5 minute read 📖

In this issue you will read about:

1. The 2nd pen launched in the Churchill Heritage Range
2. International Churchill Conference in Washington DC
3. Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee pen made by Conway Stewart
4. The Great Exhibition Pen by Henry Simpole
5. The Conway Stewart pen used in the film Indiana Jones
6. New barrel engraving – going back to our tradition

Enjoy a wonderful festive season with your loved ones

Welcome to the 21st edition of Manuscript giving you all the news from Bespoke British Pens

Firstly may I wish you a very Happy Christmas, and thank you for your custom in 2019. Enjoy, and may 2020 be a wonderful New Year.

If you enjoy reading the 'Manuscript', please forward a copy to your friends and colleagues. My son Ed also asks to help spread the word by following us on our social media – you will find all the links at the bottom of this email. It all helps to spread the word about BBP worldwide!

P.S. If you have any suggestions to help improve our service or products please get in touch

The Launch of the Churchill Heritage “Never Give In”

Since the last edition of Manuscript in June, we launched the 2nd pen in the Churchill Heritage range which has one of Winston’s most famous phrases, and a great motto for life -  “Never Give In”. This is available with sterling silver or 9ct gold fittings.

The 36th International Churchill Conference

Following the launch of this 2nd Heritage pen, I attended the international Churchill Conference in Washington DC for 3 days. For all Winston Churchill admirers, I strongly recommend you join this wonderful society – WinstonChurchill.org 

At this year’s conference, there were many captivating and informative lectures by eminent historians such as Andrew Roberts and Dr Klaus Larres. I also visited the Capitol Building where I sat in the House of Representatives and heard from a retired congressman– truly fascinating!

I also met the retired US Navy Admiral James Stavridis (NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe 2009-2013) who gave the Keynote speech of the conference with a very illuminating account of the current world. He is also a collector of Conway Stewart Churchill pens, and recently commissioned BBP to make him a Sterling Silver Admiral’s Pen. I was very honoured to meet him. The launch of the 3rd pen in the Heritage range will be launched in January – The Churchill Heritage “KBO” Pen.

The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Churchill

In 2002, Conway Stewart made six 18ct gold Churchill pens to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee. Two of these pens were given to the Queen for her use, and the other 4 were sold to collectors. I am pleased to confirm we have recently bought back the prototype of this pen from Don Yendle who was then MD of Conway Stewart. This stunning pen has a button filling system, and with it came a letter from Buckingham Palace thanking Conway Stewart for the pens. This pen and the letter have pride of place in our new Conway Stewart Archive Collection.

The Conway Stewart Great Exhibition Pen

The Conway Stewart Great Exhibition pen launched in 2006 was produced to celebrate the Great Exhibition of 1851. Crafted by hand by the famous English pen overlay genius Henry Simpole, the Great Exhibition pen is the largest fountain pen that Conway Stewart ever sold measuring 8 inches – see the photo to compare it to a Churchill. The overlay is in Sterling Silver and is stamped with the English Assay hallmark for quality, and the pen is fitted with an 18ct Conway Stewart nib. In 2006 Stylus magazine published a feature on the pen.

In keeping with the historic theme, the pen uses a filling mechanism typically used in the late 1800’s; the Eye Dropper. The size of this pen and this method of ink filling gives the pen an incredible ink capacity equivalent to 8 x standard international ink cartridges. We have two of these pens for sale.

Conway Stewart Pen used in the Indiana Jones Film

We recently heard from an avid collector of replica props from the Indiana Jones movie franchise, that he had acquired a vintage Conway Stewart Series 58 Lever-fill pen which was featured in the iconic scene in Last Crusade where Sir Sean Connery (playing Henry Jones Sr.) blinded the Nazi tank driver with his fountain pen.

At his request and as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the film, we have agreed to make a few replica Conway Stewart lever-fill Series 58 fountain pens as used in the film. Read the blog here.

Traditional Conway Stewart Barrel engraving

We have bought a new engraving machine so can now offer the traditional barrel engraving on most Conway Stewart pens. If you want this, then simply add “Engraving” to your order and write “Traditional CS barrel engraving” in the “Engraving Details” box.