Stephens

[eachan]

As it was raised elsewhere, I thought I might explain a little about Stephens Fountain Pens. Stephens was a long-established provider of ink, probably the most popular in Britain. Every school had a large bottle of Stephens Blue/Black and a smaller one of Stephens Scarlet which the teacher would use to point out the shortcomings in pupils' work. In 1935 the company expanded into fountain pen sales. Stephens didn't make the pens, that they contracted out to Langs of Liverpool. The model numbers reflected the price, thus the 56 cost five shillings and sixpence, the 76 seven shillings and sixpence and the top of the range 106 cost ten shillings and sixpence.

These pens were innovative. They had a patented fixed blind cap which operated an otherwise normal button filling mechanism. No blind cap to lose! Other models were introduced through the years and sales were successful. Later, they had discussions with Waterman and came close to buying the company. Instead, Jif Waterman produced many pens for Stephens in the 1960s.

Many Stephens pens, especially those of the thirties and forties, were produced in beautiful, colourful celluloid patterns. Those fetch high prices today as collectors fight over them. The plainer black chased models are appreciated too.