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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Conklin Pen Manufacturing Co.}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Conklin Pen Manufacturing Co.}}

[[Image:Logo-Conklin.svg|center|300px|Conklin Logo]]

[[Image:Logo-Conklin.svg|center|300px|Conklin Logo]]

[[Conklin]] was officially founded in [[1898]], but its founder, ''Roy Conklin'', had been in the fountain pen business since [[1891]]. The success of the company was mainly due to the invention of the [[Crescent Filler]], the first really functional automatic filling mechanism. But after its initial period the company underwent a gradual decline, completely ceasing production around the 1948. The brand was recreated in 2000 with the production of pens that reflect the design of the old models.

[[Conklin]] was officially founded in [[1898]], but its founder, ''Roy Conklin'', had been in the fountain pen business since [[1891]]. The success of the company was mainly due to the invention of the [[Crescent Filler]], the first really functional automatic filling mechanism. But after its initial period the company underwent a gradual decline, completely ceasing production around the 1948. The brand was recreated in 2000 with the production of pens that reflect the design of the old models.

[[Image:1905-Conklin-Crescent.jpg|thumb|An AD's of 1905.]]

[[Image:1905-Conklin-Crescent.jpg|thumb|An AD's of 1905.]]

The company strong initial success was due to the creation of the [[Crescent Filler]], which was the first automatic filling mechanism truly reliable. These [[Conklin Crescent Filler|firsts models]] were made in [[BCHR|chased hard rubber]] like other pens of the same period, but their innovative filling system led the company at the top of the market. In [[1904]], ''Roy Conklin'' withdrew from company selling all its shares, after that the ownership passed hands several times.<ref>for this event [http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Conklin/Conklin.htm] says around [[1907]], while Michael Fultz says [[1904]], citing J. F. Vogel as new president, J. H. Doyle as vice president and H. E. Fisher as secretary/treasurer, so we decided to use his date for citing also a lot more details.</ref> In this golden period [[Conklin]] followed a policy of trade expansion, with vigorous promotional campaigns, exporting even in Europe and South America.

The company strong initial success was due to the creation of the [[Crescent Filler]], which was the first automatic filling mechanism truly reliable. These [[Conklin Crescent Filler|firsts models]] were made in [[BCHR|chased hard rubber]] like other pens of the same period, but their innovative filling system led the company at the top of the market. In [[1904]], ''Roy Conklin'' withdrew from company selling all its shares, after that the ownership passed hands several times.<ref>for this event Jim Mamoulides reports in [http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Conklin/Conklin.htm this page] around [[1907]], while Michael Fultz says [[1904]], citing J. F. Vogel as new president, J. H. Doyle as vice president and H. E. Fisher as secretary/treasurer, so we decided to use his date for citing also a lot more details.</ref> In this golden period [[Conklin]] followed a policy of trade expansion, with vigorous promotional campaigns, exporting even in Europe and South America.

In [[1916]] [[Conklin]] introduced an innovative spring clip, that can be open very easily; for its simplicity and elegance the same mechanism has been used today by modern companies like Visconti, the only patent found about it ({{Cite patent|US|1267575}}) was applied in [[1917]]. The sales of fountain pens, although declining, remained at the top of the market, also if [[Conklin]] models become to be considered a little dated.

In [[1916]] [[Conklin]] introduced an innovative spring clip, that can be open very easily; for its simplicity and elegance the same mechanism has been used today by modern companies like Visconti, the only patent found about it ({{Cite patent|US|1267575}}) was applied in [[1917]]. The sales of fountain pens, although declining, remained at the top of the market, also if [[Conklin]] models become to be considered a little dated.

This is why in [[1921]] also [[Conklin]] started producing models with a peculiar [[lever filler]] mechanism, ingeniously constructed so that only half of the lever was in the open. With the introduction of the large dimension pens trend started by the [[Duofold]] also [[Conklin]] introduced  in [[1923]] the [[Duragraph]] model. The following year the [[Duragraph]] was renamed as [[Endura]] and the production was converted to celluloid. Initial model were in black or red hard rubber, but soon they were produced in celluloid, with different colors like ''Rosewood'', ''Black & Gold'', ''Lime Green'', ''Lapis blue'' and the rare ''Blue & Gold'' present only on smaller models.

This is why in [[1921]] also [[Conklin]] started producing models with a peculiar [[lever filler]] mechanism, ingeniously constructed so that only half of the lever was in the open. With the introduction of the large dimension pens trend started by the [[Duofold]] also [[Conklin]] introduced  in [[1923]] the [[Duragraph]] model. The following year the [[Duragraph]] was renamed as [[Endura]] and the production was converted to celluloid. Initial model were in black or red hard rubber, but soon they were produced in celluloid, with different colors like ''Rosewood'', ''Black & Gold'', ''Lime Green'', ''Lapis blue'' and the rare ''Blue & Gold'' present only on smaller models.

[[Image:Conklin-Endura-Colors-Set.jpg|thumb|A set of [[Endura]]]]

[[File:Conklin-Endura-Big-Series-Colors-Capped.jpg|thumb|A set of [[Endura]]]]

The [[Endura]] was the top model of [[Conklin]], with the name put on the nib and the body, produced in three version, a short vest pocket, a standard and senior senior size. In the same time were also produced an economic model for students, with the same shape and dimension of the [[Endura]] standard model, also produced in pastel colors.

The [[Endura]] was the top model of [[Conklin]], with the name put on the nib and the body, produced in three version, a short vest pocket, a standard and senior senior size. In the same time were also produced an economic model for students, that so collector are calling [[Conklin Student|Student]] (but mentioned in and advertisement as "''Three Fifty''" by their price in dollars, $3.50), with the same shape and dimension of the [[Endura]] standard model, also produced in pastel colors.

[[Image:1924-08-Conklin-Endura-Student.jpg|thumb|left|An [[Endura]] AD's of 1924.]]

[[Image:1924-08-Conklin-Endura-Student.jpg|thumb|left|An [[Endura]] AD's of 1924.]]

At that time however the company was no longer a market leader, but was merely following trends set by the others companies. An example of this is the introduction in [[1929]] (or in [[1930]]),<ref>different source reports both dates.</ref> of its ''[[streamlined ]]'' model, the [[Symetrik]], following the new trend launched by the [[Sheaffer]] [[Balance]]. The sales were in constant decline and the company suffered heavily from the effects of the great recession of '29. Around [[1930]] [[Conklin]] started an economy line named [[All-American]].

At that time however the company was no longer a market leader, but was merely following trends set by the others companies. An example of this is the introduction in [[1929]] (or in 1930),<ref>different source reports both dates.</ref> of its ''[[streamlined ]]'' model, the [[Symetrik]], following the new trend launched by the [[Sheaffer]] [[Balance]]. The sales were in constant decline and the company suffered heavily from the effects of the great recession of '29. Around [[1930]] [[Conklin]] started an economy line named [[All-American]].

The last [[Conklin]] important model was the [[Nozac]], designed by ''Louis Vavrik'' and introduced in [[1931]]. [[Nozac]] is the only American pen equipped with a [[piston filler]]; it had a transparent tank with large ink capacity (further highlighted, since [[1934]], by the ''word gauge'', a scale that measured the number of words remaining). The pen, produced in beautiful color and with a multifaceted body, is one of the best model of that time, but the mechanism, derived from that one of a mechanical pencil, was not particularly robust and efficient and the pen did not have the success that it would have deserved. In [[1937]] a [[plunger filler]] version of [[Nozac]], called [[One Stroke]], was produced.

The last [[Conklin]] important model was the [[Nozac]], designed by ''Louis Vavrik'' and introduced in [[1931]]. [[Nozac]] is the only American pen equipped with a [[piston filler]]; it had a transparent tank with large ink capacity (further highlighted, since [[1934]], by the ''word gauge'', a scale that measured the number of words remaining). The pen, produced in beautiful color and with a multifaceted body, is one of the best model of that time, but the mechanism, derived from that one of a mechanical pencil, was not particularly robust and efficient and the pen did not have the success that it would have deserved. In [[1937]] a [[plunger filler]] version of [[Nozac]], called [[One Stroke]], was produced.

[[Image:1937-12-Conklin-Nozac.jpg|thumb|A [[Nozac]] advertising from 1937.]]

[[Image:1937-12-Conklin-Nozac.jpg|thumb|A [[Nozac]] advertising from 1937.]]

The company was still declining and in [[1938]] all the [[Conklin]] assets were transferred to the investor group ''Chicago Interests''. The following year Toledo plants were closed and the production was moved to Chicago. The previous models remained in production during the war but few pens were produced. In the following years the production continued to move towards the low end of the market with economic fountain pens to and a low cost ballpoint. Although some of these models, like the [[Glider]], have some collectors interest, the [[Conklin]] production progressively reduced in quality and quantity, to completely cease in [[1948]] (or [[1955]]?).

The company was still declining and in [[1938]] all the [[Conklin]] assets were transferred to the investor group ''Chicago Interests''. The following year Toledo plants were closed and the production was moved to Chicago. The previous models remained in production during the war but few pens were produced. In the following years the production continued to move towards the low end of the market with economic fountain pens to and a low cost ballpoint. Although some of these models, like the [[Glider]], have some collectors interest, the [[Conklin]] production progressively reduced in quality and quantity, to completely cease in [[1948]] (or 1955?).

Today, as it happened for many other historical brands, [[Conklin]] was rebuild in 2000 and operates now as ''Conklin Pen Co. Inc.'' Its pens are essentially some replica of the successful models of the brand golden years, but as it happens for most of the modern pens, they have no particular qualities that can distinguish them from other pens, especially when compared with their beautiful ancestor.

Today, as it happened for many other historical brands, [[Conklin]] was rebuild in 2000 and operates now as ''Conklin Pen Co. Inc.'' Its pens are essentially some replica of the successful models of the brand golden years, but as it happens for most of the modern pens, they have no particular qualities that can distinguish them from other pens, especially when compared with their beautiful ancestor.

== External references ==

== External references ==

* http://www.conklinpen.com/

* [http://web.archive.org/web/20080126091833/http://www.penbid.com/Auction/showarticle.asp?art_id=16] Article on the company's history

* http://web.archive.org/web/20080126091833/http://www.penbid.com/Auction/showarticle.asp?art_id=16

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130429200151/http://www.billspens.com/billspens/conklin/conklin.htm] Conklin page on Bill Aker website

* http://www.billspens.com/billspens/conklin/conklin.htm

* [http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Conklin/Conklin.htm] Page on the company's history

* http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Conklin/Conklin.htm

* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120053] A discussion on the numbering

* http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=120053

==Notes==

==Notes==

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