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Introduction To Conway Stewart
Pens
Combining the rare
attractions of fine British craftsmanship allied to
exquisite design plus an unswerving commitment to
quality, a Conway Stewart pen is the ultimate
inspirational gift or self-indulgence.  As precious and
irreplaceable as fine jewellery, a Conway Stewart is a
lifelong treasure, an heirloom of the future to be
cherished now and for generations to come.
Visually
captivating, Conway Stewart draws its inspiration from
the heyday of British fountain pen design of the 1920s
and 30s, a period acknowledged for its sophistication
and style.  With their distinctive profiles, Conway
Stewart writing instruments are fashioned in a range of
traditional and modern materials as well as hallmarked
solid 18ct gold and sterling silver.
Each pen is
hand-crafted and polished, the final creation being a
unique object of beauty. The ranges include a number of
highly prized limited editions and the striking designs
amply provide for every taste, from classical
understated elegance to contemporary chic. To suit all
writing preferences and afford the widest possible
choice, the Conway Stewart writing systems offer
fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil and roller ball.
All Conway Stewart writing instruments come
with a 100 year guarantee – the ultimate proof of
absolute confidence.
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The
18ct Gold Collection
To pen connoisseurs and
those who seek rarity, beauty and uniqueness in their
possessions, the Conway Stewart limited edition 18ct
solid gold range is the ultimate writing instrument. Hand
sculpted from solid gold, adorned with meticulous care in four
superb finishes and fitted with an 18ct gold nib, the range
represents Conway Stewart’s crowning achievement. Each limited
to 50 pieces, they are enjoyed and cherished as any precious
work of art.
The Harlequin and the Centenary are hand adorned
with the finest enamel inlays painstakingly built up in layers
and then fired and polished to produce a unique lustre. The
richly-coloured enamel and gleaming 18ct gold contrast
magnificently to create a highly arresting visual effect.
Intricately hand carved in an enduringly popular pattern, the
Barley Corn is surely one of the most beautiful and
sophisticated 18ct solid gold pens ever created. Like all fine
objects crafted from solid 18ct gold, this pen is a tactile
and visual delight. It takes the artist two months to create a
Floral Rose, hand painting the exquisitely attractive pattern
on the 18ct solid gold base and then finishing each piece with
a signature and the pen’s individual number. The 18ct Gold
Collection is available as a fountain pen only.
| Gold
Barleycorn |
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| Gold
Floral Rose |
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| Gold
Harlequin |
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The Sterling
Silver Collection
There is something
infinitely satisfying about the look and feel of a pen created
from solid sterling silver. And Conway Stewart has never lost
an opportunity for showing this most malleable of precious
metals to full sculptural and light-catching advantage. The
silversmith’s art is shown superbly in the Fifty Eight series
fashioned from solid sterling silver and featuring the
intricately carved jewellers Barley Corn pattern further
adorned with a silver clip and a rhodium plated Iridium tipped
18ct gold nib. The Sterling Silver Collection is available as
a fountain pen and ballpoint.
| 58
Series Sterling Silver |
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The One Hundred
Series
This range has been
reintroduced to celebrate the Conway Stewart centenary year in
2005. Sleek and subtly curvaceous,  the One Hundred Series
looks fondly back to the Art Deco movement that captured the
imagination of designers a century ago. This series is offered
in the traditional materials of the era, as well as modern
colourful resins and in a range of captivating designs.
The Conway Stewart 100 is a
reintroduction of one of their famous models of the 1940's and
50's. Like the Churchill and Duro, it is a large pen,
carefully fashioned from distinct resin finishes with gold
trim rings and 18ct gold nib and features Conway Stewart's own
piston filling mechanism to ensure a large ink capacity. 
The range of for this model is
extensive, with a choice of fine-, medium- or broad-italic
(FI, MI, BI respectively) and double-broad (BB) as well as
standard fine, medium and broad points. All pens are made to
order and individually numbered. The One Hundred Series is
available as a fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil and roller
ball. |
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| Lapis
Blue |
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See
more of this collection
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The
Silver Duro Collection
The Silver Duro range is
inspired by one of Conway Stewart’s earliest design triumphs. 
With a choice of classic or exotic contemporary styling, each
piece is fashioned from a sterling silver rod, complemented
with a hand applied, delicately translucent resin veneer,
creating a unique celebration of colour and design. Each pen
is hallmarked and fitted with a rhodium plated, Iridium tipped
18ct gold nib. The Silver Duro Collection is available as a
fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil and roller ball.
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| Classic
Green |
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See
more of this collection
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The
Churchill Collection
Inspired by the great
British statesman, the Churchill is in every way an impressive
pen, and not least because of its size. Available both in
traditional materials such as ebonite and modern resins, the
Churchill is offered in a superb range of designs and colours,
from classic black to the riotously vibrant. |
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The Churchill is
available made from either black or coloured resin, or
ebonite in a either traditional carved pattern or
rippled effect, each part of each pen is individually
crafted from solid rod then hand polished. Trim rings
are made of 18ct gold as is the extra large nib. All
pens are presented in a large gift box with cigar and
book of Churchill's quotations. All pens are made to
order and individually numbered.
The range of nib widths for this
model has recently expanded with a choice of
fine-italic, medium-italic or broad-italic (FI, MI, BI
respectively), extra-fine (EF) and double-broad (BB)
as well as the previous fine, medium and broad versions.
However, rhodium plated nibs are only available in F, M
or B sizes. All pens are supplied with a medium nib by
default so if you wish to order your pen with a
particular nib please indicate your preference in the
comments section of the order form.The Churchill
Collection is available as a fountain pen, ballpoint,
pencil and roller ball.
Please note that resin-made pens
are available with a traditional lever-fill system as
well as a converter. You can specify which type when
ordering. Casein pens are available as
cartridge/converter only. |
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Lapis Blue |
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more of this collection
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The
Duro Collection
To pen or many
connoisseurs, the Duro is the ultimate pen profile, its bold
dramatic outline evoking all the elegant chic of the 1920s,
unquestionably the heyday of fountain pen design. The Duro is
made from modern resins, with traditional and classic modern
designs artfully created to stunning visual effect. The Conway
Stewart "Duro" is a modern interpretation of the renowned Duro
pens of the 1930's. Like the 100 and Churchill it is a large
pen, carefully fashioned from distinct resin or ebonite
finishes with solid gold hallmarked trim rings and 18ct gold
nib. Its traditional looks extend to the filling mechanism as
unscrewing the "blind cap" at the end of the barrel will
reveal a button filler as found on the original Duro pens.The
range of nib widths for this model is also extensive, with a
choice of fine-, medium- or broad-italic (FI, MI, BI
respectively) and double-broad (BB) as well as standard fine,
medium and broad points. All pens are made to order and
individually numbered. The Duro Collection is available as a
fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil and roller ball.
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| Classic
Green |
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See
more of this collection
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The
Nelson Collection
In celebration of Lord Nelson and the crew of his flagship HMS Victory who
famously won the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st of October 1805. Conway Stewart has
introduced the Nelson collection. The cap top is conical in shape and the
nautical theme is continued and accentuated by the three solid 18k gold bands on
the cap - one large and two slim denoting Nelson's rank of Vice Admiral at the
Battle of Trafalgar. The fountain pen features either an integral piston filling
mechanism or a piston-converter filling mechanism and the large 18k nib is
available in all sizes from extra-fine to double-broad, plus 3 italic grades.
The Nelson measures 148mm long when capped, 136mm with cap removed and 180mm
with cap posted. Its barrel diameter is 13.3mm.
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| Classic
Brown |
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more of this collection
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The Dandy Collection
The Dandy typifies the
understated elegance of 1920s pen design and is one of Conway
Stewart’s most distinctive profiles. Discreet in size, which
adds greatly to its charm, the Dandy is offered in both
traditional and modern materials and a selection of alluring
designs. 2005 sees the latest development of this classic
model range finished with a distinct peaked cap rather than
the traditional standard knurled end finish and available in
glorious colours specific to this style. Both Dandy styles are
available as a fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil and roller
ball.
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The Fifty Eight
Series
The Fifty Eight Series
has a classic profile – sublimely elegant with smooth lines
and tremendous character. It is available in modern vibrant
colours, traditional materials such as ebonite and casein, and
a solid silver limited edition finished with an intricately
carved barley corn pattern. The Fifty Eight Series is
available as a fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil and roller
ball. |
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|
Meteor |
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See
more of this collection
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The Dinkie Collection
Petite but
perfectly formed, the Dinkie is a small pen with a big
personality. Available in hallmarked solid sterling
silver with gold trim and traditional casein, the Dinkie
range also includes designs inspired by the famous
Tiffany lamp, an icon of an artistically inspirational
age. The Dinkie was first launched in 1925, the first
truly small pen. Dinkies are naturally cartridge pens as
they are too small to take a standard converter so
accept a standard size cartridge. The Dinkie Collection
is available as a fountain pen and ballpoint. |
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| Blue Tiffany |
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See
more of this collection
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Traditional
Materials
While drawing
inspiration from the 1920s and 30s, the heyday of
fountain pen design, Conway Stewart has been a
torchbearer in the continuing use of traditional
materials developed for a bygone age – materials whose
character confers a uniqueness on each pen unmatched by
their modern counterparts. Such characterful, visually
stunning materials include casein, remarkably a milk
protein which when cured and stabilised for a minimum of
twelve months produces a hard material of silken
smoothness that is perfect for pen manufacture.
Enduringly popular is the Fifty Eight series in natural
ivory colour casein, contrasting with the appeal of the
bright 18ct gold trim and nib. Another traditional
material championed by Conway Stewart is ebonite, a
by-product of India rubber, so called because it calls
to mind the hardness and lustre of fine ebony. An ideal
material for the robust and rugged Churchill fountain
pen enhanced with generous 18ct gold nib and trim And
finally we use vulcanite, also derived from India
rubber, its unique character producing the startlingly
attractive and ever changing red ripple design admirably
displayed here on the Duro Collection fountain pen,
again finished with 18ct gold nib and fittings. The
Traditional Materials Collection is available as a
fountain pen, ballpoint, pencil and roller ball.
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More About Conway
Stewart Pens
Conway Stewart produces
some of the finest hand crafted luxury writing
instruments in the world. We are the only
manufacturer of quality pens in the UK. Our pens
are individually turned, assembled and polished.
We use only solid 18 carat Gold or Sterling Silver
nibs and bands.
Manufacturing flexibility
means Conway Stewart are able to bring
new products to market faster than other pen
manufacturers and our skilled craftsmen have
produced some of the most innovative and beautiful
designs available. They have the capability
to meet both consumers’ requirements for a one off
bespoke design, through to a corporate customer
requirement for a pen befitting their brand
produced in high volumes.
The Conway Stewart product
range falls into two categories, Limited Edition
pens and Core Range Pens. Limited Editions Unique,
elegant and beautifully crafted in a range of
exceptional materials, Conway Stewart Limited
Edition pens demonstrate Conway Stewart’s love of
attention to detail and challenging designs. Each
piece is a triumph of British design and
engineering and is lovingly crafted by hand from
solid gold, silver and a range of stylish enamels
and finishes. Each model is available in very
limited numbers (edition sizes vary from just 10
pens worldwide) thus having the opportunity to see
or hold one is a rare opportunity indeed.
The Core Range Pens range
comprises of a collections of pens, many based on
classic Conway Stewart designs and some with a
modern twist. The Churchill, Duro, 100 Series and
Nelson collections form our core resin pen range.
Each is produced in a range of stunning colours
lovingly crafted at our Devon workshop. These pens
are fitted with 18 carat hallmarked solid gold
nibs and bands and feature a range of both modern
and classic filling mechanisms.
The core range also
includes designs created in Sterling Silver. The
Drake, Silver Duro, Silver Dinkie and Elegance
Nightingale pens are crafted to the highest
standards and are a mix of traditional Conway
Stewart and modern designs. All core range pens
are individually numbered and are presented with a
certificate of authenticity ensuring the owner
knows that they possess an original and highly
treasured Conway Stewart design.
The Richmere catalogue
contains the Conway Stewart Dandy, 58 and Dinkie
Collections. These models have been discontinued
from the core range and replaced with the
Nelson collection. However, these models are
available as one-off bespoke pens and are
available for the standard Retail price plus the
bespoke charge of £100 GBP per pen. If
you are interested in purchasing 25 units of
the same model, the bespoke charge will be waived.
Please contact us for further details and prices
of these models.
All Conway Stewart pens
come presented in luxurious packaging with the
same high quality and attention to detail that is
taken over the pens. This packaging range is
produced in a number of high quality materials and
includes solid lacquered wooden boxes, all
featuring the Conway Stewart brand
identity. The accessory range includes high
quality leather pen cases and inks in a range of
colour options.
Conway Stewart Pen Materials
Explained
The Conway Stewart Resin
pens : Conway Stewart use only the highest quality
resin available in a range of exciting and unique
colours. The manufacturing process of each resin
design ensures that every Conway Stewart produced
in coloured resin has a pattern totally unique to
that pen. This means that no two coloured resin
pens are identical, ensuring your Conway Stewart
pen is totally unique to you.
Conway Stewart Traditional
Materials
Before the advent of resin
and acrylics, pen manufacturers used a range of
materials to produce pens. Conway Stewart has been
a torchbearer in the continuing use of traditional
materials developed for a bygone age – materials
whose character confers uniqueness on each pen
unmatched by their modern counterparts.
Ebonite : Ebonite is a
by-product of India rubber, so called because it
calls to mind the hardness and lustre of fine
ebony. An ideal material for the robust and rugged
Churchill fountain pen enhanced with generous 18ct
gold nib and trim
Vulcanite : Vulcanite,
also derived from India rubber. Its unique
character producing the startlingly attractive and
ever changing red ripple design admirably
displayed on the Duro Collection fountain pen.
Casein : Casein is perhaps
the most unusual traditional material in the
Conway Stewart collection. Casein is, remarkably a
milk protein which when cured and stabilised for a
minimum of twelve months produces a hard material
of silken smoothness that is perfect for pen
manufacture. Enduringly popular is the 100 series
in natural ivory colour casein, contrasting with
the appeal of the bright 18ct gold trim and nib.
Precious Metals
Gold : Conway Stewart gold
pens and gold bands are produced only in the
finest 18 carat solid gold. Each pen featuring our
gold is hallmarked with the Conway Stewart
Hallmark as well as the English Gold Hallmark, the
world accepted standard for precious metal.
Silver : Conway Stewart
silver pens and silver bands are produced only in
the finest solid sterling silver (.925). Each
solid silver pen bears the English Sterling Silver
Hallmark, the world accepted standard for precious
metal.
Nibs
All Conway Stewart nibs
are made from solid 18 ct gold and feature an
iridium tip. The nibs featured on our solid silver
pens are also solid 18 ct gold, with a rhodium
plating to compliment the silver finish of the
pen.
The 100 Year Guarantee
This is a bold commitment by
Conway Stewart, to offer all new customers a 100
year guarantee with each pen, during
which they will repair or replace a pen free
of charge if there is a defect due to faulty
materials or workmanship and the customer has complied with the
recommended Conway Stewart service plan.
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Conway
Stewart has a distinguished history dating back to the early years
of the last century. Over the decades, Conway Stewart has grown into
a luxury brand synonymous with exquisite style and painstaking
craftsmanship – a brand inspired by the finest creative traditions
of the past. Conway Stewart took its first step to fame during a
period of unparalleled optimism and prosperity. In 1905, the new
King, Edward VII, was a celebrated figure throughout Europe, adding
sparkle and verve to his realm. The Boer War was a fading memory and
the Great War had yet to throw its dark shadow over a sunny peaceful
land. The golden Edwardian era was indeed the perfect time in Great
Britain for two industrious and ambitious young men, Frank Jarvis
and Tommy Garner, to set up their own fountain pen business.
Already experienced in commerce – Frank had
been a “traveller in fountain pens” for some years for the eminent
firm of Henry Mead & Sons – they foresaw a rosy future for this
rapidly developing type of writing instrument. With joint capital of
£50, the pair established themselves in a small room at Paternoster
Row, in the heart of the City of London, rented for five shillings a
week.
The origins of the Conway Stewart name are
uncertain. Some pen historians maintain that it was inspired by the
names of two music hall comedians. Others that it represented the
owners’ attachment to both Wales and Scotland. Whatever its
provenance, Conway Stewart came in time to be recognised as
synonymous with excellence – a recognition as steadfast today as
during the last century. In the early years of the business, the
pair operated as wholesalers, buying pens from America and
elsewhere, and selling them to City of London firms.
But ever open to new ideas, they soon saw
the benefits of manufacturing and assembling their own products.
Inventive and innovative, the firm’s founders set about giving
Conway Stewart that unique character which sets it apart from all
other pens. New patents flowed from the drawing boards of this
industrious company. In 1910 came the Conway pump-action pen. In1919
they introduced the first all-British made leverfiller pen. These
innovations were followed by the first vibrantly coloured pen made
of resin. Previously only black and a limited number of plain
colours had hitherto been available. Shortly after came two leaps
forward in filling mechanism design – the button-filled pen and then
the Ink-Visible piston filler.
The 20s were indisputably the heyday for
fountain pen design, and the distinctive elegance of that decade has
been a perpetual source of inspiration to Conway Stewart ever since.
It was during the 20s that many of Conway Stewart’s most famous
styles were introduced, including the classic and enduringly popular
Duro, the beautifully profiled Dandy and the diminutive but
perfectly formed Dinkie. Adding further interest to Conway Stewart’s
pens was the imaginative use of attractive and interesting materials
– materials such as vulcanite, made from vulcanised rubber – and
casein, astonishingly a product derived from milk that over many
months hardens to form a satisfyingly workable solid. Such
materials, although now largely superseded by resins, have never
lost their charm for Conway Stewart, and their unique properties can
still be enjoyed in many of the ranges that are available today. By
the late 20s, the Conway Stewart name was known throughout the
Empire. Wherever the British flag flew, there was sure to be a
Conway Stewart agent, ready to espouse the virtues of this most
British of brands. The fame of the company grew each year demanding
a burgeoning army of craftsmen and commercial travellers, and moves
into ever-more imposing factories in the centre of London.
The pace of change at the company rarely
slackened. New patents kept Conway Stewart up to the minute with the
latest writing instrument technology. Expertise with fountain pens
smoothly spread to other products, such as the propelling pencil,
the most exciting development in the field for many years. New
designs issued forth from the skilled team, each more eagerly
received than the last. Not even the Second World War could stem the
tide of creativity and the post War period saw a blossoming of new
styles, including the classic 58. That Conway Stewart emerged from
the struggle for freedom in such excellent shape is a tribute to the
brand’s strength. Nothing could stop its onward march – not the
Blitz, which almost destroyed the London factory, nor the shortage
of materials and skilled workers. Like Winston Churchill, who
reputedly used a Conway Stewart pen throughout the war years and
after whom one of the current ranges is named, the brand refused to
surrender its place as Britain’s leading pen brand.
The 50s were exciting years for Conway
Stewart. With years of rationing and restrictions over, people once
again began to celebrate the finer things that money can buy. A new
‘Never Had It So Good’ era, with a new Queen on the throne and a
resurgence of optimism gave an added impetus to the brand. Conway
Stewart celebrated its half century in style – with record sales and
a huge influx of capital. But as with all business, having scaled
great heights, Conway Stewart entered a period of retrenchment. The
old commitment to quality and innovation was unwavering, as shown by
its introduction of the retractable ballpoint pen, then a
revolutionary development. Yet for many years the success which had
made Conway Stewart a worldclass company was absent. Inflation,
competition from cheaper imports, and the public’s drift away from
using fountain pens all had a detrimental effect on the business.
Conway Stewart still enjoyed the staunch loyalty of many customers,
but sadly not enough to ignite interest among a new generation of
pen buyers.
In recent times the ownership of Conway
Stewart has changed and moved to new locations in a bid to
re-establish its position. Yet it was never a question of ‘if’ this
would happen, but ‘when’. With a brand of such strength and
heritage, the setback to its fortunes was never going to be more
than temporary. And, indeed, in the mid 1990s Conway Stewart was
revived, recapturing its traditional reputation for excellence,
craftsmanship and style. Drawing on its vast design library,
including many of the most beautiful pens ever created, Conway
Stewart relaunched itself as the brand we know today – superbly
crafted, stunningly designed modern writing instruments inspired by
the classic profiles and materials of the past. Relocated to its
present home outside Plymouth, on the edge of the Dartmoor National
Park in Devon, Conway Stewart is finding a new generation of
discerning and loyal users – including heads of state, Prime
Ministers and US presidents. Interest in the brand has grown
exponentially, as luxury and specialist retailers have become aware
of the tremendous opportunity that Conway Stewart represents. From
the exquisitely precious Harlequin or Floral Rose – each limited to
50 pieces – to the strikingly original pens made from colourful
resins, Conway Stewart appeals to all who appreciate giving or
receiving something of real and lasting value.
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