By Garland Pollard
PETERSBURG - We are admirers of the greatest pen sign ever. It’s the Remmie Arnold Pen of Petersburg, Virginia.
The company was founded by Remmie Arnold, who ran for governor of Virginia, but lost. He won at the pen game, and for a time Remmie Arnold was one of the world’s largest pen manufacturers.
Petersburg was once the home of great brand names. Kool Cigarettes. Raleigh Cigarettes. Tareyton Cigarettes. Seward Steamer Trunks. the Rucker Rosenstock Department Store.
Most has gone. However, Seward/Mercury is still there. Seward deserves a post of its own, as it was once the Louis Vuitton of American trunks. And Titmus Optical is still a leader in that field.
But we think, and hope, that the Arnold pen sign is still up. If not, BrandlandUSA readers can stare longingly at this photo and think of olden days.
We had this photo in our files from 1990, taken by photographer, architect and sign documentarian Marco Crescentini, who grew up in the region and gave us the photo years ago.
Yes, the pen did light up. We don’t think it does any more.
7 responses so far ↓
1 AJ Belongia // Nov 28, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Yes. as of 11.28.09 the sign is still on the building. The neon tubing on the side in the photo is broken but the other side appears to be intact. No idea if it lights up. The building looks empty and may not have power.
2 Remmie L. Arnold III // Aug 25, 2010 at 5:07 pm
The sign was still hanging a week ago but, I heard the site had been sold for apartments. Was originally built for a pharmaceutical company, reincarnated as a USO during WWII and then a lingerie factory before my grandfather moved into it because of a major fire at the old site on Washington St. The move was noteworthy in that they did not have to completely stop production to do it. A grand old building. Thick brick walls, post and beam interior with maple t&g flooring.
3 S // Dec 22, 2011 at 5:37 am
As of December 2011 the sign has been completely restored and the neon is back and functioning. I saw it lit up for the first time last night and it looks great!
4 Jean // Jul 26, 2012 at 10:33 pm
July 24,2012 — The sign is there and lit up at night. The building appears to be restored. A neat sign!
5 Megan // Aug 23, 2012 at 9:55 pm
I actually live in the building the sign hangs on and I love it, I was just researching the history behind it.
6 Patrick // Apr 27, 2013 at 7:05 pm
April 26, 2013 – sign still up, still lit, looks great at night.
7 CB // May 20, 2013 at 2:34 pm
I just found a set (pen/pencil) made by this company. The color of the set is a beautiful green. Made in America. Love it !
Hooray for the sign. I think I will put this on my bucket list to see.
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