•Vendor Name: Rick Propas
• Business Name: The Penguin
• State/Country: California, USA
• Phone, Email and Website. +1 510-754-3278 rickpropas@comcast.net thepenguinpen.com
• Brands/Description of your products/Services: We sell all models of writing instruments, focusing on Pelikans, Parkers and pens from Germany, Italy, with an emerging interest in Japanese pens. We have a large and growing inventory of modern Pelikan pens.
• How long have you been active in the fine writing industry and accessories? I have been a collector since 1984, and a seller since 2001.
• About your business/ What was your inspiration, and how did it get started? The penguin was born out of my activity as a collector. After 15 years of collecting I wanted to help others to find quality pens at affordable prices. My role in the community afforded me the opportunity to expand both my own collection and help others.
• What do you think sets your products/services apart from other vendors/exhibitors? I try to access only the very best quality of those pens I deal in and I back that up with what I believe is the best service in the business and three year guarantee on all our workmanship.
•What’s an interesting fact about your business that most people don’t know? I collect and sell pens other than Pelikan.
• What’s a project you’re working on right now? Why is it meaningful to you? I am building a new collection of mid-range Japanese pens and have begun to offer those on the website. And we are focusing more on modern and new pens.
• Do you have any new product releases or exciting updates? I’m focusing on making more informational videos and offering more pens from a wider range of makers.
• Why you are excited to be at the Baltimore/Washington International Pen Show 2024 (BWIPS)? Over the past few years BWIPS has become my favorite show, apart from my home show in SF.
• What unique and distinctive products/services are you offering specifically to the BWIPS attendees that they might not find elsewhere? I would like to think that everyone here is anxious to help and to educate the new collector who may have more questions than money. We love sharing our knowledge and enthusiasm.
• What do you think sets the BWIPS apart from other pen shows? No other organizer does more than Adam and Bert to ensure that vendors and sellers have a fine time. Their willingness to roll up their sleeves and give us a fine time is unparalled. Come for the pens and enjoy the people!
• Are you offering exclusive BWIPS discounts for a particular product or service at our show? If yes, how can our attendees contact you to obtain these offers? All day, everyday we offer the best prices and service that we can. We are always ready to do our best to get the right pens into the right hands.
• Is there anything special or new you are particularly excited to introduce at the 2024 BWIPS? We are excited to offer a small handful of Japanese pens at the show.
• What advice would you offer to first-time attendees of the 2024 BWIPS? Don’t forget to breathe, hydrate, take breaks as necessary. And Enjoy!!
• Favorite place you’ve traveled? My wife and I love Ireland and every year we go north to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
• Fun fact that people probably don’t know about you! Despite being a fat old guy, I am deeply committed to physical fitness and wellness.
• Where are you from? Born in Montreal, raised in California.
• What’s your go-to comfort food? Too many to list and too many I should avoid.
• Describe what a perfect day outside of work would look like for you. A long workout or hike followed by a good cigar and a good book.
• What would be the theme song of your life right now? We will Rock You!
• Who is someone that made a big impact on your life? Why? My high school teacher Eugene Friedman, who opened me to the life of the mind.
• What excites you the most right now? Living a good life with my wife, Sharon, and daughter, Anna, who manages the backend of our website, and Japanese maki e pens and restoring my 1974 BMW 2002 touring.
• What is the best restaurant you’ve ever visited in Baltimore, Maryland? I go where friends that know more than I take me.
• What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever done? I would rather not talk about that.
• Are you a morning person or a night owl? Whatever it takes to get the job done.
You can view a vast selection of The Penguin writing instruments and accessories in person at the Baltimore/Washington International Pen Show 2024.
Buying your admission tickets in advance for the Baltimore/Washington International Pen Show 2024 will save valuable time—no more standing in long lines or wasting precious moments of your day.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
