7 replies to this topic

[Dennis B]

I thought I'd kick off this topic since this is an area I specialize in. There are only a few of us who collect these pens, but George M. Kraker had a significant impact on US fountain pen history. From time to time I'll be posting some history as well as photos of pens by the Kraker Pen Co., Pencraft Co., and the Michael-George Co. Jineen Heiman and I published the first installment of our article on George Kraker's pens in the last issue of the Pennant. And just to be clear from the outset, George M. Kraker did not, at least on paper, own any part of the Kraker Pen Co., though two of his brothers did.

The story begins several years before the Kraker Pen Co. was established in Kansas City, MO, and even before there was a Sheaffer Pen Co. To Be Continued.

Dennis B

[david i]

A quite worthwhile subject. I had the chance to shoot what might be the world's most extensive collection of Kraker and related pens. Maybe will post the big image down the pike, but would not want to interrupt the flow of Dennis's discussion.

Of note, soon (once some programming tweaks are done), Fountain Pen Board will be able to preserve threads such as this as permanent articles on the (so far unhatched) PAGES tab near the "Forum" button. This would be prime material for that.

Here, btw, is a wee Kraker. Looks more than a bit like a Sheaffer...

regards

David

[Dennis B]

Although the name George M. Kraker may not bring the same name recognition as Lewis E. Waterman, George S. Parker, or Walter A. Sheaffer, he was an active player in the American fountain pen industry and his contribution is mostly unrecognized. In fact, it may not be an exaggeration to say that without George M. Kraker, there may not have been a W. A. Sheaffer Pen Company.

In his autobiography, W. A. Sheaffer admits he was afraid to enter the fountain pen market with his patented lever filler until George Kraker convinced him he could sell all the pens W.A. Sheaffer could manufacture. Kraker began selling Sheaffer’s pens in his old Conklin sales territory in June 1912, and was good for his promise to sell all Sheaffer could make. In the following year, Kraker and Ben Coulson, another former Conklin salesman, became two of the original stockholders when the W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company was incorporated.

With $5,000 borrowed from his brother Joseph A. Kraker, the future founder of the Kraker Pen Company, Kraker became a 20% owner of the new W.A. Sheaffer Pen Company. Later, Joseph Kraker invested another $2,500 in Sheaffer stock, the stock being held in George’s name but voted by Walter A. Sheaffer. Ben Coulson, George Kraker’s partner in the sale of Sheaffer pens, also invested $5,000 in the new Sheaffer company, giving Kraker and Coulson a 40% ownership of the company.

Without George Kraker’s assurance to W.A. Sheaffer that he could sell all the lever filling pens he could make, Sheaffer may never have brought his pen to market and without the capital contributed by Kraker and Coulson, the company may not have prospered.

With the final decision in the lawsuit brought by Sheaffer going in favor of Sheaffer in January 1918, George M. Kraker, perhaps sensing the dim future for his employer, the Kraker Pen Company of Kansas City, MO, wasted little time in relocating to Chicago, IL, with his daughter, leaving behind in Kansas City his ex-wife and son.

To be Continued.

[Copyright Dennis Bowden and Jineen Heiman, originally published in The Pennant Spring 2010]

Pen Collectors of America

[david i]

Wish I'd known you'd been working on a PENnant Kraker article.

This would have fit perfectly in a two page spread, each pen life sized.

regards

David

[Dennis B]

Wish I'd known you'd been working on a PENnant Kraker article.

This would have fit perfectly in a two page spread, each pen life sized.

regards

David

Very nice photo David and thanks for posting. I don't think I had seen that one before. Is that Jim Lobb's Kraker collection?

The article Jineen and I are writing is about George Kraker's post Kraker Pen - Kansas City work. An article about the Kraker Pen Co. may be possible later.

Dennis B

[david i]

Very nice photo David and thanks for posting. I don't think I had seen that one before. Is that Jim Lobb's Kraker collection?

SNIP

Dennis B

Nopers. It's in the family of well known fellow in the hobby community, with long history at Sheaffer. I am - no joke- utterly swamped. No time for real pen stuff, just posting occasionally after night shifts. Associate at work out sick. I'm pulilng weeks of night shifts. But, if your article is not rushed (your earlier post noted already publishing it at PENnant?), I might be able to get you images, if have any that are relevant.

d

[Dennis B]

Nopers. It's in the family of well known fellow in the hobby community, with long history at Sheaffer. I am - no joke- utterly swamped. No time for real pen stuff, just posting occasionally after night shifts. Associate at work out sick. I'm pulilng weeks of night shifts. But, if your article is not rushed (your earlier post noted already publishing it at PENnant?), I might be able to get you images, if have any that are relevant.

d

We are currently working on Part II which covers George's manufacturing at Grand Haven, MI. Pens were Monogram and Belmont for United Drug, Pencraft, Yankee, and Dixie under his own Michael-George Co. We'd welcome any great pics of any of those.

Part III will cover the move to Libertyville, IL and his production there.

Dennis B

[djohannsen]

This would have fit perfectly in a two page spread, each pen life sized.

Nice spread. Is that mottled pen over in the bottom right a middle joint eye dropper? Kind of a digression and a latent and longterm interest is to score some middle joint pens and get a comprehensive list of makers who offered them (Sterling and A.A. Waterman spring immediately to mind, and now maybe Kraker). I guess it could also be a thumb filler?


Dave