Williamson/en
For many years the history of the Williamson - Turin brand has been distorted by one of those many name coincidences that have led to the assumption that this Turin-based company was, at its inception, started as an import business for pens made in the United States, later achieving a success that would allow it to survive the closure of the original company. Thanks to in-depth historical research on the brand by Paolo E. Demuro[1] it was instead possible to ascertain that it was a completely Italian firm.
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
The Williamson, brand, or to be more precise, the Williamson Safety Fountain Pen, is one of the most interesting of the Turin companies, both in terms of its history and its production, partly because of the misunderstanding that long led it to be identified with a subsidiary of the American Williamson Pen Co. Instead, the company turns out to be, for all intents and purposes, a completely different firm that has no plausible connection with its American namesake.
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.[2] 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 (Reg. Gen. N. 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 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.
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, but it is still active at least until 1956, resulting in the general industry directory of that year.[3]
Chronology
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1906 | Riccardo Amisani begins[4]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
- ↑ gathered in his booklet "Riccardo Amisani's WILLIAMSON SAFETY FOUNTAIN PEN, Turin, misleading clues," which he kindly donated to us, and from which much of the information on this page has been taken.
- ↑ and he was also, as shown this advertisement, a Waterman agent, at least until 1915.
- ↑ see the excerpts published in this discussion.
- ↑ referring to a flyer of this year that shows Riccardo Amisani as general representative for Italy and colonies.
