Presidential Pen History

[wtisaac]

Given that today is certainly one of prominence for the history of our country, as we inaugurate the nation's first black president, I was wondering what the historians out there knew & could pass on concerning our beloved fountain pens, and the Presidency. When was the last time (we KNOW) one was used in an inauguration? And if known, what was it? Any specific pens used to sign any specific, important or historic documents? If anyone knows, pass it on..........

[hardyb]

George Washington's pen knife (picture/factual narrative) and a pen he is said to have had. Some Jefferson related pen information. An A. Lincoln check. A T. Roosevelt check. A Taft letter.

Edited January 20, 2009 by hardyb

[rowdy]

I've done some research on this - well basically looked up stuff other people have put hard work into.

 

There is an excellent site put together by John Loring in Chicago www.loringpage.com on Presidential pens. If the link doesn't work just do a Google search for Presidential Pens. John has documented stuff about Presidential pens more focused on pens from the Kennedy to Clinton administrations which were predominatnly Parker.

 

I believe Ike used the 51 and a Paper Mate ballpoint. Kennedy used Esterbrooks and Jotters and 45's, LBJ, Nixon, Ford and Carter used various Parker models from the Jotter, 45, Systemark rollerball, 75, etc. Regan used pretty much any Parker that was out there including the Jotter, 45, Systemark and Arrow. I have pix in a Time magazine at home where Reagan is distinctly writing with both a Jotter and 45. Bush Sr. used a lot of Parkers and Clinton used the Insignia BP. But then I've seen a photo of Reagan writing a speech with a cheap felt tip also. Reagan was probably the biggest writer out there.

 

John's site has a lot of good info. I'm a Canuck but I'm led to believe that the preference is for US Presidents to use US made pens, which unfortunately seem few and far between with even Cross manufacturing offshore. I figure Barack will use leftover Bush Townsend Rollerballs for the first couple days and will stick with Cross.

 

May I share my thoughts with my neighbours to the south that today is a great day indeed.

 

Take care

 

Rowdy

(Kent Rowden)

 

[BillZ]

Mrs. Obama gave Mrs. Bush a pen and journal as a gift. Any ideas as to particulars? Also waht pen di the Prez use to sign the Executive Orders in the Presidents' Room of the Capitol? Looked like a MB but had a snap cap.

[rowdy]

Cross Townsend Black Laque Roller Ball.

 

Think there is a posting here under the Cross forum and also on PT.

 

Regards

 

Rowdy

 

[RevAaron]

Mrs. Obama gave Mrs. Bush a pen and journal as a gift. Any ideas as to particulars? Also waht pen di the Prez use to sign the Executive Orders in the Presidents' Room of the Capitol? Looked like a MB but had a snap cap.

 

There's a thread on that in Writing Instruments- it's some flavor of Cross BP. Bush also used a Cross BP.

[J0rdan]

I found this handy link in another thread, it should answer a number of your questions.

 

http://www.kamakurapens.com/Presidents/Presidents_Pens.html

 

Something terrible I noticed yesterday...Mr. Obama is a finger writer! He draws his letters rather than keeping his fingers still and letting his arm do the work.

Edited January 21, 2009 by J0rdan

[inkypete]

I found this handy link in another thread, it should answer a number of your questions.

 

http://www.kamakurapens.com/Presidents/Presidents_Pens.html

 

Something terrible I noticed yesterday...Mr. Obama is a finger writer! He draws his letters rather than keeping his fingers still and letting his arm do the work.

 

 

Lucky that didn't come out during his campaigning or he would never have been elected!

[J English Smith]

New York Times' website has a close up photo of the pen and the signing folder. It's a good photo that clearly shows the side imprints - Obama' signature and the seal.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/01/2...1-DAYONE_8.html

 

Very classy. A shame Cross is no longer U.S.-made, but they tried to do the right thing.

 

 

 

 

[Pictrix]

Wow, looks like Obama is a left-handed overwriter as well

 

Speaking of which, I wonder how many of our former presidents were southpaws? Just curious... does anyone know?

 

--Pic

[rowdy]

Txs for the link to those photos. I noticed something really weird in the signing ceremony. I am also a lefty in writing and throughout my life any lefty I ever met wore their watch on their right wrist. I thought I was the only person who wore a watch on their left wrist and wrote with their left hand. Obviously Obama is the same. Oddly enough we share the same birth year.

 

Hmmm who woulda thunk it??

 

Rowdy

[Pictrix]

I too am a lefty, and left-wrist-watch-wearer as well... (I can't find it if it's been put on my right)

 

I would guess, that many people who are left handed have more dexterity with that hand, and may find fastening a buckle or clasp with the left hand (applying the watch to the right wrist) would be easier.

 

Actually, I'm moderately ambidextrous, left handed writer, right-handed trackballer and scissors user (among other things). I can write with both hands although the right is not nearly as practiced. But I guess practiced enough to fasten fine little clasps on watches on my left wrist

 

But, if I'm doing any sort of detail work, the watch has to come off (else it drags/scratches across whatever I'm working on). Another reason people may wear a watch on the wrist opposite of the hand they write with...

 

I don't actually know anything for a fact on this concept (if it matters!) just hazarding a bunch of guesses!

 

--Pic

[Eskie]

An interesting article on Bloomberg contained a funny little bit from the Nixon days. The article is focusing on Obama's first day in office and some of the *glitches* that they had to deal with, but the pen related bit is in regards to Nixon. Here's the:

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...&refer=home

 

And the Nixon bit:

 

Hess, now a presidential historian at George Washington University, said first day flubs happen with every administration, though they’ve changed with technology.

 

On Nixon’s first day, one thing stood in the way just as he was ready to sign his first executive order: a pen.

 

“We suddenly discover we don’t have any pens -- the president’s supposed to sign it, we don’t have any pens,” he recalled.

 

Frantic, they went to the basement and found “dusty old pens,” the kinds that had to be dipped in ink wells, he said. And the trouble didn’t end there.

 

As Nixon began to sign his name, he got ink all over his hands. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Nixon’s counselor for urban affairs, had to give the president his own handkerchief to clean off, Hess said.

 

Wonder what other goodies there are in the WH basement?

 

[lak611]

Clinton also used a Sheaffer. From this website: "43BC) Here is a beautiful Sheaffer Fountain Pen. It is a rare and beautiful Pen used as a Presidential Bill Signer during the last two years of the Clinton Presidency. It is blue with a gold Presidential Seal and President Clinton's signature on the barrel. It is in pristine condition and has with two ink cartridges. It comes in a beautiful red presentation box bearing a gold Presidential Seal and "The White House." http://www.hailtothechiefs.com/BCSheafferPen.jpg

Edited January 22, 2009 by lak611

[Eskie]

...and some details on the southpaw question raised above. Check these links out:

 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08056/860162-294.stm

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...8070303202.html

 

Some argumentable points on some of these, but quite an interesting leftward leaning since WWII for sure! And the irony of the two lefties in 2008 and the three in 1992 all in the running. Fascinating really, even if you're not left handed.

[irishteamer]

Does anyone know what type of pen was used in the show "West Wing" when the fictional president "Josiah Bartlett" (Martin Sheen) presented his personal assistant with a vintage pen? It may or may not have been the real thing, but I was curious.

[elbereth]

Greetings..this is my first post on this forum. I noticed that President Obama was given a new pen for each executive order, and that the pens were kept in the folders of the orders as he was going through the "stack". Does anyone know what this protocol is, and what is done with those pens?

[Philips]

Greetings..this is my first post on this forum. I noticed that President Obama was given a new pen for each executive order, and that the pens were kept in the folders of the orders as he was going through the "stack". Does anyone know what this protocol is, and what is done with those pens?

 

Apparently the pens are given as gifts to people, perhaps this link might be of interest...

 

www.digitaljournal.com/article/265791

 

 

[Mescof1]

Franklin Roosevelt used whatever might be handy, but it seems that for important "state" occasions he preferred the dip pen with India Ink.

 

I've seen film of him writing letters and signing documents, and there were three or four dip pens on the desk in addition to the one with which he was writing. After he finished the body of the letter, he laid that pen down and picked up another for the signature. Some of his writings and notes look like they were written with a stub.

 

He also used desk pens frequently.

 

I know from reading William Hassett's diaries that FDR often borrowed a fountain pen he'd given to Hassett for his birthday on August 28, 1942. A couple of months later Hassett notes in his diary that the president had asked to use the pen he'd given him. Hassett remarked to the president that he'd had the point adjusted to emit of the broad stroke and liberal flow of ink the president preferred. After signing several documents the president gave his approval of the pen - must have been Binderized.

 

The palace where the Yalta Conference was held was virtually empty of furnishings in January of '45. There are preliminary notes between U. S. Secret Service and Russian personnel on how the facilities were to be furnished; the Russians said they would take care of everything. A train with furnishings was at that time on the way from Moscow, and "even included pens, ink, and blotters." I would imagine we are again talking about dip pens.

 

From viewing some of Harry Hopkins' notes through the "war years" it appears he used at least two fountain pens --with fine and medium nibs -- with heavy flow.

 

In addition, there are two references in "Franklin and Winston" to Waterman fountain pens being used by the president's aides."