Modifiche

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Carter's Ink Company}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Carter's Ink Company}}[[Image:Logo-Carter.svg|center|400px|Logo Carter]]

[[Image:Logo-Carter.svg|center|400px|Logo Carter]]

 

The ''William Carter Company'' was founded in 1858 as an ink manufacturer, and became the world leaders in this field at the end of 1800. In the mid of '20s they entered the fountain pen market, that at the time was in its full development. But after the great depression of 1929, which caused a sharp reduction in the fountain pen market, the company decided to stop producing pens and mechanical pencils in the early 30's.

The ''William Carter Company'' was founded in 1858 as an ink manufacturer, and became the world leaders in this field at the end of 1800. In the mid of '20s they entered the fountain pen market, that at the time was in its full development. But after the great depression of 1929, which caused a sharp reduction in the fountain pen market, the company decided to stop producing pens and mechanical pencils in the early 30's.

== History ==

== History ==

[[Carter]] was founded in [[1858]] in Boston by ''William Carter'', a stationer which began to sell inks produced by other under its own brand. Then he took some patents and started also his own production; the activity had a great success, so much so that in 1884 the [[Carter]] became the first world ink producer. A few years later, in 1888, the [[Carter]] was incorporated under the name of ''Carter's Ink Company''.

[[Carter]] was founded in 1858 in Boston by ''William Carter'', a stationer which began to sell inks produced by other under its own brand. Then he took some patents and started also his own production; the activity had a great success, so much so that in 1884 the [[Carter]] became the first world ink producer. A few years later, in 1888, the [[Carter]] was incorporated under the name of ''Carter's Ink Company''.

In the mid of '20s, the fountain pens golden era, [[Carter]] decided to venture into the production of writing instruments. The modalities of its entry in the fountain pen marker are not very clear: according to some the production began with the acquisition of patents, materials and equipment from another company that recently underwent bankrupt, the [[Laughlin|Laughlin Pen Company]], according to others their pens were made by the [[De Witt-La France]], a fountain pen manufacturer whose facilities were close to those of [[Carter]], that already produced fountain pen for the [[Laughlin|Laughlin Pen Company]] and provided pens for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rexall Rexall] stores chain.

In the mid of '20s, the fountain pens golden era, [[Carter]] decided to venture into the production of writing instruments. The modalities of its entry in the fountain pen marker are not very clear: according to some the production began with the acquisition of patents, materials and equipment from another company that recently underwent bankrupt, the [[Laughlin|Laughlin Pen Company]], according to others their pens were made by the [[De Witt-La France]], a fountain pen manufacturer whose facilities were close to those of [[Carter]], that already produced fountain pen for the [[Laughlin|Laughlin Pen Company]] and provided pens for the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rexall Rexall] stores chain.

[[Image:1927-09-Carter-Pen-Inx.jpg|thumb|left|Advertisement of 1927, with the slogan ''You know the ink'']]

[[Image:1927-09-Carter-Pen-Inx.jpg|thumb|left|Advertisement of 1927, with the slogan ''You know the ink'']]

Anyway the [[Carter]] pens were of excellent quality (with nothing to envy to the most famous ones done by [[Waterman]], [[Sheaffer]] and [[Parker]]). The [[De Witt-La France]] owned also some significant patents, one for a very functional and easy to produce spring clip ({{Cite patent|US|1350412}}), another one for a tethered [[lever filler]] system ({{Cite patent|US|1209978}}), that allowed to limit vertically the travel of the lever, and another one for an efficient feeder ({{Cite patent|US|1340277}}), all these features can be found on [[Carter]] pens.

Anyway the [[Carter]] pens were of excellent quality (with nothing to envy to the most famous ones done by [[Waterman]], [[Sheaffer]] and [[Parker]]). The [[De Witt-La France]] owned also some significant patents, one for a very functional and easy to produce spring clip, then called ''[[Rocker Spring Clip]]'', ({{Cite patent|US|1350412}}), another one for a tethered [[lever filler]] system ({{Cite patent|US|1209978}}), that allowed to limit vertically the travel of the lever, and another one for an efficient feeder ({{Cite patent|US|1340277}}), all these features can be found on [[Carter]] pens.

[[Image:Carter-Flattop-Coral.jpg|thumb|A [[Carter]]'s [[lever filler]] [[flattop]] model]]

[[File:Carter-Flattop-Coral-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Carter]]'s [[lever filler]] [[flattop]] model]]

Even the production beginning of the [[Carter]] pens is not clear, someone set this back to [[1924]],<ref>according to what said  [http://www.richardspens.com/?page=coll/col_20.htm here] and [http://kamakurapens.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=266&mode=threaded&pid=1271 here], bat this last one repeat the 1926 date, also reported [http://www.pensandwatches.com/_pages/pen_company_photos/Carter_pen_company.htm here].</ref> when it seems that the first pens marketed by [[Carter]] appeared, but it seems that they were manufacturing residues of  [[Laughlin]], others set the beginning in [[1926]]. The first pens marked [[Carter]] were launched under the slogan ''You know the ink''. These models were hard rubber ''[[flattop]]s'', with the the [[De Witt-La France]] patented spring-loaded clip, probably obtained from the materials inherited from [[Laughlin]]. These pen did not have a model name, and they are called simply [[The Carter Pen]].

Even the production beginning of the [[Carter]] pens is not clear, someone set this back to 1924,<ref>accordint to what said  [http://www.richardspens.com/?page=coll/col_20.htm here] and [http://kamakurapens.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=266&mode=threaded&pid=1271 here], bat this last one repeat the 1926 date, also reported [http://www.pensandwatches.com/_pages/pen_company_photos/Carter_pen_company.htm here].</ref> when it seems that the first pens marketed by [[Carter]] appeared, but it seems that they were manufacturing residues of  [[Laughlin]], others set the beginning in 1926. The first pens marked [[Carter]] were launched under the slogan ''You know the ink''. These models were hard rubber ''[[flattop]]s'', with the the [[De Witt-La France]] patented spring-loaded clip, probably obtained from the materials inherited from [[Laughlin]]. These pen did not have a model name, and they are called simpy [[The Carter Pen]].

In [[1927]] [[Carter]] introduced a new line of celluloid pens, called [[Carter Coralite Pen]] keeping the same ''[[flattop]]'' shape of hard rubber models, but using a set of colors of great impact. These first models were produced in different sizes, with nibs  measures between 2 and 7, and identified by a number whose last digit indicated the nib measure and the other the celluloid color. There were produced also desktop models (but only in two measures, 6 and 2) and ladies models with no clip, but with a cap ring.

In 1927 [[Carter]] introduced a new line of celluloid pens, called [[Carter Coralite Pen]] keeping the same ''[[flattop]]'' shape of hard rubber models, but using a set of colors of great impact. These first models were produced in different sizes, with nibs  measures between 2 and 7, and identified by a number whose last digit indicated the nib measure and the other the celluloid color. There were produced also desktop models (but only in two measures, 6 and 2) and ladies models with no clip, but with a cap ring.

[[Image:1930-Carter-Pearltex.jpg|thumb|Advertisement of the ''[[Carter Pearltex Pen|Pearltex]]'' models]]

[[Image:1930-Carter-Pearltex.jpg|thumb|Advertisement of the ''[[Carter Pearltex Pen|Pearltex]]'' models]]

In [[1929]] [[Carter]] introduced a new iridescent plastic material, called ''[[Pearltex]]'' made combining mother of pearl and celluloid with a patented process. The name of this material also became the name given to [[Carter Pearltex Pen|top line]] of pens. They were made in different sizes, with nibs in the extent of measures between 2 and 8, and in different iridescent colors, called ''Rose Petal'', ''Wave Green'', ''Cerulean Blue'' and ''Pearl White''.

In 1929 [[Carter]] introduced a new iridescent plastic material, called ''[[Pearltex]]'' made combining mother of pearl and celluloid with a patented process. The name of this material also became the name given to [[Carter Pearltex Pen|top line]] of pens. They were made in different sizes, with nibs in the extent of measures between 2 and 8, and in different iridescent colors, called ''Rose Petal'', ''Wave Green'', ''Cerulean Blue'' and ''Pearl White''.

The middle line pens were made in celluloid, still called ''[[Coralite]]''. Also these were produced in different sizes. Again [[Carter]] distinguished itself for the style of available colors, far beyond the classical ''Jade Green'' and  ''Pearl & Black'' used by most competitors, offering many new colors of great visual impact:  ''Blue'', ''Lacquer Red'', ''Red Black mottled'', ''Turquoise Blue'', and ''Squirrel Gray''.

The middle line pens were made in celluloid, still called ''[[Coralite]]''. Also these were produced in different sizes. Again [[Carter]] distinguished itself for the style of available colors, far beyond the classical ''Jade Green'' and  ''Pearl & Black'' used by most competitors, offering many new colors of great visual impact:  ''Blue'', ''Lacquer Red'', ''Red Black mottled'', ''Turquoise Blue'', and ''Squirrel Gray''.

For the lower end pens [[Carter]] continued to use the hard rubber, while retaining the same style and characteristics of the higher price pens. In the years there were also introduced some stylistic variations, such as the presence of rings decorations in the top of the cap or in the bottom of the body, or the use of colored inserts between the cap rings.

For the lower end pens [[Carter]] continued to use the hard rubber, while retaining the same style and characteristics of the higher price pens. In the years there were also introduced some stylistic variations, such as the presence of rings decorations in the top of the cap or in the bottom of the body, or the use of colored inserts between the cap rings.

With the great depression of 1929 the company found himself facing the first major crisis in the fountain pen market: many models were retired and the production was cut. Starting form [[1930]] were introduced pens with streamlined cap and the bottom, adopting of the style just came into vogue with the [[Balance]]. There were introduced also some cheaper pen models with no metallic ring decoration, but keeping colors and shape of the ''[[Carter Pearltex Pen|Pearltex]]'' e ''[[Carter Coralite Pen|Coralite]]'' lines.

With the great depression of 1929 the company found himself facing the first major crisis in the fountain pen market: many models were retired and the production was cut. Starting form 1930 were introduced pens with streamlined cap and the bottom, adopting of the style just came into vogue with the [[Balance]]. There were introduced also some cheaper pen models with no metallic ring decoration, but keeping colors and shape of the ''[[Carter Pearltex Pen|Pearltex]]'' e ''[[Carter Coralite Pen|Coralite]]'' lines.

In this last period, the pens were of lesser quality, produced with thinner and lower quality materials. In [[1932]], in a crisis where fountain pens market suffered a strong decline, the company decided to concentrate production on its main product, the inks, and left the fountain pen market, although it [[Carter]] pens could be found up to around 1938, presumably as the result of blending pieces of scrap derived from production.

In this last period, the pens were of lesser quality, produced with thinner and lower quality materials. In 1932, in a crisis where fountain pens market suffered a strong decline, the company decided to concentrate production on its main product, the inks, and left the fountain pen market, although it [[Carter]] pens could be found up to around 1938, presumably as the result of blending pieces of scrap derived from production.

The distinguishing features of [[Carter]] pens were elegance, technical excellence and high quality packaging, common to the features that had fostered the success of its inks. Having been in the fountain pen market for just a few years, [[Carter]] pens are much sought by collectors, also because the celluloid used in their production is easily susceptible to discoloration, the models in good condition are even more rare and can reach very high prices.

The distinguishing features of [[Carter]] pens were elegance, technical excellence and high quality packaging, common to the features that had fostered the success of its inks. Having been in the fountain pen market for just a few years, [[Carter]] pens are much sought by collectors, also because the celluloid used in their production is easily susceptible to discoloration, the models in good condition are even more rare and can reach very high prices.

{{ModelList|Carter}}

{{BrandCrono}}

{{BrandChrono|Carter}}

|-

| 1929 || Introduced the ''[[Pearltex]]'' [[Carter Pearltex Pen|models]]

{{TabEnd}}

== External references ==

== External references ==

* http://www.billspens.com/billspens/carter/carter.htm

* [https://www.legendaryleadcompany.com/carter.html] Carter page on Jonathan Veley website

* http://www.pencollectors.com/pennant/fall99/carter.html

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120904145519/http://www.billspens.com:80/billspens/carter/carter.htm] Carter page on Bill Aker website

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter%27s_Ink_Company

* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter%27s_Ink_Company] Wikipedia page

* http://kamakurapens.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=266&mode=threaded&pid=1271

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20130224001225/http://kamakurapens.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=266&mode=threaded&pid=1271] Discussion on Carter on Lion & Pens forum

* http://www.pensandwatches.com/_pages/pen_company_photos/Carter_pen_company.htm

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20131125223713/http://www.pensandwatches.com/_pages/pen_company_photos/Carter_pen_company.htm] Carter page on Pen & Watch website

</span>

<references/>