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.
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.[1] 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.
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.
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; to this company belongs to the re-registration of the trademark done in 1943 (Reg. Gen. N. 69052). 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.
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[2]his Williamson reseller activity |
| 1915 | the company is founded by Riccardo Amisani Williamson in Torino |
| 1923 | Riccardo Amisani registers Williamson trademark |
External references
Notes
- ↑ e, a quanto risulta da questa pubblicità, anche della Waterman, almeno fino al 1915.
- ↑ referring to a flyer of this year that shows Riccardo Amisani as general representative for Italy and colonies.
