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OMOI Visits the Philly Pen Show

OMOI Visits the Philly Pen Show

By jess m

On an incredibly cold January morning, a few OMOI team members went to the Philly Pen Show! We met up for coffee beforehand to warm up.Person wearing an orange jacket holding a red brown leather notebook with a charm.

Cat's everyday carry is the TRAVELER's notebook LOVE AND TRIP Passport size.

Two leather-bound journals with charms held by a person wearing a scarf and jacke

Shai also uses the TRAVELER's notebook LOVE AND TRIP Passport size as their wallet, and the TRAVELER'S COMPANY TRAVELER'S notebook Limited Edition Record as their everyday notebook. We love seeing how staff members customize their notebooks~

A going through a black and brown bag with decorative Western elements
Adrian's bag of the day is a styled BAGGU Medium Nylon Bowler Bag in Western Appliqué. So many cute charms!
Three people walking on a city sidewalk with urban architecture and street elements in the background.
With our warm drinks in hand, we trekked against the brutal wind to the show, filled with eager excitement. Shai has gone to the pen show in a previous year, but it was the first time for the remaining team members who went.
City street with tall buildings with City Hall in the background under a clear blue sky.
Sheraton Hotel interior with a escalator and glass ceiling. Bottom floor has a dining area.
The Philly Pen show takes place at the Sheraton Hotel.
Display of various colorful pens at a table with descriptive tags and prices.Person taking a photo of fountain pen ink products with a smartphone at an event.
We weren't exactly sure what to expect, but as soon as we walked in we were met with the bustling crowd and vendors passionately talking all things fountain pens and stationery.
Adrian and Cat at a counter with a display of products, and a close-up of ink swatches.
Cat was on the hunt for an new cool toned brown ink!
Shai using a stamp on a table, surrounded by notebooks and writing instruments.
Person wearing face mask and eye gear repairing fountain pen while two people sit across a table.
Nibmeister hard at work.
Collection of various foauntain pens in a display case.
Small dog in a plaid coat on a carpeted floor with a chair in the background
Brief interlude for this adorable dog.
Collection of vintage bullet pens in a bin with a price sign.
People were selling their vintage collections with some pens being manufactured as early at the 1920s and 30s.
Hand holding a vintage fountain pen with a calendar at the top with a blurred background of pens.
An old pen with a calendar at the top. It reads July 1920!
Hand holding a small case holding a pen with faded personalized writing on the inside of the case.
People browsing through items on tables at a convention for sale. Rows of briefcases open showing fountain pens.
Text on a piece of paper saying 'Life is too short to own an ugly pen!' with a pen and pen case in the background.
That's right.
Table displaying various pens and writing instruments at the pen show
Big shoutout to Deb Peck at the show. We spent a lot of time at her booth, and her collection was focused on smaller, compact sized fountain pens that fit better in women's hands. She helped us pick out pens that we'll love and use for a lifetime. Thanks Deb!
After the show, we headed back to our warehouse studio to wrap our production (and to play with the pens and ink we purchased :). ) 
Set of pens and ink bottles on a wooden surface with a box in the background.
Cat's picks:
  • Inks: Taccia Ukiyo-e Ink in the color Syaraku-Kurocha and Colorverse Hubble 
  • Zoom Platinum Modern Maki-e Brush Pen (and platinum converter)
  • Vintage Bayard Lever fill fountain pens (red and black ones)
Collage of notebooks, pens, and ink cartridges on a wooden surface.

Shai's picks:

  • Swirly green/white pen: 1920's Spors Crescent Filler Pen with Glass nib (From Japan)
  • Snakelike mechanical pencil: 1930's Conklin Pen Co. Mechanical Pencil with 1mm lead (Made in Toledo, Ohio) with Eversharp square leads
  • Black and silver web pen: No brand, is actually a knock off inspired by the MontBlanc Patron of Art 1993 Octavian 4810 and the Pelikan 2002 Spirit of the Gaudi Pen. Iridium Point FP Nib
  • Inks: Colorverse Coast Redwood, Redwood Forest, Methuselah Grove, and Extra Dimension; Sailor x Mizutama Limited Ink Set

  • Field Notes Fall Flowers 3 pack

Collage of vintage advertisements and pens and notebooks laying on top

Adrian's picks:

  • Emily in Paris X Sheaffer Sentinel 321 Pink Matte Finish Ballpoint Pen
  • Emily in Paris X Sheaffer Small Journal
  • 4 different 1960s print advertisements including Coca Cola, Frigidaire, Bulova and Smith Corona Electric Typewriters
  • Vintage 1950s Esterbrook Purse Fountain Pen in Aloha Gold + an additional Medium Nib in original packaging!
  • Vintage 1950s Papermate Ballpoint Pen
  • Field Notes Memo Book Set of 3 in FNC-56: HATCH
  • Colorverse No. 46 JFK's Dog Pushinka Bottled Ink
Thanks for coming along on the journey to the 2026 Philly Pen Show with us!

 

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1 comment

  • Fran

    Big fan of the Philly Pen show. I haven’t been in a few years. I will definitely have to go next year.

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