When a company exists more than one hundred years, that's something. When it spends several years of research to develop a single pen, well, that must be fantastic. And indeed, Conway Stewart pens are the most beautiful ones I have ever seen.
Article continues below
In 1905, Mr. Frank Jarvis and Mr. Thomas Garner formed Conway Stewart & Co. Limited. They had a single goal in mind, to produce elegant, timeless and functional writing instruments - a principle that Conway Stewart holds true to this day. From 1905 the Company became one of the leading purveyors of fountain pens in England which in 1923 employed more than 500 people. In 1935 Conway Stewart listed its shares on the London Stock Exchange, raising further capital for expansion and development.
During the huge growth in letter writing during the First World War their pens played a significant part in those cherished letters that passed between soldiers at the front and loved ones at home. Their pens were also used throughout World War II by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In 1951 the company moved the factory to Mile End London and the modern post war era of Conway Stewart started.
Conway Stewart has made many British pens of iconic status. The company introduced such timeless classics as the Conway Stewart Dinkie "the smallest practical fountain pen ever made", launched in 1922, and still being made in the same traditional way. This was the world's first pen to be made in volume in coloured resin and began a historical connection between Conway Stewart and the use of exciting vibrant colours, a part of company's heritage.
Other famous pens include the Conway Stewart 100 introduced in 1954 (and recently re-introduced to celebrate centenary year) and the beautiful flower pattern pen of 1955 (the Company's Golden Jubilee) known as the Conway Stewart No 22 "Floral", which is today produced in solid gold and hand painted enamel. Another classic pattern, the herringbone (in green, red and blue and the ultra-rare silver and even rarer gold) was introduced during the years 1957/58. The Cracked Ice and Tigers Eye patterned pens introduced in the 1950's still excite everybody who sees one for the first time and are eagerly sought by collectors around the world, who willingly pay hundreds of times the original cost to acquire them.
Typically three things are very important in choosing your perfect luxury pen: weight, balance and Aesthetics. Weight and aesthetics are very much personal choice but until now there has been no convenient way to adjust the centre of gravity of a pen to your own personal preference. Conway Stewart has completed a three year program to develop this unique and revolutionary system that allows you to adjust the balance of your pen to suit your personal handwriting style. This is achieved from an integral adjustment that shifts the centre of gravity from the front to the back of the pen depending on your preference.
If you use your pen extensively this can reduce fatigue and help produce consistency. It can also be used to produce heavier or lighter strokes to complement and enhance your personal writing style. This is the Evolution. The name that will be remembered in history. ■