Rosemary

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This is a Rosemary pen – full name "Rosemary, That's For Remembrance" which is a quote from Hamlet when Ophelia is recounting the symbolism of the flowers as she prepares to end her young life.

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Almost everything about this pen is a mystery. Rosemary and National Security were made on behalf of British Carbon Papers, a company about which little is known. Several manufacturers may have been involved in the making of these pens. Conway Stewart and Valentine have been suggested. More certain are Langs of Liverpool and Henry Stark, Son and Hamilton.

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This clipless pen measures 12.8 cm capped and is probably a ladies' purse pen. Note the threading on the base of the barrel to enable secure posting. It has been said that the Rosemary was issued in memory of the fallen in World War I. Though there is no evidence for this it seems likely. And National Security? How many pens are named after an abstract concept?

What a lovely pen! I particularly like that thick and completely plain gold ring. Gorgeous material, too.

The ring is 18carat rolled gold, quite a rich gold colour that blends in nicely with the mottled hard rubber. This is a 1920s pen and it has been used quite a bit - the imprint is quite faded, but the red and black have retained the strength of their original colour. I didn't do anything to improve it, I just cleaned it and polished it lightly. Good quality material.

Oooh! What an elegant pen.

Love the hard-rubber, style, and the engravings.

pretty special, that pen.

I've heard about the "Rosemary" pens before - was that a previous story from you, Deb? Lovely pen and such a persuasive mystery!

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Originally Posted by Jon Szanto

I've heard about the "Rosemary" pens before - was that a previous story from you, Deb? Lovely pen and such a persuasive mystery!

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I honestly don't know, Jon. With my memory I could have written anything - my memoirs! Except that would just be a paragraph because my memory.
But it is a great mystery. Even Stephen Hull, that wizard of research, can find little about British Carbon Papares or the person who came up with those names, or why.

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Originally Posted by manoeuver

pretty special, that pen.

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Isn't it nice? So simple but quite impressive in a quiet way.

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Originally Posted by penwash

Oooh! What an elegant pen.

Love the hard-rubber, style, and the engravings.

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It all goes together very well!

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Originally Posted by Deb

I honestly don't know, Jon. With my memory I could have written anything - my memoirs! Except that would just be a paragraph because my memory. But it is a great mystery. Even Stephen Hull, that wizard of research, can find little about British Carbon Papares or the person who came up with those names, or why.

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I've looked back online to see if something jogs my memory, not much so far. Jim Mamoulides has one example on his PenHero Facebook page, and I did come across a short piece by Leigh Reyes about a Rosemary set she has. It is worth looking at if only for the whole set, and the lovely condition. I'm now also wondering if it was covered in a Pennant or Paul's FPJ article. Just seems it isn't the first time I've seen these pens mentioned.

I'm glad there are people like you who appreciate these, too.

"National Security" jogged my memory, but I confused the company with those check writing pens with the serrated roller on top.

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Originally Posted by Deb

I honestly don't know, Jon. With my memory I could have written anything - my memoirs!

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Oh, Miss Deb! Calling Miss Deb!!

(Hey, I'm right there with you on the memory stuff - people refer all the time to articles I've written I've forgotten)

Anyway, it appear you have approached the subject of Rosemary and BCP twice before, on May 13, 2011, as well as July 21, 2017. Both of these links are to entries on your GW blog, and it was likely the 2nd (recent) one that I remember reading.

Well, so there's that.

That looks absolutely pretty.

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Originally Posted by Jon Szanto

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Originally Posted by Deb

I honestly don't know, Jon. With my memory I could have written anything - my memoirs!

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Oh, Miss Deb! Calling Miss Deb!!

(Hey, I'm right there with you on the memory stuff - people refer all the time to articles I've written I've forgotten)

Anyway, it appear you have approached the subject of Rosemary and BCP twice before, on May 13, 2011, as well as July 21, 2017. Both of these links are to entries on your GW blog, and it was likely the 2nd (recent) one that I remember reading.

Well, so there's that.

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You are appointed my official memory, Jon.

That is one handsome pen. Where does a party find such things? Luck? Specific traders?

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Originally Posted by Deb

This is a Rosemary pen – full name "Rosemary, That's For Remembrance" which is a quote from Hamlet when Ophelia is recounting the symbolism of the flowers as she prepares to end her young life.

Almost everything about this pen is a mystery. Rosemary and National Security were made on behalf of British Carbon Papers, a company about which little is known. Several manufacturers may have been involved in the making of these pens. Conway Stewart and Valentine have been suggested. More certain are Langs of Liverpool and Henry Stark, Son and Hamilton.

This clipless pen measures 12.8 cm capped and is probably a ladies' purse pen. Note the threading on the base of the barrel to enable secure posting. It has been said that the Rosemary was issued in memory of the fallen in World War I. Though there is no evidence for this it seems likely. And National Security? How many pens are named after an abstract concept?

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It's a very sweet pen with such a lovely name, but pens that thin always look really fragile to me. :)

Not in the least fragile, Chrissy. After all, it's still here almost 100 years after it was made. Thin can be uncomfortable for long writing sessions though and MHR is a little less robust than BHR.

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Originally Posted by DumDum

That is one handsome pen. Where does a party find such things? Luck? Specific traders?

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There is no one special place. I buy old pens for restoration at auctions, on eBay and sometimes locally. Most of what turns up locally is Parker 45s and Platignums but sometimes I strike it lucky.

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Originally Posted by FredRydr

"National Security" jogged my memory, but I confused the company with those check writing pens with the serrated roller on top.

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I know the pens you mean but only from books.

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Originally Posted by DumDum

That is one handsome pen. Where does a party find such things? Luck? Specific traders?

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It really depends on how much "hunting" and "connecting" you want to do.

This is partially a response to your other thread asking for pen suggestions. If you want to go the vintage route, the best way (not the quickest nor the cheapest) is through building a connection with other vintage collectors. This is the "connecting" path.

eBay, being the global market, will always be an option, but shopping there is just like shopping in a flea market the size of the globe, so a lot of research, caution, where timing and luck cannot be dismissed as factors. This is the "hunting" path.

But the most important thing is to arm yourself with enough knowledge to be able to discern which pen you may like out of hundreds of different styles. This is where forums such as FPGeeks can help you.

And yes, eventually, you have to start somewhere, but if you treat this hobby as a journey, sometimes you luck out, sometimes you strike out, so look at the big picture and select the path that will give you more wins than loses.

Hope this helps a bit.