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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Williamson Pen Co. - Williamson Torino}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Williamson Pen Co. - Williamson Torino}}

The ''Williamson'' brand has a very interesting story, and is considered among the most important Italian manufacturer between the wars. But the original company was not Italian but American and active from the end of 1800s. The Italian company seems instead to be born initially as import distributor for the pens produced in the United States, achieving a success that survived at the closing of the original company.

The ''Williamson'' brand has a very interesting story, and is considered among the most important Italian manufacturer between the wars. But the original company was not Italian but American and active from the end of 1800s. The Italian company seems instead to be born initially as import distributor for the pens produced in the United States, achieving a success that survived at the closing of the original company.

The ''Williamson-Torino'' fountain pens stands out for an high quality production (especially for their ringed celluloid) and are among the most interesting pens produced by Italian second tier companies. The production seems to be continued until the 50's.{{Infobox_Brand|Williamson}}{{BrandData|Founder=George H. Williamson|Date=1899|Place=Janesville|Country=US|Closing=1951}}

The ''Williamson-Torino'' fountain pens stands out for an high quality production (especially for their ringed celluloid) and are among the most interesting pens produced by Italian second tier companies. The production seems to be continued until the 50's.{{Infobox_Brand|Williamson}}{{BrandData|Founder=George H. Williamson|Date=1899|Place=Janesville|Country=US|Closing=1951}}

== History ==

== History ==

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

[[File:Williamson-Safety-Overlay-Foglie-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"''.

[[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, when ''Riccardo Amisani'' began importing [[Williamson]] pens from the U.S. and distribute them in Italy.<ref>and he was also, as shown [[:File:1915-12-Waterman-Amisani.jpg|this advertisement]], a [[Waterman]] agent, at least until 1915.</ref> 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. From this first period in Italy were distributed [[lever filler]] and [[safety]] pens very similar to the corresponding American models; in a second time there was a production of [[flat top]] in celluloid, clearly inspired by [[Duofold]]. These pens have the imprint for a N. 4497 patent, with the date (found on a [[safety]]) of 1912-01-27.

The story of the ''Williason-Torino'' starts instead around [[1906]], indicative date, when ''Riccardo Amisani'' began importing [[Williamson]] pens from the U.S. and distribute them in Italy.<ref>and he was also, as shown [[:File:1915-12-Waterman-Amisani.jpg|this advertisement]], a [[Waterman]] agent, at least until 1915.</ref> 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. From this first period in Italy were distributed [[lever filler]] and [[safety]] pens very similar to the corresponding American models; in a second time there was a production of [[flat top]] in celluloid, clearly inspired by [[Duofold]]. These pens have the imprint for a N. 4497 patent, with the date (found on a [[safety]]) of 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 competition pressure from its neighbours, and had a gradual decline that led it to its closing, which occurred at the beginning of the 30s. In the meantime however the Italian fountain pen industry developed, in particular in the district of [[Settimo Torinese]], which led Amisani, who since 1921 had registered the trademark ({{Marchio|20926}}) on his name, to create an independent production under the name of ''"Società Anonima Penne a Serbatoio Williamson"''. A precise date for the company foundation is not known, but early 1930s are being indicated, with headquarters at 12 Via Principe Amedeo, Turin, but the registration of the trademark, and the indication given in [[:File:1939-AnnuarioIndustriale-ProvTO-p396.jpg|this page]] of the ''Annuario industriale della provincia di Torino'' (the reliability of which, however, in the presence of several inconsistencies, is not conclusive) make [[1921]] more likely. In the registration of the trademark, however, there is a reference to its transfer to a ''"Società Anonima Penne a Serbatoio"'' which took place in August [[1934]] that constitutes a definite limit to the company's existence.  

Unfortunately the American company, which at the beginning of the century had achieved good results in the United States, could not withstand the competition pressure from its neighbours, and had a gradual decline that led it to its closing, which occurred at the beginning of the 30s. In the meantime however the Italian fountain pen industry developed, in particular in the district of [[Settimo Torinese]], which led Amisani, who since 1921 had registered the trademark ({{Marchio|20926}}) on his name, to create an independent production under the name of ''"Società Anonima Penne a Serbatoio Williamson"''. A precise date for the company foundation is not known, but early 1930s are being indicated, with headquarters at 12 Via Principe Amedeo, Turin, but the registration of the trademark, and the indication given in [[:File:1939-AnnuarioIndustriale-ProvTO-p396.jpg|this page]] of the ''Annuario industriale della provincia di Torino'' (the reliability of which, however, in the presence of several inconsistencies, is not conclusive) make [[1921]] more likely. In the registration of the trademark, however, there is a reference to its transfer to a ''"Società Anonima Penne a Serbatoio"'' which took place in August [[1934]] that constitutes a definite limit to the company's existence.

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

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

{{BrandChrono|Williamson}}

{{BrandChrono|Williamson}}

== External references ==

== External references ==

* [http://kamakurapens.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=1851] Discussion, unfortunately the site is no longer accessible  

* [http://kamakurapens.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=1851] Discussion, unfortunately the site is no longer accessible  

== Notes ==

== Notes ==

<references/>

<references/>

{{CategorizeBrand|U.S.A.|Italia}}

{{CategorizeBrand|U.S.A.|Italia}}