I think this is a good idea. And back to my monthly top 25 (or whatever the Number would be), each month the top pens could be shown. Then the annual voting something like you describe would be a good way to induct the pens. To me this is a good way to get the membership as a whole involved. And it removes the issue of sending in a pen for review, and having a panel of judges.
I like that idea, also. That would make it easier to select the pens. The top monthly pens get added to a poll to pick the top yearly pens,
and then the top number of them could be sent in to be judged.
You had me until "
and then the top number of them could be sent in to be judged." I don't think we need a panel of judges, or for the pens to be sent in. I see 2 problems with this. 1, some people won't send in their pens, so they are removed from the competition. 2nd, many of these pens might well have been sold before the end of the year. So to be considered, your asking a customer to send in his/her pen? I doubt that would happen considering the amount of money these pens would command. I don't think we need to make this complicated. Being voted for by your peers is about the best compliment there is IMHO.