^Lot 914 Esterbrook Pen Company,

Camden, NJ. 1947. Specimen stock. Photo vignette of R. Esterbrook with factory building in background. Green border. Esterbrook Pens was created in 1856 by a Cornish Quaker, Richard Esterbrook. He was a stationer by trade and had seen in Britain the move from hand cut Quill pens to the steel nibs. He saw that there was no steel nib manufacturer in the U.S.A. and he recruited 5 craftsmen from the John Mitchell factory in Newhall Street, Birmingham, England and set up operations in the town of Camden, New Jersey. In 1947 the Company bought out John Mitchell and the American Esterbrook Company acquired Hazell pens, the total organization becoming The Esterbrook Pen Co. E.A. Wright BNC. XF.