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		philip poole

		Philip Poole was known throughout the world of calligraphers and collectors of writing equipment as 'His Nibs'. He was born on 6 October 1909 in London, where he later attended the Sir John Cass Elementary School. At the age of fourteen he left school, got a job as an office boy and joined the Labour Party. During the twenties and thirties Philip's passions were rambling and politics. He combined the two when campaigning for the 'Right to roam'. In 1929 he joined the Workers' Theatre Movement and became its secretary. He started his staionery business buying a box of rubber bands, splitting them up and selling the smaller quantities in order to make sufficient profit to buy more stationery. His first shop was in Holborn, where he established a wholesale and retail stationery business business which was to trade in the area for the next fifty years. He moved to Drury Lane, where most people now remember him and came from all over the world to meet the ;'quaint' man in his 'old-fashioned' shop. It is here that he amassed his vast range of nibs and antique writing equipment. Through this he developed the knowledge which led to his recognition as a world expert on pen nibs and his photographic memory never failed him. He died 23 February 1999. Philip was very excited about the formation of the Museum of Writing and was a member of its first committee. The nibs and holders shown above were his pride and joy and we will be exhibiting them in his honour.
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