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[[File:Williamson-Safety-Overlay-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Williamson]] [[safety]] ]]

[[File:Williamson-Safety-Overlay-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Williamson]] [[safety]] ]]

[[Williamson]], or more precisely ''Williamson-Torino'' is one of the companies born in the district of [[Settimo Torinese]] among the most interesting, both for its history than for its production. In fact the story originated from the ''Williamson Pen Co.'', an American company that seems to have been active in the production of nibs from the end of 1800. Although the origins of this company is uncertain, it is certain that ''Edgar E. Nelthorpe'' and ''George H. Williamson'' are the co-holders of a [[1899]] patent ({{Cite patent|US|632320}}) for a pen is very similar to the  [[Parker]] [[Jointless]] and we use this date as reference for the company birth. First pens were equipped by a nib marked by inventors names:  ''"N & W"''.

[[Williamson]], or more precisely ''Williamson-Torino'' is one of the companies born in the district of [[Settimo Torinese]] among the most interesting, both for its history than for its production. In fact the story originated from the ''Williamson Pen Co.'', an American company that seems to have been active in the production of nibs from the end of 1800. Although the origins of this company is uncertain, it is certain that ''Edgar E. Nelthorpe'' and ''George H. Williamson'' are the co-holders of a [[1899]] patent ({{Cite patent|US|632320}}) for a pen is very similar to the  [[Parker]] [[Jointless]] and we use this date as reference for the company birth. First pens were equipped by a nib marked by inventors names:  ''"N & W"''.  

The company, also known as ''WmSon'' was based in Janesville not far from the [[Parker]] plants, and at the end of the 1800 was known for its production of good quality gold nibs, mother of pearl dip pens and hard rubber fountain pens. Even the ties between the ''Williamson Pen Co.'' and [[Parker]], apart from the neighborhood, are not very clear, if not for the fact that ''Edgar E. Nelthorpe'' left [[Williamson]] for the latter in 1900. It seems that some patents have been used jointly by the two companies.  

The company, also known as ''WmSon'' was based in Janesville not far from the [[Parker]] plants, and at the end of the 1800 was known for its production of good quality gold nibs, mother of pearl dip pens and hard rubber fountain pens. Even the ties between the ''Williamson Pen Co.'' and [[Parker]], apart from the neighborhood, are not very clear, if not for the fact that ''Edgar E. Nelthorpe'' left [[Williamson]] for the latter in 1900. It seems that some patents have been used jointly by the two companies.  

[[Image:1939-08-Williamson.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Williamson]] 1939 advertising]]

[[Image:1939-08-Williamson.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Williamson]] 1939 advertising]]

The story of the ''Williason-Torino'' starts instead around [[1906]], indicative date,<ref>referring to a flyer of this year  that shows ''Riccardo Amisani'' as general representative for Italy and colonies.</ref> when ''Riccardo Amisani'' began importing [[Williamson]] pens from the U.S. and distribute them in Italy. At that time it did not still exist an Italian producers that could compete on equal terms with American and British producers. The  [[Williamson]] pens were good quality and enjoyed quite a good success, which prompted Amisani to start a local production of spare parts.  

La storia della ''Williamson-Torino'' origina invece intorno al [[1906]], quando ''Riccardo Amisani'' iniziò ad importare le penna dell'azienda americana e a distribuirle in Italia. In quel periodo infatti non esistevano ancora produttori italiani in grado di rivaleggiare ad armi pari con i produttori americani o inglesi. Le penne erano comunque di buona qualità ed ottennero un discreto successo, che spinse Amisani ad iniziare una produzione locale di parti di ricambio. Di questa prima fase in Italia erano commercializzate sia penne a levetta che [[rientranti]] simili ai corrispondenti modelli americani, che in una fase successiva, delle [[flat top]] in celluloide chiaramente ispirate alla [[Duofold]]. Su queste penne viene riportato la stampigliatura del brevetto n. 4497, recante anche la data (su una rientrante) del 1912-01-27.

Unfortunately the American company, which at the beginning of the century had achieved good results in the United States, could not withstand the pressure of competition from its neighbors, and began a gradual decline that led it to the closure, which occurred at the beginning of 30s. In the meantime, however, the fountain pen Italian industry developed in particular in the district of [[Settimo Torinese]], which led Amisani to forge an independent production under the name of ''Società Anonima Penne a Serbatoio Williamson'' a company founded in the early '30s, located in Via Pr. Amedeo, 12, Turin.  

Sfortunatamente l'azienda americana, che all'inizio del secolo aveva ottenuto dei buoni risultati anche negli Stati Uniti, non seppe reggere la pressione della concorrenza dei suoi vicini, ed iniziò un progressivo declino che la portò verso la chiusura, avvenuta all'inizio degli anni '30. Nel frattempo però l'industria italiana della penna si era sviluppata ed in particolare proprio nel distretto di [[Settimo Torinese]], cosa che portò Amisani, che fin dal 1921 aveva registrato il marchio ({{Marchio|20926}}) a suo nome, a dar vita ad una produzione indipendente sotto il nome di ''"Società Anonima Penne a Serbatoio Williamson"'', società fondata nei primi anni '30 con sede in Via Pr. Amedeo, 12 a Torino. Nella registrazione del marchio esiste un riferimento al trasferimento dello stesso ad una ''"Soc. An. Penne a Serbatoio"'' avvenuto nell'agosto del 1934, che pone un limite superiore alla nascita della nuova azienda.  

[[File:Williamson-Vac-RingedBrown-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Vacumatic]] like [[Williamson]]]]

[[File:Williamson-Vac-RingedBrown-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Vacumatic]] like [[Williamson]]]]

In the '30s the company was manufacturing good quality fountain pens, these, as for the whole Italian production, were clearly inspired by American models. In particular, the [[Williamson]] was known for the production of imitations of the [[Vacumatic]], with ringed celluloid pens of excellent workmanship and good quality which have little to envy to the original from [[Parker]]. These were produced in four sizes with excellent flexible nibs.

In the '30s the company was manufacturing good quality fountain pens, these, as for the whole Italian production, were clearly inspired by American models. In particular, the [[Williamson]] was known for the production of imitations of the [[Vacumatic]], with ringed celluloid pens of excellent workmanship and good quality which have little to envy to the original from [[Parker]]. These were produced in four sizes with excellent flexible nibs.

According to Letizia Iacopini the company changed its name and location after the WWII, becoming the ''Metron Società Anonima Officine Piemontesi Penne Stilografiche Williamson'', and moving in Via Madama Cristina 132, Turin. After war production were some interesting [[Parker 51]] imitation. These pens were made in ringed celluloid in a wide range of colors, with button filler and metal cap.  

Secondo quanto riportato da Letizia Iacopini l'azienda cambiò nome e sede nel dopoguerra, diventando la ''Metron Società Anonima Officine Piemontesi Penne Stilografiche Williamson'' con sede in Via Madama Cristina 132, sempre a Torino; a questa ditta appartiene la ri-registrazione del marchio avvenuta 1943 ({{Marchio|69052}}). La produzione del dopoguerra era costituita da interessanti imitazioni della [[Parker 51]], realizzate in celluloide anellata con una vasta gamma di colori, con cappuccio in metallo laminato e caricamento a [[pulsante di fondo]].  

The company ceased operations in the '50s, killed as many others producer of the [[Settimo Torinese]] district by the advent of the disposable ballpoint pen.

The company ceased operations in the '50s, killed as many others producer of the [[Settimo Torinese]] district by the advent of the disposable ballpoint pen.

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