The First British Made Stylographic Pen- 1880
The partnership of Messrs Burge & Warren was established during the mid-nineteenth century manufacturing a range of items from vulcanite (hard rubber), initially mourning jewellery which was in vogue during Queen Victoria's period of grief for Prince Albert. They were also known for their production of scientific and medical instruments and their products probably including holders for steel pen nibs. In 1879, following the massive success American made stylos were having in Britain, the company was asked by a leading stationery and printing company to manufacture the first British-made stylographic pen and William Warren set about developing such a pen. By early 1880, Burge and Warren had perfected their stylo and initial orders were placed for well over 2000 pieces. The stylos must have been a great success as the company continued to make them for more than forty years. The brand name they chose was the "British" which in the circumstances feels very appropriate. The company went on to make many different stylographic pens under many brand names, including Tom Thumb, the Whippet, the Duple, the Simplex and the Boy Scout.
An early stylograhic pen,
c. 1878-81 shown complete. This silver overlayed example was made for the famous Bond St. Jeweller , Asprey.
c. 1878-81 shown complete. This silver overlayed example was made for the famous Bond St. Jeweller , Asprey.
The Fountain Pens
Burge, Warren & Ridgley quickly got into the fountain pen business competing strongly with Watermans and Mabie Todd and Bard the makers of Swan fountain pens. These early fountain pens of the Belle Epoque and first decade of the 20th century were predominantly eye dropper filled pens, whereby a pipette was used to introduce ink directly into the barrel of the pen. BWR's trade name to compete with the extremely successful Swan, was the "Neptune" which would become a major fountain pen brand until the 1930's. There was no shortage of ingenuity and entrepreneurship at the company as they produced more different kinds of filling mechanisms than probably any of their contemporaries. Syringe fillers were made, branded Empires and Efficients they were similar to the Post patented pen. The range of eyedroppers marketed was legion from extremely small pen such as the Elf, to very large pens like the Neptune 217 that would hold a serious amount of ink for heavy duty writers. Many of the eye dropper pens had gold bands or silver full overlays. A retractable eyedropper pen and stylo were produced under the model name of Neptune Compacto, in either silver plate or hallmarked sterling silver, and a slightly similar concept pen and pencil called a Reverso were also on sale.
A vacuum filler, using the cap as part of the filling mechanism called a Neptune Push-Fill was also produced during the early twenties.
The company also produced lever-fillers of course, as this efficient mechanism dominated the interwar period as the filling mechanism of choice by the majority of manufacturers. Initially there were a number of black vulcanite models but there evolved a line of large grand and colourful lever-fillers designated Neptune Mammoths, which were available in Red and Black mottled and Bright Red vulcanite. These may have been available in other shades of vulcanite such as purple and green which the company had been known to use on its Neptune stylos.
The depression proved too much for the company which closed around 1930, although Neptunes continued to be made by the Jewel pen company well into the 1930's under the model Neptune No.7.
A vacuum filler, using the cap as part of the filling mechanism called a Neptune Push-Fill was also produced during the early twenties.
The company also produced lever-fillers of course, as this efficient mechanism dominated the interwar period as the filling mechanism of choice by the majority of manufacturers. Initially there were a number of black vulcanite models but there evolved a line of large grand and colourful lever-fillers designated Neptune Mammoths, which were available in Red and Black mottled and Bright Red vulcanite. These may have been available in other shades of vulcanite such as purple and green which the company had been known to use on its Neptune stylos.
The depression proved too much for the company which closed around 1930, although Neptunes continued to be made by the Jewel pen company well into the 1930's under the model Neptune No.7.
Neptune Guarantee Silver Overlay
The most expensive of BW&R's pens with either embossed silver or rolled gold overlays retailed at up to 36/- in 1908 . This example is a silver overlaid syringe filler .. The "Neptune Guarantee" fountain pen.