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[[Image:Logo-Soennecken.svg|center|500px|Soennecken Logo]]

[[Image:Logo-Soennecken.svg|center|500px|Soennecken Logo]]

The [[Soennecken]] was founded in 1875, and born as a manufacturer of pens and inkwells. It is one of the most important historical producers of fountain pens in Germany and is widely regarded as the first German company to have made fountain pens that were already included in his catalog of 1890.  

The [[Soennecken]] was founded in 1875, and born as a manufacturer of pens and inkwells. It is one of the most important historical producers of fountain pens in Germany and is widely regarded as the first German company to have made fountain pens that were already included in his catalog of 1890, having begun production in [[1887]].<ref>at least according to what is stated in [[:File:1925-05-Papierhandler-Soennecken-50th-p02.jpg|this article]]'s celebration of the company's fiftieth anniversary.</ref>

The golden age of the company is to be situated in the '30s when [[Soennecken]] produced probably the best pens available on the German market. Like other companies it suffered a decisive crisis on the '60s due to the introduction of the disposable ballpoint pens and closed its doors in 1967. Today the brand name is used for stationery items. Because of their high quality, remained constant even in the final crisis period of the company, the [[Soennecken]] fountain pens are now high sought with lot of interest from collectors.{{Infobox_Brand|Soennecken}}

The golden age of the company is to be situated in the '30s when [[Soennecken]] produced probably the best pens available on the German market. Like other companies it suffered a decisive crisis on the '60s due to the introduction of the disposable ballpoint pens and closed its doors in 1967. Today the brand name is used for stationery items. Because of their high quality, remained constant even in the final crisis period of the company, the [[Soennecken]] fountain pens are now high sought with lot of interest from collectors.{{Infobox_Brand|Soennecken}}{{BrandData|Founder=Friederich Soennecken|Place=Bonn|Date=1875|ProdDate=1887|Country=DE|Fullname=Soennecken Verlag}}

==History==

==History==

[[Image:Soennecken-Plant.jpg|thumb|[[Soennecken]] plant in Poppelsdorf (Bonn)]]

[[Image:Soennecken-Plant.jpg|thumb|[[Soennecken]] plant in Poppelsdorf (Bonn)]]

''[[Soennecken|Soennecken Verlag]]'' was founded in [[1875]] when ''Friedrich Soennecken'' went into business by opening a stationery store in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iserlohn Iserlohn]. ''Friederich Soennecken'' had already founded in [[1868]] the ''Kaufmannische Verein Iserlohn'', an association dedicated to business correspondence, and had developed his own style of calligraphy.  

''[[Soennecken|Soennecken Verlag]]'' was founded in [[1875]] when ''Friedrich Soennecken'' went into business by opening a stationery store in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iserlohn Iserlohn]. ''Friederich Soennecken'' had already founded in [[1868]] the ''Kaufmannische Verein Iserlohn'', an association dedicated to business correspondence, and had developed his own style of calligraphy.  

With the opening of the store, he started sales of nibs, ink and handwriting workbooks that were a hit among the college students, so that in [[1876]] he moved to the university city of Bonn. Due to the success of his style the company had expanded significantly, and in [[1883]] a three floors home was built in [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppelsdorf Poppelsdorf], in the Bonn center, where approximately forty employees operates. In this same period, the company expanded in the writing instruments market, thanks to inventions like the loose-leaf notebook, and the paper drill. The [[Soennecken]] became one of the leading German manufacturers in the field of stationery, also extending its production to office furniture.  

With the opening of the store, he started sales of nibs, ink and handwriting workbooks that were a hit among the college students, so that in [[1876]] he moved to the university city of Bonn. Due to the success of his style the company had expanded significantly, and in [[1883]] a three floors home was built in [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppelsdorf Poppelsdorf], in the Bonn center, where approximately forty employees operates. In this same period, the company expanded in the writing instruments market, thanks to inventions like the loose-leaf notebook, and the paper drill. The [[Soennecken]] became one of the leading German manufacturers in the field of stationery, also extending its production to office furniture.  

[[Image:StemmaSoennecken.jpg|thumb|Logo della Soennecken|150px|left|Photos of a [[Soennecken]] stone logo present on the company building]]

[[Image:StemmaSoennecken.jpg|thumb|Logo della Soennecken|150px|left|Photos of a [[Soennecken]] stone logo present on the company building]]

The start of fountain pens production is not known precisely, but it is known that they were listed in a catalog of [[1890]], along with over 150 other stationery products. These models were hard rubber eyedropper pens, characterized by a lock line for the cap. These pens were characterized by the imprinting ''F. Soennecken 554'' and were available in four sizes (numbered from 3 to 6) and equipped with the gold nib produced by the company.

The start of fountain pens production is not precisely known, but it is known that they were listed in a catalog of [[1890]],<ref>the informations on the company initial production are taken mostly from those reported by A. Lambrou in his books: please note that many inaccuracies were found in other historical data he reported, so their reliability is relative.</ref> along with over 150 other stationery products. These models were hard rubber eyedropper pens, characterized by a lock line for the cap. These pens were characterized by the imprinting ''F. Soennecken 554'' and were available in four sizes (numbered from 3 to 6) and equipped with the gold nib produced by the company.

There is not much information available about these early models; according to Lambrou there were different variants: the number 575 with cylindrical cap, the number 576 with conical cap and an ''[[overfeed]]'' feeder, the number 577 with conical cap.

There is not much information available about these early models; according to Lambrou there were different variants: the number [[Soennecken 575|575]] with cylindrical cap, the number [[Soennecken 576|576]] with conical cap and an ''[[overfeed]]'' feeder, the number [[Soennecken 577|577]] with conical cap.  

[[Image:Soennecken-Catalog.jpg|thumb|Soennecken catalog|150px|Photos of a 1895 [[Soennecken]] catalog]]

[[Image:Soennecken-Catalog.jpg|thumb|Soennecken catalog|150px|Photos of a 1895 [[Soennecken]] catalog]]

The first [[safety]] fountain pen was built in [[1905]], it adopted a device similar to that adopted by [[Kaweco]] with a bump on the bottom of the cap that allowed to facilitate the rotation (and the consequent return of the mechanism), by setting the cap on the back of the pen in a corresponding incision. There were shown over 30 different models of those new pens in a catalog of [[1905]].

The first [[safety]] fountain pen was built in [[1905]] (more precisely it appears for the first time in a catalog of that year). It was making use of a device similar to that adopted by [[Kaweco]], with a bump on the bottom of the cap that allowed to facilitate the rotation (and the consequent return of the mechanism), by setting the cap on the back of the pen, in a corresponding incision. There were shown over 30 different models of those new pens in a [[1905]] catalog.

In [[1913]] the range of fountain pens was extended. Smooth body models were identified with numbers 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16, the carved ones with numbers 810, 812, 814, 816 up to 820, and with prices between 10 and 25 marks. Models were also made with gold plated or gold bands, identified by the application of a Z after the number of the pen. Models were also made ​​of precious metals, the gold ones were identified by adding number 11 before the normal model number, while the number 10 was used for the silver ones.  

In [[1913]] the range of fountain pens was extended. Smooth body models were identified with numbers 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16, the carved ones with numbers [[Soennecken 810|810]], [[Soennecken 812|812]], [[Soennecken 814|814]], [[Soennecken 816|816]] up to [[Soennecken 820|820]], and with prices between 10 and 25 marks. Models were also made with gold plated or gold bands, identified by the application of a Z after the number of the pen. Models were also made ​​of precious metals, the gold ones were identified by adding number 11 before the normal model number, while the number 10 was used for the silver ones.  

In [[1927]] were introduced the first [[lever filler]] models, discontinued  after three years, in [[1930]], when it was introduced a particular [[button filler]] system, characterized by a protection shell that allowed to hide the hard rubber button, which was operated by rotating the shell. The new system received great acclaim, although the production of [[safety]] pens was maintained until [[1939]]. The finest line of pens, equipped with the new [[button filler]] system, was named [[Rheingold]] (''Rhein gold''), inspired by the name of the treasure it the Wagner's ring Cycle, and were characterized by a decoration on top of the cap that consisted in an "S" letter surrounded by an inlaid white circle in turn surrounded by inlaid rays.  

In [[1927]] were introduced the first [[lever filler]] models, discontinued  after three years, in [[1930]], when it was introduced a particular [[button filler]] system, characterized by a protection shell that allowed to hide the hard rubber button, which was operated by rotating the shell. The new system received great acclaim, although the production of [[safety]] pens was maintained until [[1939]]. The finest line of pens, equipped with the new [[button filler]] system, was named [[Rheingold]] (''Rhein gold''), inspired by the name of the treasure it the Wagner's ring Cycle, and were characterized by a decoration on top of the cap that consisted in an "S" letter surrounded by an inlaid white circle in turn surrounded by inlaid rays.  

[[Image:1937-38-Soennecken-Catalog-p01.jpg|thumb|First page from 1937/38 catalog]]

[[Image:1937-38-Soennecken-Catalog-p01.jpg|thumb|First page from 1937/38 catalog]]

The one preceding the WWII was the company most successful period, with a production ranged from fountain pens to office furniture, covering all areas for stationery items. In [[1938]] the models were the [[Soennecken 507|507]] [[Soennecken 510|510]] and [[Soennecken 510|510S]], with a new logo consists of an eagle perched on a pen inside of a circle, also used on [[Präsident]] in a [[:Category: Soennecken-1937-Catalog|catalogue]] from [[1937]]/38 also appear dome versions on the new [[Rheingold]] line with the numbers 613 and 616. When during the war the use of gold nibs became impossible, [[Soennecken]] resorted to palladium, marked with the symbol ''Pargo'' in the nibs. In 1940 the production was reduced to only four models, [[Soennecken 506|506]], [[Soennecken 507|507]], [[Soennecken 510| 510]] and [[Soennecken S4|S4]].  

The one preceding the WWII was the company most successful period, with a production ranged from fountain pens to office furniture, covering all areas for stationery items. In [[1938]] the models were the [[Soennecken 507|507]] [[Soennecken 510|510]] and [[Soennecken 510|510S]], with a new logo consists of an eagle perched on a pen inside of a circle, also used on [[Präsident]] in a [[:Category: Soennecken-1937-Catalog|catalogue]] from [[1937]]/38 also appear dome versions on the new [[Rheingold]] line with the numbers 613 and 616. When during the war the use of gold nibs became impossible, [[Soennecken]] resorted to palladium, marked with the symbol ''[[Pargo]]'' in the nibs. In 1940 the production was reduced to only four models, [[Soennecken 506|506]], [[Soennecken 507|507]], [[Soennecken 510| 510]] and [[Soennecken S4|S4]].  

The war was very heavy on the company, factories in Bonn were completely destroyed by bombing, but in [[1945]] production was resumed by the son and the grandson of the founder. Ttwo models of the [[Präsident]] line were produced, with two-tone gold nib and black body and the production of the two [[Rheingold]] models with the numbers 613 and 616 was resumed, these pens were made of celluloid in black, blue, gray, and pearly green, although other less common colors are known. Finally, was restarted the production of [[piston filler]] models, with the numbers [[Soennecken 504|504]], [[Soennecken 506|506]], [[Soennecken 507|507]] and [[Soennecken 510|510]]. These, in addition to the classic black color, were also produced in pearl celluloid with a woven patterned in blue, red, gray or green.

The war was very heavy on the company, factories in Bonn were completely destroyed by bombing, but in [[1945]] production was resumed by the son and the grandson of the founder. Ttwo models of the [[Präsident]] line were produced, with two-tone gold nib and black body and the production of the two [[Rheingold]] models with the numbers 613 and 616 was resumed, these pens were made of celluloid in black, blue, gray, and pearly green, although other less common colors are known. Finally, was restarted the production of [[piston filler]] models, with the numbers [[Soennecken 504|504]], [[Soennecken 506|506]], [[Soennecken 507|507]] and [[Soennecken 510|510]]. These, in addition to the classic black color, were also produced in pearl celluloid with a woven patterned in blue, red, gray or green.

In [[1947]] was introduced a new line of piston filler pens with steel nib, more squat in shape, wider, with a thicker body and a flattened cap. These were called, depending on the size, with the numbers [[Soennecken 110|110]], [[Soennecken 112|112]], [[Soennecken 116|116]] and [[Soennecken 120|120]]. These were initially produced in black, but later were also introduced celluloid versions with woven motifs in blue or gray.  

Around [[1940]] was introduced a new line of piston filler pens with steel nib, more squat in shape, wider, with a thicker body and a flattened cap. These were called, depending on the size, with the numbers [[Soennecken 110|110]], [[Soennecken 112|112]], [[Soennecken 116|116]] and [[Soennecken 120|120]]. These were initially produced in black, but later were also introduced celluloid versions with woven motifs in blue or gray.  

In 1949 was introduced a new line with the three models [[Soennecken 410|410]], [[Soennecken 414|414]] and [[Soennecken 420|420]], with a new [[piston filler]] system patented in 1939, where the knob of the plunger was locked when at rest. In order to load the pen it was needed to lift the cap slightly to unlock it to allow the rotation, once the pen is filled and the plunger brought back the knob is automatically locked into position, avoiding improper rotations. The new models of fountain pens were thinner and more streamlined. In these same years were produced new models for the student market, marked [[Soennecken S4|S4]] and [[Soennecken S4|S6]], and a series of streamlined black celluloid pens, called [[Soennecken 100|100 ]], [[Soennecken 100|100 Extras]], [[Soennecken 100|101 Lady]] and [[Soennecken 100|Schreibneister]].   

In [[1949]] was introduced a new line with the three models [[Soennecken 410|410]], [[Soennecken 414|414]] and [[Soennecken 420|420]], with a new [[piston filler]] system patented in [[1939]], where the knob of the plunger was locked when at rest. In order to load the pen it was needed to lift the cap slightly to unlock it to allow the rotation, once the pen is filled and the plunger brought back the knob is automatically locked into position, avoiding improper rotations. The new models of fountain pens were thinner and more streamlined. In these same years were produced new models for the student market, marked [[Soennecken S4|S4]] and [[Soennecken S4|S6]], and a series of streamlined black celluloid pens, called [[Soennecken 100|100 ]], [[Soennecken 100|100 Extras]], [[Soennecken 100|101 Lady]] and [[Soennecken 100|Schreibneister]].   

[[Image:195x-Soennecken-111-Set-2.jpg|thumb|Soennecken logo|150px|right|Advertising for the [[Soennecken 111|111]] model from end of '40s]]

[[Image:1953-Soennecken-111-Red-Set.jpg|thumb|Soennecken logo|150px|right|Advertising for the [[Soennecken 111|111]] model from 1953]]

In the years from [[1947]] to [[1950]] four new lines of pens were introduced, each one characterized by three different sizes named ''Lady'', ''Superior'' and ''Extra'', in increasing dimensions. The most economical line was the [[Soennecken 444|444]], produced in mainly in black color and in smaller sizes, followed by the line [[Soennecken 333|333]] produced in different colors. The good quality [[Soennecken 222|222]] line was produced in a particular lizard skin celluloid in red, green, gray and black with a translucent section and with a single piece clip fixed srewed on the top of the cap.  

In the years from [[1947]] to [[1950]] four new lines of pens were introduced, each one characterized by three different sizes named ''Lady'', ''Superior'' and ''Extra'', in increasing dimensions. The most economical line was the [[Soennecken 444|444]], produced in mainly in black color and in smaller sizes, followed by the line [[Soennecken 333|333]] produced in different colors. The good quality [[Soennecken 222|222]] line was produced in a particular lizard skin celluloid in red, green, gray and black with a translucent section and with a single piece clip fixed srewed on the top of the cap.  

The line that was at top of the range was the [[Soennecken 111|111]], with larger dimensions and produced in eight different colors  with herringbone motifs celluloid. Although the pens of the two highest series were of exceptional quality, they never enjoyed, partly because a too high price, a great success (which makes them rare and much sought after by collectors). This, together with the difficulties encountered even in sales of office furniture and stationery, led to a decline in the company during the 50's.  

The line that was at top of the range was the [[Soennecken 111|111]], with larger dimensions and produced in eight different colors  with herringbone motifs celluloid. Although the pens of the two highest series were of exceptional quality, they never enjoyed, partly because a too high price, a great success (which makes them rare and much sought after by collectors). This, together with the difficulties encountered even in sales of office furniture and stationery, led to a decline in the company during the 50's.  

In the '60s a revival was attempted: unnecessary lines were removed and only economic models [[Soennecken 100|100]] and [[Soennecken 100|101]] left in production. Was then sought a partnership with the French company [[Bayard]], which led to the creation of a new series of six pens sold in France, with a filling system similar to that of [[Swan]] [[Visofil]]. But those were not successful, beeing done in the the disposable ballpoint pen boom period, and in 1967 the [[Soennecken]] closed its doors.  

In the '60s a revival was attempted: unnecessary lines were removed and only economic models [[Soennecken 100|100]] and [[Soennecken 100|101]] left in production. Was then sought a partnership with the French company [[Bayard]], which led to creation of a new series of six pens sold in France, with a filling system similar to those of [[Swan]] [[Visofil]]. But these pens were not successful, being done in the boom period of the disposable ballpoint pen, and in 1967 [[Soennecken]] closed its doors.

{{BrandChrono|Soennecken}}

{{BrandChrono|Soennecken}}

==External References==

==External References==

* http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/128513-soennecken-information/

* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/128513-soennecken-information/] Discussion on FPN

* http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/soennecken.222.html

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160323225440/http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/soennecken.222.html] Page on Penspotters

* http://www.poppelsdorf.de/poppelsdorfer__heimatsammlung_soennecken.htm

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721020749/http://www.poppelsdorf.de/zwischen_melb_und_weiher-Soennecken.htm] Company history related to Poppelsdorf

* http://www.soennecken.de/

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soennecken] Page on Wikipedia in English

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soennecken

* [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soennecken] Page on Wikipedia in German

* http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soennecken

==Notes==

==Notes==

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