Our entry into the fine writing instrument business started in 1979 with an art supply calligraphy distributor, Pentalic. Working for a Renaissance art supplier Lou Strick, Pentalic offered a range of calligraphy nibs start a calligraphy pens and other European art supplies.
It started with one pen-the original Pelikan 120. This top selling quality fountain pen brought us into the fine writing category. Dedicated New York retailers like Arthur Brown, Joon and Fountain Pen Hospital sold thousands of these pens, (along with art supply retailers like Pearl Paint, Sam Flax and Lee’s Art Shop.
In 1980’s we broadened our background with some of the most prestigious, fine writing brands in the world. In 1986 we found a way back to Pelikan which was launching the “Souveran” range in out US company. Scott and Michael pioneered Pelikan a lead the way by sharing product development feedback to the writing instrument product manager from Hanover.
Some of the developments included the M200 green demonstrator—which was to show us consumers how the pen worked. That smelled opportunity to sell this model. Later Pelikan developed the M 800 large size pen. With feedback in the basement of the venerable Fountain Pen Hospital the large version of the Toledo pen was born. This was the beginning of limited additions! We are proud to say that Pelikan was the first brand that we pioneered!
Later on, we had relationships with other great European brands. However, the horizon expanded with our relationship with Sakura of America. There we pioneered famous brands like Pigma Micron & Gelly Roll through educational selling.
In 2014, Jin Takemura asked us if we would like to take on Sailor Pen, which Itoya of America was considering to distribute. We jumped at the chance to pioneer a world-class brand once again. It was an exciting period because the customers in the fine writing category were almost completely new to us.
The next 10 years we worked hand-in-hand to give Sailor a premium position in the market place. Sailor’s product line evolved at the same time that Sampro’s marketing approach for developed. Not only do we support brick and mortar store events, we support many important regional dealers with “trunk shows” and retail days during the busy holiday season.
In 2024 Abe and Michael made a sales call on the exciting chain Top Drawer. We were there to present new innovations from Sakura and Pentel. In the meeting, Peter Dunn, the president of Top Drawer showed us the Tino fountain pen to get feedback. Enthused at trying a luxury brand’s development of a sport (pocket pen), we easily reached an agreement to develop the Kolo line, which promises to be much more than just fountain pens!
More than writing instruments it’s about legacy. We all have a stake in the writing instrument community working with influencers. In fact, Scott Hammer is considered an influencer in his own way.
Each partnership represents more than just a brand — it’s a relationship built over decades of mutual respect and shared passion for quality. At Sampro, we believe that writing instruments are tools for expression, creativity, and individuality—just like our artist materials’ brands!
