Bexley Jitterbug!

What does a pen designer, who has an affinity for classic fountain pens, do when he has access to a limited number of art deco clips that are around 80 years old? He designs a pen to fit the clip! Not the norm, yet that is exactly what Howard Levy, chief “cook and bottle washer” of Bexley Pen did when designing and manufacturing the Jitterbug! in the early 2010’s.

Art Deco was an eclectic style that combined traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. The style was characterized by rich colors, bold geometric shapes, and lavish ornamentation. Historian Bevis Hillier defined Art Deco as "an assertively modern style [that] ran to symmetry rather than asymmetry, and to the rectilinear rather than the curvilinear; it responded to the demands of the machine and of new material [and] the requirements of mass production".

Two American buildings represent Art Deco—New York’s Chrysler Building and Radio City Music Hall. The Chrysler Building was designed by architect William Van Alen between 1928 and 1930. He initially worked for William Reynolds (cigarette tycoon), but his plan was later acquired by Walter P. Chrysler (automotive tycoon). For a short time, this 77-story skyscraper dominated the Manhattan skyline and enjoyed fame as the world’s highest building.

  Take a look at the clip

Do you see a repetition of the architectural design? Did you add the Jitterbug! to your collection?

Bexley Pen Values

Do you believe that the tone and values of an organization come from those "at the top?" Howard Levy brings his attention to detail, his strong belief in "designing and building in" quality rather trying to "inspect" it into the product to Bexley Pen. From the very first pen having the Bexley Pen brand name to every one since, the quality of every part of the pen has been of utmost importance. Howard has seen to it!

Take a look at the article that ran in the Columbus Dispatch:

Bexley Blog – Made in America

With Independence Day this week, please consider what “Made in America” means and does it matter to you if your fine writing instrument carries that marking?

The rules that qualify a product for an official “made in USA” label are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC relies on a definition that “a made in USA product be made of ‘ all or virtually all ‘ components made in America.”

 The factors that must be met include:

·         the percentage of manufacturing costs incurred in the US,

·         how far removed are any foreign components  from the finished product, and

·         the site of final assembly.

The FTC publication on complying with the made in USA standard suggests:

·         a minimum of 75% of total manufacturing costs be incurred in the USA for a credible made in America label.

     The Buy American Act defines a product as made in America (for the purposes of government procurement ) if the item is comprised of at least 50% American made components.

Bexley Pen is proud to say that it completely meets all of these criteria.