Minnesota, St Paul Imprint

[Jack7770]

I recently came across a BCHR pen with Minnesota in block letters as the imprint; second line reads St.Paul----- ---- pat'd. The pen has a Pencraft nib, gold clip, and 17/64 gold cap band.

I've not seen this imprint before and seem not to find anything in online searches. Any help? Thanks, Jack in Colorado Springs

[philm]

Jack,

 

You have a Minnesota Pen Company Pen, made by Kraker in Minneapolis/St. Paul in the early to mid 1920s. Further information can be found here ~ Minnesota Pens

 

Kraker, an interesting man in the pen world in the 1920s is behind many brands during this period. Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

Phil

Edited October 31, 2014 by philm

[Jack7770]

Thanks, Phil I found your site just after posting the original. I also appreciated your nice comments re: Dennis. He and I met several years ago at the Ohio Show and established a very rewarding friendship. Jack

[philm]

"Thanks, Phil I found your site just after posting the original. I also appreciated your nice comments re: Dennis. He and I met several years ago at the Ohio Show and established a very rewarding friendship. Jack"

 

You are welcome, Jack. Yes, I still miss talking Kraker with Dennis. He would have been far better qualified to answer your question.

 

Phil

 

 

[pen2paper]

Glad I always check pen history threads.

Know next to nothing about Kraker, haven't seen one locally, but found the lever info very interesting.

Mainly posting to thank Phil for his outstanding serious reference site.. long appreciated.

Also, to mention the warm tribute to Dennis. Knew him as the pleasant gentleman you noted through pen forums only, but, had the privilege to be his very first Parkeville customer. A nice memory every time I see that pen.

 

Jack, would it be possible to post photos of your Kraker? so we can entertain more discussion here? I'd like to see the action of the lever. Is it as solid in action as it appears? I often think that flimsy lever diminishes the overall appearance of an otherwise nice pen.

[philm]

The "Lotz" lever on these pens was actually quite stable as most have survived fairly well, at least the fair number that I have handled.

 

Here is a photo of Kraker's early lever, patented to his Chicago attorney, I believe...these appeared on his Minnesota and Chicago pens, disappearing as he ventured to Michigan and later to Libertyville, IL.

 

this one is from a Chicago branded Yankee BCHR.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/munsonhsr/kraker/DSC_0014-2.jpg

 

Jack, as suggested above, do post a photo of your Minnesota Pen.

 

Phil

Edited November 1, 2014 by philm

[pen2paper]

ventured into Michigan? was there ever a very brief connection to Rider?

just wondering if all involved in pen development engaged with one another, common interests per business world in trade journals, or if they were guarded (lone wolves) about their actual work?

[Roger W.]

ventured into Michigan? was there ever a very brief connection to Rider?

just wondering if all involved in pen development engaged with one another, common interests per business world in trade journals, or if they were guarded (lone wolves) about their actual work?

I strongly doubt there was a connection. Jay G. Rider started out here in Rockford, IL. Seems the family moved to Ann Arbor and while still making fountain pens for a while started a stationary store that became a hobby store by the 1950's. Yankee seems to have been in Grand Haven which isn't remotely near Ann Arbor.

 

Roger W.

[philm]

Agree with Roger. Timing and location is off. Kraker was a wandering wolf, though not always alone.

 

Phil

[pen2paper]

Agree with Roger. Timing and location is off. Kraker was a wandering wolf, though not always alone.

 

Phil

Thanks for sharing (both) your research.

I looked on and found some of the Sheaffer to Rexall history. Since both were mid-west based, and knowing that there were pen sales territories, and pen world business being noted in trade journals, wondered if these two, (with interesting pen features), ever crossed paths.

Maybe it's how I process history pictorially, but it would be interesting to see the manufacturer's mapped by name, dates, developments, with a color-line of their movements.