Birmingham Pen Trade Heritage Association

Hockley, Birmingham

The Association was formed in 1996 as an informal meeting of people interested in the Birmingham pen trade and became a registered charity in 1997. Membership was drawn from former employees of the trade, collectors and people interested in history. The interest has broadened over the years to include writing implements and accessories and forms of writing including, Braille and moon, calligraphy, shorthand and grapho-analysis. The membership has increased to over 80 and now includes calligraphers, cartoonists and local people.

Members now receive a regular newsletter, Pen Talk and The Pen Room, our museum in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, was opened in April 2001. The learning centre was established in an adjoining unit in June 2002.