Mentmore Paramount

[Paul-in-SF]

I am interested to find out more information about this pen model. I believe it was a post-war production. I've really only seen one photo, of a pen that is a streamlined lever-filler, black, with gold-colored (plated or rolled or filled, I don't know) trim and a translucent yellow barrel end, which I understand is celluloid and can be subject to deterioration. 

 

Is there much information about Mentmore pens available online? I'm wondering where this pen model's quality fell among their other models, such as Supreme, Autoflow, and Diploma. I don't know if any of those models were contemporary with the Paramount, but I do have at least one of each. 

 

My impression is that Mentmore pens might be described as 2nd tier British pens, with not top quality materials and not particularly attractive to collectors, but still potentially good writers. Does that seem like an accurate description? 

[kestrel]

Here is a collection of posts from Goodwriterspens, a blog by Deb in Scotland, all with some info on Mentmores.  I own a couple of Mentmores but neither have the original nib.  The plastic is pretty and the pens are reasonably well made.  I would call them upper second tier assuming the original nibs correspond to the construction of the rest of the pen.

[ParramattaPaul]

This website will give you the histroy of the Mentmore who also made the Platignum school pens I used back in the day.  Link:  Mentmore Manufacturing Co - Graces Guide

More here:  Mentmore - FountainPen

 

I will add that I have a couple of Mentmore pens in my collection.  They are good pens, and very good value for the money.

[joss]

I have two Mentmore 46 pens with sterling silver cap. They are not particularly pretty but these are sturdy and well made pens indeed.

According to Stephen Hull's "The English Fountain Pen Industry", the Mentmore Paramount was introduced in 1951. Here is a 1951 ad from Australian Women's Weekly magazine showing this pen:

[Paul-in-SF]

Thanks for the references, I will start reading through them. 

 

10 hours ago, joss said:

I have two Mentmore 46 pens with sterling silver cap. They are not particularly pretty but these are sturdy and well made pens indeed.

 

I have one, and I agree. When I first saw it I thought it was the most peculiar-looking hooded-nib pen I had ever seen, and I still do, but yes, sturdy and reliable. 

[ParramattaPaul]

Adding to my earlier comment and those that followed, I'd happily buy Mentmore ones if they were still made.  That said, I may have a look for another vintage one to add to the collection. 

[kestrel]

On 5/5/2023 at 11:53 PM, kestrel said:

Here is a collection of posts from Goodwriterspens, a blog by Deb in Scotland, all with some info on Mentmores.  I own a couple of Mentmores but neither have the original nib.  The plastic is pretty and the pens are reasonably well made.  I would call them upper second tier assuming the original nibs correspond to the construction of the rest of the pen.

This is what happens when I post after a day of fabricating tomato plant cages without my normal dose of tea.  Here is the link that was supposed to be in the post:

https://goodwriterspens.com/?s=Mentmore

[Paul-in-SF]

Thanks, I was able to find it from the name you posted. Actually, I already had that site bookmarked for vintage pens, but I hadn't paid any attention to the blog, so still a very useful heads-up. 

[peterg]

On 5/6/2023 at 4:13 AM, Paul-in-SF said:

I am interested to find out more information about this pen model. I believe it was a post-war production. I've really only seen one photo, of a pen that is a streamlined lever-filler, black, with gold-colored (plated or rolled or filled, I don't know) trim and a translucent yellow barrel end, which I understand is celluloid and can be subject to deterioration. 

 

Is there much information about Mentmore pens available online? I'm wondering where this pen model's quality fell among their other models, such as Supreme, Autoflow, and Diploma. I don't know if any of those models were contemporary with the Paramount, but I do have at least one of each. 

 

My impression is that Mentmore pens might be described as 2nd tier British pens, with not top quality materials and not particularly attractive to collectors, but still potentially good writers. Does that seem like an accurate description? 

Mentmore was probably the largest manufacturer of fountain pens in the UK during the 1930's. Not only did they produce a lot of models, but also many sub brands, pens for third parties and commemorative pens. The name Mentmore derives from Mentmore Place in Hackney where their factory was located.

 

In the 1920/30's they produced many sub brands such as Coral King, The Spot, Popular Prince, Bonzo (after a cartoon dog). This was distilled down to two brands, Mentmore for higher quality pens and corresponding Platignum pens with steel nibs.

 

I would say that Mentmore pens were comparable to Burnham, Langs and Wyvern pens although the plating on the metal work tended to be a bit thin (as was Burnham's). Post war Mentmore pens suffered, as did most of the UK pen industry, from lack of investment, the all conquering Parker pen and ball points. Mentmore seems to have suffered more than most while their Platignum boomed as a school pen. Mentmore was quietly phased out around the 1960's, replaced by Platignums with a gold nib (good pens but the nibs tended to be nails).

[ParramattaPaul]

2 hours ago, peterg said:

Mentmore was probably the largest manufacturer of fountain pens in the UK during the 1930's. Not only did they produce a lot of models, but also many sub brands, pens for third parties and commemorative pens. The name Mentmore derives from Mentmore Place in Hackney where their factory was located.

 

In the 1920/30's they produced many sub brands such as Coral King, The Spot, Popular Prince, Bonzo (after a cartoon dog). This was distilled down to two brands, Mentmore for higher quality pens and corresponding Platignum pens with steel nibs.

 

I would say that Mentmore pens were comparable to Burnham, Langs and Wyvern pens although the plating on the metal work tended to be a bit thin (as was Burnham's). Post war Mentmore pens suffered, as did most of the UK pen industry, from lack of investment, the all conquering Parker pen and ball points. Mentmore seems to have suffered more than most while their Platignum boomed as a school pen. Mentmore was quietly phased out around the 1960's, replaced by Platignums with a gold nib (good pens but the nibs tended to be nails).

I have a number of Mentmore pens. I agree that their quality is comparable to Burnhams and Wyverns as well.  I believe that they are much under-appreciated by collectors especially by those who enjoy writing with vintage pens.