Conway Stewart 'Elegance' Series

The Westminster
Limited Edition, 2006

The Westminster edition is from the Elegance range. It is the second limited edition launch from this series, following the success of the Deco Diamond. Each pen from the Elegance range has a unique design and is produced to the highest standard of English craftsmanship.

Conway Stewart owners include the British Royal Family, Prime Ministers, and US Presidents past and present. As we are also an official gift of the British Government, it seems fitting that we should pay homage to one of the most important buildings in the history of England, the Palaces of Westminster.

Westminster Palace is one of England's most significant buildings. Not only is it a tourist attraction due to it's wonderful architecture, it is also a grand landmark of much of England's history.

The Palace has given residency to our noble Kings and Queens and became one of the chief centers of London life. It housed the courts of law and was the place of many notable state trials: William Wallace (1305), Thomas More (1535), the Gunpowder Plot conspirators (1606), Charles I (1649) and Warren Hastings (1788-95). The site is also the traditional venue for Coronation banquets and other historical events including the presentation of Addresses to the Queen on the Silver Jubilee and Golden Jubilee, the marking of 50 years since the end of World War II and many other important events.

Westminster mediaeval Palace was entirely destroyed by a fire on 16 October 1834. It took more than 30 years to complete the construction of the new Palace of Westminster. The building itself was designed by Charles Barry, while Augustus Welby Pugin was responsible for every aspect of the interiors, as well as for creating working drawings of all the exterior details. It is in the Gothic style which makes it look older than it actually is.

Augustus Welby Pugin was the foremost British architect of the 19th century. He was heavily influenced by his father, who shared his profound love of medieval Gothic architecture. Pugin is today considered to be the chief figure in the revival of Gothic design. Although he was heavily criticized by many in the Victorian era, he maintained that the structure of the building itself should be the base from which the decoration was evolved in a clear and honest way.

Conway Stewart draws the design inspiration for the detailed engraving on the cap and barrel from the work of Pugin featured on the exterior walls of the Palace of Westminster itself.

The small diamond shaped recesses that cover the cap and barrel are based on similar decorative detail on the outside of the Palace.

The tiny oak leaves in the recesses are a symbol of England, whose mighty oak forests built the navy and made England a maritime nation, spreading the ideas of democracy from the Mother of Parliaments around the World.

Other elements in the design included the larger diamond shape which is also taken from the same detail as the main design but with a new 3D image in the canter, inspired by other elements in the design of the Palace.

The unenameled oxidized borders were partly drawn from other elements of the structure of the building and recreated in a flowing frieze that unites the design as a whole.

The use of a deep rich color in the enamel with striking contrasts is true to the gothic style. It gives emphasis and depth to the low relief. This is known as Basse Taille enameling.

Both the cap and barrel of the Westminster edition are meticulously crafted out of solid sterling silver, bearing the English hallmark.

The Westminster limited edition pen is available in fountain pen and roller ball writing modes. The fountain pen is mounted with the large rhodium plated, iridium tipped 18 carat solid gold nib, available in eight grades. It utilizes the converter cartridge filling mechanism.

Limited Edition, 2006 USA List Price $1,800
100 numbered pieces available in fountain pen or roller ball

In 1905 when Conway Stewart was started, Jarvis and Garner had a single aim,
to produce elegant, timelessly beautiful, yet functional writing instruments.

All our writing instruments come with a 100 year guarantee.
The ultimate proof of absolute confidence.

Mary Burke
Sales & Development, Conway Stewart
Email: maryburke@conwaystewart.co.uk
Direct Tel: 1.425.432.0816 Direct Fax: 1.425.413.9289 Cell: 1.425.283.2788
North American Distributor Luxury Brands USA