What Conway Stewart Did Winston Churchill Use?

[karmakoda]

This has probably been asked ad infinitum, but does anybody know what kind of Conway Stewart Winston Churchill used during his years as Prime Minister, or in any of his years? I have not done a lot of research, but I know someone on this forum will have the answer.

Thank You

Greg

[221bbakerst]

I wish I had this answer...I have five or six feet of bookshelf space devoted to Churchill, many with lots of pictures, but none show him with any pen nor do they ever mention one. I have almost asked this question here several times. Since Churhill liked the nicest things, I can only immagine that he had one of their top models. I hope someone here has the answer!! Interesting if we find out he had an original Dandy or something similar!

[jar]

IIRC both Conway Stewart and Onoto claimed Churchill.

[karmakoda]

I was beginning to think there would be no replies to this question.

 

But, the claim of use by Winston Churchill is a form of celebrity endorsement, and carries a lot of weight. It is the same as reference to the use of a Parker 51 by Admiral Nimitz to sign the Japanese surrender, or the Pelikan 100 or 100N to sign the German surrender. Historical reference is meaningful and marketable. Look to the popularity of World War II aviation watches, such as the IWC Big Pilot, HanHart and Tutima for the re-editions of hand wound Pilot watches, and the Bond connection to Rolex and Omega. If I was Conway Stewart I would be researching and waving the banner. Pen manufacturers of the day were probably aggressively trying to place one of their pens in Churchill's hand. I have one vintage Onoto, a very nice pen.

 

I am surprised, in the case of Winston Churchill, that his estate would not have some definitive answers (not to mention the Conway Stewart web-site). After looking at some of the stunning collections of pens aquired by members of this Forum and Network, it would not be surprising that an affluent connisseur, such as Sir Winston was, would have more than one type of pen, or cigar, scotch whiskey or his daily champagne.

 

I have looked for information on the pens used by JRR Tolkien and other famous writers, and found some information on this Network. I am grateful for any additional thoughts on this topic.

To 221bbakerst: There is a book called "Winston Churchill-History in Pictures", or something like that, and I saw a photo in that book of WSC pocketing a pen, but unclear as to indentity. Any favorite books to recommend on Sir Winston?

[nigelg]

In the (limited) number of books I have on Churchill it can sometimes be difficult to tell if the object in the photo is a pen or a cigar!

 

Nigel

[karmakoda]

In the (limited) number of books I have on Churchill it can sometimes be difficult to tell if the object in the photo is a pen or a cigar!

 

Nigel

 

True! He is rarely seen without a cigar. Curses, foiled again.

[Siv]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05_01/WinstonWritesG_468x300.jpg

[karmakoda]

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05_01/WinstonWritesG_468x300.jpg

 

Just when you thought it was safe.....

Well done Siv, I knew this network would find a way! Can't wait for the speculating to begin.

[Siv]

This is Churchill's desk at Chartwell:

 

http://z.hubpages.com/u/326086_f520.jpg

Edited November 22, 2009 by Siv

[deauville]

This is Churchill's desk at Chartwell:

 

http://z.hubpages.com/u/326086_f520.jpg

 

I suppose this is an exhibition piece now. He surely wouldn't have worked amongst all that clutter.

[jpr]

Nakaya long cigar

[karmakoda]

This is Churchill's desk at Chartwell:

 

http://z.hubpages.com/u/326086_f520.jpg

 

I suppose this is an exhibition piece now. He surely wouldn't have worked amongst all that clutter.

 

Yes, I knew this stuff was out there. Now if we could just zoom in and open some drawers.

There will still be those who ask why this is important? As any addict knows, any justification, for purchasing the next fix, is desparately credible. I am looking at a Conway Stewart Churchill.

Also, the information floating around out there on the internet, is a virtual confirmation of an unestablished claim that Churchill used Conway Stewart, and Onoto. I bet he used others too, like Mentmore or Mabie Todd maybe? (npi)

I look forward to more information.

Thanks!

Greg

[pguyton]

This is Churchill's desk at Chartwell:

 

http://z.hubpages.com/u/326086_f520.jpg

 

I suppose this is an exhibition piece now. He surely wouldn't have worked amongst all that clutter.

 

Yes, I knew this stuff was out there. Now if we could just zoom in and open some drawers.

There will still be those who ask why this is important? As any addict knows, any justification, for purchasing the next fix, is desparately credible. I am looking at a Conway Stewart Churchill.

Also, the information floating around out there on the internet, is a virtual confirmation of an unestablished claim that Churchill used Conway Stewart, and Onoto. I bet he used others too, like Mentmore or Mabie Todd maybe? (npi)

I look forward to more information.

Thanks!

Greg

[pguyton]

This has probably been asked ad infinitum, but does anybody know what kind of Conway Stewart Winston Churchill used during his years as Prime Minister, or in any of his years? I have not done a lot of research, but I know someone on this forum will have the answer.

Thank You

Greg

[pguyton]

This has probably been asked ad infinitum, but does anybody know what kind of Conway Stewart Winston Churchill used during his years as Prime Minister, or in any of his years? I have not done a lot of research, but I know someone on this forum will have the answer.

Thank You

Greg

There is a Frontispiece photo entitled, "Churchill in Italy, 1944" at the front of the 2002 edition of Churchill's The Second World War: Volume V Closing the Ring, that shows Churchill from a side angle smoking a cigar with, if one looks with a magnifying glass, the definite top of a Conway Stewart Duro fountain pen in his shirt pocket.

[karmakoda]

Thank You Pguyton

I will check that out. Is it similar to the following photo?

 

http://www.innovationsinnewspapers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Anonymous-1.jpg

 

I don't see a pen in this picture, but it was apparently taken of Churchill in Italy, in 1944.

I will seek out that book for sure. A CS 26 Duro is one of my "dream pens". Pricey. May Conway Stewart will consider a re-issue.

Best Regards

Greg

[221bbakerst]

I was beginning to think there would be no replies to this question.

 

But, the claim of use by Winston Churchill is a form of celebrity endorsement, and carries a lot of weight. It is the same as reference to the use of a Parker 51 by Admiral Nimitz to sign the Japanese surrender, or the Pelikan 100 or 100N to sign the German surrender. Historical reference is meaningful and marketable. Look to the popularity of World War II aviation watches, such as the IWC Big Pilot, HanHart and Tutima for the re-editions of hand wound Pilot watches, and the Bond connection to Rolex and Omega. If I was Conway Stewart I would be researching and waving the banner. Pen manufacturers of the day were probably aggressively trying to place one of their pens in Churchill's hand. I have one vintage Onoto, a very nice pen.

 

I am surprised, in the case of Winston Churchill, that his estate would not have some definitive answers (not to mention the Conway Stewart web-site). After looking at some of the stunning collections of pens aquired by members of this Forum and Network, it would not be surprising that an affluent connisseur, such as Sir Winston was, would have more than one type of pen, or cigar, scotch whiskey or his daily champagne.

 

I have looked for information on the pens used by JRR Tolkien and other famous writers, and found some information on this Network. I am grateful for any additional thoughts on this topic.

To 221bbakerst: There is a book called "Winston Churchill-History in Pictures", or something like that, and I saw a photo in that book of WSC pocketing a pen, but unclear as to indentity. Any favorite books to recommend on Sir Winston?

There are so many books to read that this is a hard question. However, allowing for the obvious examples such as his "The World Crisis 1914-1918" and 'Memoirs of the Second World War" I would definately recomend " Five Days in London,May 1940" by John Lukacs and "The Duel, The Eighty-Day Struggle Between Churchill& Hitler" also by John Lukacs. Also "My Early Life" by Churchill is a good read. "Five days in London.." really illustrates how much the free world has to thank Sir Winston for NOT losing WWII before he had a chance to play such a part in winning it.Britain could easily have lost the war before it really got fully started. Enjoy!!

[karmakoda]

From the ONOTO website:

 

Onoto and Sir Winston Churchill. We have received a letter from South Africa from Martin Marx, a pen enthusiast who was recently ‘introduced’ to Onoto by a very distinguished gentleman – Sir Winston Churchill. Martin was reading ‘Winston and Clementine: The Personal Letters of the Churchills’ by Mary Soames and came across the following in a letter which Winston wrote to Clemmie while

he was serving in war-torn northern France in November 1915. “...send me a new Onoto pen. I have stupidly lost mine.” Some days later, Clemmie replied, “...am sending you foods and Onoto pen.” As Martin explains, this is “irrefutable proof, if any were needed, that the world’s greatest statesman used the world’s greatest pen!”

 

Good research by Onoto. I like their website and missed that somehow in their history section. Some of the photos, of women at their lathes in Scotland, for instance, are fascinating. Hope I am remembering that correctly.

Onoto is a nice pen. I have just one, a vintage "De La Rue Junior" in green marble, but it came with a Swan nib. Can't complain, its flexy.

I know Onoto has re-issued some pricey pens recently, but don't know if any were connected to Sir Winston.

Thank you EDowdy!

[karmakoda]

I was beginning to think there would be no replies to this question.

 

But, the claim of use by Winston Churchill is a form of celebrity endorsement, and carries a lot of weight. It is the same as reference to the use of a Parker 51 by Admiral Nimitz to sign the Japanese surrender, or the Pelikan 100 or 100N to sign the German surrender. Historical reference is meaningful and marketable. Look to the popularity of World War II aviation watches, such as the IWC Big Pilot, HanHart and Tutima for the re-editions of hand wound Pilot watches, and the Bond connection to Rolex and Omega. If I was Conway Stewart I would be researching and waving the banner. Pen manufacturers of the day were probably aggressively trying to place one of their pens in Churchill's hand. I have one vintage Onoto, a very nice pen.

 

I am surprised, in the case of Winston Churchill, that his estate would not have some definitive answers (not to mention the Conway Stewart web-site). After looking at some of the stunning collections of pens aquired by members of this Forum and Network, it would not be surprising that an affluent connisseur, such as Sir Winston was, would have more than one type of pen, or cigar, scotch whiskey or his daily champagne.

 

I have looked for information on the pens used by JRR Tolkien and other famous writers, and found some information on this Network. I am grateful for any additional thoughts on this topic.

To 221bbakerst: There is a book called "Winston Churchill-History in Pictures", or something like that, and I saw a photo in that book of WSC pocketing a pen, but unclear as to indentity. Any favorite books to recommend on Sir Winston?

There are so many books to read that this is a hard question. However, allowing for the obvious examples such as his "The World Crisis 1914-1918" and 'Memoirs of the Second World War" I would definately recomend " Five Days in London,May 1940" by John Lukacs and "The Duel, The Eighty-Day Struggle Between Churchill& Hitler" also by John Lukacs. Also "My Early Life" by Churchill is a good read. "Five days in London.." really illustrates how much the free world has to thank Sir Winston for NOT losing WWII before he had a chance to play such a part in winning it.Britain could easily have lost the war before it really got fully started. Enjoy!!

 

That's a lotta reading! I have a Memoirs book somewhere, and "The Wicked Wit of Winston Churchill" on my desk at all times.

My Dad served in the Canadian forces in WW2 and, in our house, Sir Winston, was a hero. I have Victory newspapers my mother saved with Mr Churchill on the front page.

Thank you for the reading suggestions!

[nigelg]

Another excellent biography of Churchill is "Churchill" by (the late) Roy Jenkins (Macmillan, 2001). A heavy tome in both weight and content but very literate and well researched as may be expected from one of the more scholarly of cabinet ministers. My copy is a 1000 page paperback which I still haven't finished after 2 years!

 

Nigel