San Francisco Pen Show 2025: Every Labor Day weekend, San Francisco becomes the heart of pen lovers worldwide as the San Francisco International Pen Show unfolds. What began in the 1980s as a niche gathering for collectors of vintage fountain pens has now evolved into something far bigger a colorful community of writers, artists, and creators across generations. From seasoned collectors to young journaling enthusiasts, the show has become a bridge between the golden past of fountain pens and their vibrant, modern future.
From Vintage Treasures to The Fun Pen Show
Originally, the Pen Show was all about rare and golden era pens beautifully crafted instruments from the 1920s to 1940s. But in 2014, new leadership took over and rebranded it with a fresh nickname: “The Fun Pen Show.” This wasn’t just about pens anymore it became about everything surrounding pen culture: ink, paper, journals, calligraphy, drawing, and self expression. Today, the show is bursting with energy, often spilling out of its ballroom and conference halls at the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel.
The Passion Behind the Pens
For many, collecting pens isn’t just a hobby it’s deeply personal. Syd Saperstein, one of the show’s owners, discovered his passion for fountain pens during his law school days. To him, they symbolized intellect and achievement. As he puts it, “We wanted to write with important writing instruments, because we were dealing with important papers.” That passion, shared by thousands, fuels the market where pens can range from a few dollars to masterpieces like Japan’s $18,000 Pilot Namiki collection, each hand painted and requiring months to complete.
A Global Gathering of Creativity
The Pen Show is truly international. Vendors like John Foye from Northern Ireland travel thousands of miles to showcase their curated collections pens made of gold, silver, acrylic resin, and even titanium steel. Others, like Bay Area native Steve Lesler, return year after year to share their personal collections and stories. For Lesler, it was love at first sight with a $450 Waterman Opera pen back in 1990. That passion hasn’t faded, and he continues to inspire others with his journey.
A Shift Toward Inclusivity and Youth
One of the most beautiful changes in recent years is the way the community has opened up. No longer limited to businessmen and collectors, the world of pens now attracts women, teenagers, and young adults, who are drawn to journaling, stickers, notebooks, and colorful stationery. As Finn Finnigan of Saiko Stationery puts it: “It’s a shift towards inclusivity, and everyone’s welcome: all age groups, all genders, all nationalities.”
For 17 year old Sophia Fabia, the pens are cool, but it’s the stationery and stickers that really keep her coming back. Her words highlight a larger trend the affordability and creativity of journaling has become a meaningful way for younger generations to capture memories in a digital world.
More Than Pens, It’s a Community
At its core, the San Francisco Pen Show is about connection. Whether you’re an expert collector searching for a rare nib, a teenager picking out your first journal, or a vendor traveling across continents, everyone finds a place here. The energy is warm, inclusive, and creative a celebration of not just pens, but the stories, passions, and people behind them.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information about the San Francisco International Pen Show 2025. It is written for informational and creative purposes only and does not represent the official views of the event organizers.
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