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-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.
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History
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 (nº 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 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. 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.
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 (Reg. Gen. N. 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.
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.
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 (Reg. Gen. N. 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.
Chronology
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1906 | Riccardo Amisani begins[1]his Williamson reseller activity |
| 1915 | the company is founded by Riccardo Amisani Williamson in Torino |
| 1923 | Riccardo Amisani registers Williamson trademark |
External references
- [1] Discussion, unfortunately the site is no longer accessible
- [2] An article in the Settimo Torinese district, with references to Williamson
- [3] An article on the brand (Turin)
- [4] A page from the old Letizia Jacopini website
- [5] Long report also talks about the company
Notes
- ↑ referring to a flyer of this year that shows Riccardo Amisani as general representative for Italy and colonies.