The Write Designs: Companies Producing Collectible Fountain Pens

Can you possibly imagine what it would be like todayknown originally as Simplo Filler Pen Company and
if the invention of paper, ink and pens never came tomanufacturers of high-class gold and fountain pens.
fruition? Would we still be writing on the walls ofFounding fathers: Claus-Johannes Voss, a Hamburg
caves with rocks and pebbles to get our visual andstationer; Alfred Nehemias, a Hamburg banker and
verbal communication across? Thank goodnessAugust Eberstein, a Berlin engineer.
through the evolution of time, there were many7. A. A. Waterman Pen Company located in New
technological innovators who created commercialYork City, was established by Arthur A. Waterman in
breakthroughs in fine writing instruments.1897. The similarity of names seemed to irritate L.E.
Here are eleven out of many companies, whoWaterman and they sued to force the company to
produced some highly valued pens that are among alabel their pens and nibs as "Not Related to the LE
fountain pen collector's dream:Waterman Pen Company".
1. Mabie, Todd & Co. itself was established in8. Moore Pen Company, 1898-1950's: Based in Boston,
1860 in New York was reformed as Mabie ToddMassachusetts, made high quality fountain pens until
& Bard in 1873. Their first fountain pen, thethe mid-1950s. The company began in 1899 as the
Calligraphic, was introduced around 1878. ProductionAmerican Fountain Pen Company with an excellent
of their famous "Swan" fountain pens is estimatedblack hard rubber safety pen they produced for
around 1890.nearly 30 years, known as the "Moore's Non-Leakable
2. Esterbrook Pen Company, 1856: Richard EsterbrookFountain Pen."
saw that there was no steel nib manufacturer in the9. W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company: 1908 - Present: The
U.S.A., and set up operations in the town of Camden,first practical lever filling fountain pen, earned Walter
New Jersey. The initial company was named theSheaffer a U.S. Patent in 1908. A single stroke of a
United States Steel Pen Manufacturing Company,slim metal lever filled the pen reservoir directly from
then Esterbrook Steel Pen Manufacturing Companythe ink bottle. Sheaffer established the W.A. Sheaffer
and by 1947 was renamed The Esterbrook PenPen Company in 1912.
Company. In the 1950's, Esterbrook advertised 410. OMAS, 1925-Present: (Officina Meccanica Armando
styles of fountain pens featuring 9 popular nibs toSimoni) Founded by Italian writing industry pioneer
choose from, for the way you write.Armando Simoni. One of OMAS collectibles, "The
3. L.E. Waterman & Company, 1883 to Present:Doctor's Pen" had the capacity to hold a clinical
Founded by Lewis Edson Waterman, The Ideal Penthermometer, two reservoirs for different colors of
Company is born and in 1888 the company wasink and conveniently offered a choice of two nibs.
renamed the L.E. Waterman Company. The company11. Namiki, 1924-Present: A Japanese company
developed the mottled hard rubber finish into thedeveloping and patenting lacquering techniques for
wood grain finish.hand-painted decoration that did not discolor or fade.
4. Parker Pen Company, 1891-Present: Founded byNamiki is now featured as Pilot's couture collection of
George Safford Parker. In 1894 the company wasMaki-e work.
known for the Lucky Curve ink feed system. ParkerSome companies focused on popular nib points
launched the first self-filling fountain pen, the Parkertailored to your writing style. Others were known by
61, in 1956. Engineered to "self-draw" ink from thetheir self-filling systems, use of precious metals or
bottle, the Parker 61 could hold enough ink to last forgems. It was evident that the innovators of fountain
six hours of steady writing.pens gave careful thought, experimentation and
5. Conklin Pen Manufacturing Company (originally theconsideration to the design, convenience, function, as
Self Fountain Pen Company), established in 1897: Inwell as style of these exquisite writing masterpieces.
1901, Conklin patents the Crescent Filler for what isThank goodness for any creative failures these
now the Conklin Pen Manufacturing Co. In 1903, thecompanies faced, because overall their collectible, high
company expands its advertising and marketing,valued pens, despite popularity, made unprecedented
including an endorsement by Mark Twain (Samuelstrides to enjoy the exploration of pure writing
Clemens).pleasure.
6. Montblanc, 1906-Present: A German company