D. Leonardt & Co.

D. Leonardt & Co.
Private
Industry Stationery
Founded 1856 (1856) in Birmingham, England [1]
Founder Diedrich Leonardt [1]
Headquarters Highley, Shropshire, England
Area served
 Worldwide
Products Corner parts, dip and fountain nibs, ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils
Website leonardt.com

D. Leonardt & Co. is a company that manufactures metal components, such as corners for stationery products and writing instruments, that include dip and fountain nibs, ballpoint pens, holders and mechanical pencils.[2] Leonardt is one of the oldest manufacturers of dip pens, having produced them since its establishment in 1856.[3]

History

The company was founded in 1856 by Diedrich Leonardt to manufacture dip pens. After two large expansions led by Leonardt in 1863 and 1867, D Leonardt & Co. developed large export market in South America and Eastern Europe, and produced pens for the King of Italy. The manufactured pens were considered to be of high quality and included their famous patent ballpoint pens,[4] such as the "Automatic Wonder Pen", a new type of fountain pen introduced in 1871.[5]

Despite most manufacturers of nibs established in Birmingham having since closed their factories,[1] Leonardt & Co. is one of the few companies that have remained in the industry since its founding, still producing pens along with Joseph Gillott's and William Mitchell, also expanding its range of products for the stationary market.

Products

A vintage D. Leonardt & Co. "Eureka" pens box.

Product lines by D. Leonardt & Co. are:[6]

Category Products
Corners Leathergoods, photograph albums, menu covers, pattern and carpet books, binders, portfolios
Pen parts Fountain and dip nibs, clips, holders, ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 More about the Pen Trade in Birmingham (Archive), 1 Jul 2010
  2. ↑ Index summary at Leonardt official web
  3. ↑ "The company" on Leonardt website
  4. ↑ The manufacturers on The Pen Room website (Archive), 18 Feb 2012
  5. ↑ "Penning an Empire: A Brief History of D. Leonardt & Co.". Lungsal. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  6. ↑ Products on Leonardt website
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