Greetings All,

I would like to inquire about the registration process for limited edition and special edition Conway Stewart writing instruments.

For example,I have just ordered a CS Centenary with Vermeil Overlay. Does CS have an insert in the package that says "Please register this pen with us"? I ask this because I own a CS Churchill LE in Classic Claret, a beautiful pen that I purchase back in 2003 or 2004, (I'm not certain) and there is no special LE registration material in along with the pen.

I'm just wondering if they track the owners of these writing instruments so that CS might send them mailings - snail or electronic - as a heads up for new LE writing instruments prior to the general public reading about them.

The other point of this is that CS has this "Club" one can sign into. However, I still can't figure out what this "Club" is for because I've never, to my knowledge, received any posting from them.

For example, it would be really nice to get the annual CS marketing brochure by mail so that I could make a "dream for" list. Or even a bi-annual posting about company happenings.

Does anyone have any thoughts or knowledge about my questions?

Peace,

Phroneo

Hi Phroneo! Glad that you settled on the CS Centenary Vermeil Overlay LE. Congratulations! I don't know the answer to your question -- but I have several CS LE pens, and I don't recall seeing any such registration cards. However, I do have to admit that I haven't really looked over the paperwork that thoroughly. When Mary Burke returns from the UK, perhaps she can shed some light on the issue.

I am one of ten very lucky people who own a Centenary Overlay pen in solid 18k gold. I haven't filled in a registration card and didn't even know you could do this.

That's my question. Is there something such as a card to submit. After all and particularly in your case, once one has spent a lot of money for a fountain pen, it would be nice to get some sort of recognition from the company. As I suggested, even if it was to be an annual bulletin telling one about the plans CS has for the upcoming year - you're familiar with them - glossy, over-sized 15-20 page publications.

I'm not looking for special treatment, but some type of "Thank You" would be nice. In my past life, I would make certain my $500,000 and up customers would get updates about my company. Not gifts - just heads up about the plans we had for the coming year so that they would be aware of what we were doing. It's just good solid business practice to me.

And if you're purchasing the solid gold version, you may very well be in a position to appreciate my suggestion or question as the case may be.

Kate, I finally bit the bullet. The pen just kept calling to me. After you had given me the dimensions I started to give it even more consideration. I'm a fairly large person at 6'6" and 220 pounds. And my hands are large with long fingers.

What finally convinced me is I was writing to a person about making a pen to spec for me. I told him that I like to use the pens posted and he was telling me that the pens were too large to use posted. So I took a standard production model I own of his and left the cap off. The pen fell between my thumb and forefinger; it did not rest on the "web" between them as a posted pen does. As soon as I saw that and wrote back to this person, it hit me that the Centenary Overlay would be a great pen for me - so I purchased it. It should come in on Wednesday.

Thank you for your help and advice about the pen. I appreciated it.

Peace,

Phroneo

The Overlay is indeed a great pen. I never post fountain pens, so this is not an issue for me, but prestigious pens are not made to be posted anyway.

I certainly agree that a registration document would be nice, but I guess that the authenticity card with the limited edition number is a registration in itself, but without the owner's name.

Don't have much time because of appointments.

I got my new Centenary FP in today - it looks very nice - and in the box was a card to fill out to send into CS to register the fact that one had purchased a pen from CS and give them an opportunity to join in the Owners (??) Club.

So I guess this has answered my post. More later.


Peace,

Phroneo

Yay! on finally receiving the CS Centenary Overlay... As I noted, I've not really sorted through the paperwork that come with my CS pens. Not home at the moment, so I'll have to go through it to find the registration paperwork. Thanks for the head's up, Phroneo!

Greetings Friends,

Well, finally back home and have time to look at my new Centenary Vermeil Overlay.

The first thing that caught my eye was the box. (Naturally! I mean, one has to open it to get to the pen after all.) It is much different that the CS boxes I've been accustomed to and I like it. It really sets the pen off nicely when one gets to the inner layer.

Second is the fountain pen itself. It is just the right size for me to use as a daily writer. I could use it posted if the cap would remain posted, but it seems that the design of the pen was such that the cap is to remain off of the pen as one writes. At 13.5mm or 5-3/8", the pen itself is just long enough for my hand. It feels much more comfortable posted, but I think the weight of the pen posted might keep me from writing for long times. So, just the pen it will be and I will be happy with it as it is.

I like the overlay in vermeil. Mine is 10 of 100, which is a nice number if your one who likes numbers. The overlay is exceptionally well-done in the sense of craftsmanship. It wasn't hard to spot the CS or the 1905. The second CS was a little more troublesome to find, but it's there. I like the fact that there is not any engraved embellishment work on the overlay. For me, it lets the art of the design and application of the overlay shine through. I would like more engraved art work in the overlay of a larger pen; this is perfect for me.

I haven't inked the pen. I like fine nibs and this has a medium nib. That being said, this is a bold pen and maybe as such it should write with a thicker line - maybe a wet medium or a bold nib. My Churchhill's are coming back from having their ink sacs replaced and they both have medium nibs. I think that I'll write with them for a while and then make a decision.

There is "Guarantee Registration Form" inside a little black pouch that has the "Certificate of Authenticity" with the model and run number. One fills this form out and sends it into CS. It gives one the option of checking a box to join the "CS Owners Club", whatever that is.

Now, I cannot say if this form is particular to the LE or SE pens that CS makes. And I don't know if there is ever any response from CS after one submits the form. But since I intend to keep this pen, I'm going to fill it out an send it in. I need the 100-year guarantee even if I live for only 40-years or so of it. You all will get an update when and if I get a response.

That's it. I'm happy to have purchased this beautiful fountain pen. I'm going to use my black Duro ball point pen as it's compliment to make a set. (Did I ever mention how much I like sets?) Oh well, happy, happy, joy, joy.

Peace,

Phroneo

I'm glad you are pleased with your Centenary Overlay. In my experience CS medium nibs run pretty true to line, i.e. proper mediums rather than broadish ones. They are wet writers and very smooth.

Hi,

Conway Stewart uses the same registration form and system regardless of the pen being a limited edition or regular edition series. Once you register your pen with Conway Stewart, you should receive a confirmation letter from the UK confirming receipt of your details. I am in the process of putting together a registration page on our website and will let you know once the code is completed and the page is up and running.

Henry Simpole's overlays are gorgeous and I had time to spend many hours with him last week. We talked about new designs and Henry showed me his personal prototypes, works in progress along with new ideas for future Conway Stewart limited editions. The latest design, the 'Simpole Pen' is dangerously close to being sold out so if you are considering to purchase this design, I would suggest to act very quickly --- I saw only a handful of the sterling silver version in the assembly room.

Here are images of the overlay pens produced by Henry Simpole for Conway Stewart.


Conway Stewart Simpole Limited Edition


Conway Stewart Great Exhibition Limited Edition


Conway Stewart Centenary Overlay Limited Edition

Kind regards,

Mary Burke

Hello Mary,

Thank you for making the registration process clear. I appreciate it. Your clarification has certainly made me feel better about what happens once one sends in one's "registration form."

Right up until you posted all of those other images of Simpole's work for CS I was really very well pleased with my Centenary Overlay in vermeil - I still am, actually - but now my American sense of "I want it" has kicked in all over again. Oh, the angst of not being able to be satisfied with the good things one has acquired.

OK, I'm over that now - whew - I'm still very happy with my Centenary Overlay and am going to enjoy using it for some time to come. Maybe the new creations by Mr. Simpole will be even more beautiful than the one's he's already created.

I'll wait.

Peace,

Phroneo

Sorry to threadjack - hoping this is a related quesiton Mary can answer.

When I registered my (regular) Duro, the letter I eventually (a long time later) received said the 100 year guarantee was good as long as I had the pen serviced according to CS's 'published recommended schedule' or words to that effect.

I have been completely unable to dig up what this recommended schedule might be.

Any ideas?

TIA.

Greetings Mark,

That information can be found on the Conway Stewart web site under Care. I was going to post the link for you, but I can't seem to get my "Insert Link" button to work and I don't know the code for this forum. Just go to the CS web site and on the top of the page to the far right you will see a "Care" link. Click on that link and find the "care" directions for your type of pen.

HTH.

Peace,

Phroneo

I look forward to an online registration form. I was going to mail off my registration form this week, but perhaps I'll hold on to it in anticipation of an online option.

Care Instructions link below

http://www.conwaystewart.com/care_fountain...4f5868245109809

Just in case it is not convenient to click on the above link, here is the information below.

Care of Your pen

Care Instructions - Ink Cartridge


1. Remove the cap and unscrew the nib section from the barrel.
2. Remove the empty ink cartridge.
3. Refit new ink cartridge ensuring cartridge is pushed firmly into the front section (nib holder).

Cleaning the Pen:
Flush liberally with warm water by holding nib section under a running tap or alternatively soak nib holder in a bowl of warm water until all ink deposits have disappeared. do not soak pen barrel or cap.


Care Instructions - Converter (push-in version)


1. Remove the cap and unscrew the nib section from the barrel.
2. Remove the ink converter.
3. Submerge the top of the ink converter in ink. Twist the top of the ink converter clockwise to draw ink into the chamber and refit when full

Cleaning the Pen:
To clean pen, immerse the nib in warm soapy water and repeat the filling procedures above. repeat the filling and discharge procedure several times to prevent any cross contamination of ink colours.


Care Instructions - Lever Fill


1. Remove cap, lift lever up from barrel.
2. Insert nib into ink bottle ensuring nib is completely submerged below surface of ink.
3. Pull lever foreward towards nib until resistance is felt (75-90 degree angle to the barrel).
4. Repeat foreward and backward action with lever for 2-4 times until no further air bubbles can be seen escaping from nib.
5. With a tissue or similar material wipe clean the front section of the pen to remove any excess ink from the filling process.

Cleaning the Pen:
To clean pen, immerse the nib in warm soapy water and repeat the filling procedures above. repeat the filling and discharge procedure several times to prevent any cross contamination of ink colours.


Care Instructions - Button Filler


1. Remove the pen cap and unscrew the blind cap on the rear of the barrel.
2. Immerse the nib completely below the surface of the ink and press button down on the barrel - release button, but keep the nib immersed for a further 10 seconds to give time for the rubber bladder to pull ink up to maximum capacity.

Cleaning the Pen:
To clean pen, immerse the nib in warm soapy water and repeat the filling procedures above. repeat the filling and discharge procedure several times to prevent any cross contamination of ink colours.


I hope the above helps.

Kind regards,

Mary Burke