Industry Stationery Area served Worldwide | Founder Diedrich Leonardt Website leonardt.com Founded 1856 | |
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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. Leonardt is one of the oldest manufacturers of dip pens, having produced them since its establishment in 1856.
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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, such as the "Automatic Wonder Pen", a new type of fountain pen introduced in 1871.
Despite most manufacturers of nibs established in Birmingham having since closed their factories, 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
Product lines by D. Leonardt & Co. are: