President Obama's gift

[MicheleB]

Forgive me if this is a repeat, but I can't hold my excitement! Nothing is better than old ships and fountain pens together! This is sooo cool! I'll let you all figure out what it is.

 

From

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34705756/ns/today-white_house/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1

 

The pen is mightier

 

A gift from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the wooden pen holder on Obama's desk was made from the sister ship of HMS Resolute, the HMS Gannet.

 

http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww294/MicheleB1/ss-100105-oval-office-05ss_full.jpg

[RitaCarbon]

Okay, he has the wooden pen holder with a fountain pen, but does he use the pen?

[twdpens]

There's another (somewhat tenuous, I have to admit) pen connection in photo 10.

 

Martin

[Shangas]

Does anyone know what the inscription on the plaque says?

[Edgar Allan Bo]

Nice as a gift to put it somewhere but not so practical for use... it's too large, takes too much space on the desk without doing anything else than holding a pen... well, it's not even "holding" it... but it has a great history!

[Kaych]

Does anyone know what the inscription on the plaque says?

 

A Gift For

The Honorable Barack H. Obama

President of the United States

____________ of the HMS Gannet

__ the Historic Dockyard,(?)Chatam

____________ made the Resolute Desk in 1879

Presented By

The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

7 March 2009

Edited January 21, 2010 by Kaych

[dizzypen]

Ok, I'll bite. What is the pen?

[blackbug67]

Ok, I'll bite. What is the pen?

 

 

I'd wager it's a Lord Nelson, but what do I know?

 

Larry

[offbase]

Couldn't that also be a roller ball?

[RitaCarbon]

Couldn't that also be a roller ball?

I suspect it is...

[Xing]

Ok, I'll bite. What is the pen?

 

It looks like a Duofold, one with the newer styled double raised cap bands.

[mikerph]

Ok, I'll bite. What is the pen?

 

It looks like a Duofold, one with the newer styled double raised cap bands.

It does look like a Duofold--that would be in line with a British gift--but it also reminds me of a Waterman Leman 100. Did the pen come with the holder? Or was it added later?

Edited January 22, 2010 by mikerph

[ekc113]

Does anyone know what the inscription on the plaque says?

 

A Gift For

The Honorable Barack H. Obama

President of the United States

____________ of the HMS Gannet

__ the Historic Dockyard,(?)Chatam

____________ made the Resolute Desk in 1879

Presented By

The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

7 March 2009

 

I can't help identify the pen, but I think the full inscription reads:

 

A Gift For

The Honorable Barack H. Obama

President of the United States

Made from the Timbers of the HMS Gannet

In the Historic Dockyard, Chatham

Where William Evendan made the Resolute Desk in 1879

Presented By

The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

3 March 2009

Edited January 22, 2010 by ekc113

[duofoldguy]

I could be wrong, though that pen looks like it is a black Duofold. It probably is a rollerball, but it could be a fountain pen. Because even though Presidents are not known for being fountain pen people, I have seen them sign things with fountain pens and use them. I think they use fountain pens, because it looks better on camera. I have seen footage of George W. Bush taking notes with a cross fountain pen.

 

If I was president, I would commission a Edison fountain pen. Because the Edison is a real American pen; made by hand in Ohio.

[RitaCarbon]

I have seen footage of George W. Bush taking notes with a cross fountain pen.

Are you kidding? We have to see the footage...

[kazoolaw]

The "Resolute Desk" is a desk for the Oval Office of the White House.

 

You may recall that this particular gift exchange included a gift by President Obama to Prime Minister Brown of 25 DVD's of American movie classics. This was met with less than enthusiasm on the UK side of the exchange.

 

gary

[Dace]

The "Resolute Desk" is a desk for the Oval Office of the White House.

 

You may recall that this particular gift exchange included a gift by President Obama to Prime Minister Brown of 25 DVD's of American movie classics. This was met with less than enthusiasm on the UK side of the exchange.

 

gary

 

 

As far as presidents using fountain pens, in all honestly they are probably completely impractical considering how delicate and finicky many fountain pens are. Even the best of pens need consistent maintenance to keep them running. The presidents day is filled from start to finish. The Reagan librabry in Simi Valley, California displays one month of Reagans schedule and each day is broken down to the minute. It is quote extraordinary. I am sure they don't have time to constantly work about their ink levels and if their pen has been cleaned.

Edited January 23, 2010 by Carrie

[shadowsforbars]

I seem to recall it being a risky gift. I read a report that said that the Gannet was an anti-slavery vessel. No one was quite sure how it would be received.

Edited January 23, 2010 by shadowsforbars

[OcalaFlGuy]

I seem to recall it being a risky gift. I read a report that said that the Gannet was an anti-slavery vessel. No one was quite sure how it would be received.

 

I for one find it a very thoughtful and classy gift the perfect combination for the President's desk which has become over the years somewhat of a national treasure.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[WendyNC]

As far as presidents using fountain pens, in all honestly they are probably completely impractical considering how delicate and finicky many fountain pens are. Even the best of pens need consistent maintenance to keep them running. The presidents day is filled from start to finish. The Reagan librabry in Simi Valley, California displays one month of Reagans schedule and each day is broken down to the minute. It is quote extraordinary. I am sure they don't have time to constantly work about their ink levels and if their pen has been cleaned.

 

However, I'm guessing that if one is President and prefers to use fountain pens, there might be people available to assist with the maintenance.

 

It's my understanding that this President, a left-handed over-writer, has a preference for roller ball pens.

 

My curiosity is killing me as to what's under that cap.