The Pen Museum at The Argent Centre on Frederick Street
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The Pen Museum is in The Argent Centre at 60 Frederick Street in the Jewellery Quarter. The museum focusses on the history of the 19th Century pen trade. Including feather quills and steel pen nibs. Located in a former pen factory built in 1863. The building was recently refurbished. The museum is a charity and it needs our support. Run by a knowledgeable group of volunteers.
The Pen Museum is located on Frederick Street in the Jewellery Quarter. The building was originally built as the Argent Works of 1862-63 by JG Pollard. It was a pen manufactory for Q E Wiley. They also installed Turkish baths here! Built of red brick with stone and gault and buff brick dressings. Now known as The Argent Centre, the building runs to Legge Lane, which had a refurbishment (completed in 2020).
The Argent Centre, seen here in early April 2021, fully restored at the Legge Lane and Frederick Street corner. The Pen Museum is a short walk away. A Grade II* listed building, it was reopened earlier in 2021. And The Pen Museum is lucky to be in such a historic building.
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Exterior of The Pen Museum
An early view of The Pen Museum, also called The Pen Room, in this view from Frederick Street during December 2012. I wouldn't go inside until the Birmingham Heritage Week visit of September 2016.
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In September 2016, the view of the archway of The Argent Centre. Entrance to The Pen Museum via a door to the right.
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View of The Pen Museum during early April 2021. By now closed due to the lockdown. The gate and doors were closed. Getting closer to the 20th anniversary of the museum, which opened in late April 2001. They are not yet quite ready to reopen, that depends on the roadmap, as lockdown restrictions continue to be eased. At the time I was there to check out the restored Chamberlain Clock.
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The middle of May 2021, and I saw a 101 NXWM Platinum bus (to Handsworth) waiting outside of The Pen Museum, as I walked up to the new Costa Coffee at 32 Frederick Street. The day before indoor dining, but they had an outdoor space at the back where I could have my coffee.
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The Birmingham Heritage Week visit to The Pen Museum, September 2016
That day, The Pen Museum was free to visit, but normally you would have to pay an entrance fee. The museum is based in a former pen factory in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. If you wanted to, you could make a pen nib or write your name in Braille. The museum opened in 2001. They also have early typewriters.
In the main room of The Pen Museum, you could see all the cabinets with all the pen nibs, bottles of ink and machinery used to make the pen nibs.
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Bottles of ink for all kinds of fountain pens.
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Boxes of various different pens. Such as pencil pens, crown pen diamond brand, red ink pens, telephone pen, the swan pen and so on.
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Macniven & Camerons Pens "Pickwick". They used to cost 6d & 1'-per box.
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Portraits of the late Prince Albert (In Memoriam), Queen Victoria, King George V & Queen Mary. As well as King Edward VIII (later the Duke of Windsor), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
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Joseph Gillott's Victoria Works
There was an exhibition of Joseph Gillott, who was a pen maker to the Queen (Victoria). A display of Gillott pen nibs.
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They also had a display cabinet to look at from the Victoria Works (which is opposite the museum on the corner of Frederick Street and Graham Street).
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This was a 1001 Spring Ground Mammoth Quill Circa 1845 - The Largest Pen Made. Made by Joseph Gillott of Birmingham.
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More on Joseph Gillott here, plus women working in the factory.
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For more on Joseph Gillott go to this post.
George W. Hughes
Steel pen nibs made by George W. Hughes in this cabinet display.
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They were quite cheap to buy, a sample card for 1d, or sample boxes for only 6d.
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William and John Mitchell
Display cabinetts of pens and steel pen nibs made by William Mitchell.
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In the next cabinet is the steel pen nibs made by John Mitchell.
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Thessin & Co Magnetic Series of Pens
Cabinet displays here of pens and pencils. One of them was Thessin & Co Magnetic Series of Pens. Fountain pens made at various locations around Hockley in the 19th century (now the Jewellery Quarter).
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Here we see School Slates and Quill pens. Also various printed certificates.Also a set of Royal portable quills.
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The Boons & Blessings
The Boons & Blessings - The Pickwick - The Owl - The Waverley.
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These cabinets all about the Waverley pen nib.
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Another sign on The Pickwick, the Owl and the Waverley Pen. Also Brandauer.
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Presses
A press in the corner. Now it can only be operated by museum staff only.
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Close up to one of the presses near something about Workmen's Compensation Acts 1906 and 1923.
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One of the presses near the window, looking out onto Frederick Street. Joseph Gillott's Victoria Works is opposite, it opened in 1840.
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The presses are only used to make hardened nibs which are to be slit. A delicate "push" is all that is required on the handle to achieve this.
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Childrens's Classroom
A children's classroom to the back of the museum.
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Portrait of Queen Victoria and certificates on the wall.
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Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown