Writing Instrument Collection

Illustration of fountain pen and lid

French satirical cartoon of Emile Zola
Vintage engraving of a French satirical cartoon of Emile Zola. A French novelist, playwright, journalist, the best-known practitioner of the literary school of naturalism

Belle Epoque - The Interrupted Letter 1890
Vintage photogravure engraving of a young french woman writing a love letter. Les Saisons: Le Panorama 1890

The Search for the Will, 1890. Artist: Benjamin Walter Spiers
The Search for the Will, 1890; desk strewn with papers and writing tools

Advert for Swan pens, 1906

Advert for Swan pens, 1931. A print from Punch or The London Charivari, 21st October 1931

Advert for Swan pens, 1928. A print from The Graphic, Christmas number, 1928

Still Life with Writing Implements, late 17th or early 18th century. Artist: Cristoforo Monari
Still Life with Writing Implements, late 17th or early 18th century. Found in the collection of the State A Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow

Self-portrait, c1789. Artist: Jacques Louis David
Self-portrait, c1789. David, Jacques Louis (1748-1825). Found in the collection of the State A. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow

Saint Paul the Apostle, 17th century. Artist: Claude Vignon
Saint Paul the Apostle, 17th century. Saul of Tarsus (1st century) who took the name Paul after seeing a vision of Christ on the road to Damascus

Illustration, spiral notepad with pencil

Illustration of hand writing with quill

St John seated holding writing instrument tablet
Artokoloro

Illustration, spiral notebook, pen lying on open page

Parents and daughter (6-7) talking with male teacher, indoors

Electronic Brain
A woman examines the readout from an electronic brain

An Early Typewriter
United States: c. 1875 An early model of a typewriter

Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930) Scottish author and creator of the famous fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Doyle also carried out experiments in psychical research

A selection of writing tools, including fountain pens, ballpoint pens, fibre pens, reed pens, nibs, quills and quill sharpener

Scribes tools, wood and alabaster tablets
Egyptian civilization. Tools used by scribes: wood and alabaster tablets

Writing material and instruments, schist tablet, inkwell and bronze styli, From Volubilis (Morocco)
Roman civilization, 1st-3rd century A.D. Writing material and instruments: schist tablet, inkwell and bronze styli. From Volubilis (Morocco)

Scribes tools, wood and majolica vessels used for colors
Egyptian civilization. Tools used by scribes: wood and majolica vessels used for colors

Letter written on papyrus and copper papyrus knife
Egyptian civilization, Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty XXI. Letter written on papyrus and copper papyrus knife. From El-Hibeh

Roman civilization, Roman schoolboy writing kit
Roman civilization, 1st century b.C. Roman schoolboy writing kit

Writing implements, Tablet with three leaves, bronze ink pot and stylus, Nero period 1st Century A.D. The Netherlands, Nimega, Rijksmuseum G.M. Kam, Roman art

France, Vertillum, Bronze pen and ink-stand 2nd Century B.C.- 2nd Century A.D. France, Burgundy, Chatillon Sur Seine, Musee Du Chatillonnais (Archaeological Museum), Gallo-Roman civilization

Pencils F005 / 0375
Pencils

Nib of a ballpoint pen. Ballpoint pens have an internal chamber filled with a viscous ink that is dispensed at the tip during use by the rolling action of a small metal sphere (blue)

Nib of a ballpoint pen, SEM
Nib of a ballpoint pen, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Ballpoint pens have an internal chamber filled with a viscous ink that is dispensed at the tip during use by the rolling action of

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In the realm of writing instruments, a world of creativity and expression unfolds. From the elegant fountain pen with its intricate design to the humble quill that once graced the hands of poets and scholars, these tools have shaped history and left their mark on countless pages. An illustration of a fountain pen and its delicate lid transports us to an era where elegance met functionality. The French satirical cartoon depicting Emile Zola reminds us of the power that words hold, even in times of controversy. In "The Interrupted Letter" from 1890's Belle Epoque, we witness a moment frozen in time, capturing both anticipation and longing. A portrait attributed to Fujiwara no Nobuzane introduces us to poet Yamabe no Akahito, whose verses flowed effortlessly onto parchment with his trusty writing instrument by his side. Lorenzo Magnificent and Giuliano de Medici grace another masterpiece; their pens poised as they contemplate artistry or perhaps compose letters filled with passion. Pieter Claesz's still life painting takes us back to 1628 when skulls shared space with quills on desks - symbols reminding writers of mortality while inspiring them to leave behind immortal words. Benjamin Walter Spiers' artwork titled "The Search for the Will" evokes curiosity about what stories lie hidden within those ink-stained pages. Advertisements for Swan pens transport us through time: 1906 showcases sleek designs appealing to modern sensibilities; 1931 captures elegance amidst Art Deco influences; while 1928 exudes timeless sophistication. Cristoforo Monari's still life composition invites contemplation on how simple objects like inkwells and quills can inspire great thoughts. Lastly, Jacques Louis David's self-portrait from c1789 reveals an artist who wielded not only brushes but also pens - a testament that creativity knows no bounds when it comes to choosing one's medium. From ancient scribes etching symbols into clay tablets to modern-day writers typing away on keyboards, the writing instrument has evolved.