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 activities of the pens produced in the United States, achieving a success that survived the closure of the original company.

The Williason-Torino fountain pens stands 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.

Williamson
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History

File:Williamson-Safety.jpg

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 (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.

A Williamson 1939 advertising

The story of the Williason-Torino starts instead around 1906, indicative date,^[1] 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.

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.

File:Williamson-Anellata.jpg

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.

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.

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
1899	Williamson Pen Co. is founded
1906	Riccardo Amisani begins his reseller activity
192x	Amisani starts producing pens in Italy
193x	Società Anonima Penne a Serbatoio Williamson is founded
1951	Williamson ceased operations

Models

Model	Period	Dimension/Version
XX	19XX	XX, ?

Notes

↑ referring to a flyer of this year that shows Riccardo Amisani as general representative for Italy and colonies.

External references

[1] referring to a flyer of this year that shows Riccardo Amisani as general representative for Italy and colonies.

[1]