Key of unknown originMetal key, slightly rusted.keys, metalwork, cast iron

Item from the Borough of Portland (1855-?)Iron seal with rectangular base oval insignia centred in cross-bar designFront: Borough of/Reg/No/Portland (in reverse) circular sealborough of portland, 1800s, seal, administration

In 1905, Mr. Frank Jarvis and Mr. Tommy Garner formed Conway Stewart & Co. Limited at 13 Paternoster Row EC1, next to St Paul’s Cathedral in London. Today, this area is known as Paternoster Square having been redeveloped after its complete destruction during the Blitz of World War II. Although there is much debate regarding the origins of the Company’s name, it is believed that the name “Conway Stewart” derives from a popular vaudeville act of the day. Conway and Stewart were supposedly a comedy double act who appeared at Collins Music Hall in Islington. The two entrepreneur took a great risk in leaving their secured jobs to start a new enterprise reselling fountain pens made by other manufacturers. They concentrated their energies and invested in importing pens from the United States. After an arduous month of persistent selling of their stock, they reaped the rewards of a rather healthy turnover of more than £13 and 9 shillings. This was a great accomplishment considering that the rent for their business premises was only five shillings a week. Even though this turnover would be pleasing to many new ventures, the strength of De La Rue in the fountain pen market made it impossible for the company to continue selling no-named fountain pens. In the same year, De La Rue reportedly invested £50,000 in a promotion campaign for their new launch, the Onoto. However, Garner and Jarvis soon recognized there was an audience desiring good, reliable writing instruments that were also affordable. This is when Conway Stewart began to capture a market amongst the English. Jarvis and Garner developed a single aim, to produce elegant and beautiful, yet functional writing instruments – a principle that Conway Stewart holds true to this day.Red "Conway Stewart Ink" bottle with black metal lid and red round label. Square bottle with flat edges. One quarter filled with ink.Front: 20 fl. ozs./Conway/Stewart/ink (white letters on red background, label, upper area of bottle)ink, writing, bottle

Displayed at History HouseSection of brick with imprinted company name - Portland Brick and Tile CompanyFront: PORTLAND/B & TILE CO.bricks, manufacture, building, industry, portland brick and tile

Portland Town CouncilWooden handle, rubber stamps, metal framestamp, administration, portland town council

Round inkwell (looks like a small bottle) with short neck with rolled lip.

Possibly from the Portland Town Council collection.Artefacts relating to the Portland Town Council represent the history of the Glenelg Shire and how it came to be. The Glenelg Shire Council was established by an Order-in-Council under the Local Government Act 1989, published in the Victorian Government Gazette S63 on 23 September 1994. Three councils were amalgamated, the City of Portland and the Shires of Glenelg and Heywood, to form the new Glenelg Shire.Cardboard box containing 11 full sticks and 5 partial sticks of sealing wax. Sealing wax embossed with maker detailsFront: Orange and yellow paper label on top. S. Maw, Son and Sons Fine sealing wax Crest in centre with London Englandportland town council, local government, glenelg shire, administration