The Chicago show was once again smaller than ever, and once again many dealers were disadvantaged by the main trading room closing at 4.30 on Saturday afternoon, to accommodate a wedding function. The foot traffic on Sunday was also down. Our next Pen Show will be the Melbourne Pen Show in November.

Over the last ten years our travel to pen shows has often included side trips to Museums and Art Galleries, as well as add-on excursions to far flung destinations.

On my recent trip to the Chicago show I took a taxi with my good friend Wally Kolberg (LVPens) to Oak Park, to visit the first home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright. His architectural work is very evident between the Victorian buildings of Oak Park, and after seeing TV documentaries and reading of his influence on American architecture, it was great to visit.

Correspondence between Frank and George Parker is published in the latest pen book (Parker Vacumatic) from the Surrenden stables and makes interesting reading.

We've just started another season of Ebay auctions. We're happy to accumulate and combine lots to reduce shipping costs.

A tribute to the late Arthur Twydle, by Jim Marshall and Laurence Oldfield.

This wire bound book (lays flat on your workbench) of 194 pages (9" x 7") is designed to be used as an addition to, and not to replace, manufacturers' manuals, or the late Frank Dubiel's "Da book".

The authors have covered many areas not previously covered, particularly in the field of European pens, and go a long way towards demystifying some of the more complex repair procedures.

Tools, tips and techniques are well covered with multiple diagrams and photographs. This book is a must for anyone considering repairing pens. Available direct from Jim (PPGallery@aol.com)

Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit!

RE Shay