Churchill's Pens

[jhataway]

Hello to all,

 

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered, but I want to know what model Onoto and Conway Stewart pens were used by Sir Winston Churchill? I know WSC used Onoto pens in the WWI time (proven by correspondence between WSC and his wife in 1915), and have seen where WSC might have used CS pens in the WWII era, but no definitive proof, and no references as to models. Anyone have more information?

[th3]

This website has some information on the pens Winston Churchill used at various times

 

Winston Churchill's Pens

[Sasha Royale]

I'll bet that a Parker 51 made the list.

[ftp249]

I'll bet that a Parker 51 made the list.

 

I doubt that. Parker 51 was too inexpensive for the man of his status...

[nxn96]

Given that the Parker "51" book has photos of members of the Royal Family enjoying their "51"s, and that the Queen herself apparently still uses one, I doubt Churchill would have regarded one as "beneath him". As I recall, the Conway Stewarts of Churchill's time, while very good pens, were not the high-end line they are in their current line. My guess is that Churchill got his share of various Parkers as gifts over time; whether he ever used them is another matter.

[Flounder]

He wore those romper suits for convenience, so I imagine he wasn't too stuffy about using a pen just for the expense of it. I wouldn't be surprised if he used a 51 - certainly resembles a cigar enough!

[WanderingAuthor]

Hello to all,

 

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered, but I want to know what model Onoto and Conway Stewart pens were used by Sir Winston Churchill? I know WSC used Onoto pens in the WWI time (proven by correspondence between WSC and his wife in 1915), and have seen where WSC might have used CS pens in the WWII era, but no definitive proof, and no references as to models. Anyone have more information?

 

Churchill used an Onoto? Can you provide a link or source to this information? I am now obsessed with the idea of trying to figure out what model it was he used, and getting one of those...

[PAKMAN]

All right folks! The political discussion has run amok in this thread. Please restrain from further political banter and kindly discuss pens. The offending posts have been removed. Further discussion will result in warnings to the individuals involved.

[Chris]

Thank you!

Chris

[Rosetta59]

tyvm !

[nxn96]

So, back to the issue in question:

 

It's been many years since I've visited the Cabinet War Rooms or Chartwell. Anyone recall if there were any pens on display?

[david@onoto.com]

Hello to all,

 

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered, but I want to know what model Onoto and Conway Stewart pens were used by Sir Winston Churchill? I know WSC used Onoto pens in the WWI time (proven by correspondence between WSC and his wife in 1915), and have seen where WSC might have used CS pens in the WWII era, but no definitive proof, and no references as to models. Anyone have more information?

 

Churchill used an Onoto? Can you provide a link or source to this information? I am now obsessed with the idea of trying to figure out what model it was he used, and getting one of those...

 

There's evidence in a book called 'Speaking for Themselves - The Personal Letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill' edited by their daughter Mary Soames. In a letter from Winston dated 23 November 1915 from Bout Deville in Northern France, where he had just spent his first 48 hours in the trenches, he writes, "Will you send now regularly once a week a small box of food to supplement the rations. Sardines, chocolate, potted meats and other things which may strike your fancy. Begin as soon as possible... Send me also a new Onoto pen. I have stupidly lost mine."

 

Which pen? Almost certainly it was the vulcanite Self-filling plunger-filler pen originally launched in 1905 and upgraded over the next 10 years, as few other models were available at that time.

 

As a result of the historic connection between Onoto and Churchill, Onoto has recently worked with his great grandson to produce a new range of Onoto pens which bear his name.

[WanderingAuthor]

Hello to all,

 

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered, but I want to know what model Onoto and Conway Stewart pens were used by Sir Winston Churchill? I know WSC used Onoto pens in the WWI time (proven by correspondence between WSC and his wife in 1915), and have seen where WSC might have used CS pens in the WWII era, but no definitive proof, and no references as to models. Anyone have more information?

 

Churchill used an Onoto? Can you provide a link or source to this information? I am now obsessed with the idea of trying to figure out what model it was he used, and getting one of those...

 

There's evidence in a book called 'Speaking for Themselves - The Personal Letters of Winston and Clementine Churchill' edited by their daughter Mary Soames. In a letter from Winston dated 23 November 1915 from Bout Deville in Northern France, where he had just spent his first 48 hours in the trenches, he writes, "Will you send now regularly once a week a small box of food to supplement the rations. Sardines, chocolate, potted meats and other things which may strike your fancy. Begin as soon as possible... Send me also a new Onoto pen. I have stupidly lost mine."

 

Which pen? Almost certainly it was the vulcanite Self-filling plunger-filler pen originally launched in 1905 and upgraded over the next 10 years, as few other models were available at that time.

 

As a result of the historic connection between Onoto and Churchill, Onoto has recently worked with his great grandson to produce a new range of Onoto pens which bear his name.

 

Thank you! Now, to hunt down one of those original vulcanite plunger fillers... I can at least pretend it might have been the pen Churchill lost. :embarrassed_smile:

[Gary1952]

Hi

 

I found this picture which purports to show the pens on Churchill's desk

 

Not very good quality.

 

 

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w473/GTL5/ChurchillsPens.jpg

Edited April 12, 2012 by Gary1952

[WanderingAuthor]

Hi

 

I found this picture which purports to show the pens on Churchill's desk

 

Not very good quality.

 

 

http://i1077.photobu...rchillsPens.jpg

 

Now, if only someone will come along who recognises those pens... (Somehow, I suspect there are many, many pens which look a lot like that. But I can hope.)

[Chris]

So, back to the issue in question:

 

It's been many years since I've visited the Cabinet War Rooms or Chartwell. Anyone recall if there were any pens on display?

 

There were, in both, butI could not identify them. In the Cabinet War rooms, there were mainly pencils or dip pens and a large bottle of Swan red ink I seem to remember, but no fountain pens - too valuable in those days to be left lying around, just like today. But at Chartwell there were some fountain pens of the desks. I must return for another look!

Chris

[torstar]

I seem to recall he did most of his correspondence and mail sorting on top of his bed at Chartwell, or at least during his years of exile...

[Stylus156]

Intriguing thread for me as a long time Churchill admirer. Has anyone tried the actual Chartwell website for clues? Or even Chartwell Booksellers in NYC for insight? I bet someone there would likely have some very detailed, accurate, and attributal information on Sir Winston choices in the fountain pen.

 

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/contact-us/

 

http://www.churchillbooks.com/

 

M.