A fountain pen belonging to British wartime prime minister Winston Churchill circa 1951-1955 is offered at Humbert & Ellis Auctioneers.

The Swan Mable Todd features a 14 karat gold nib.

It’s consigned from the family of a former civil servant, who worked alongside Churchill.

Churchill gave this pen to a civil servant

One day he forgot his pen and Churchill gifted him this one, telling him: “Keep the pen old boy and read before you sign.”

The auction house told ITV News: “The grandson of the lucky recipient of the pen feels it is now time to let someone else own the fountain pen of arguably Britain’s greatest Briton - and with the world-wide interest in Churchillian memorabilia, we hope the spoken provenance will add some value.

“Who knows what great State papers were signed by this very pen by the great man himself."

The pen is expected to reach £800-1,200 ($1,139-1,708), a figure that reflects its connection to Churchill’s second term as PM.

Pieces connected with the war years tend to command higher prices.

However this piece would have seen daily use, which could increase its appeal.

The sale will take place on February 22.

Last year a cigar Churchill puffed on in 1947 before hopping on a plane sold for a record $12,262.

We have an excellent photograph of Churchill and future prime minister Harold Macmillan for sale.

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