Vintage Pen Makers: A - H

This list is intended to be a resource about the many Japanese pen companies that existed prior to the rise of the Big Three: Pilot, Platinum, and Sailor in the 1960s. Although some attained popularity, most were small enterprises with limited production. All, however, played an important role in the development of that something special that makes Japanese pens what they are today. Please note this list also appears at Fountain Pen Network.

Many manufacturers were not manufacturers, per se, but jobbers, often small family-run businesses that made individual components or assembled parts. Pens were packaged and sold to department stores, stationary shops, and retail outlets for sale. Names on pens rarely mention the maker and often limit the name to that of the seller or the model. We have focused our effort on actual manufacturers and major retail outlets. For an expanded list of important pre-war makers and history of fountain pen development in Japan, we recommend Fountain Pens of the World, by Andreas Lambrou.

Descriptions contain terms relative to quality and types of pens produced. They are subjective and should not be construed to consider a makers entire output as low quality, cheap, good, great, or collectible. They are generalizations based on observation of many pens. High quality models were made by many makers on a regular or limited basis and this is not intended as a guide of what to buy or avoid. One must view each pen independently in context of one's desires and needs in collecting and use.

Photographs, where inserted or linked, do not represent the complete production of any maker. They exist solely to provide samples of what was produced and are limited by availability. Please click on photographs to view a larger image. As the list will become long with insertion of photographs, it is divided alphabetically to minimize scrolling time.

We eagerly solicit additions and comments, and will add them as appropriate.

Arabian: Primarily a vendor of pen parts to jobbers. Also made pens, including maki-e, for sale.

Ace: lower tier celluloid pens in early 1950s.
Adam: (Adam Pen Co., Inc.) 1950s celluloids. Esterbrook clones.
Alarm: (B.H. & Company) Prewar ebonite pens. Decent quality.

Alpha: (Towa Mannenhitsu Seisakusho, prob. Tokyo) Celluloid pens in the early 1950s.

Almite: (Almite Bungu) Aluminum overlay pens in late 1930s and early 1940s. Might be a sub-brand of larger maker, perhaps Vanco. Decent quality. Some came with accessories as shown in the picture below.

Apollo: (T.N. & Company) Ebonite eyedroppers in 1950s. Moderate quality.
Automan: (Inamune Seisakusho) Produced variety of models, including some maki-e, in the 1950s. Note similarity to Pilot Super.

Believe: Brand name for inexpensive celluloids in 1950s.
Center: (Sanwa Kogyo Co. Ltd., Tokyo) Mostly lower tier pens in the 1950s. A few pretty celluloids. Some lacquer finishes.
Columbia: Brand name for inexpensive eyedropper fillers in 1930s.
Comet: (Comet Fountain Pen Co., Ltd., Tokyo) Founded late 1930s. Made ebonite pens. Usually celluloid with steel nibs in early 1950s. Low cost school-type pens in the 1960s.
Crown: Osaka maker of inexpensive eyedroppers in late 1930s.
Daicho: Brand name for make of inexpensive pre-war eyedroppers with steel nibs.    Daimaru: Large Tokyo department store. Quality pens.

Daiya: Possibly a trade name. Typical inexpensive 1950s black eyedroppers.

Dia: (Diamond Co. Ltd., Tokyo) Second to lower tier maker in 1950s. Some really sharp bright celluloids. Some basic makie types.

Diamond: Lower end ebonite pens.                                                                    Eagle: Brand name for Tokyo-based maker in 1950s.
Edel: mid-lower tier 1950s maker of celluloid pens.
Elliot: Known for their nibs. Full range of pens – many larger models.

Emburu: (Sankodo Co., Ltd., Nagoya) Typical 1930s eyedroppers.
Eterna: Lower tier maker of ebonite eyedroppers in the 1950s.
Ever: Lower tier ebonite pens in the early 1950s.
Fame: Brand name for hard rubber eyedroppers in 1920s and early 1930s.
Ferumu: (Watanabe Seisakusho, Tokyo) Maker of quality "Old Style" maki-e pens in early 1950s. Ferumu is transliteration of Japanese.
Fujiyama: "Swallow" lever fillers and others in the 1950s. Decent.
General’s: (Kawamoto Pen Mfg. Co.) Inexpensive celluloid and ebonite pens.
H.H.H.: Decorative lacquered pens. Mid-upper range.

Hartman: Large ebonite pens in 1930s and celluloid in 1950s.
Henkel: Post-war maker. Some nice celluloid
Hissei: Brand name for inexpensive pre-war eyedroppers with steel nibs.
Honen: (Honen Sangyo K.K., Osaka) eyedroppers in early 1950s.
Hoshiesu: Pre-war pen and mechanical pencil maker.
Hosho:
Hotho: 'Star of David' logo similar to that used by Platon. Might be same company. Mostly, cheap wartime pens with steel nibs.