Conway Stewart "The Elements" Pens -- but which element??

[terim]

We acquired a few Conway Stewarts in a recent collection. Based on the design, we've identified these as part of the Elements series, but they don't match any of the 5 element pens shown here. 

 

 

 

These are each numbered as part of a series of 100. Was there another series of elements pens?

 

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

 

TERI

[Paul-in-SF]

Hi Teri, those are some yummy pens.

 

The blue one looks like Water, but either this one has faded some, or the photo color values were off in the original. 

 

For the other one, based on the color in the cap, it looks like it should be Air, but as you noted the body colors are different (it looks more like smog). I can't think of anything to account for that, but I don't know anything about the series beyond what I can read in the link. 

[mizgeorge]

I've only seen the five (earth, air, fire, wind plus the incredibly tack yellow 'fifth') which were definitely numbered to 100. The pictures you've linked to look a bit oversaturated, but there's too much of a difference for it to be just photographic differences, I think.

 

My immediate reaction was that the enamel colours have been compromised, which can happen with exposure to chemicals or cleaning agents (amongst other things). However, the consistency of the colour on the cap to that on the pen would suggest that they are deliberate, which just adds to the mystery! 

 

I think I'd ask Conway Stewart if they have any original images.

[terim]

19 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

Hi Teri, those are some yummy pens.

 

The blue one looks like Water, but either this one has faded some, or the photo color values were off in the original. 

 

For the other one, based on the color in the cap, it looks like it should be Air, but as you noted the body colors are different (it looks more like smog). I can't think of anything to account for that, but I don't know anything about the series beyond what I can read in the link. 

 

I have been comparing the colors in the engraving in the cap, and those do not match any of the colors in the five. The barrel color is very even, so I'm doubting it has faded. The color over the barrel engraving could change over time, but I don't think the cap detailing would also diverge so far from the original.  These might be prototypes, but the serial numbers are not something I'd expect to see on a prototype.

 

We will see what CS has to say .....

[terim]

Based on the lack of response from Conway Stewart, I'm going to have to conclude these are numbered prototypes. I also sent a message to Mary Burke, who I have found to be quite helpful in the past.