The Desk Diary/Planner goes back to 1959 when Shell Chemical’s Advertising Department developed a desk calendar to use as a corporate gift at a trade show. The theme of the 1960 Shell Desk Diary/Planner was Evolution of Chemistry, and it featured chemistry milestones depicted in 54 original pen-and-ink drawings by artist David Stone Martin.

Shell Chemical gave away 5,000 copies at the National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Exhibit in Washington, D.C., a premier trade show for promoting company products. The enthusiasm among customers led to three more editions— the second edition (1961) with the theme The Scallop Shell in Art included 52 photographs of shells used in art through the ages. The shell theme caught on and is a feature which continues to this day.

Shell Oil Company’s Public Relation Department, under the direction of late F.H. (Bud) Roberts, artist, began publishing the Diary in 1963. Roberts, who won more than 30 awards for the diary, determined the annual theme, took the photographs, designed the book, wrote the copy and supervised the printing. Bud continued to be the heart and soul of the Shell Desk Diary/Planner for 33 years—elevating it to a worldwide public relations and artistic success that became synonymous with Shell Oil Company. The 34th edition—Jewelry Made from Shells—was the last edition published by Shell. Shellmark Press, Inc., began publishing the Diary in 1993 and in 2003 SEA took the lead.

Although the Diary is no longer affiliated with Shell Oil, Shellmark and SEA have retained the original style and format that is so popular with corporate customers and seashell collectors throughout the world. The 7-by-7 inch diary includes 16 pages of color photographs featuring seashells and marine life set on a background of breathtaking seascapes and tropical locales.