The Revival of British Luxury Pen-making: Why it Means so Much More to the Facebook Generation

Dec. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- You might think that in this high-tech world, the use of fountain pens would be more or less extinct. But scratch beneath the surface of 21st century communication and you’ll find a luxury pen market that’s surprisingly strong - and growing.

It seems that despite the clamour for ‘instant everything’, personal communication by handwritten notes and letters is still highly valued and a small number of niche companies are benefitting from the growing demand for fountain pens. Take The Onoto Pen Company, for example. A world-beating success story in the early 20th century – it was considered to be one of the first global brands in the 1920s (Indeed, it was Winston Churchill’s pen of choice) and despite the name it was – and is – 100% British.

Onoto – a definition of contemporary luxury

Today, an Onoto pen is recognised world-wide as a symbol of elegancy and luxury. In fact, Onoto pens were recently described* as one of the ‘Six Definitions of Contemporary Luxury’. (* Jaguar Magazine, November 2010)

It’s no surprise then that their latest issue, the Onoto Overlay No 1, is exactly that: combining an elegant fountain pen with an art nouveau silver filigree design that simply oozes luxury.

Why such appeal?

Onoto CEO, Alastair Adams says “I think the reasons behind this growth in demand for luxury fountain pens are two-fold. Firstly, they are seen increasingly as a valuable possession - just like a good watch - which can be kept a lifetime and always have personal significance; a gift from someone special perhaps, or bought to celebrate one of life’s milestones such as University graduation, marriage or a ‘big’ birthday.

Secondly, I believe people of all ages recognise that a hand-written note conveys so much more than an email, text or tweet. Judging by the number of luxury fountain pens bought by young professionals these days, the Facebook Generation is starting to recognise that there are many times in life when a personal note written in ink is the best way to communicate your feelings. It tells the reader you’ve taken the time and trouble to ‘put pen to paper’ to express your thoughts, making it far more personal – and far more eloquent - than any other form of communication.”

Proudly British!

Like its predecessors, the Onoto Overlay No 1 maintains its 100-year heritage of being British made. In an age when many traditional crafts are being lost through factory closures, and cheap imports are being passed off as luxury brands, it’s refreshing to know that Onoto is proudly and defiantly a haven of British craftsmanship at its finest.  

And it’s precisely those qualities that have persuaded top luxury retailers such as Asprey in London, Maruzen in Japan, Editions in India and Pens de Luxe in Australia to stock Onoto fountain pens.

Today, just as 100 years ago, more than 60% of their production is exported. “International markets are just as important to us today as they were in the 1900s,” says Adams. “Of course, there are thousands of pen enthusiasts around the world who love the Onoto brand and have collected vintage Onoto pens for decades. But we are seeing much stronger performance from those who are buying a fountain pen as a practical, everyday tool, perhaps for the first time, because it looks good, feels good and always creates a great impression.”  

The Onoto Overlay No 1 will certainly do that! Its perfect balance encourages hours of smooth and elegant writing and its filigree pattern is so tactile, it’s hard to put down!      

A passion for pens

The overlay has been designed and hand-crafted by Henry Simpole, the renowned English silversmith who has a passion for pens. Henry has a proud record of having produced some of the most beautiful pen overlay designs in recent years, snapped up by eager collectors such as Eric Clapton and recently featured at the Goldsmith’s Hall in the City of London.

Delicate, tactile and sophisticated – with a hidden secret!

Now, Henry has created a range of three Onoto overlays (sterling silver, gilded silver and 18 carat gold) which are simply sublime and marry themselves superbly with the Onoto acrylic pen bodies they adorn. Delicate, tactile and sophisticated, the filigree pattern conveys an elegance that has immediate appeal to connoisseurs and collectors alike.  
But that’s not all! The Onoto Overlay No 1 has a hidden secret! Look closely and the letters O–N-O-T-O will appear, ingeniously woven into the filigree design; a subtle hallmark of provenance that will define this pen for ever.

And speaking of hallmarks… each overlay bears the universally recognised hallmarks of the London Assay Office which guarantee quality and purity. The hallmarks include the Leopard’s Head, London’s assay mark since 1544, together with Henry Simpole’s maker’s mark (HCS) and Onoto’s own mark (OPC).

‘Deliciously-smooth’ 18ct gold nibs...

The size 3 18-carat gold nib bears an exclusive Onoto design and is partly rhodium plated to give it a distinctive two-tone effect. The nib is available in fine, medium or broad styles and according to Onoto’s customers, they are ‘deliciously smooth’ to use! For those who prefer a personalised nib, Onoto will grind oblique, italic etc nibs to customers’ specifications.

The Onoto Overlay No 1 is issued in small limited editions (500 in sterling silver, 250 in gilded silver and 50 in solid gold). If previous issues are any indication, there is likely to be huge demand not only from serious pen collectors, but also from those who value fine British craftsmanship and have discovered – or re-discovered – the pleasure of personal communication with a luxury fountain pen.

Retail Prices:

Sterling silver - £STG 695   US$ 1050
Gilded sterling silver - £STG 875    US$ 1315
18 ct gold - £STG 2750    US$ 4125

For more information and specifications, visit http://www.onoto.com/overlayNo1.asp

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About Onoto. Onoto is an English manufacturer and retailer of luxury fountain pens. Established in 1905, the brand had a global presence with offices and sales in many countries throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

Like many pen manufacturers, Onoto stopped manufacturing fountain pens in 1958 but has always retained a hige following of devoted collectors and enthusiasts around the world.

English entrepreneur James Boddy acquired the company in 2004 with the intention of not only resurrecting the brand, but of manufacturing top quality luxury writing instruments that have the elegancy and heritage of their predecessors.

Today, the Onoto range of English-made luxury pens is steadily growing and once again has a strong following from pen collectors and writing connoisseurs from all corners of the globe.