Birmingham pen trade: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox historical era

| name = Birmingham pen trade

| ___location = [[Birmingham]], U.K.

| start = 1822 <ref name=jm>[https://thesteelpen.com/tag/john-mitchell/ Pen History: The Early Years – 1820’s, Foundations Laid] on steelpen.com</ref><ref name=book1>[https://www.birminghambooks.co.uk/people_pens_and_production People, Pens & Production in Birmingham's Pen Trade - Ed. Brian Jones MBE]</ref>

| end = 1960s <ref name=hamilton>[https://www.hamiltonpens.com/blogs/articles/a-dip-into-birmingham-s-pen-making-industry A Dip into Birmingham’s Pen Making Industry] on hamiltonpens.com</ref>

| duration = c. 140 years

| image = Thinktank Birmingham - Gillott(1).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Illustration depicting Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, and Princess Alexandra at Joseph Gillott's Victoria Works in 1874

| before = [[quill|Quill pen]]

| including =

| after = [[Ballpoint pen]]<ref name=biromepatent/>

| monarch =

| leaders = {{plainlist|

<!-- in alphabetical order -->

* [[Joseph Gillott]]

* [[Josiah Mason]]

* John Mitchell

* William Mitchell

* [[Perry & Co.|James Perry]]

}}

| presidents =

| primeministers =

| key_events =

}}

The '''Birmingham pen trade''' was a period in the 19th-century that positioned the city of [[Birmingham]] as the world's leading manufacturer of steel [[dip pen]] (or pen nibs).<ref name=bbc1>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2009/03/13/the_pen_room_feature.shtml The pen is mightier] by Sarah Loat on the BBC</ref> It started in the 1820s when a group of entrepreneurs introduced mass production methods to leave the craftsman’s workshop behind and become a true industry. Some of those pioneers were brothers John and William Mitchell, [[Josiah Mason]], [[Perry & Co.|James Perry]], and [[Joseph Gillott]].<ref name=jm/> Steel pens replaced [[quill]]s, the usual writing instrument by then.<ref name=quill>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historyofpencils.com/writing-instruments-history/history-of-quill-pens/| title= History of quill pens |website= historyofpencils.com|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref>

The '''Birmingham Pen Trade''' evolved in the [[Birmingham]] [[Jewellery Quarter]] and surrounding area in the [[19th century]].

The trade was a significant part of the city's industrial heritage,<ref name=herit/> as part of the [[Industrial Revolution]] that had evolved in Great Britain since around 1760, then spreading to [[continental Europe]] and the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Industrial History of European Countries |url=https://www.erih.net/how-it-started/industrial-history-of-european-countries |access-date=2 June 2021 |website=European Route of Industrial Heritage |publisher=Council of Europe |archive-date=23 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623201807/https://www.erih.net/how-it-started/industrial-history-of-european-countries |url-status=live }}</ref>.<ref name=mak/> During its heyday, there were more than 100 pen manufacturers in Birmingham.<ref name=bbc1/>

==History==

The trade evolved in the [[Birmingham]] [[Jewellery Quarter]] and its surrounding area in the 19th century. "Pen" is the old term for what is now generally referred to as a nib, and for over a century the city was the world's leading manufacturer of steel nibs for dip pens, also making nibs in brass, bronze, and other alloys.<ref name=herit>[https://www.birminghamheritage.org.uk/pentrade.html Pen Museum] at the Birmingham Heritage Forum</ref><ref name=bbc1/> At the height of the Jewellery Quarter's operations there were about 100 pen factories which employed around 8,000 skilled craftspeople.<ref name=mak>[https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/making-mighty-pen-birmingham-10098727 The making of the mighty pen in Birmingham] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816063148/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/making-mighty-pen-birmingham-10098727 |date=16 August 2022 }} by Justine Halifax on ''Birmingham Live'', 21 Sep 2015</ref>

The trade also pioneered craftsmanship, manufacturing processes and provided employment opportunities especially for women, who constituted more than 70% of the workforce.<ref name=mak/> In its peak, there were about 100,000 varieties of pens (nibs) manufactured in Birmingham. By the end of the 19th century the number of manufacturers had declined to just twelve.<ref name=bbc1/> Fountain pens did not immediately displace dip pens in general usage; it was the mass market success of the [[ballpoint pen]] in the post WW2 era that finally made traditional pen nibs obsolete for all but specialized applications.

In Newhall Street [[John Mitchell]] manufactured [[pen]]s, he pioneered mass production of steel pens (prior to this the [[Quill]] pen was the most common form of writing instrument), Mitchells are credited as being the first manufacturers to use machines to cut pen nibs greatly speeding up the process. His brother William Mitchell later set up his own pen making business in [[St Paul's Square, Birmingham|St Paul's square]].

== History ==

Baker and Finnemore operated in James Street, near St Paul's Square, C Brandauer & Co Ltd. founded as Ash & Petit traded at 70 Navigation Street, Joseph Gillott & Sons Ltd. made pen nibs in Bread Street now Cornwall Street), Hinks Wells & Co. traded in Buckingham Street, Geo W Hughes traded in St Paul's Square, Leonardt & Catwinkle traded in George Street and Charlotte Street and M Myers & Son. were based at 8 Newhall Street.

=== 19th century ===

In [[1828]] [[Josiah Mason]] improved a cheap, efficient [[slip-in nib]] which could be added to a fountain pen. This was based on existing models.

[[File:Joseph gillott.jpg|thumb|left|170px|[[Joseph Gillott]], one of the main pen manufacturers]]

InJohn NewhallMitchell Streetmanufactured [[John Mitchellpen]]s manufacturedin [[penNewhall Street]]s,; he pioneeredwent on to pioneer the mass production of steel pens (prior to this, the [[Quillquill]] pen was the most common form of writing instrument),.<ref name=mak/> The Mitchells are credited as being the first manufacturers to use machines to cut pen nibs, greatly speeding up the process. HisJohn's brother William Mitchell later set up his own pen -making business in [[St Paul's Square, Birmingham|St Paul's square]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Birmingham and the Midland hardware district|author=Samuel Timmins|year= 1967|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-7146-1147-6}}</ref>

Baker and Finnemore operated in James Street, near St Paul's Square,; C. Brandauer & Co Ltd. (founded as Ash & Petit) traded at 70 Navigation Street,; [[Joseph Gillott's (pens)|Joseph Gillott & Sons Ltd.]] made pen nibs in Bread Street (now Cornwall Street), for companies such as [[Perry & Co.]]; Hinks, Wells & Co. traded in Buckingham Street,; GeoGeorge W. Hughes traded in St Paul's Square,; Leonardt & Catwinkle (then [[D. Leonardt & Co.]]) traded in George Street and Charlotte StreetStreets, and M. Myers & Son. were based at 8 Newhall Street.<ref name=more>[https://web.archive.org/web/20191203204726/http://www.jquarter.org.uk/webdisk/morepentrade.htm More about the pen trade] on Birmingham Jewellery Quarter (archived, 3 Dec 2019)</ref>

By the 1850s Birmingham existed as a world centre for [[steel pen]] and steel [[nib]] manufacture, more than half the steel nib pens manufactured in the world were Birmingham made. Thousands of skilled craftsmen and women were employed in the industry. Many new manufacturing techniques were perfected in Birmingham enableing the city's factories to mass produce their pens cheaply, and efficiently.

These were sold world wide to many who previously could not afford to write. This has encouraged the development of education and literacy.

[[File:Ad Brandauer Co 1885 illustrated.jpg|thumb|170px|A.C. Brandauer & Co. advertisement of 1885]]

Mr [[Richard Esterbrook]] manufactured quill pens in Cornwall.

In [[1828]] [[Josiah Mason]] improveddeveloped a cheap, efficient [[slip-in [[nib (pen)|nib]] based on existing models, which could be added to a fountainpen penholder.<ref This was based on existing models.name=mak/>

In the 19th century he saw a gap in the American market for steel nib pens. Esterbrook approached five craftsmen who worked for John Mitchell in Navigation Street with a view to setting up business in [[Camden]], [[New Jersey]], USA. Esterbrook later went on to become one of the largest steel pen manufacturers in the world.

By the 1850s, Birmingham existedwas as athe world centrecenter forof [[steel pen]] and steel [[nib]] manufacture,; more than half the steel nib pensnibs manufactured in the world were Birmingham made there.<ref name=mak/> Thousands of skilled craftsmen and women were employed in the industry. Many new manufacturing techniques were perfected in Birmingham, enableingenabling the city's factories to mass -produce their pens cheaply, and efficiently. These were sold worldwide to many who previously could not afford to write, thus encouraging the development of education and literacy.

Esterbrook returned to Birmingham for help when in 1928 the British

Government filed restrictions on US imports. John Mitchels factory was sought to produce Esterbrook pens within the UK. (Mitchels were then operating in Moland Street).

Women made 18,000 pens a day, under strict rules of no talking, no singing, and no wasting of the metal among others. Men served as the toolmakers and looked after the furnaces but the majority of the workers in the factories were women. In the latter half of the 19th-century young children were also employed, with ages varying between 10 and 12 years old.<ref name=bbc1/>

In 1930 Esterbrook introduced a fountain pen into Britain that had a nib made of [[Iridium|osmiridium]], which eventually replaced large scale production of steel-tipped pens.

=== 20th century ===

During [[World War II]], pen manufacture in the city was slightly disturbed, Mitchell's factory on Moland street was hit by an [[incendiary bomb]] and the premises were part re-built during the war aided by the Government on condition that a Government stationary office and ammunition [[assay]] office could reside there. Esterbrook were still manufacturing pens in Birmingham up until 1973.

Another manufacturer was Richard Esterbrook, who made [[quill]]s in [[Cornwall]],<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29454906/1841_richard_esterbrook_agent_for/ |title=1841 - Richard Esterbrook agent for 1841 Royal Cornwall Polytechnic exhibition |newspaper=The Royal Cornwall Gazette, Falmouth Packet, and General Advertiser |date=23 July 1841 |page=3 |access-date=3 April 2023 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403222228/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29454906/1841-richard-esterbrook-agent-for/ |url-status=live }}</ref> his home town.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://theesterbrookproject.com/FURTHER%20TOPICS/Brief%20History%20of%20Esterbrook.html |title=Brief Outline of Esterbrook History |access-date=3 April 2023 |archive-date=22 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622131146/http://theesterbrookproject.com/FURTHER%20TOPICS/Brief%20History%20of%20Esterbrook.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He started by working in the stationery trade of Birmingham, where he learnt about the mechanical process invented by Mitchell for making steel pen nibs. In searching for opportunities, Esterbrook realized there were no steel pen manufacturers in the United States. He approached five craftsmen who worked for John Mitchell in Navigation Street with an idea of setting up a business in [[Camden, New Jersey]]. Esterbrook later went on to become one of the largest steel-pen manufacturers in the world. He returned to Birmingham for help when in 1928 the British Government placed restrictions on US imports. John Mitchell's factory was used to produce Esterbrook pens within the UK, through an agreement with Esterbrook representatives. In both the USA and Britain Esterbrook also offered fountain pens from an early date, with larger scale production from the 1930s on.

During [[World War II]], pen manufacture in the city was slightlysomewhat disturbed,. Mitchell's factory on Moland streetStreet was hitstruck by an [[incendiary bomb]] and; the premises were partpartially re-builtrebuilt during the war aidedwith bygovernment the Governmentaid, on condition that a Governmentgovernment stationarystationery office and ammunition [[assay]] office could reside there. The EsterbrookJohn Mitchell business and factory were stillsold manufacturingto pensEsterbrook in Birmingham1947. upTwenty years later, the Esterbrook Pen Co. was taken over by the "[[Venus Pencils|Venus Pencil Co]]", which had a modern factory in [[King's Lynn]], [[Norfolk]], to which Esterbrook's production was transferred until 19731972.<ref name=more/>

During the first half of the 20th century [[Swan Pens]] opened a large gold pen making factory in the city taking advantage of the skilled [[gold]] workers of the jewellery quarter, around this time [[Osmiroid International]] had a large production plant in the city with the Yard-O-led company in production also.

==External= linksDecline ===

The advent and mass production and worldwide spread of the [[ballpoint pen]] patented by [[László Bíró]] in 1943,<ref name=biromepatent>{{cite web|title=US2390636 "Writing Instrument"|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US2390636.pdf|access-date= 2013-08-05| publisher= US Patent Office| date=}}</ref> contributed to a decline of use of the traditional dip and fountain pen nibs. The cost of production and market saturation should be also considered as causes as well. But the 1960s, the Birmingham pen industry had gone.<ref name=hamilton/>

*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/getwriting/A948530 General history of the pen]

*[http://www.penroom.co.uk/ The Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association and Museum]

== Manufacturers ==

[[Category:Writing instruments]]

Some of the main pen makers of Birmingham were: Baker & Finnemore, C. Brandauer & Co., Hinks Wells & Co., [[Joseph Gillott's (pens)|Joseph Gillott's]], Geo W. Hughes, [[D. Leonardt & Co.]], [[Macniven and Cameron|Macniven & Cameron]], [[Josiah Mason]], John Mitchell, William Mitchell, M. Myers & Son, [[Perry & Co.]], A. Sommerville & Co.<ref name=more/><ref name=borebook>[https://www.gutenberg.org/files/9954/9954-h/9954-h.htm ''The Story of The Invention of Steel Pens'' by Henry Bore – London – New York. Published 1890] at the Project Gutenberg</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Dip pen]]

* [[Victoria Works, Birmingham]]

* [[Pen Museum]]

* [[Calligraphy]]

== References ==

{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==

{{ccat}}

* [https://www.hamiltonpens.com/blogs/articles/a-dip-into-birmingham-s-pen-making-industry A Dip into Birmingham’s pen making industry] at hamiltonpens.com

* [https://www.communityarchives.org.uk/content/organisation/birmingham-pen-trade-heritage-association Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association]

* [http://birminghamheritage.org.uk/pentrade.html The Pen Museum] at Birmingham Heritage forum

{{Pen manufacturers}}

{{Pens}}

{{Industrial Revolution}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Birmingham Pen Trade}}

[[Category:Writing instrumentsimplements]]

[[Category:Pens]]

[[Category:Economy of Birmingham, West Midlands]]

[[Category:Fountain pen and ink manufacturers]]

[[Category:History of Birmingham, West Midlands]]