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WILLARD PEN COMPANY

318-326 West 39th Street, New York



Willard Pen Co. - New York - 1915


Willard Pen Company - New York - 1920


Willard Pen Co. - New York - 1920

Established in 1899.

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CONWAY STEWART

33, Paternoster Row, later, 31 & 32, Shoe Lane, London



Conway Stewart & Co.Ltd. - London - 1910



Conway Stewart & Co.Ltd. - London - 1921

Established by Frank Jarvis and Thomas Garner in 1905.

Gold and silver examples noted. 1920's-1930's London hallmarked, maker 'WJA'. Conway Stewart now appear to have own registration with the Birmingham Assay Office 'CS'.

See: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=35655&p=186413#p186413

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JAMES G. IRWIN

781, Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey

James G. Irwin, Manufacturer of Gold Pens, Pencil Cases, Pens and Pencils, No. 781 Broad Street.–This house was founded in 1857 by the present proprietor, and the business has been conducted to the time at which we write without any change occurring in the management. Mr. Irwin is a manufacturer of gold pens, pencil cases, pens, and pencils, and ships his productions freely throughout New Jersey and New York, in which territory they have a high reputation for their reliability and superior points of excellence. The premises occupied are located at No. 781 Broad street, and are equipped with all the tools, appliances, and devices necessary for turning out strictly first-class work. The materials used are carefully selected, and manipulated by expert and experienced artisans. These facts in connection with the inducements offered to buyers in the way of prices, sufficiently accounts for the creditable trade which has been developed, both in the quality of the pens, cases, and pencils, and in the facilities possessed for producing them economically. Mr. Irwin was a member of the Legislature during the session of 1869 and 1870, served as president of the Board of Tax Commissioners, and altogether has had an experience in public life covering a period of twenty years.

Source: Quarter-Century's Progress of New Jersey's Leading Manufacturing Centres - 1887

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GEORGE HEATH & COMPANY

New York, later, Newark, New Jersey



George W. Heath & Co. - New York - 1902



George W. Heath & Co. - New York - 1902



George W. Heath & Company - Newark, NJ - 1912

George W. Heath & Company
IN the year 1892, George W. and Alfred C. Heath began business as partners in New York as "chasers and designers to the trade." The original location was at 137 Elm street, New York, but owing to increasing business more commodious quarters were obtained at 27 Thames street, and later at 380, 382 and 384 Canal street.

In May 1912, desiring to avail themselves of the splendid manufacturing facilities afforded by Newark, and being disposed to do their share in making Newark famous, and proving that "Newark Knows How," the firm of George W. Heath & Co. moved the office and factory to the modern fireproof structure which they had erected at 206, 208, 210 First street.

The company is engaged in the manufacture of fountain pens, and in these days of universal education when everybody can write, there is an ever increasing demand for its product.

The pens made by this concern are known as Heath's Tribune Fountain Pens, the component parts of which are made of the best material obtainable, and are carefully assembled and adjusted by skilled men under the direct supervision of the members of the firm.

Besides fountain pens the company also manufactures gold pens, gold and silver pencils and art metal goods which are sold all over the world, through agencies established by correspondents and frequent visits of traveling salesmen among the dealers in various foreign countries.

All products that are made by this company bear the imprint "Made in Newark," and the goods are worthy of the city in which they were made.

Source: Newark, the City of Industry: Facts and Figures Concerning the Metropolis of New Jersey - Published under auspices of Newark Board of Trade - 1912


George W. Heath and Company moved from New York City to Newark and built a two-story factory at 208 First street, to make gold fountain pens and gold and silver pencils. The plant cost $16,000 and has electric power. Fifty hands are employed on the job.

Source: The Metal Industry - April 1913

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ARMENY & MARION

Armeny Building, 90, Nassau Street, New York



Armeny & Marion - New York - 1897

William C. Marion of the gold pen house of Armeny & Marion, who was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1834, at the age of fourteen apprenticed himself to Andrew J. Berrian, maker of gold pens, at that time doing business at 75 Nassau street. After serving an apprenticeship of three years with Mr. Berrian he proved himself so skilful in the art of pen-making that he secured at the early age of seventeen a position as journeyman in the shop of A. G. Bagely, also of Nassau street. Mr. Bagely is credited with being the inventor of the gold pen. Mr. Marion remained with Bagely until his death. The business changed hands, but Mr. Marion remained at his post and continued to act in the capacity of foreman for thirty-three years. The plant was finally purchased by Edward Todd of Edward Todd & Co., and removed from Nassau street. Mr. Marion engaged in business for himself in 1884, associating with him G. Armeny, under the firm name of Armeny & Marion, which firm still exists, and probably no firm of gold pen makers enjoy a better reputation than does this house. After a successful career extending over a period of more than fifty-two years, William C. Marion is still in active service, and is without question or doubt to-day the oldest living working gold pen maker in the world.

Source: New England Stationer and Printer - 1901

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THOMAS DE LA RUE & Co.Ltd.

Crown Street, Finsbury, later, 110, Bunhill Row, London

Thomas De La Rue established his business in 1813, he was later joined in partnership by Thomas Hartree Cornish and William Frederick Rock. Following the death of Thomas De La Rue on the 7th June 1866, the firm was continued by his sons, Warren De La Rue and Frederick De La Rue. The business was converted into a limited liability company in 1897.



Onoto Pen - 1908

As far as the pen side of their business is concerned, they produced reservoir pens under the trade names, 'Pelican', 'Swift' and 'Orb', and a stylograph under the name of 'Nota Bene'. However, their great success came in 1905, when, after taking up the patent of George Sweetser, they launched the 'Onoto' pen.



Onoto Pen Co. - New York - 1910

Although originally manufactured in London, Onoto pen manufacture was transferred to Strathendry, Fife, Scotland in 1927 and continued there until 1958, when production ceased. The brand name has now been revived under new ownership.



Thomas De La Rue & Co.Ltd. - New York - 1921

Thomas De La Rue entered a succession of marks with the London Assay Office starting as from 1878. Although there is variance in the marks, they basically were all 'T D L R', either incuse or contained within separate squares. In 1904 the company entered new marks 'D L R Ld', again contained within separate squares. Similar marks were also entered with the Chester Assay Office.

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BURGE, WARREN & RIDGLEY

11, Clerkenwell Green, and 42, Kirby Street, and 91-92, Great Saffron Hill, London



Burge, Warren & Ridgley - London - 1896



Burge, Warren & Ridgley - London - 1902



Burge, Warren & Ridgley - London - 1910


Originally styled 'Burge & Warren', the business became 'Burge, Warren & Ridgley' by 1888.

Noted as being the actual maker of the 'Battle Axe' pen, marketed by the Jewellers and Silversmiths, Robert Pringle. BW&R were also noted as a supplier of pens to Asprey.

Noted as using the trade names 'Neptune', 'British', 'Empire', 'Tom Thumb', 'The Whippet', 'The Duple', 'The Simplex', 'Boy Scout', 'Efficient', and 'Perfect'.

Examples noted in plated silver, silver, and rolled gold.

The company ceased to trade in 1929 and were acquired by The Jewel Pen Co. (see above post).

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S.J. FOOT & SON

95, New Bond Street, London



S.J. Foot & Son - London - 1896

Noted as using the trade name 'Monarch'.

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WILLIAM KIDD & SONS

112, Nethergate, later, 7, Whitehall Street, Dundee



William Kidd & Sons - Dundee - 1910

Thought likely to be Conway Stewart pens marked in their name.

Users of the trade name 'The Thistle Pen'.

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THE INDIA RUBBER Co.

Silvertown, London



The India Rubber Co. - London - 1911

Users of the trade name 'Silvertown'.

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CONKLIN PEN COMPANY

Toledo, Ohio


The Conklin Pen Co. - Toledo - 1903


Conklin - London - 1909


The Conklin Pen Mfg.Co. - Toledo - 1919

The Conklin Pen Company was established in 1898 by Roy Conklin, it was originally styled 'Self Fountain Pen Co.' but restyled to the Conklin Pen Company by 1901. The company was acquired in 1941 by the Starr Pen Company, but ceased production in 1955, however, the brand name was revived in 2000.

Users of the trade names 'Duragraph', 'Nozac', 'Endura', 'Glider', 'Cresent Filler', and 'Symetrik'.


PEN COMPANY ASSIGNS

Conklin Pen Mfg. Co. Now in the Hands of an Assignee

Toledo, O., June .20.–A deed of assignment was filed Monday in the probate court by the Conklin Pen Mfg. Co., one of the largest manufacturers of fountain pens in the United States. F. Mitchell, vice-president of a local bank, is named as assignee. It is expected that the court will order him to continue the business. No statement of liabilities has been filed.

The Conklin Pen. Mfg. Co. has sent out the following letter to creditors:

Toledo, Ohio, June 18, 1917. To the Creditors of the Conklin Pen Mfg. Co.:

Gentlemen: The Conklin Pen Mfg. Co. has been compelled to make a general assignment for the benefit of all the creditors of said company under the laws of Ohio. This act was necessary to protect the rights of all the creditors alike. The business of the company has been growing steadily and the profits of its business this year, if it had been able to continue, would have been larger than any previous year. In building up the business it has incurred obligations that it hoped could be met out of the growing profits. A large amount of indebtedness was thereby incurred, notes and accounts were maturing, or had matured, which the company was unable to meet. A majority of its creditors, who had matured and maturing obligations, are insistent upon immediate payment, and to whom payments could not be made without creating a preference that would have been unfair to other creditors and inequitable. Some three weeks ago we consulted counsel as to the best method to pursue, and since that time and on their advice, we have made no payments which could be considered as a preference. Vigorous efforts were made to secure additional capital, but without result.

The assignee selected is the vice-president of The Northern National Bank of Toledo, in whom the company believes all the creditors will have full confidence. The company believes that an examination of its affairs will demonstrate that it has been actually doing its best, fairly and honestly towards its creditors, and that the business itself, if properly managed, can be productive of profits that will eventually pay its debts and leave a good going concern to continue dealing with its existing creditors. But to discontinue the business will be fatal to the interest of the creditors and will leave nothing for them but a distributive share of the assets by sale. The books of the company and all of its transactions are open for the inspection of the creditors, and the only way for them to determine their wishes and decision as to the future is to have an early meeting at Toledo, at which the whole situation can be gone into and a decision as to the future made. The question will be submitted to the creditors whether the assignee shall be authorized to continue the business, and in determining that question the creditors will be shown that on the business certainly to be done under such operation there will result substantial profits that will inure to their benefit.

It asks that such meeting of the creditors be had at Toledo on Tuesday, the 26th day of June, 1917, at 10 o'clock A. M., at the office of the company.
We append form of assent to the continuance of the business under the trustee, which, if you are unable to attend the meeting on the 26th, we would be glad to have you sign and forward to us. Yours truly, The Conklin Pen Mfg. Co.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 27th June 1917

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THE ECLIPSE FOUNTAIN PEN Co. - MARX FINSTONE

161, Grand Street, New York, and 21 Dundas Square, Hermant Building, Toronto




Marx Finstone - New York - 1917



The Eclipse Fountain Pen Co. - New York - 1921

Established at New York in 1903. Later, in 1925, manufacturing was was started in Canada.

Trade names used include 'Streamline', 'Hooded Knight', 'Select-O-Point', 'Park Row', 'Marxton', 'Jackwin', and 'Monroe'.

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STERLING FOUNTAIN PEN COMPANY

19, Milk Street, Boston



Streling Fountain Pen Co. - Boston - 1902


Streling Fountain Pen Co. - Boston - 1908

The Sterling Fountain Pen Co. was owned by the Davidson Rubber Co. (Rhodes Lockwood) of the same address and also at Charlestown, Mass.

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CURZON, LLOYD & MACGREGOR - THE LANG PEN Co.Ltd.

later, CURZONS LIMITED and later still, SUMMIT PEN COMPANY

48, Copperas Hill, later, Hope Street Works, Liverpool



Curzon, Lloyd & MacGregor - Liverpool - 1905


The Lang Pen Co.Ltd. - Liverpool - 1915

Established in 1899, The Lang Pen Co. Ltd., were the sister company to Curzon, Lloyd & MacGregor.

Curzon, Lloyd & MacGregor Ltd. changed their name to Curzons Ltd. in 1920, and later, to Summit Pens Ltd.

Summit Pens Ltd. ceased production of pens in 1955.

As the Lang Co.Ltd., the company entered their mark 'SW' (Samuel Wade, Manager) incuse and without outline with the Chester Assay Office on the 12th December 1903.

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F.T. PEARCE COMPANY

29, Point Street, later, 85, Sprague Street, Providence R.I., and 180, Broadway, New York



F.T. Pearce & Co. - Providence, R.I. - 1889


F.T. Pearce Company - Providence, R.I. - 1909


F.T. Pearce Company - Providence, R.I. - 1917

Frank Thomas Pearce was born at Providence, R.I. on the 13th November 1848. His death occurred on the 17th June 1913, he was one of the founders of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America. Frank Pearce was a former employee of Richard Cross & Sons, manufacturers of gold pens and pencils. He founded his own business, originally styled Pearce & Hoagland, in 1879. He was joined in his business by his son Aldridge Gardiner Pearce, but they died within a year of each other.



The limited copartnership which was formed several years ago between Frank T. Pearce, Aldrige B. Gardiner and Charles H. Perkins, under the firm style of F. T. Pearce & Co., for the manufacture of gold pens, pencil cases, etc., has been dissolved. The business will be continued at the old stand, 85 Sprague St., under the old name by Mr. Pearce and William C. Perkins, a son of Charles H. Perkins.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 17th April 1895


The business was incorporated in 1907:

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, & C.

Issued Mar, 21, 1907.

I, Charles P. Bennett, secretary of state, hereby certify that Frank T. Pearce, Aldridge G. Pearce, Dominic M. Wall, have filed in the office of the secretary of state, according to law, their agreement to form a corporation under the name of F. T. Pearce Company, for the purpose of engaging in the business of manufacturing gold pens, penholders, pencils, toothpicks, fountain pens, stylographic pens, jewelry, and other articles of merchandise, or any other business connected therewith or incidental thereto, and with the capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, and have also filed the certificate of the general treasurer that they have paid into the general treasury of the state the fee required by law.

Source: Acts and Resolves Passed by the General Assembly of the State of Rhode-Island - 1908


Owing to the recent death of Frank T. Pearce and Aldridge G. Pearce there has been a reorganization in the manufacturing jewelry firm of F. T. Pearce Company. D. M. Wall, who has been with the company since 1879 as foreman, has been elected president and general manager, and J. J. Laney, of Buffalo, N. Y., has been elected secretary and treasurer.

Source: Metal Industry - 1914


The plant and business of the F. T. Pearce Co., 85 Sprague St., manufacturers of gold pens, pencils, etc., was sold at auction Thursday morning, the E. A. Eddy Machinery Co. being the successful bidders for the plant. The concern was sold as a going business, the book accounts to date being reserved by D. M. Wall, the controlling stockholder.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 21st May 1919


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PAUL E. WIRT

Bloomsburg, Pa.



Paul E. Wirt - Bloomsburg, Pa. - 1888


Paul E. Wirt - Bloomsburg, Pa. - 1904


Paul E. Wirt - Bloomsburg, Pa. - 1904


Paul E. Wirt - Bloomsburg, Pa. - 1905


Paul E. Wirt - Bloomsburg, Pa. - 1905


The Paul E. Wirt Fountain Pen - Bloomsburg, Pa. - 1908


Paul E. Wirt Fountain Pen Co. - Bloomsburg, Pa. - 1921


Paul Wirt's first fountain Pen patent was granted in 1882, he established his business in c.1885.


DEATH SUDDENLY CALLS KARL F. WIRT



Just as he was entering into the prime of his useful life death called Karl F. Wirt, only son of of Paul E. Wirt, the fountain pen manufacturer of Bloomsburg, Pa. Young Mr. Wirt was preparing to join his family at a summer cottage when he was seized with paralysis and died almost instantly.

Mr. Wirt was born in Bloomsburg, October 11, 1878, and was educated at St. Paul's School, Garden City, Long Island, and Harvard University.

Upon his return from college he became associated with his father in the Wirt pen business, and was also active in civic affairs. The deceased was a trustee of the B. P. O. E. of his city, and was also a member of the Harvard Club of New York and the Bloomsburg Country Club. He has for years been a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Besides his parents he is survived by a wife and daughter and an uncle, W. C. Funston, who is the manager of the Wirt pen business.

Source: The Modern Stationer and Bookseller - 10th August 1921

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A.B. SCOTT & Co.

Fairmont, W. VA.



A.B Scott & Co. - Fairmont - 1911



A.B Scott - Fairmont - 1918



A.B Scott & Co. - Fairmont - 1922

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AIKIN, LAMBERT & Co.

23, later, 19, Maiden Lane, New York



Aikin, Lambert & Co. - New York - 1884



Aikin, Lambert & Co. - New York - 1893



Aikin, Lambert & Co. - New York - 1902

Established by James C. Aikin and Henry A. Lambert in the 1860's. The firm later became a subsidiary of the L.E. Waterman Company.

Brand names include 'Mercantile', 'Capitol', 'The Pet', and 'ALCO'.


A Novelty in sterling silver pencil protectors is just being shown by Aiken, Lambert & Co., of 19 Maiden lane, New York. They are called the Birthday Stone Head Pencil Protectors, and in the head of each a stone symbolic of each month is mounted. They are assorted one dozen on an easel with a velvet lined box for each and form an attractive novelty.

Source: The Jewelers' Review - 5th April 1899

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C. TAKEDA-SHOKAI

69, 4-Chrome Junkeimachi, Minamiku, Osaka, and 16, Toshimacho, Kanda, Tokyo



C. Takeda-Shokai - Osaka and Tokyo - 1920

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GREEN & Co.

Devonshire Chambers, 15, Bishopsgate Street Without, London



Green & Co. - London - 1908

Distributors of 'BLAIR'S RED ROBIN' and 'BLAIR'S BLACK BIRD'.

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