A friend in need

Stan Pfeiffer, pen collector, multi-year host of the LA Pen Show, attorney and friend passed away on July 27. This weekend, at the Washington DC Fountain Pen Supershow, raffles will be held to defray some of Stan's medical expenses from his lengthy illness and the damage to his house from a fire that nearly destroyed it. The drawings will be held at the end of the show on Sunday, August 12, and you need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are $5, and prizes include pens, ink, journals and hardbound copies of the Stylus Annual. Stop by the Shaw Pens table to purchase tickets throughout the weekend and to get more information.

Pippi's Pretty Pen Shoppe

Pippi's Pen Shoppe in York, PA, is welcoming Alan Shaw, artisanal pen maker and owner of Shaw Pens, to her shop on February 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. Shaw will be showcasing his latest unique creations and offering some Valentine's Day specials, as well as some tips on caring for your pens. One of Shaw's latest releases is the Gilbert collection, honoring William Gilbert, a sixteenth century physician and astronomer known for his studies of magnetism. The collection includes a ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pen with steel nib and fountain pen with 18-karat gold nib. Prices range from $110 to $420.

Shaw Pens at the Philadelphia Pen Show

Shaw Pens is presenting its Art Deco series of pens at the upcoming Philadelphia Pen Show. The caps and barrels are made from volcanic ash, and the trim is black titanium with gold accents. A single Swarovski crystal accents the trim. The collection is available as a ballpoint ($290) or a fountain pen with either an 18-karat gold ($530) or steel ($380) nib. Shaw Pens has been introducing some really interesting pens of late, and I believe they are raffling two pens at the PA show this weekend.

Bigger and better for Shaw Pens

Alan Shaw of Shaw Pens is moving to a larger building in Glenside, PA, to accommodate the increased pen production needed for his growing business. The new location is more than twice the size of his previous pen shop, and he's expectantly awaiting a new laser engraver and other cutting-edge machinery. Shaw is planning an open house in the fall. Stay tuned, or wait for your invitation to come in the mail. Congrats, Alan.

Test drive

Alan Shaw of Shaw Pens recently told me about his new partnership with the Porsche Club of America. The result? A great-looking carbon fiber fountain pen produced by Shaw and available exclusively through the club. At the moment, the pen is only available with a steel nib but it looks like a future holds the option of an 18-karat nib. The pen, priced at $460, was introduced at the Porsche Parade in St. Charles, Illinois, in early July. The cap crown features the club's logo. Shaw has introduced some interesting limited edition pens of late. I am impressed with their bespoke craftsmanship and, of course, Alan's absolute enthusiasm.