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Pen delivery reviews and testemonials

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Manuscript Calligraphy Pens

Passion and commitment have delivered quality products and services, earning the trust of customers the world over. Innovative products of calligraphic excellence in both design and performance have been the instruments of beautiful writing for over 150 years.

Manuscript has upheld a set of core company values which have remained almost unchanged for over 150 years; Quality of the product and service, Value, Innovation, Customer Trust, commitment and passion. By staying with these values, manuscript has continued to create and provide beautiful calligraphic writing instruments to the world for many generations. They have consistently held a strong reputation within the pen industry as ‘The Calligraphy Company’, which has become testament to the satisfaction of customers, who have had the pleasure of using or owning a manuscript calligraphy pen.

Whether you’re new to calligraphy or an advanced master of the arts, Manuscript has a variety of tools suitable for both learning and developing the skill. The Manuscript Masterclass Calligraphy is a 23 piece calligraphy set ideal for beginners to practice writing styles, with a variety of nibs and ink colours included. For more advanced calligraphy, there is the Manuscript Deluxe Calligraphy Set aimed for those who have already developed their calligraphy.

With the advancement of modern technology, calligraphy is becoming a rare skill, which is kept alive by Manuscript’s belief in manufacturing writing tools designed to inspire and create beautiful works of art.

Art of Writing

Creative calligraphy pens for writing and gifting

Art of Writing

Callicreative

Modern tools for beginners and master calligraphers

Callicreative

Classic

Traditional calligraphy tools with a modern twist

Classic

Dip Pen

Traditional dip pen calligraphy instruments for bottled ink

Dip Pen

Dodec

Tools and accessories for practicing calligraphy

Dodec

Master Italic

Italic writing instruments for script style fonts

Master Italic

ML 1856

Modern fountain pens inspired by traditional design

ML 1856

Scribe

Simplistic calligraphy sets with superb fittings and features

Scribe

Victoriana

Luxury calligraphy pen sets for advanced calligraphers

Victoriana

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Manuscript Art of Writing Quill & Ink Set - Blue

£24.99

A visually pleasing and practical feather quill inspired by the origins of fine writing and a perfect gift for keen calligraphers. Includes an 18ml bottle of black calligraphy ink.
Manuscript ML 1856 Fountain Pen - Red Storm

£124.99

An outstanding fountain pen inspired by traditional design with a modern twist. Rendered from premium quality red resin, with illustrious white details and chrome trims. Fitted with a chrome finished stainless steel nib.

Choice of nib sizes available
Manuscript ML 1856 Fountain Pen - Northern Lights

£124.99

An expressive fountain pen designed to emulate the Northern Lights, rendered from ambient blue resin with bright yellow highlights. Complete with polished chrome features and a chrome finished stainless steel nib.

Choice of nib sizes available
Manuscript ML 1856 Fountain Pen - Midnight

£124.99

A stunning fountain pen with an eloquent design, rendered from high-quality resin with a 'Midnight' finish, contrasted beautifully by shiny chrome attributes and chrome finished stainless steel nib.

Choice of nib sizes available
Manuscript ML 1856 Fountain Pen - Oyster

£124.99

An expertly designed fountain pen combining modern aesthetics with traditional values. Rendered from premium quality resin in creamy tones, detailed with polished chrome and fitted with a chrome finished stainless steel nib.

Choice of nib sizes available
Manuscript ML 1856 Fountain Pen - Molten Lava

£124.99

An expertly rendered fountain pen with a 'Molten Lava' resin finish, complemented beautifully by polished chrome appointments. Fitted with a chrome finished stainless steel nib.

Choice of nib sizes available
Manuscript ML 1856 Fountain Pen - Purple Mist

£124.99

A feminine fountain pen with a stunning silhouette, produced from high-quality Italian resin with a 'Purple Mist' finish, featuring polished chrome details and a chrome finished stainless steel nib.

Choice of nib sizes available
Manuscript ML 1856 Fountain Pen - Turquoise Ocean

£124.99

A reflective fountain pen rendered from premium quality resin with a 'Turquoise Ocean' finish, complemented by shiny chrome features and chrome finished stainless steel nib.

Choice of nib sizes available
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Fine Black - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in black with fine 1.4mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Fine Blue - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in blue with fine 1.4mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Fine Brown - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in brown with fine 1.4mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Medium Black - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in black with medium 2.5mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Broad Black - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in black with broad 3.6mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Broad Blue - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in blue with broad 3.6mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Broad Brown - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in brown with broad 3.6mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Extra Broad Black - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in black with extra broad 4.8mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Extra Broad Blue - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in blue with extra broad 4.8mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Extra Broad Brown - Pack of 10

£13.95

Bumper pack of Italic marker pens in brown with extra broad 4.8mm tips.
Manuscript Callicreative Calligraphy Marker Pen - Pink - Pack of 2

£3.99

Two Italic marker pens in pink, with different tip sizes.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Gold and Silver - Pack of 2

£3.99

Two Italic marker pens in silver and gold, both with a 2.4mm tip.
Manuscript Callicreative Calligraphy Marker Pen - Assorted colours - Pack of 4

£6.75

Pack of four Italic marker pens in assorted vibrant colours and with fine 1.4mm tips.
Manuscript Callicreative Calligraphy Marker Pen - Assorted - Pack of 4

£6.75

Pack of four Italic marker pens in assorted vibrant colours with broad 3.6mm tips.
Manuscript Calligraphy Marker Pen - Black - Pack of 4

£5.45

Pack of four Italic marker pens in black and with a variety of tip sizes.
Manuscript Art of Writing Calligraphy Gift Set - Pewter Penholder Rest and Nib

£24.99

The most traditional and beautiful desk accessory of an ornate dip pen and matching rest, with ink and nibs.
Manuscript Art of Writing Calligraphy Gift Set - Quill Correspondence Set

£24.99

The ultimate letter writing experience with a quill dip pen, ivory paper and golden wax seal.

The History of Manuscript Calligraphy Pens

1856 - 1869

Manuscript first started its journey into the pen trade through its association with D. Leonardt & Co in 1856. Originally founded in 1856, D. Leonardt & Co met the demand for steel pens and educational writing instruments.

Due to increasing demand for pens and pen holders, D. Leonardt & Co had expanded from its Birmingham resources to Legge Lane, George St, Parade and Charles Henry St by 1867.

By 1969 the ‘inventive genius’ Hezekiah Hewitt was introduced to the company as well as Charles Leonardt, the founder's son.

1871 - 1886

Both D. Leonardt & Co and Manuscript were able to survive the depression through their overseas trade expansion and international exhibitions. Although competition was hard, the launch of the Automatic Wonder Pen certainly helped.

1881 saw the death of the company's founder, Diedrich Leonardt, so the company restructured and merged with Hewitt & Co.

In 1883, Diedrich’s son patented the ball-pointed pen, commonly known as the Eureka Pen.

Throughout the 1880’s the company continued to experience exponential growth with an output of 200 million pens a year.

1889 - 1930

Thomas Hessin Charles joined the business and acquired the pen companies M. Turnor & Co and G Smith and Co.

1946 - 1949

After the Second World War the writing instrument industry experienced difficulties with increased competition from the introduction of cheap, modern fountain pens and ballpoint pens.

In 1949 the Highley Pen Company (owned by Manuscript) merged with D. Leonardt & Co under the control of Arthur Charles. The remaining members of the Leonardt family ceased to have any involvement in the company in the early 1950’s.

1950 - 1960

D. Leonardt & Co (Highley Pens) Ltd started to diverse into the manufacture of pen clips, fountain pen nibs and calligraphy products.

1970 - 1980

The company introduced automated tooling for the manufacture of its successful pen nibs and clips, including butterfly nibs.

Nick Stockbridge, the Chairman and Managing Director of Highley Pens Ltd, married Arthur Charles and became joint managing director in 1976.

Malissa Stockbridge, Nick’s wife, joined the company in 1977.

1980

In 1984, Arthur Charles published his first book - a history of ‘’The Steel Pen Trade 1930 to 1980’’. The book gave details of the Birmingham based pen markers and the manufacturing processes they used.

1989 - 1990

With the takeover of an increasing number of European pen makers, Manuscript Pen Company Ltd was officially born out of a desire to continuing serving the gap in the market for packaged calligraphy products and fountain pens for schools.

2004

In 2004 Manuscript acquired the products of Stuart Houghton, a manufacturer of giftware including Calligraphy Gifts and Wax & Seal products.

2006 - 2012

In 2006 the businesses of D. Leonardt & Co and Manuscript was rearranged. Manuscript took over the production of pen nibs and the rights to the D. Leonardt & Co.

In 2007, Manuscript celebrated 60 years of pen production in Highley.

In 2009 Charles, the son of Nick and Malissa Stockbridge joined Manuscript. Charles was the fifth generation of the family to be involved with the West Midlands business.

2013

With the general reduction in the range of products offered by their competitors, Manuscript launched their new website, making available its wide range of products for the first time directly to the end user.

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