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