In the introduction to this series of posts, I covered some background on Filofax’s rare pocket size offerings from the 1930s to 1970s. With all that history out of the way, let’s look at how the modern pocket size Filofax organizer was first introduced in the 1989 Filofax UK catalog.

This year, the ultimate adaptability of the Filofax really comes into its own with the launch of the Pocket Organiser. Here is the Filofax that does not advertise itself– yet makes itself indispensable to its owner in no time at all.

–Filofax Catalogue 1989, via Philofaxy

The first pocket Filofaxes of the late 1980s were introduced as a sort of companion to a standard Filofax. Although earlier pocket sized binders from Filofax seem to have had a standard 6-ring configuration, the new pocket organizers were designed with 4 rings, spaced so that the inserts could fit the inner rings of a personal size Filofax. The pocket organizers were launched in 3 leather types: soft calf with a “diced” grain, in pink, green or blue; kid, in black, burgundy or blue; and calf with a saffian criss-cross grain, in black, burgundy or brown. The ring size was 7/16″ (or 11mm), and cover size noted as 137mm x 99mm. And fasteners were not even mentioned as an option.

I have two of these original models, in the kid leather. One was my very first Filofax, that I purchased in 1992 or 1993, I think. I had it cut down to a narrower shape (see Pocket Filofax, Early 1990s for details). The black one is a later eBay purchase that is still in its original state. The black one is marked CAB in gold letters inside the secretarial pocket, and the burgundy one says CBB. They’re really lovely– so finely made, lightweight and supple. It’s hard to find inserts that fit the 4-ring configuration nowadays so you have to punch your own, but despite being at least 35 years old, these kid leather models still have lots of life left in them.

I think I also have an Iguana, though I’m not sure. I bought it from a seller in Japan, so may have been a model that was tweaked for that market. The leather has a stiff backing, and there is no model code on it anywhere, but I’ve seen similar ones for sale with 1990 inserts in them, so I do think it’s a very early model.

In the 1990 UK Filofax catalog, the pocket size models shifted a bit. The standard configuration is now noted as having a pen loop and fastener. The soft kid version is still available in black, blue and burgundy, and it is noted that versions without a fastener or with larger rings are also available. The other versions are now iguana calf leather in blue, green, pink, violet or black; and vinyl in black, blue or red.

From 1989 to 1991, all these models have the same interior pocket configuration as far as I can tell– a secretarial pocket on the left, and a full length pocket with credit card slots on the right. Inside, they are stamped with the Filofax name, the leather type, and “Made in England.” There is a small F logo on the spine.

In 1991, the iguana and vinyl models are pretty much the same, except for slightly different color options for iguana. All models have 11mm rings, but the kid leather model now comes with a fastener and pen loop, and also offers a 16mm ring option. In black kid leather only, they offer an 11mm ring version with no fastener.

In 1992, the pocket size line expands with the introduction of some new models, and they now have names. The kid leather now seems to be called Sherwood, the vinyl has become Berwick, and iguana is … Iguana. There’s also the Tejus, described as calf leather print, and Lincoln, which is smooth leather. In this catalog, all are said to have 16mm rings and the cover dimensions are 140mm x 102mm. The pockets have changed to two full length pockets on the left, and one full length with credit card slots on the right. Although no “slim” option is mentioned, at least one existed, because I have it: I am 99% sure I have a fastener-free Lincoln, though the model name isn’t stamped in it. It does have the gold stamped Filofax name and it says “Made in England” and “Real Leather.” This is one of the only “slim” Filofaxes to have 16mm rings. Despite the bigger rings, the width is just enough to accommodate divider tabs without them sticking out. The shape of this Filofax is almost perfect– I just wish it was slightly taller. But it’s still one of my all-time favorites.

In 1993, not much changed except that they introduced another pocket model called the Windsor. Everything has a fastener and 16mm rings, except for the blue and red versions of the Berwick, which for some reason have 11mm rings. No mention of any “slim” versions.

1994 is a momentous year, as Filofax switches the pocket models from the 4 ring configuration to the standard 6-ring format that matches other brands’ similarly-sized looseleaf binders. Otherwise, not much is new except that the Iguana and Lincoln have gone away and the York (soft natural leather) and Chester (suede-finish vinyl) have been added. The Sherwood has switched from being made of kid leather to calf leather. The dimensions are now 140 x 105mm. Rings are all 16mm. No mention of any “slim” versions.

In 1995-1997, as far as I can see, everything has 16mm rings and a fastener. Various model names come and go. No mention of pocket slims.

In 1998, the Pocket Chelsea appears in the UK catalog, model #027860. The default description of pocket organizers is that they are 108 x 145mm, with 16mm rings, though the catalog notes that certain organizers may have a larger or smaller ring capacity. The Chelsea is described as a “slim organizer” made of English calf leather, only available in black, without a fastener or pen loop. The Chelsea continues to appear in the 1999 catalog with that model number. At this point, Filofax is starting to stamp the model names inside the organizer: I have two pocket Chelseas, clearly named on both, but interestingly, one has 11mm rings, and one has 16mm rings. Both say “Made in England.” They are made of a lovely soft leather and have a nice arrangement of pockets that make them work well as a wallet. I used mine actively in the mid- to late-90s. See “Filofax Pocket Chelsea, Two Ways” for more details. The one with the large rings is another all-time favorite for me– it’s a perfect shape and size, and with the larger rings allowing for more inserts. It’s wide enough to accommodate index tabs but it’s taller, so the proportions are very pleasing.

In 1999, a new model appears, but only in the US “New Arrivals” Filofax catalog: the Grosvenor, model #020260, list price $100. (Not to be confused with an earlier, totally different personal size Filofax model also called the Grosvenor, which had metal corners. It’s strange that they reused the model name.) The catalog calls the Grosvenor a “slender” organizer, made of “luxurious nappa leather.” I bought a 2nd hand Grosvenor, and I can confirm that it really does feel luxurious! The leather is soft and supple while also feeling quite durable. The Grosvenor measures about 142 x 104mm, and has 11mm rings. The credit card pockets are on the left, with full length and secretarial pockets on the right. It does not say “Made In England,” as Filofax was shutting down their UK manufacturing around that time. The Grosvenor is another one of my favorite Filofax models– I liked it so much I bought two, and modified one to swap in larger rings– see this post for details. The only negative about the Grosvenor is that the leather inside the large front and back pockets can become a little sticky, probably due to the natural oils. In the first one I bought, I thought the problem came from having been used or stored poorly, but the second one was brand new and pristine and still had the problem. In any case, I found that my pandemic era alcohol wipes cleared up the stickiness very nicely.

Check back for Part 2 of this series, where I’ll continue the history of pocket slim Filofax organizers into the early 2000s.