I’ve added the last main entry on Washington Medallion. This entry is the longest entry yet. It covers the rest of the company’s history from the troubled times of 1860, through the numerous lawsuits, and the crazy Harrison & Bradford period.
The Washington Medallion Pen Company is not well-known, but it set so many precedents for the US steel pen industry. They were the first to bring skilled British tool makers from Birmingham, they were the first to truly advertise nationally. Others had sold their pens regionally, but Washington Medallion’s marketing went further than any had before. Through their lawsuits they also set legal precedents for trade mark protection and changed how the steel pen makers who came after designed and sold their pens.
I’m not completely finished with Washington Medallion. There are a couple of other topics of interest to cover. Next I will take the article from United States Magazine I’m referenced multiple times, and go over it more completely, as it is a fascinating, and detailed, glimpse into pen making technology and techniques in the middle of the 19th-century.
And in case you missed it, I also recently added a short entry on stub steel pens in response to several questions I’ve received.
As always, I appreciate feedback and questions, and I hope you enjoy the latest entries.
Seeking info on Geo. W. Hughes Football Pens – why so called?
i am restoring a early 1800’s desk and found a almost mint washington medillion pen company pin in it, what would idtorth ?
They can sell for up to around $15 each. You can post on eBay or use the contact page. I may be interested.