Boris Rice, a former multitermed president of the Pen Collectors of America, is co-host with fellow collector Stan Pfeiffer of the Houston Pen Show. Rice expects about 50 vendors offering vintage writing instruments and related paraphernalia as well as fine, new collectible pens. There was a time in the '80s where these old fine pens were pretty cheap and no one realized their value. But as more things got published, the values climbed. At the other end of the spectrum are the truly rare and wonderful specimens, worth well into the thousands.
Condition is important, greatly affecting value.
Don't restore, repair, clean or polish your pens unless you know absolutely what it is and what you're doing. Wiping away a century of patina can destroy value. Rice recommends reading some of the many books on fountain pens but cautions against taking values too seriously. You definitely should check out Nishimura's site. The Web site for the PCA club with almost 2,000 members.