27, The Mercantile,

[rhr]

Trademark no. 41,433, Aikin, Lambert & Co., "Fountain-Pens", Nov 10, 1903, used since July 1, 1895, is for the word "Mercantile". Trademark no. 44,919, Eagle Pencil Co., "Lead-Pencils", Aug 1, 1905, used since 1880, is also for the word "Mercantile". And trademark no. 69,667, L. E. Waterman Co., "Safety-Holders [Or Clips] For Pencils And Penholders", June 23, 1908, used since Mar 1, 1908, is also for the word "Mercantile". This is the trademark for Francis R. Baker's US patent no. 908,537 from Jan 5, 1909 for a fountain pen and mechanical pencil clip, assigned to the L. E. Waterman Co., and also called the "Mercantile" clip. But what about the sliding, slip-on "Pen And Pencil Clip" in Joseph H. Pilkington's US patent no. 955,430 from Apr 19, 1910, a clip that is also found imprinted with that patent date, and the name "Mercantile"? Pen collectors have always wondered whether this patent had anything to do with Waterman's. Well, Canadian patent no. 130,226 is Joseph H. Pilkington's Canadian version of the US patent for this sliding, slip-on "Pen And Pencil Clip" from Jan 3, 1911, and this one is assigned to L. E. Waterman Co. The US patent was not assigned to anyone else at the time of issuing, but this later Canadian patent was assigned to Waterman's, thus definitely making it a Waterman's accommodation clip. This is a perfect example of the benefits of going beyond the US patent system to consult the patent systems of other countries. Also see Lion & Pen topic 1161 about the "Mercantile" clip, if the website ever comes back.

 

George Kovalenko.

 

 

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Edited June 19, 2010 by rhr