"Known Makers of Nibs [in Birmingham] Between the Years 1821-1902"






For those of you just joining us, Mr. Michael Woods of London sent me an amazing list of ninety (90!) early Birmingham penmakers, and I quote from his accompanying letter of 28 May 1996: "You may also find interesting a copy of a handmade chart I was given by the curator of the Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry. It records known makers of nibs [in Birmingham] between the years 1821-1902. It may not be accurate!" This page is my reproduction of that chart.

And now in May 2001, Dr. Joe Vitolo shares the contents of a book which updates the names of manufacturers of steel pens in Birmingham from 1930-1980.  I've added his transcription at the end of this page. 

[Click here to go there now.]

HOW TO READ THIS CHART: The years (in blue) are not a systematic series, but rather 26 checkpoints for which the (unknown) researcher found records between the years 1821 and 1902. The ex(es) to the right of the maker's name and address is (are) directly below that year (those years) the maker was known to be in business. 

For example, look at J. Alexander, the first entry on the chart. The record shows him to be in business in 1864; however, he could have started, say, in late 1862 and lasted until early 1867 and not have shown on the chart but once. 

Baker & Finnemore, as another example, were known to be in business at every checkpoint from 1854 through 1902, although they might have gone out of business, say, from 1873-1875 and then started up again (this would not show up on the chart); furthermore, they did not necessarily cease doing business in 1902 but could have--we just don't know. 

An entry in Red indicates that I have at least one nib in my collection from that company--challengingly few and far between, I assure you!

Lastly, the blue labels are repeated every five entries for ease in reading--and counting.

NOTE: Even though not all years are included in the chart, perhaps due to missing records, NEVERTHELESS, if you find a nib from one of the lesser-known (or at least shorter-lived) manufacturers below, know that you likely have a rare find indeed! :-)
 

00--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Alexander, J...78, Spencer Street-------------------------------------------------------------X-----------------------------------------------

Ash, Petite & Co....70, Navigation Street------------------------------------------X--X---------------------------------------------------

Ashwin, W....12-13, Great Charles Street----------------------X---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Baker, Daniel...822, Ickneild Street West-------------------------------X-------------------------------------------------------------------

Baker & Finnemore...James Street----------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

05--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Ball, W...Frazeley Street-----------------------------------------------X------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ball & Walker...Liverpool Street---------------------------------X---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Banks, William...71, Northwood Street-----------------X-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barnett, George...27, Great Hampton Street -----------X--X--X--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beazley, C. J. & Co....26 Temple Street---------------------------------------------------------------X-----------------------------------

10--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Belcher, I. D. & Co....101, John Bright Street----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X--X

Betteridge, Joseph...Monument Lane ------------------------------------X-------------------------------------------------------------------

Blackham, John,,,8, Court Little Bar Street--------------------X---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bradford, George...7, Great Charles Street----------------------X---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brandauer, Charles...403-407, New John Street, West------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

15--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Brueton, Fowler, & Co....14, Weaman Street----------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--------

Brueton, H....3, Princes Row----------------------------------------------------------X--------------------------------------------------------

Brueton & Wright...100, Charlotte Street --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X--X--------

Broadie, James...Hampton Street---------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brown, John...266, Bishop Street--------------------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------

20--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Burton, J. & S....Cumberland Street --------------------------------X------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caldecut, William...20, Mount Street-------------------X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Collins, Joseph...Graham Street--------------------------------------X------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cope, Thomas...Caroline Street------------------------------X--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Downes, John...Severn Street-------------------------X-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

25--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Eades, Henry & Co....28, Masshouse Lane---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X----------------

Edwards, John...Blews Street------------------X--X--X----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evans & Finnemore...Legge Street-----------------------------------X------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fowler, Charles...51, Bristol Street-------------------------------------------------------------X--X-----------------------------------------

Giles, J. & W....23, Great Hampton Row-----------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------

30--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Gillott, Joseph...Church Street ----------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Gillott & Taylor...31, Cannon Street -------------------X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heath, John...3-4, Bordesley Street----------------------------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Heeley, Edmund...Union Street-------------------------------X--X----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heeley, J. & Sons...Mount Street------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X------------------------------------------------------------

35--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Herts, H. B. & Co....281, Bradford Street ---------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hessin, T. & Co....68, Broad Street----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X--X--X--X

Hewitt & Co....100, Charlotte Street ---------------------------------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X----

Hill, Arthur K....415, Coventry Road-----------------------------------------------------------------------X--------------------------------

Hinks Wells & Co....Buckingham Street -----------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

40--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Hobson & Brown...2 Court Wittall Street-----------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Holden, George...Little Hampton Street --------------------X--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hollingshead, I. J. ...34, Fordrough Street ---------------------X---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hudson, Edward ...35, Bradford Street----------------------------------X--X--X------------------------------------------------------------

Hughes, George W. 56, St. Paul's Square------------------------------X--X--X--X------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

45--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Isleley, James...50, Graham Street---------------------------------------X--------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnson Brothers...7-9 George Street Parade-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------X-------------

Kendall, Joseph...15, Lombard Street---------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lavender, Edward...Moreton Street, Pope Street--------------------------------------------------X--------------X--X--X----------------

Lea & Flower...Ludgate Hill--------------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

50--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Leonardt & Catwinkle...68, George Street Parade---------------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Longmore, J. & Co....Bread Street ----------------------------------X-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lowe, Thomas...Bordesey Street--------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X-------------------------------------------------------

Luckman, Peter, Bradford Street----------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lutwyche, T. & Son...27, Cox Street-------------------------------------------------------X-------------------------------------------------

55--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

MacNiven & Cameron...78-84 Watery Lane------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

Mason, Josiah, Lancaster Street--------------------------X--X-------X-----X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X---------------------------------

Mitchell, John...48, Newhall Street------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Mitchell, William...7 St. Paul's Square-----------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Moredan, S. & Co....St. Paul's Square--------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

60--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Morley, C. T. & Co....52, Constitution Hill------------------X----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Myers & Son...8, Newhall Street-----------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Newey, T....70, Navigation Street------------------------------------------------X--X------X--X--X--X------------------------------------

Parkes, Isaac...40, Northwood Street----------------------------------------X--X------------------------------------------------------------

Perry & Co., Ltd....36 Lancaster Street-----------------------------------------------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X

65--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Phillips, Philip...2, Newhall Street------------------------------X--X------------------------------------------------------------------------

Price & Co....Ann Street-----------------------------------------------X-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainsby, Thomas...67, Buckingham Street---------------------------------X--X------------------------------------------------------------

Rowe & Green...34, Lynch Street -------------------------------X---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rudhall & Co....Jamaica Row---------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X------------------------------------

70--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Ryland (Howard)...40, St. Paul's Square -----------------------------------------------------------------------X--X--X----------X--X--X

Sanson, S. & Son...Loveday Street -----------------X--X------X--------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Sheldon, John...Lancaster Street ------------------------X------X--X------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silk, J. & Co....Mount Street----------------------------X------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Smets, Josiah...Broad Street--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

75--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Sommerville, A....64, Frederick Street--------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--------------------------------

Thickett, G. & Co....18 1/2, Charlotte Street---------------------------------------------------------------------X--X--------------------

Turner, M....Gower Street-------------------------------------------------X--------------------------------------------------------------------

Turnor, M. & Co....2, Little Charles Street------------------------------------X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X--X

Twist, Edward...62, Birchall Street--------------------------------------X--------------------------------------------------------------------

80--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Underwood, Joshua...107, Coventry Street-------------------------------------------------X------------------------------------------------

Wadsworth, G. & Co....28 1/2, Coleshill Street------------------------------------------X------------------------------------------------

Wadsworth, John...46, St. Paul's Square-----------------------------------------------X--X------X----------------------------------------

Wagner, C. H....76, Cambridge Street----------------------------------------------X--------------------------------------------------------

Westwood & Sons...4, St. Luke's Row------------------X--X--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

85--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Westwood, J. & M....35, Great Hampton Street---------------X--X------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whitfield, S. B....68, Broad Street-------------------------------------------------------------------------------X--X--X--X----------------

Wild, P....14, Vittoria Street----------------------------------------------------------------------------------X--------------------------------

Woodward, A. H.....14, Vittoria Street ---------------------------------------------------------------------X--X--X-----------------------

Yablousky, L...Colmore Row ------------------------------------X---------------------------------------------------------------------------

90--NAME/ADDRESS ------------------1821-23-25-29-35-39-41-46-54-55-58-60-62-64-67-70-72-76-79-81-83-86-90-95-00-02

Total makers per year checked:     00-01-01-10-13-11-24-17-16-15-18-17-13-21-18-21-19-19-17-20-19-18-18-18-17-17
 
 

01. Bunce (1890) states,"(Josiah Mason) began making barrel steel pens in 1827 (at the age of 32) and slip pens in 1828. All the pens made were marked Perry & Co. ...At the end of 1875 (in his 80th year), he sold his works to the trustees of a company, who carry on the business under the title of Perry and Co., Limited. At that time the output exceeded 32,000 gross weekly." Compare the dates (and the street addresses) in the above chart for Mason and Perry. And now...

...the question arises: why are the years 1841 and 1854 missing in the report for Mason? And the answer follows: (I can't believe it.) It's "The Case of the Missing Dates:" A Perry Masonmystery... [Return to "Mason" in the list]

02. Bore (1892) records that James Perry was a London schoolteacher who grew tired of sharpening quills for his students' and his own use. He made steel pens by hand--one at a time--and gave them to his students as rewards for merit, selling some (no doubt) to supplement his income. It was one of these which Mr. Josiah Mason saw "about 1829," and soon Perry received a letter from Mason with an enclosure of a steel pen better than his own! Perry traveled to Birmingham the next day to visit Mason, and within hours had hired him to be the exclusive maker of Perry pens, which Mason was until he sold his works, 45 years later, to Perry's successors in 1875. [Return to "Perry" in thelist] 

03. Compare the addresses and years in business of Myers & Son and Philip Phillips. Were the two addresses (2 and 8) two numbers on the same large property? Or as next-door neighbors, did Myers start a larger, better shop that drove Phillips out? Did Phillips initiate the sale to Myers as an investment? Perhaps Myers rented from Phillips? Were the two related? Mortal enemies? Ain't this fun? :-) [Return to "Myers--Phillips" in the list] 

04. Compare the dates for Baker & Finnemore and Evans & Finnemore. Clearly this has to be the same Finnemore. (I mean, how many Finnemores can there BE in the same business?) Why did he switch partners? What did Baker have that Evans didn't? Money? Did Evans do something to make Finnemore want to get out of the partnership? Or was Finnemore just... ...More Finicky? .>-P[Return to "Baker & F" or "Evans & F" in the list] 

05. Compare the dates and addresses for Brueton & Wright and Hewitt & Co. Do you suppose these guys knew each other? (Hmmm--same address for several years...) Was their relationship familial? Financial? Were Brueton and Wright Wrong? Or maybe they just couldn't HEW it? [Return to "B & W" or "Hewitt" in the list]

For questions or comments concerning this site, please contact me . 

Images on this site © Jeremy Gwin, 1998. 

Last Updated July 22, 1998 
 

Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 09:23:58 -0000
From: "Arcangel" <arcangel@csor.pair.com>
Subject: The Steel Pen Trade: Foreword & Chapter 1

I just aquired this little book on The Steel Pen trade.  Thanks to Neil M. for turning me onto this book..........Joe Vitolo

----------------

A record of the principal Manufacturers

A description of Manufacturing Processes

An insight into Selling Practices

CHAIRMAN OF D. LEONARDT & CO. (HIGHLEY PENS) LTD., HIGHLEY, NR. BRIDGNORTH, SHROPSHIRE                                 Printed by:- Central Office Supplies Telford
 
 

Towards the end of the 19th century the book entitled "The Story of the Invention of Steel Pens", with a description of the manufacturing processes by which they were produced, was written and published by the late Mr. Henry Bore. This book was given to me by my Father when I entered the steel pen trade in 1930 and I have found, like many others, that it is an excellent recording of the subject from the year 1822 when steel pens were first made on hand presses, up to the date of publication approximately 60 years later.

As I have said Mr. Bore completed his book towards the close of the 19th century and 100 years have now passed since the book was published.

I can divide my experience into two parts, the first part was from 1930 to the outbreak of war with Germany after which there followed a gap of seven years, 3 1/2 years of which I spent as a Territorial Officer in Japanese Prisoner of War Camps. The second phase of my industrial experience stretches from my de-mobilization to the present day.

During the first period I ran my father's business of T. Hessin & Company which although still registered as a Private Company no longer manufactures pens. After the war I founded the Highley Pen Company in the village of Highley and in 1949 merged this business with the old established business of D. Leonardt & Company, and thus D. Leonardt & Co. (Highley Pens) Ltd., came into being.

I think at the outset it might be a good thing to place on record the names of the manufacturers of pens (and by this I mean steel and non-ferrous metal pen nibs) in the year 1930 when I entered my father's business of T. Hessin & Company in Wheeleys Lane, Birmingham, where we manufactured between 10,000 and 15,000 gross of pens per week.

At that time, and I give them in alphabetical order, the following firms were manufacturing pens, and all of them had their factory in Birmingham except E.S. Perry.

1.   Baker & Finnemore Ltd.
2.   British Pens Ltd.
3.   C. Brandauer & Co. Ltd.
4.   Joseph Gillott & Sons Ltd.
5.   T. Hessin & Co.
6.   Geo. W. Hughes
7.   D. Leonardt & Co.
8.   Macniven & Cameron Ltd.
9.   John Mitchell
10. M. Myers & Son Ltd.
11. Perry Pens Ltd.
12. E.S. Perry Ltd.

BAKER & FINNEMORE LTD.

One of the smaller Manufacturers and in terms of output about equal to that of my father's company T. Hessin & Company. They were owned and run by the Barnwell family, and I knew Mr. Arthur Barnwell and his son Edward who, alas, died at a comparatively early age.

BRITISH PENS LIMITED

One of the largest companies run by Mr. Studdy Hooper and afterwards by his son Brian Hooper and in 1930 embraced two well known firms, William Mitchell and Hinks Wells, and occupied substantial premises in Bearwood Road, Smethwick. The firm of William Mitchell had for many years been famous for lettering pens, and like Joseph Gillott, pens for artists' use, that is drawing pens and lithographic pens, and this name is still famous throughout the world for these specialist products. At that time, in 1930, British Pens were the second largest firm of pen makers and had developed a very considerable business in making parts other than pens, such as metal parts for the hosiery trade.

C. BRANDAUER & COMPANY LTD.

Occupied premises in New John Street West and had a number of very well known pens which sold throughout the world. This Company was owned and run for many years by the Petit Family; at this time a descendant Mr. Adrien Petit is Chairman of the Company.

JOSEPH GILLOTT & SONS LTD.

Occupied Victoria Pen Works in Graham Street, Birmingham, so named after a visit by Queen Victoria in whose honor a mahogany staircase was erected. In the early 30's the head of the firm was Mr. Bernard Gillott but after the second world war his son, and my friend and contemporary, Nicholas Gillott, took over the direction of the Company.  There was always a certain rivalry, which is referred to in the book by Mr. Bore, between Gillott and Mitchell as to who actually started the manufacture of steel pens, but the year was 1822 and it is not for me 160 years later to act as arbitrator in this matter. Suffice it to say that John Mitchell and Joseph Gillott were the first to manufacture pens on hand presses.

T. HESSIN & COMPANY

Owned by my father, the late Mr. T.H. Charles, and apart from pens had very few other outlets. We found our business to a great extent in the cheaper range of the market and this will be understood more fully when I discuss the various outlets.

GEORGE W. HUGHES

Again a private firm which had been founded by Mr. George W. Hughes, and at the time I came into the trade it was run by his son Roderick Hughes. Mr. Hughes produced pens of the highest quality and was a specialist in metallurgy, heat treatment and all the different processes which made up a steel pen. He was also widely traveled and was a student of far eastern languages. A particular feature of George W. Hughes was that they never made pens that did not bear their own imprint, a policy which stood them in good stead in later years.

D. LEONARDT & COMPANY

Again a private company, a partnership as opposed to a Limited Company, between Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Charles Leonardt who occupied premises in Charlotte Street, Birmingham, off Summer Row. They manufactured pens of the highest quality and their export market extended to South America and to the Eastern countries of Europe. I shall refer to this company later in my book because a merger was formed in 1949 between my own company and D. Leonardt & Company.

MACNIVEN & CAMERON

Run in 1930 by Mr. Duncan Cameron whose brother Waverley Cameron ran the printing works in Edinburgh. Perhaps Macniven and Cameron are best remembered by the advertisement which appeared for many years on railway stations which read 'They come as a boon and a blessing to men, the Pickwick, the Owl and the Waverley Pen'; even today this clever advertisement is remembered by many people.

JOHN MITCHELL

A firm, as distinct from either a private or public limited company, the proprietor of which was Mr. Henry Mitchell. The day to day running of the business was conducted by his son Eric Mitchell. This firm occupied a large site in Moland Street, Birmingham, close to the Birmingham General Hospital.

M. MYERS & COMPANY LIMITED

Again an old company of moderate size which made a substantial weekly quantity of pens, but which in later years wisely developed their business in other directions and are now famous the world over for the 'Bull Dog' letter clip and make a wide variety of pressings for shops, including shop fittings. In 1930 this business was run by Mr. Ronald Myers and my contemporary is his son Malcolm Myers who has led the business very successfully for a great many years.

PERRY PENS LIMITED

When I entered the trade they were the biggest manufacturers of pens in the world and occupied very substantial premises in Lancaster Street, Birmingham and the head of the firm was Mr. Oliver Smith who was of an older generation than I but whose son John Smith I got to know very well as I grew up in the trade.

E.S. PERRY LIMITED

This Company was founded by Mr. Edmund Perry in 1921 and he had two sons, Michael and James. James actually produced the nibs and Michael was responsible for the marketing and administration. The factory of E.S. Perry is based in Gosport and still produces high quality hand finished stainless steel nibs. These are marketed as fountain pens and specialist fountain pen sets under the Osmiroid brand and enjoy a world wide reputation.