H i s t o r y 

The story begins in 1901....

when the Franklin family began manufacturing ceramics in Marietta, GA. For 91 years fine and basic ceramic products were manufactured domestically and imported from Europe by The Franklin Co. Operations were headquartered at 890 Franklin Road, in Marietta, into the 1990s. Recent decades have evolved the company into producers of fine accessories. The tradition and love of designing, manufacturing and importing quality products has remained through the decades. In the year 2001, five generations later, the brand Franklin-Christoph was presented with the IPO fountain pen. Franklin-Christoph goes into this new millennium with the same values and dedication to quality as the generations before. The passion for designing elegant, functional products is evident within every piece, guaranteed for life.
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The Old English F first appeared on a piece of ceramic china in the 1950s. 
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Many Franklin cousins, brothers, and wives contributed greatly to the company over the century plus history, including but not limited to L.W. Franklin, J.G. Franklin, and T.D. Franklin. 
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Note: The direct family line goes to Thomas Franklin, who lived and died in Ecton Northamptonshire, England, (1598-1685). He fathered Josiah Franklin who came to America about 1652. Josiah fathered John Franklin I, who moved to North Carolina in the early 1700s, and the line to present is descended from there through, John Franklin II, S.L. Franklin, W.E. Franklin, W.J. Franklin, and finally to J.W. Franklin, where the company history begins. An interesting note is that Josiah Franklin's other son, and brother of John I, was Benjamin Franklin, American Diplomat, Philosopher and Inventor.  
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Early 1900s photo of original site of The Franklin Co.

Important dates: 

1901 - The Franklin Co. Founded by J.W. Franklin (life: 1865-1930)

1930 - W.J. Franklin heads company. (life: 1884-1940)

1940 - L.H. Franklin I heads company. (life: 1914-1992)

1977 - L.H. Franklin II heads company. (life: 1942-present)

1982 - Sons L.H. Franklin III and S.C. Franklin become the 5th generation to work in company.

1998 - L.H. Franklin II, and S.C. Franklin re-locate company north to Ellijay, GA. Ceramics no longer part of business. Fine accessories only.

2001 - Company re-named and re-shaped to Franklin-Christoph brand and PenCity for general retail. IPO Fountain Pen released.

2005 - Franklin-Christoph relocated to North Carolina, ancestral home of the family before the time of J.W. Franklin. Headed by S.C. Franklin.  PenCity was headed by L.H. Franklin II, and was re-located in Blairsville, GA.

2007 - The 1901 fountain pen model is introduced.  The Lucky 13 Penvelope is introduced in a newly developed leather - boot brown. 

2009 - The Model 29 Colorband series is introduced and at the end of the year, the IPO is retired with a quiet ceremony. 

2011- The new flagship FP, the Model 02 Intrinsic is introduced, as a new production facility is opened in Houston, TX, with Dan Symonds as Director of Manufacturing. Leather line expanded into notebook covers.

2012- PenCity is sold to Kerry Dye and Jennifer Henry of Nashville, TN, and L.H. Franklin II retires.  Franklin-Christoph, still owned by S.C. Franklin, introduces the Model 27 Collegia line of fountain pens and rollerballs. 

Model 01 Diamondback on brick the company produced in 1913 to construct the family home.