The Edison Pen Co.
#1
Posted 22 January 2012 - 10:14 PM
it was unable to compete successfully in the tiered, celluloid market that arose in the Roaring Twenties.
Like other makers from that time, their pens were made for the early adapters who wanted mobility and freedom from an inkwell;
affluent professionals who could afford the equivalent of an average worker's daily wages for a writing instrument they could
just pull out of their pocket and use.
As you can see from some of these specimens, pulling some of them out of a pocket must have done with great flourish.
When they were good, they were very, very good. When they went bad, they became the Southern Pen Co., eventually,
as the market stratified and became more segmented, devolving to The Arnold Pen Co.
What a transition.
This is the pen that started my interest in the brand, a little overlay ring-top ED that belonged to my Dad.
On a totally different scale, an enormous desk-top ED.
Moving on in time, a BCHR coin fill.
Here come da bling.
On a more sober note, a black ring-top lever-fill
And finally, a really interesting telescope ED. First capped...
...now opened with one section extended...
...and here, fully extended.
Fascinating maker.
Dan
#4
Posted 31 January 2012 - 08:10 PM
I'm glad to see your post. I have always had an interest in Edison pens, since Petersburg is not at all far from my home. Given this interest, I've always been a bit surprised how little is written on the brand - I've never seen much more than the sketch that you provided here. It's my experience that Edison pens seem to command reasonably high prices on eBay (I've never finshed in the running when Edison pens appear at auction), so I've always felt that there must be a fairly large number of collectors who appreciate the quality of these pens. It's quite enjoyable to see some of the pens in your collection (especially the "corrugated" taper cap and the telescoping overlay).
Dave
#5
Posted 31 January 2012 - 08:36 PM
Dan:
I'm glad to see your post. I have always had an interest in Edison pens, since Petersburg is not at all far from my home. Given this interest, I've always been a bit surprised how little is written on the brand - I've never seen much more than the sketch that you provided here. It's my experience that Edison pens seem to command reasonably high prices on eBay (I've never finshed in the running when Edison pens appear at auction), so I've always felt that there must be a fairly large number of collectors who appreciate the quality of these pens. It's quite enjoyable to see some of the pens in your collection (especially the "corrugated" taper cap and the telescoping overlay).
Dave
Dave:
That's all of the pens in my sorry collection, and they've taken four years to compile.
The bad news is that they are expensive; the good news is that they don't come around very often. Probably a cycle of causality there.
If there are are large number of collectors, I wish they would post some pics.
Garth, pickles:
Thanks for the comments, Glad you enjoyed.
Dan
#6
Posted 31 January 2012 - 09:39 PM
Still, it's a very nice collection... Infinitely nicer than mine (since I haven't yet managed to land a single one).That's all of the pens in my sorry collection, and they've taken four years to compile.
The bad news is that they are expensive; the good news is that they don't come around very often. Probably a cycle of causality there.
If there are are large number of collectors, I wish they would post some pics.
I have a keen interest in these second tier lesser known makers (edit: actually, I don't even know whether Edison did their own manufacturing or whether - like Century - they assembled pens from parts that they purchased), as I actively collect Century. I have a standing Ebay search for Edison, so I know that perhaps a half-dozen or so appear every year (even a bit more scarce than Century). Given the high closing prices of the auctions (as I mentioned, I've never won one, despite watching/bidding on all that I find) I suspected that maybe there are some big-time Edison collectors out there. Perhaps, instead, the limited number of these pens that are out there are simply spread around among collectors of essoteric brands. Whatever the case, I sincerely enjoyed seeing your pens and hope that some more appear from the woodwork.
Dave
Edited by djohannsen, 31 January 2012 - 09:51 PM.
#7
Posted 01 February 2012 - 12:00 AM
I have a keen interest in these second tier lesser known makers (edit: actually, I don't even know whether Edison did their own manufacturing or whether - like Century - they assembled pens from parts that they purchased), as I actively collect Century. I have a standing Ebay search for Edison, so I know that perhaps a half-dozen or so appear every year (even a bit more scarce than Century). Given the high closing prices of the auctions (as I mentioned, I've never won one, despite watching/bidding on all that I find) I suspected that maybe there are some big-time Edison collectors out there. Perhaps, instead, the limited number of these pens that are out there are simply spread around among collectors of essoteric brands. Whatever the case, I sincerely enjoyed seeing your pens and hope that some more appear from the woodwork.
Dave
Agree.
Based on what I've read, Edison is usually described as having "assembled pens in Petersberg". Wouldn't be surprised to learn that Wirt was one of their vendor's, especially since Wirt also built pens for Esterbrook.
The Telescope has been described as a copy of a pen made by Victor, but having never seen one, (or, for that matter any pen made by Victor) I don't know if Edison copied the overlay, the telescoping design or both.
For what it's worth, I bought the taper cap from Max Davis, and the Ring Top filigree at a local PCA meeting. Much of what I've seen at auction is often in rough condition. Both of the overlays needed nib restoration.
Please post pics of your Century Pens, I'd really enjoy seeing them, and am pleased that you liked seeing these.
Dan
#8
Posted 01 February 2012 - 12:31 AM
The Telescope has been described as a copy of a pen made by Victor, but having never seen one, (or, for that matter any pen made by Victor) I don't know if Edison copied the overlay, the telescoping design or both.
Just appeared (yesterday) at eBay: Victor telescoping pen.
As for my Century collection, it's really not all that much to see... Unfortunately, I've never been able to grab an overlay, so it's maybe thirty or so hard rubber pens and a few pencils.
Dave
#9
Posted 01 February 2012 - 01:47 AM
In 1920, Cromer, his wife, and his father-in-law incorporated the Edison-Cromer Pen Co., which name was changed almost immediately to Cromer Artcraft Pen Co. Very soon pens bearing the Artcraft name were for sale, but I don't know how or where they were made. My speculation is that Cromer, having worked for Edison, may have had pens made by Edison and branded Artcraft. I do have a copy of an ad that appeared in the Montgomery Advertiser newspaper in October, 1923, for the Artcraft "New Lifelong" pen.
In a Birmingham Chamber of Commerce publication dated April, 1925, there is an announcement: "Artcraft Pen Co. announces that it will manufactur pens in Birmingham." It goes on to say that machinery is being installed and production will commence within a short time. So, presumably at this time some parts must have begun being made in Birmingham.
In 1929, Alabama state records show that the Cromer Artcraft Pen Co. was dissolved. I suppose this was a victim of the market crash. But, the Birmingham City Directory shows that the company remained in business at the same address into 1934, but the principals have changed to Cromer, James G Ervin, and LIllian Sharpley.
In 1932, Ford Cromer filed an application for a patent for certain design features of a fountain pen. A look at the patent shows that he was patenting the decoration on the clip and lever - very art deco. The patent was granted in 1934.
In 1933, three different people: H.E. Rost, W.F. St. Clair, and E.E. Glover incorporated Artcraft Pen Corporation. Alabama state records show that this corporation still "exists".
After 1934, Birmingham City Directories show no further mention of Artcraft at any location.
Here's the really fun part: In 1934, James G. Ervin (see 1929 above) moved the company to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it continued to make Artcraft pens and later, Escritor pens into the 1960s. I have pasenger manifests that show Ford Cromer traveling into the USA from Buenos Aires in 1937 and again in 1947, and giving that city as his permanent address.
I own several Artcraft pens and know of several others. My small collection spans from about 1925 to early 1930s and includes BCHR pens in cylindrical, flat-topped style; celluloid pens in striking colors in very similar flat-topped style; and larger, tapered celluloid pens typical of the early 1930s. A friend has one of the latter type actually bearing the clip that Cromer patented. He also has a gold-filled full overlay ringtop that could easily be from the pre-1925 period. The newspaper ad from 1923 shows a pen quite similar to my earliest Artcraft. All of the Artcraft pens are made to a very high standard of quality.
If you are still with me after all that, I have one more thing, and it is speculation. I have a small collecton of pens and combos marked "Ford's" or "Ford's Jr." on their clips, fitted with Warranted 14K nibs, and having no other markings on the barrel at all. They are brightly colored celluloid, not made to the same high standard as the Artcraft pens, but really typical third-tier pens. I have been unable to find who, or for whom, these pens were made. I have them simply because their overall look, but not size or quality, is similar to the late model Artcraft pens, and of course the man behind Artcraft is Ford Cromer. So, I wonder if he went back to Rennie Arnold, who eventually owned Edison, SoPenCo, and Arnold, and had these "Ford's" pens made for a lower end market. But, I have no proof at all of such a connection.
#10
Posted 02 February 2012 - 05:20 PM
High marks for your research. A fascinating saga and insight into the evolution of Edison.
Enjoyed seeing your Fords (would love to see Dave's Century Pens). Visualizing these fringe brands makes their skimpy history so much more vital.
Thank you both.
Dan
Edited by Blotto, 02 February 2012 - 10:49 PM.
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