaloo is about. Public admissions tickets can be purchased.
WEEKEND TRADER
Weekend Trader passes cost $50 and include one (1) non-collecting significant other. A collecting significant other will need a separate Weekend Trader ticket.
Attend all 4 days of the show and participate in all activities as space allows. Weekend Traders can sit at a table on Thursday, but tables are assigned starting on Friday. Only Weekend Traders and Exhibitors may attend the SUPERSHOW on Thursday and Friday morning - you have more time to interact with exhibitors and other Weekend Traders and admitted early on Saturday abd Sunday.
Order Weekend Trader tickets, pay, and complete registration form:
There is no admission fee for children - they are free and hopefully will enjoy the SUPERSHOW.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Bob Johnson started the DC Pen SUPERSHOW in 1992. With his continued vision and dedication in establishing a venue for pen enthusiasts to meet, sell, and discuss their interest in fountain pens, Bob created the largest pen show in the world drawing attendees from numerous countries and states.
Sadly, Bob passed away in September 2020 but his sister, Barbara Johnson, and nephew, Jeff Hancock, both long time pen show helpers, carry on his legacy.
2024 SUPERSHOW SPONSORS
GALEN LEATHER provided a gift for everyone attending the 2023 SUPERSHOW as pictured here - this souvenir bag.
Galen Leather will provide a bag for the 2024 SUPERSHOW attendees.
YAFA BRANDS will give the first 200 public admissions on Saturday and Sunday a bottle of Monteverde Special Edition ink
2024
D.C.
SUPERSHOW
Purple Diamond
OPUS 88 has designed a pen for the 2024 DC Pen SUPERSHOW and can be purchased at the OPUS 88 table.
VANNESS PEN LOUNGE
AUGUST 2, 3 & 4
Hang out at the Vanness Pen Lounge
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Are you new to fountain pens or attending your first pen show?
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Feeling overwhelmed by all the different vendors and options, and don’t know where to start?
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Do you simply want a (relatively) quiet place to want to take a break and talk with fellow enthusiasts?
At this year’s D.C. Pen SUPERSHOW, you can visit the Vanness Pen Lounge, located downstairs under Room 3 (large exhibit room), easily accessible by the staircase or elevator. The seminars are held beside it on Saturday and the ink testing tables are by the doors. The Vanness Pen Lounge is where we will have fellow pen lovers volunteering each day. These awesome pen folks will be hanging out and ready to guide you through the maze of all things pens and stationery the entirety of the show hours Friday and Saturday. There will also be several mini-workshops and classes in the lounge running throughout the weekend. Just check the schedule below!
FRIDAY
11:00 Ink swatching with Ana Reinert of the Well-Appointed Desk
1:00 Fountain Pen Basics with Lisa Vanness of Vanness Pens (with other volunteers assisting through the weekend)
2:00 Notebook Systems Overview with Joe Crace of The Gentleman Stationer
3:00 Fountain Pen Basics
4:30 Meet up
SATURDAY
11:00 Fountain Pen Basics
1:00 Fountain Pen Basics
2:00 Notebooks Systems Overview
3:00 Fountain Pen Basics
4:30 Meetup with Your Favorite Fountain Pen Bloggers, YouTubers, Streamers, and Fellow Enthusiasts
SUNDAY
1:30 Fountain Pen Basics
Details for all seminars:
Seminars on Fountain Pen Basics (Sponsored by Luxury Brands US distributor for Platinum brand)
Learn how various types of filling systems work and how to clean pens as well as what nib might work best for you.
Friday 1:00 and 3:00
Saturday 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00
Sunday 1:30
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Ink Cataloging Workshop 11:00 Friday
Are you collecting inks these days?
Join Ana Reinert of the Well Appointed Desk and creator of the Col-O-Ring as she provides tools to catalog your newest inks (and your oldest) this class will have a materials fee of $30.00
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Notebook Systems Overview 2:00 Friday and Saturday
Join Joe Crace from the Gentleman Stationer for an overview of different notebook systems, including those from Traveler’s Company, Lochby, Midori, Roterfaden, and many more! Joe will have samples available to handle in person and will be available to answer questions. Due to the number of options available in today’s market, choosing a notebook system can feel intimidating, but it’s all about matching the system to your needs. Joe will also be bringing a limited selection of organizers and notebook covers for purchase at the Vanness tables.
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Friday Meetup at 4;30
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Want to test hard-to-find pens and paper?
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Want to share and trade pens, paper and ink samples with fellow show attendees?
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Coming to the show by yourself and simply want to socialize and meet other enthusiasts in person?
Join Dan Hoizner (@dandon) and our lead volunteers Trinita, Charlotte and Essandra of the D.C. Pen Club for misadventures in art and fountain pens
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Saturday Meetup at 4:30
The Vanness Pen Lounge will be hosting a post-show Meetup with influential (and knowledgeable!) bloggers, YouTubers, and more, including:
youtuber @FigbootonPens
David Parker
@wellappointed desk
Ana Reinert
@Gentleman Stationer
Joe Crace
@FountainPenDay Founder
Cary Yeager
MANY THANKS TO LISA VANNESS FOR CREATING THIS IDEA TO ENCOURAGE NEW FOUNTAIN PEN FRIENDS.
Sponsored by Vanness, Luxury Brands and Mnemosyne Paper. Thanks to Trinita, Essandra and Charlotte and local pen clubs.
Questions? Email us at vannessonline@gmail.com
SPECIAL GUESTS AT EXHIBITOR TABLES
BOTTEGANDO
Sergio Montagna was born and continuies to live in Verona, Italy, the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Even as a child, Sergio showed great interest in nature, drawing and art. He continued his studies in high school, deepening his knowledge of literature, the history of ancient art, ancient Greek and Latin. After graduating in law with top marks from the University of Verona, he began a professional career in the legal sector and then as a financial consultant for an important Italian bank.
Over the years he developed a great love for fountain pens and watches. After meeting his wife Stefania, he realized his passion for artistic creation and founded Bottegando Italia with her. Their studio specializes in the intricate oriental techniques of urushi and maki-e.
After more than a decade of study and experimentation, driven by a desire to create writing instruments and watches that were unique, beautiful, and perfect - items capable of transmitting joy to their owners - Sergio developed a unique and personal artistic style. In his creations the oriental charm of Urushi lacquer and his Italian artistic sensitivity combine with his love for the landscapes, the atmosphere, and the urban and naturalistic monuments of his country. He executes the traditional techniques of Japanese maki-e in a unique, free, and personal way.
Avenir Light is a clean and stylish font favored by designers. It's easy on the eyes and a great go-to font for titles, paragraphs & m
Obsessed with precision, Sergio deeply loves Japanese lacquer and maki-e techniques since they allow hom to create heritage-quality works of art, so durable they can be handed down within families for generations.
Sergio has a mission: to add to the beauty of the world through his artistry.
ore.
Bottegando will have a raffle for this one of a kind pen. Stop by and meet the designer Sergio and enter the raffle for a chance to win!
PILOT CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Special guests from Japan will be at the Pilot tables.
Stop by to meet Mr. Yoshimasa Sugahara and Ms. Minami Obuchi.
Pilot also has a raffle for an Ishime fountain pen on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so be sure to enter for a chance to win!
HANDWRITING ANALYSIS
“Get ready for an exciting opportunity at the Washington DC Fountain Pen SUPERSHOW!
Join Pilot Corporation of America (Pilot Pen & Namiki) for a unique handwriting analysis experience.
Our Research and Development team will analyze your personal handwriting to unveil fascinating insights about your writing pressure, angles, and style.
Each session takes just 10 minutes!
This year, all handwriting analyses will be conducted by walkups only—no appointments necessary.
Simply drop by our tables, try out our exquisite Pilot fountain pens, and jot away. After your session, you can test the suggested nibs that best suit your handwriting at our table.
Don't miss this chance to discover the nuances of your handwriting with Pilot Pen & Namiki. We look forward to seeing you there! Happy writing!”
INK TESTING TABLES
A big THANK YOU to the following SUPERSHOW exhibitors who donated ink to the ever popular ink testing tables. The tables are located on the Ground Floor near the Seminar rooms - easily accessible by the staircase in the Foyer or the elevator. Visit their tables for more information on the colorful fountain pen inks.
GOULET - SAMPLE SETS - BRIAN'S, DREW'S & MUST HAVES
ITOYA - SAILOR & TACCIA
LUXURY BRANDS - COLORVERSE & NOODLERS
NAGASAWA - KOBE
PILOT - IROSHIZUKU
VANNESS - COLOR TRAVELER, INKEBARA, ROBERT OSTER
YAFA - MONTEVERDE & PRIVATE RESERVE
Additionally, ROBERT OSTER personally sent Robert Oster Signature ink in anticipation of participating at the 2025 DC Pen SUPERSHOW and having the SwatchPlay event. If all goes well, Robert will make the 2025 SUPERSHOW his very first public appearance for the brand.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2
6 - 8 PM
ERANO & LAX
present
THE GREAT DC VINTAGE PEN PANEL AND WRITE AROUND
One of the best part of fountain pen shows is the ability to try different pens while searching for that great writing experience. But when it comes older or vintage pens, however, many feel discouraged from pursuing the same experience we get from modern or contemporary pens. Not only can we use vintage pens, but they often offer a unique and beautiful writing experience that make an excellent addition to your modern pen collection.
To help bridge the gap, we hope you can join us on for a panel discussion on exploring vintage pens for use, followed by a “write around.” During the “write around,” our team of vintage pen enthusiasts will be set up with vintage pens around the room, and participants will be able to move around at their own pace to write with and sample these pens. We plan to have ink and paper available.
This is a social event and is BYOB. The purpose of this event is to create a positive experience to bridge the gap between modern/contemporary and vintage/old pen enthusiasts and collectors without the dynamics that sometimes play out on the pen show floor.
All vintage pen enthusiasts are invited to exhibit parts of their collection (perhaps ten to twenty pens are various makes) for which they are comfortable allowing fellow attendees to use without concern of “something happening” or the need for instructions. Please contact Joshua Lax and jjlaxpenco@gmail.com if you are interested in exhibiting your pens during the event.
How often have you wondered...What can I do to help?....when learning about earthquakes, floods, fires - devastion that other people are suffering?
Here is your opportunity to support our pen community after the January 1 earthquake.
Come and make a difference! This event will be held in the Lower Level of the Marriott.
PEN SHOW PLANNING
Below are several excellent You Tube links to help you attend a pen show - either as a newbie or seasoned visitor:
1. Mike Matteson, Inkdependence - How to Pen Show
Mike will present a seminar at the 2024 SUPERSHOW on Saturday, August 3 at 10 AM.
Mike has You Tube videos of the 2021, 2022, & 2023 SUPERSHOWS and will video the 2024 SUPERSHOW:
2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4H6VDF_Uww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8dxr6ZwOrI&t=3079s
2022 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46PDtKc_lS4&t=539s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z7FTPqWiho&t=12s
2023 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AZzwruSpe0&t=49s2
2. David Parker, Figboot - Pen Show 101
David will present a seminar at the 2024 SUPERSHOW on Saturday, August 3 at noon.
A QUICK PRIMER ON FOUNTAIN PENS
BRIAN GOULET PRESENTS: FOUNTAIN PEN 101
Fountain Pen 101 Part 1: What is a Fountain Pen?
Fountain Pen 101 Part 2: How Do Fountain Pens Work?
Fountain Pen 101 Part 3: How to Clean a Fountain Pen
Fountain Pen 101 Part 4: Fountain Pen Nibs Explained
Fountain Pen 101 Part 5: How to Write with a Fountain Pen
GOULET PENCAST
2023 DC Pen SUPERSHOW Live Event
In case you missed this fun event in 2023, here is the link to watch the action:
https://youtu.be/3UjoLFCM1ZQ?
BRIAN GOULET AND DREW BROWN RETURN FOR A
2024 GOULET PENCAST TAPED LIVE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 AT 11 AM