PAUL M. RESSINGER
«BEST DESIGNER IN AMERICAN»
By Daniel Zazove & Ramón Campos.
Judged “Best in American” by the American Management Association and “Noted Style Authority” by the Parker Pen Co., Paul M. Ressinger was a specialist in product and packaging design, had a versatile and interesting background in the design field. An innate and secure sense of color and composition is evident in all his work. The imagination of this well-known designer was limited only by his sense of practical merchandising. His designs fitted like a glove in the aesthetic and commercial Parker philosophy combining designs that more than please the eye with those that must sell.
Mr. Ressinger was a founder member of “The 27 Chicago Designers”, a group dedicated to promoting the work of its members—illustrators, typographers, photographers, and designers. He actively worked alongside employees of the Parker Pen Co. during two decades during which his creative spark matured.
His clients included not only Parker Pen but also Montgomery Ward Co., and Sears Roebuck Co. He also created modern packaging designs for Australian manufacturing industries.
PARKER PEN CASE NO. 348.
PARKER ROYAL CHALLENGER.
In 1936 Parker introduces the Royal Challenger pens with an original chevron/herringbone design. A regal addition to the Parker Challenger line in an alluring new design with three lustrous colors: Brown, Grey, and Burgundy, and two styles, both with clip; a Standard size for use by men; and a Slender, shorter, and thinner pen for ladies. Filling system was the well-accepted button-filler, generous size, two-way writing point made these new models truly outstanding values. This line now popular with current collectors, was fitted with a unique clip in the shape of a sword. The pattern and the clip design were the work of Paul Ressinger.
ONE OF PARKER’S HANDSOME DISPLAY CASES. Parker case No. 323. Designed for two assortments.
PARKER PEN COUNTER CASE No. 350.
In its time, this counter case was the latest word in display of high-priced fountain pens. Paul Ressinger, designer of displays that really sell merchandise, scored again with a case that «outclasses and outperforms» his former successes. A case with maximum visibility -it frames the merchandise so appealing that many dealers have been heard to say: «No dealer can afford to be without it. »
This Parker counter case was the last word on display for high-priced fountain pens. The wood parts are made of maple and natural Blonde Wood with Hand Rubbed Wax finish. The tray is covered with velveteen, and the fountain pens are firmly held in individual grooves by a silk-covered elastic band. The compartment below holds four of the Parker Vacumatic sets in the plastic gift boxes designed for Parker by George R. Graff under patent design USD112282.
TWO PARKER FLOOR CASES FOR SMALLER PEN DEPARTAMENTS.
The wood base and framework of this attractive case is constructed of hard wood, birch or maple, and receives several coats of line metallic base lacquer, hand rubbed . . . providing a hard, durable, but very attractive finish. The No. 711 case is reinforced and beautified by an extruded bronze frame providing many times the strength of ordinary cemented glass construction. All corners and edges are rounded. The case is provided with full length fluorescent lighting. The rear doors of the case are made of a special semi-opaque glass permitting easy operation of the doors, and with rounded, polished edges eliminating chipping and breakage.
A BRILLIANT MIRROR DISPLAY FOR THE PARKER «51».
In 1942, Paul Ressinger conceived a splendid display stand with mirror worthy of «a pen from another planet» as the Parker «51».
AN ILLUMINATED DISPLAY CASE. A top-of-the-counter lamp that attracts attention and furnished fluorescent light for showing off the Parker «51’s».
ANOTHER PAUL RESINGER – PARKER PEN FLOOR CASE.
A COMPLETE PARKER PEN DEPARTMENT.
Beautiful, Compact, and easy to operate. The Pen Department display system designed by Paul Ressinger in collaboration with The Parker Pen Co. solved an economic problem for retailers; that problem was selling pens in quantity to the public.
Just look at the large amount of merchandise that can be displayed. Every individual item is clearly visible. Set or pens are not crowded, an all merchandise can be easily removed without disturbing adjacent items.
Perfect Illumination. The merchandise is evenly illuminated. Even when trays are extended behind counters, items lose none of their eye-appeal.
Vertical Columns Allow Generous Spacing of Merchandise. Two thousand square inches of shelf space in the two vertical column displays give ample space to display desk set and matched sets attractively in saleable «eye-spot».
