Conway Stewart “The Universal”
1946-50
About This Model
Conway Stewart was a major manufacturer of good to great fountain pens in England for a hundred years, from 1905-2005. During the pre-WWII years they sold far more pens than any other brand in England; one major author believes more than all the other companies' output combined. They were very well-made, good-looking, and great writers with soft, wet, and often flexible nibs. It is interesting that they produced a bewildering quantity of models and colors, including some bright floral patterns in casein during the pre-WWII shortage years.
About This Pen
The Conway Stewart No. 479 pens, known as “The Universal” model, were mainline pens from the early 1930s until 1950. Most were marbled in dark colors and bandless, which fits this pen exactly. It is 12.5cm long capped, 1.2cm across just below the cap edge, with a domed crown that might be vulcanite. The celluloid is “deep raspberry with black veins”, in very attractive used condition. It is bright and shiny, there are no deep scratches, but there is some evidence of use wear. The trim is very nice, with Conway Stewart’s imprints on both clip and lever. The base of the barrel, which is without tassie, is chipped, probably from impact at some point, but there is no apparent fragility from it. The nib is probably the original Conway Stewart 14ct, and it writes a typically English wet line, super smooth. It writes better with a more gentle hand. It comes in an original CS box and instruction/warranty sheet, both appropriate to this pen but came to me from a different source; it is not this pen’s box. A good sturdy pen for steady use with a wonderful English nib!
Price: $105 Sold