About the WES
The Writing Equipment Society grew from a group of enthusiasts who had two things in common – they were interested in all the paraphernalia associated with the act of writing and they all patronized ‘His Nibs’, the fascinating shop belonging to Philip Poole in Drury Lane, London.
Philip had written informal newsletters to his customers and friends, pulling together a group which met in London in September 1980, to realise that they had the makings of a really worthwhile new society.
So it was, that on 30th November 1980, an inaugural meeting was held in the Bonnington Hotel, London, and the Writing Equipment Society was born.
The idea was to promote ownership, conservation, study and use of writing equipment – to record knowledge and share it with others.
Philip Poole’s pre-1980 newsletters have now been brought together and re-printed in one volume to celebrate our first 25 years (2005). These newsletters were the ‘foundation stones’ upon which the current WES Journal has been built.
Since 1980 the Society has built up a membership of around 500 – about 150 of whom are from overseas. Whilst fountain pens are the main interest of most members there are groups of varying size that are interested in everything connected with the world of writing from papers to inks; from writing slopes to slates; from stamp boxes to pencil boxes; from steel pen nibs to quill cutters – the list seems endless.
The WES Journal is published and distributed internationally in spring, summer and autumn and is widely respected for its informative style and substantial content. There are three members’ meetings each year offering a varied and interesting programme. The Annual Meeting is held in London every November.
Activities have varied over the years as conditions have changed, but those who have been members throughout have been able to experience informal meetings, exchange and sale, lectures, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, factory visits, auctions, pen shows, purchase of limited edition items and the occasional social function. The Journal is a repository for hundreds of well-researched articles, our archive contains a wealth of material that can be copied as required and our website offers a shop with changing stock.
Membership of the Society brings you into contact with a wide circle of people sharing similar interests in the writing equipment field.