Mason, Josiah
Other Business Names:
- Mason, Sir Josiah
- Sommerville & Co
- Perry & Co Ltd
- British Pens Ltd
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, West Midlands, England
Sectors:
-
Luxury / consumer goods production
Writing equipment production inc pencils
Notes:
(Sir) Josiah Mason, 1795-1881, set up in business in 1823 through acquisition of a split steel pen manufacturing business at Birmingham. 1829 started making steel pens using innovative machinery which hugely reduced prices. By 1870s largest manufacturer in the world. Largely made for other businesses especially Perry & Co of London. Sometime acquired penmakers and wholesalers Sommerville & Co. 1875 sold business to Perry & Co Ltd. Subsequently in decline in 1961 became part of British Pens Ltd
Publications:
- Josiah Mason, 1795-1881. Birmingham's benevolent benefactor by Jones, Brian
- Josiah Mason. A biography with sketches of the steel pen and electroplating trades by Bunce, John T
- 'Sir Josiah Mason' in J Hogg (ed), Fortunes Made in Business. Volume 1 by Unknown
- Sir Josiah Mason's Contribution to Education in Birmingham by Marston, N C
- Story of Sir Josiah Mason, the Prince of Penmakers by Taylor, Lucy
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Mason, Sir Josiah
- Sommerville & Co
- Perry & Co Ltd
- British Pens Ltd
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Birmingham, Birmingham, West Midlands, West Midlands, England
Sectors:
- Luxury / consumer goods production Writing equipment production inc pencils
Notes:
(Sir) Josiah Mason, 1795-1881, set up in business in 1823 through acquisition of a split steel pen manufacturing business at Birmingham. 1829 started making steel pens using innovative machinery which hugely reduced prices. By 1870s largest manufacturer in the world. Largely made for other businesses especially Perry & Co of London. Sometime acquired penmakers and wholesalers Sommerville & Co. 1875 sold business to Perry & Co Ltd. Subsequently in decline in 1961 became part of British Pens LtdPublications:
- Josiah Mason, 1795-1881. Birmingham's benevolent benefactor by Jones, Brian
- Josiah Mason. A biography with sketches of the steel pen and electroplating trades by Bunce, John T
- 'Sir Josiah Mason' in J Hogg (ed), Fortunes Made in Business. Volume 1 by Unknown
- Sir Josiah Mason's Contribution to Education in Birmingham by Marston, N C
- Story of Sir Josiah Mason, the Prince of Penmakers by Taylor, Lucy