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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<ref>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.</ref> it was instead possible to ascertain that it was a completely Italian firm.

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<ref>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.</ref> 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.{{Infobox_Brand|Williamson}}{{BrandData|Founder=Riccardo Amisani Williamson|Date=1916|Place=Torino|Country=IT}}

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=Riccardo Amisani Williamson|Date=1916|Place=Torino|Country=IT}}

== History ==

== History ==

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

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

[[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]]]]

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.

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 ({{Marchio|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.  

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 ({{Marchio|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.<ref>see the excerpts published in [https://forum.fountainpen.it/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=18418 this discussion].</ref>  

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.<ref>see the excerpts published in [https://forum.fountainpen.it/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=18418 this discussion].</ref>

</div>  

{{BrandChrono|Williamson}}

{{BrandChrono|Williamson}}

== External references ==

== External references ==

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20060514223746/http://www.tryphon.it/pens/history.htm] An article in the [[Settimo Torinese]] district, with references to Williamson

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20060514223746/http://www.tryphon.it/pens/history.htm] An article in the [[Settimo Torinese]] district, with references to Williamson

== Notes ==

== Notes ==

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<references/>

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

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