Levi Brown and the American Writing Revolution
Levi Brown
Levi Brown was taught the John Isaac Hawkins method for producing Gold Pen nibs with iridium tipping by Aaron Porter Cleveland in October, 1836.
Mr. Brown began production of Gold Pen nibs in 1837, selling each for $5.00.
Levi Brown and John Isaac Hawkins Gold Pen nibs were the so-called “Ne Plus Ultra” of gold pens.
By 1845, he had discovered that someone was counterfeiting his Gold Pen nibs and thus he began adding the year of manufacture to his nibs.
Mr. Brown continued manufacturing his Gold Pen nibs until at least 1864.
Aaron Porter Cleveland
From Gold Pen maker John Foley’s catalog and book “History of John Foley’s Gold Pens with Illustrations”
Letter from Aaron Porter Cleveland, maker of the first Gold Pen made in America
New Orleans, La., April 8th, 1875.
John Foley, Esq., New York,
Dear Sir : —I received yours of March 23d yesterday.
The secret and instructions for making the Gold Pen were purchased by me from the inventor, Mr. Hawkins, for £300, in the spring of 1836.
I learned to make the Pen, and sold a few in London "before I left at £1 each. The gold was tempered by the hammer and the points put on with a blow pipe and ground with .sharp emery. Four Pens were all that a good workman could finish in one day.
I returned to New York in the fall, and by Mr. Hyde's request, taught Mr. Levi Brown how to make the Pen in October, 1836. I made but one or two Pens in doing so. I had no interest in the matter except to make the purchase for Mr. Hyde, learn the process of making, and teach any one he might designate.
Yours respectfully,
AARON PORTER CLEVELAND.
Levi Brown from Detroit to New York
Levi Brown's first appearance in Detroit was through an advertisement on July 23, 1819. The ad promoted the sale of a wagon that could be viewed at Chauncy S. Payne's establishment, who was also a silversmith in Detroit. It is likely that Brown worked with Payne during this period, possibly as a clock and watch repairer, as Payne advertised this position in November 1823.
In early 1826, Levi Brown ended his employment with Payne, and Mr. Brown started his own business the same year. He operated a clock, watch, and jewelry store and often sold assorted other goods.
Levi Brown, at the request of Simeon Hyde, was taught the method and secrets of Gold Pen nib manufacture by Mr. Cleveland.
Mr. Brown opened his Gold Pen business in Brooklyn, New York in 1838. He ramped up manufacture of Gold Pen nibs, establishing a manufactory at 10 Front Street in Brooklyn.
Early production Gold Pen nibs were stamped LEVI BROWN BR’LYN N.Y.
Levi Brown moved his family from Detroit to New York after 1840. Upon publication of the Detroit City Directory for 1845, he was no longer listed.
Beginnings
John Isaac Hawkins continued manufacturing Gold Pen nibs in London and an unknown number were imported to New York and sold by either Levi Brown or selected Stationers.
Brown and selected Stationers began to advertise Hawkins and Brown gold pens as early as November 21, 1839, in a Long Island newspaper. Advertisements sometimes mentioned Levi Brown gold pens, and often both Hawkins and Brown marked gold pens. This may be due to a supply of Hawkins produced gold pens imported from London.
Hawkins reported in a letter to John Foley, enshrined in the catalog and book mentioned above that Hawkins Gold Pens were imported and sold in New York for $5.00 from 1840 to 1845.
Hawkins Gold Pens for Sale
Levi Brown began to ramp Gold Pen nib production in Brooklyn at 10 Front Street, and opened a storefront at 61 Nassau Street, Brooklyn. He advertised sales of Hawkins Gold Pen nibs at 169 Jay Street as early as 1839. As demand for his product increased Brown opened a store in New York and his Gold Pen Nibs sold for a premium.
Detroit Roots
Levi Brown was operating either as a silversmith or as a wholesale store operator at 77 Jefferson Avenue in Detroit until he moved to New York.
Charles Piquette was a silversmith in Brown's Detroit business who left the Brown firm before he could be taught the Gold Pen tipping technique. Piquette was not part of the Levi Brown Gold Pen business and remained in Detroit, having started his own general goods store by November 25, 1836, when he advertised his newly opened silver spoon factory: he continued this work along with the watch and clock, and jewelry business until his death August 9, 1859.
Levi Brown last advertised his goods before the Gold Pen business began on September 16, 1837, after he had been taught the Gold Pen nib manufacturing process. He moved his business to New York soon after.
Levi Brown Held No Patents
“Brown’s Patent” Gold Pens were offered for sale in May 1841 in The Commercial Advertiser and Journal of Buffalo, New York. The phrase “Brown’s Patent” was only used in this publication and through 1844, a total of 21 times.
Levi Brown Gold Pen Nibs
Levi Brown Gold Pen Nibs seem to have been larger in the early years of the American Gold Pen Revolution than Bagley or other early Gold Pen Nib makers. The right-most pen is over 7” in length with Gold Pen Nib extended and is equipped with a John Greaton Gold Pen Nib. Greaton was a successor to Brown.
Levi Brown Gold Pen Holders
Levi Brown was known for his large gold pen holders and today, if you are lucky enough to find one, are easily identified despite a lack of makers markings.
An analysis of the finial atop Brown’s large gold pen products also provides a clue that correlates a gold pen holder with Levi Brown.
Levi Brown Gold Pen Gift
Levi Brown Gold Pens were prized. General Sherman gifted a Levi Brown Gold Pen to his Civil War Secretary Lt. William Griffith. The Gold Pen nib is dated 1864, indicating that Levi Brown Gold Pen nibs were produced until at least 1864.
Courtesey of the New York Historical Society Museum & Library.
Levi Brown Calligraphy
Levi Brown called himself "Champion of the World at Card Writing" and was able to write The Lord's Prayer, Ten Commandments, and other prose "in the circumference smaller than a Gold Dollar".
Levi Brown Calligraphy
Levi Brown vintage portrait.