It was 1891, and Roy Conklin had just been granted a patent on his first fountain pen. He founded the Self Fountain Pen Company in Toledo, Ohio seven years later. The Crescent Filler was patented in 1902 in the name of Conklin Pen Manufacturing Company. With good quality, advertising, and marketing…he was endorsed by Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain) — it took off like a rocket. Today, Conklin pens are valued by collectors all around the world.
It is said that Clemens loved Conklin’s fountain pens because they didn’t roll off the desk and because he couldn’t misplace the filler (it was stored inside the pen). The brand new, spring loaded pocket clip is what kept the pens from rolling. As well as the company was doing, it was, for some unknown reason, sold to a Chicago syndicate in the late 30s. No newly designed pens were made for a seventeen year period, and after that, none were produced at all.
Around the year 2000, Conklin pens resurfaced under the name of Conklin Pen Co., Inc. Collectors of historical pens were thrilled to see the company was using both artisan craftsmen and the original designs so valued by collectors. Conklin pens were back, with all their style and quality!
These days it is located in Englishtown, New Jersey, and has released the All American Collection, which was first issued in the 1940s. Many of their other designer pens from the early years of the twentieth century are also being recreated. Those who love the unique luxurious enjoyment of writing with vintage pens will love these collections.
Anyone who loved the art deco movement of the 20s is going to love the designs put out — and valued by collectors — by Conklin Pen Company. They were leaders in this movement, and were innovative and fearless in introducing their designs. Around the world, exclusive dealers are showing these expensive pens.
One of the best decisions that Conklin made when they reopened was to retain all of the great elements that existed in the mechanisms and design of their vintage pens. They retain both depth and quality by intermingling retro and current elements in their designer pens. While change can be a good thing, it makes no sense at all to change something that was good from the start. So, rather than abandoning fine writing tools that were already valued by collectors, Conklin pens have maintained all of the heritage, nostalgia, and fine craftsmanship, adding a touch of modern manufacturing techniques and style.
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