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"fountain Pen Co." Toledo, Oh


Dave Johannsen

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While skimming through the 1905 edition of "Tools of Business" ("An Encyclopedia of Office Equipment and Labor Saving Devices"), I was struck by just how many different lines of pens were manufactured by "Fountain Pen Co, 139-141 Huron St., Toledo, O." I knew that "Rapid Writer" was made by this company (despite the fact that all the advertizing that I've seen for this pen lists Washington, DC). In fact, I finally managed to procure an example of a "Rapid Writer" pen and some sales material as well (the quality of the pen is not especially high). However, a quick glimpse of the "Encyclopedia" also turns up "Hexagon," "Spiral," Turney," and "Twist." Does anyone know much about "Fountain Pen Co.?" (George, not to put you on the spot, but don't you know something about this?) Who were the principals? How long did they stay in business? Were they jobbers (my guess) or did they make some components? If anyone has anything to contribute, I would be greateful for any information.

 

 

Dave

 

Edit: I found an ad for the `Improved "Rival"' pen by the Fountain Pen Company in Polk's Toledo directory, dated 1889. Also, the company still existed in 1916, and is listed as being at 611 Madison Avenue in the "Era Druggists' Directory." These dates of 1889-1916 are the bracket that I was able to put around the company using Google Books.

Edited by Dave Johannsen
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Dave, you're forgetting again. You and I have dealt with a lot of this before in a few threads on L&P and FPN. If you ask enough questions, you can reconstruct the Penmakers book yourself. ;~) David Nishimura says in his last post in the L&P thread that the website should be back soon, hopefully, so I'll leave you to find most of the answers there yourself. But in the meantime you can look at this more recent thread in the Favorite Trademarks series on FPN.

 

George Kovalenko.

 

:ninja:

rhrpen(at)gmail.com

 

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Dave, you're forgetting again. You and I have dealt with a lot of this before in a few threads on L&P and FPN.

 

George:

 

I do recall asking about this at L&P. However, I have never found a satisfactory way to save material from the site (and hence I couldn't get to the thread). If I recall, I even posted some scans of Rapid Writer materials that I have. Anyway, if L&P reappears, I will try to do something to save the thread myself. In the interim, thank you for pointer to the Trademark, I'm sure that I hadn't seen this previously. Also, armed with Charles E. Browning's name (which now rings a bell), I found his 1892 feed patent. Though we had touched on this before, I am still not sure that I had seen just how many brands that Mr. Browning created. Again thank you for your patient help, and I look forward to L&P reappearing (so that I can see what you had to say previously).

 

 

Dave

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