A world where luxury and versatility are never compromised. Smythson endeavours to make the ordinary extraordinary and the everyday timeless. Rooted in deep heritage, Smythson represents over 130 years of British luxury leather goods at their most refined, with an enduring dedication to unrivalled craftsmanship.
Today, that legacy continues – a distinctly unique, extraordinary brand catering to extraordinary people.
The Smythson Story: A Legacy of Craft
Established in 1887, Frank Smythson opened his first boutique on Bond street providing stationery and "fancy articles of a high-class character." He was a skilled silversmith who brought his precision and artistry to the world of stationery.
By the 1890s, Smythson was commissioned to produce the stationery for each of Her Majesty’s residences.
In the 1910s, Smythson created greetings cards, beautifully stamped and hand-engraved to illustrate the golden age of travel.
By the 1960s Smythson was honoured to be granted its first Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen in 1964.
During the 1980s, Smythson was honoured with two further Royal Warrants: a prestigious mark of recognition from the British monarchy, signifying quality and excellence. The first from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, followed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
In the 2010s Panama arrived. The Panama collection was launched in 2013 and was inspired by Frank Smythson’s first Panama Diary from 1908. It continues to be one of the best-selling diaries to this day.
| CRAFTED IN ENGLAND | FEATHERWEIGHT PAPER | LUXURIOUS LEATHERS |
| Since 1887, Smythson has been crafting pieces designed to accompany colourful, storied lives. Every diary in today's collection carries more than 135 years of expertise within its covers. | Half the thickness and weight of standard paper, Smythson's signature blue Featherweight pages can even hold a fountain pen's ink. Each page is finished with gilded edges and authenticated with the feather-and-globe watermark. | From supple Panama to crocodile-embossed Mara, every Smythson diary is bound in a selection of expertly crafted leathers, each with its own distinctive character, texture and finish. |
| PAGE MARKERS | LISTINGS | SUSTAINABILITY |
| Crafted from grosgrain ribbon that coordinates with the diary and is hand-placed by Smythson artisans, handy page markers make it easy to return to the page you need. | A variety of useful lists fill the first few pages of each diary, from important dates and charts to cultural sites around the world - a source of inspiration as you plan your journeys and adventures. | Smythson has been awarded the Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury |
The Iconic Featherweight Paper.
Smythson books and diaries contain Featherweight paper, copyrighted in 1916 by Frank Smythson. Featherweight paper is half the thickness and weight (50 grams per square metre) of normal paper, so far more pages can be contained in a small light book. Instantly recognisable by its unmistakable blue colour, the Featherweight paper is watermarked with a distinctive globe-and-feather design. The watermark appears at least once on each page and ensures the book is not an imitation.
Smythson books containing Featherweight paper have a distinctive strong and hard-wearing 'floppy leather' binding that is virtually unchanged since the 1890s. Called the 'Panama Hat' of books, the Featherweight Panama, bound in cross-grain leather, can be rolled up and squashed and will improve with age.
For all the above reasons, Smythson Featherweight books are internationally popular with many distinguished writers, journalists, travellers and explorers. Used by 'the great and the good' over many generations, they have been called a 'secret social passport'.
