4 replies to this topic

[djohannsen]

Here's one that you don't see every day, a Williamson pen that uses Held's "swing filler" mechanism:

ebay link

(scroll down for great photos). Not only is it the first swing filler Williamson I've seen, but it's mottled HR with a VV clip - this one's got it all!

If only I had deeper pockets (sigh).


Dave

[david i]

Here's one that you don't see every day, a Williamson pen that uses Held's "swing filler" mechanism:

ebay link

(scroll down for great photos). Not only is it the first swing filler Williamson I've seen, but it's mottled HR with a VV clip - this one's got it all!

If only I had deeper pockets (sigh).


Dave

Think I did a short-circuit and was thinking of Williams, which is iirc (and despite the name) and Italian pen...

This one is Janesville. Trying to recall if there is a known Parker connection.

Do elaborate...

regards

david

[djohannsen]

Think I did a short-circuit and was thinking of Williams, which is iirc (and despite the name) and Italian pen...

This one is Janesville. Trying to recall if there is a known Parker connection.

Do elaborate...

I don't know very much with any degree of certainty. If I may quote from David Nishimura's website:

The connections between Williamson and its Janesville, Wisconsin neighbor, Parker, are still being explored, but it is clear that there was considerable overlap.


(I hope that I am not committing any sort of copyright infringement by so quoting - David N., please let me know if this is a problem.)

As an example, I think it is fairly well established that Parker purchased dip pens from Williamson for sale during the Christmas season. Certainly Parker had a very cozy relationship with Century (which is listed in a 1908 history of Rock county as having a factory in Janesville), as well as Williamson. I don't think there is much doubt that Parker also was cordial with Corona (at least while it was located in Janesville). I don't think that anyone would claim to know the true and exact nature of the relationship of these companies with Parker, but they certainly weren't completely independent competitors.

As for Held, I never could figure out how he fit into the picture (I was corresponding with Fultz regarding a small and somewhat odd Held swing filler that I own at the time of his sad death). The appearance of a Williamson pen using the Held mechanism, though, is certainly interesting (with a closing price of $500 on the auction, there are at least two other people who thought it interesting as well).

You are correct, also, in remembering an Italian Williamson. I don't believe that this company had anything in common with the Janesville company of the same name (though, IIRC, the Italian Williamson began as an American company).


Sorry that I can't give any more definite answers. Maybe David N. will chime in and offer some opinions.




Dave

Edited by djohannsen, 24 February 2012 - 01:49 AM.

[philm]

Hi Dave,

That is a nice summary of the early 1900s intertwining of Wisconsin Pen Companies. I wish we had more. I am also unaware of a Parker relationship with the Italian Williamson, other than I seem to recall they made some very nice looking Vac clones....

I wonder if the winner of the swing filler has more than a passing interest and a bit more information?

Phil

[djohannsen]

That is a nice summary of the early 1900s intertwining of Wisconsin Pen Companies.

Thank you. I was rather proud of the alliterative "cordial - Corona" (and the less successful "cozy - Century").

I wonder if the winner of the swing filler has more than a passing interest and a bit more information?

These rare variants are always interesting. A couple of years ago, I was runner-up on what looked to be a Welty-esque hump-filler that was imprinted Century. I know that Welty ended-up in Chicago, so it makes one wonder whether he may have had some dealings with Barrett? Or, perhaps Humphreys bought some pens from Welty; I don't think that anyone would insist on Humphreys dealing exclusively with Barrett for parts? Lots of interesting questions that will probably forever remain unanswered.