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AltecGreen
April 26th, 2013, 10:10 PM
DanDeM said I should show off my vintage Italian pens. So I'm starting this series of posts where I will go through my collection and talk about some of my pens.




So we kick things off with the pen that started me on the path of vintage Italian pens and vintage pens in general. I had fallen in love with the beauty of celluloid and had already acquired a number of modern Italian pens. One day I was browsing eBay and saw a pen for sale with a BIN. It was a vintage NOS Columbus 92 in a beautiful blue arco celluloid. I had not heard of Columbus and did some research. Columbus was one of the big 4-5 Italian companies and started around 1919. The company was known for high quality and beautiful celluloid. They were a big force until the early 1950's when they made the decision to go low end to survive. The company is still around but focuses on lower end pens.

The pen itself was flawless. The celluloid was incredible and blew away any of the modern celluloid pens. The pen came with a true vintage flexible nib. I never turned back. I slowly phased out my interest in modern pens (except Nakaya) and switched to vintage pens.


So here is the Columbus 92. The pen is from the late 1940's/early 1950's (before 1952) and is a piston filler. The pen itself is a vintage medium sized pen thus somewhat slim by modern standards.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8685291428_be02933758_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8685291428/)


Highlighting the arco pattern. This pen is a pain to photograph. The celluloid is a deep rich blue with the veins of iridescent light blue.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8684173255_33df20dd33_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8684173255/)

more of the pattern
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8253/8684172917_3876763bcd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8684172917/)


The true color is closer to this
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8684173131_ef83363895_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8684173131/)


Here is the nib
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8685291518_e8d69715e9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8685291518/)

fountainpenkid
April 27th, 2013, 05:54 AM
That is a very subtle beauty, but I quite like it!

caribbean_skye
April 27th, 2013, 06:30 AM
I'm sure the pen is gorgeous is person as it looks pretty spectacular already. Will enjoy reading more about Italian vintage pens and your collection.

Tracy Lee
April 27th, 2013, 06:36 AM
Really interesting!! Looking forward to more!

cedargirl
April 27th, 2013, 07:33 AM
That's pretty cool. I know nothing about Italian pens. I would like to learn more about your collection.

reprieve
April 27th, 2013, 08:17 AM
This thread is a fantastic idea! I look forward to seeing more. The celluloid on that Columbus is stunning.

Laura N
April 27th, 2013, 09:25 AM
Lovely. Thank you!

dsolmei
April 27th, 2013, 12:43 PM
Hi AltecGreen,

Thanks for sharing. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing all of the artful patterning of celluloid used by the Italian manufacturers over the years. Other than Omas, do you know if any other manufacturers are using arco patterned celluloid?

I love celluloid, and the Italians probably do it better than anyone else.

DanDeM
April 27th, 2013, 04:13 PM
I haven't seen AG's collection, but a few years ago I saw what he had amassed in just a few hours at the LA Show.
This thread is going to take a while, and I'll enjoy every day of it.


Memo to self: Don't loose focus. DON'T LOOSE FOCUS!

AltecGreen
April 27th, 2013, 04:18 PM
Hi AltecGreen,

Thanks for sharing. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing all of the artful patterning of celluloid used by the Italian manufacturers over the years. Other than Omas, do you know if any other manufacturers are using arco patterned celluloid?

I love celluloid, and the Italians probably do it better than anyone else.

I'll get to that soon but a number of Italian and several German manufacturers used Arco type celluloids. Of the type used by Omas, MontBlanc comes to mind. I don't think MB used the bronze arco pattern but they used the platinum arco on many of their pens as well as a red arco pattern.

When I get back tonight, I'll put up a new pen, one in platinum celluloid.

AltecGreen
April 27th, 2013, 09:06 PM
This pen is the Omas 361. It was introduced circa 1948 and was Omas' answer to the Parker 51. Omas took a different route than Aurora and their 88 pen. The key feature is a simple but effective hood that rotates allowing a firm and fully hooded nib in one position and full flex in the other. This pen in various forms was made into the 1960's. The pen comes in both the bronze arco and platinum arco. It also comes in black and burgundy resin. The body of my pen is in the classic faceted body with post-war trim of a single cap band and a non-roller clip. This pen also comes also with a round body and later ogival bodies. This pen comes in the classic platinum celluloid Omas has used since the early 1930's. Montblanc are also famous for using this material.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8686934877_c2d8daae1a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8686934877/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8542/8688052582_33a3a3fa97_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8688052582/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8688052850_bd1e368cf4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8688052850/)


fully hooded and stiff position
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8688053094_cd67087759_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8688053094/)



Flex position
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8686935943_011bc8d96f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8686935943/)



Here's how it works
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8688053462_4609afba51_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8688053462/)

KrazyIvan
April 27th, 2013, 09:07 PM
I really like the look of that material!

Jon Szanto
April 27th, 2013, 10:59 PM
AG:

LA 2012. 10 pens in a pen case. Massive Italian job. Just sayin... :)

cedargirl
April 28th, 2013, 01:12 AM
Omas 361 - Wow. Something I never knew. Thanks.

DanDeM
April 28th, 2013, 10:36 AM
Memo to self: Don't loose focus. DON'T LOOSE FOCUS!

fountainpenkid
April 28th, 2013, 01:36 PM
Those look really cool. I hope to see one some day.

AltecGreen
April 28th, 2013, 09:03 PM
For today, I have a pair of pens made by Tibaldi. This would be the first Tibaldi. The original Tibaldi went out of business in 60's. They were revived in the nineties and sold pens that honored the original Tibaldi pens. That went under and was revived by the group that owns Montegrappa.

The two pens are Tibaldi Trasparente in medium size. One cannot overlook the influence of Parker on the Italian pen industry. The Parker Vacumatic created a craze for pens with transparent bodies and non-sac filling systems. Almost all major Italian companies made pens that had transparent barrels. The Omas Lucens and Extra Lucens and the Aurora Optima come to mind. These pens came out in the mid-late 30's and are some of my favorite vintage Italian pens albeit they also come with a high price tag.




http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/8691525854_88dbbc9979_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8691525854/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/8690406033_4e58268ced_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8690406033/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/8690407145_a4dfa52b8c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8690407145/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8691527048_37283cb235_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8691527048/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/8690406539_266616554b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8690406539/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/8691526840_c237372bb3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8691526840/)

peterpen53
April 29th, 2013, 04:02 AM
This is truly from the golden age of fountain pens. I really like the second one with the red flakes in the barrel.
Thank you for taking the time to show us all these beautiful vintage pens. But when you have finished with the Italians, will you be doing a similar series on your Japanese pens (please?)?

Cheers,
Peter

AltecGreen
April 29th, 2013, 09:16 AM
This is truly from the golden age of fountain pens. I really like the second one with the red flakes in the barrel.
Thank you for taking the time to show us all these beautiful vintage pens. But when you have finished with the Italians, will you be doing a similar series on your Japanese pens (please?)?

Cheers,
Peter


Yes. I'll do the Japanese after the Italians. It might take a while since I do own quite a few vintage Italian pens.

peterpen53
April 29th, 2013, 10:59 AM
This is truly from the golden age of fountain pens. I really like the second one with the red flakes in the barrel.
Thank you for taking the time to show us all these beautiful vintage pens. But when you have finished with the Italians, will you be doing a similar series on your Japanese pens (please?)?

Cheers,
Peter


Yes. I'll do the Japanese after the Italians. It might take a while since I do own quite a few vintage Italian pens.

That's what I was afraid of :). However, since I like looking at those vintage Italians very much, I will quietly sit back and enjoy what's coming.

reprieve
April 29th, 2013, 04:05 PM
The blue Tibaldi's transparency is phenomenal! Wow!

fountainpenkid
April 29th, 2013, 04:53 PM
For today, I have a pair of pens made by Tibaldi. This would be the first Tibaldi. The original Tibaldi went out of business in 60's. They were revived in the nineties and sold pens that honored the original Tibaldi pens. That went under and was revived by the group that owns Montegrappa.

The two pens are Tibaldi Trasparente in medium size. One cannot overlook the influence of Parker on the Italian pen industry. The Parker Vacumatic created a craze for pens with transparent bodies and non-sac filling systems. Almost all major Italian companies made pens that had transparent barrels. The Omas Lucens and Extra Lucens and the Aurora Optima come to mind. These pens came out in the mid-late 30's and are some of my favorite vintage Italian pens albeit they also come with a high price tag.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/8691525854_88dbbc9979_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8691525854/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/8690406033_4e58268ced_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8690406033/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/8690407145_a4dfa52b8c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8690407145/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8691527048_37283cb235_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8691527048/)
]
What beauties! I love the styling of the clip.

Bogon07
April 29th, 2013, 05:17 PM
What beauties! I love the styling of the clip.
Almost a Parker Pelikan if you squint really really hard.
Fantastic looking pens.

That Omas 361 is gorgeous it looks like it is made of that water marked silk material.

This thread is going to lead to big problems combined with my new found interest in Viscontis.

dsolmei
April 29th, 2013, 10:24 PM
Hi AltecGreen,
Lovely pens. Do you have a favorite celluloid pattern? Are there any of the vintage Italian brands and/or models that you find a greater liking towards? Looking forward to seeing more of the collection.

AltecGreen
April 29th, 2013, 10:53 PM
No favorite pattern. They all have their special qualities. I tend to focus on Columbus and Omas but have pens from a number of companies.

AltecGreen
April 29th, 2013, 11:00 PM
For today since time is short, I have an Ancora #4 buttonfiller. Ancora is one of the five big Italian pen companies from the golden age to still survive today . As of a few years ago, Ancora was still making their own nibs so that already sets them apart.

The Ancora buttonfillers and lever fillers were the medium budget pens in the Ancora range in the 1930's. They were below the faceted Damas and the round Maximas. The #4 was the large senior sized pen in the line. The shape of this pen is classic Italian; a shape duplicated by many of the great Italian pen makers. This is the shape I have in mind when I think of an Italian pen. Perfect balance and grace. This is one of the few vintage Italians in my collection that I ink up and use.

The celluloid is called oriental azure or something like that. It has deep rich blue color set off by veins of gold. Quite elegant and one of my favorites.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/8694152423_8b7c5c7cfb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8694152423/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8694152549_44039ed6a1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8694152549/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8695272788_78110d335e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8695272788/)

peterpen53
April 30th, 2013, 12:37 AM
... This is the shape I have in mind when I think of an Italian pen....

Agree 100%. And it has the same three slender cap rings that make the Omas MoMA so special. Stunning pen!

fountainpenkid
April 30th, 2013, 03:47 PM
For today since time is short, I have an Ancora #4 buttonfiller. Ancora is one of the five big Italian pen companies from the golden age to still survive today . As of a few years ago, Ancora was still making their own nibs so that already sets them apart.

The Ancora buttonfillers and lever fillers were the medium budget pens in the Ancora range in the 1930's. They were below the faceted Damas and the round Maximas. The #4 was the large senior sized pen in the line. The shape of this pen is classic Italian; a shape duplicated by many of the great Italian pen makers. This is the shape I have in mind when I think of an Italian pen. Perfect balance and grace. This is one of the few vintage Italians in my collection that I ink up and use.

The celluloid is called oriental azure or something like that. It has deep rich blue color set off by veins of gold. Quite elegant and one of my favorites.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/8694152423_8b7c5c7cfb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8694152423/)


That celluloid is awesome!

Bogon07
April 30th, 2013, 04:02 PM
The Ancora #4 buttonfiller is another beautiful pen. Plus that little roller on the clip looks fascinating.

DanDeM
April 30th, 2013, 05:36 PM
I hate to gush and interrupt the flow of a tread, but the workmanship of these just can't be
left without comment.

Just superb.

When you consider some of what was being offered in this country after the Depression,
the plating, threads, fit, design and materials are simply remarkable.

AltecGreen
April 30th, 2013, 05:40 PM
I hate to gush and interrupt the flow of a tread, but the workmanship of these just can't be
left without comment.

Just superb.

When you consider some of what was being offered in this country after the Depression,
the plating, threads, fit, design and materials are simply remarkable.

Good point. Very few of the pens I have were made during a time of economic strength. Most were made in the 1930's which included the beginning of WWII, a few are wartime pens, and many were made only a few years after the war ended. I buy very few vintage Italian pens after 1952.

fountainpenkid
April 30th, 2013, 05:41 PM
I hate to gush and interrupt the flow of a tread, but the workmanship of these just can't be
left without comment.

Just superb.

When you consider some of what was being offered in this country after the Depression,
the plating, threads, fit, design and materials are simply remarkable.

Yes. It is funny that some of the nicest pens were made in one of the most depressed times.

AltecGreen
April 30th, 2013, 10:18 PM
In keeping with yesterday's theme of large size round pens in gorgeous celluloid, I present today a senior sized Montegrappa Extra (ca. 1930's?). If you compare this Montegrappa and yesterdays Ancora, you can see the similarity in form. Classic Italian. This pen has a difference. The pen has a twist fill mechanism. It's basically a sac filler where the sac is depressed by twisting the rear knob. You do tend to find interesting variations on sac filling in vintage Italian pens. I'll get back to this point when I show a pen with a spoon filler.

On a side note. Montegrappa was one of the big five Italian pen companies and exist to this day. Montegrappa was well known for mass production and making pens for other companies. They don't seem to have the same cachet as the other companies I've presented so far. I don't know any Italian pen collectors (at least in the US) that are too keen on Montegrappa. They certainly are not something I focus on. Nonetheless, the pens are still gorgeous.

This pen attracts dust like no other.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8254/8698081918_d5924d9a35_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8698081918/)


Green Celluloid
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8413/8696959053_7e48384be5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8696959053/)


Twist Fill knob
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8698082388_6dd97e1202_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8698082388/)



Nib
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8696959475_eb79b27d50_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8696959475/)

peterpen53
May 1st, 2013, 03:09 AM
Will this get better with every new pen you present?

Thanks for your note on Montegrappa. Their style was quite different from the current one.

jar
May 1st, 2013, 06:35 AM
I've yet to come across a vintage Montegrappa in the wild here in the US. They are lovely pens though.

calluna
May 1st, 2013, 09:19 AM
Awesome thread. Loving it! Thanks!

ethernautrix
May 1st, 2013, 01:54 PM
Fantastic thread, Ricky -- very informative. Thanks for doing this!

Jon Szanto
May 1st, 2013, 01:58 PM
Will this get better with every new pen you present?
Just wait. ;)

peterpen53
May 1st, 2013, 05:20 PM
Will this get better with every new pen you present?
Just wait. ;)

As stated before:




... since I like looking at those vintage Italians very much, I will quietly sit back and enjoy what's coming.

:)

AltecGreen
May 1st, 2013, 06:05 PM
Will this get better with every new pen you present?

Thanks for your note on Montegrappa. Their style was quite different from the current one.

Montegrappa, Tibaldi, and Ancora have definitely change their current styling from their glorious past. Aurora has also but to a lesser degree. Columbus doesn't even play in the upper echelons anymore. Omas still has some ties to their past.

AltecGreen
May 1st, 2013, 06:07 PM
I've yet to come across a vintage Montegrappa in the wild here in the US. They are lovely pens though.

It's pretty rare to encounter any vintage Italian pens in the wild in the US. The production of these pens was small in comparison to the large US companies and distribution was limited. It is partly why the pens command such a high price in comparison to most vintage US pens.

AltecGreen
May 1st, 2013, 10:26 PM
I started this thread with a pen from each of the major vintage Italian makes. To round that off, I have today an Aurora from the late 1930's early 1940's. People are probably somewhat familiar with Aurora from their modern pens. Aurora like Omas was one of the early big Italian companies and one that survived to the present and still going strong. The Aurora Optima probably rings a bell since it is one of Aurora's flagship pens today. However, the Optima traces it's roots back to 1938 when Aurora introduced the Optima as their entry into the transparent barrel trend and as an answer to Omas' Lucens and Extra Lucens. The original Optima resembles the modern Optima with the Greek key band with a narrower profile. I actually do not have a first series Optima. What I have shown here is a later series three Optima with a really transparent barrel (a hallmark of the third series pens) and three cap band rings. The thrid series Optima can be found in a range of celluoids that resemble the Watrman Inkvue ray celluloids. The Optima also sported a Sheaffer style plunger filler, not uncommon for Italian pens of this era. Piston fillers only really took hold in Italy after WWII. Of course, this pen has the Aurora logo etched into the section like the modern pens.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/8700064917_cccda826b9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8700064917/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8701188536_bdca72f349_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8701188536/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8137/8701188658_96e5200fc6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8701188658/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8417/8700065333_402df16b27_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8700065333/)

Bogon07
May 2nd, 2013, 03:42 AM
This Aurora has a very nice body of translucent colours. The over all design seems similar to a Pelikan to my untrained eye.

jacksterp
May 2nd, 2013, 08:39 AM
Every one of these pens is jaw dropping - an amazing combination of beauty and functionality.

It is humbling to think I would never write something that would be worthy of one of these pens.

Thanks for the time and effort to post this thread.

aschup
May 3rd, 2013, 12:12 PM
I've yet to come across a vintage Montegrappa in the wild here in the US. They are lovely pens though.

It's pretty rare to encounter any vintage Italian pens in the wild in the US. The production of these pens was small in comparison to the large US companies and distribution was limited. It is partly why the pens command such a high price in comparison to most vintage US pens.
Is that why I can't find any info online about pen #107 in this listing (http://www.gopens.com/Old_Vintage_Pen_Catalogs/Vintage_fountain_Pens_54.php), much less have never seen one besides the one pictured there? I love my P51s and that pen is GORGEOUS, but it doesn't seem to exist outside of this one listing as far as I've seen.

Laura N
May 3rd, 2013, 01:20 PM
This thread is amazing. Thank you very much.

Bogon07
May 3rd, 2013, 03:44 PM
Every one of these pens is jaw dropping - an amazing combination of beauty and functionality.

It is humbling to think I would never write something that would be worthy of one of these pens.

Thanks for the time and effort to post this thread.

Just do what others do - write out the pen, ink and paper combination and the alphabet. :)
Or copy some famous verse or speech.
I think the pens would be happy to be held, used and appreciated.

AltecGreen
May 3rd, 2013, 09:19 PM
I missed yesterday's update due to coming home late from work and then watching the Golden Gods Awards (RIP Jeff Hanneman). To make up for that, I offer two pens today from makers that are probably not commonly discussed in the US.


The first is a Radius Superior. Radius is one of the brands under the company S.A.F.I.S. based in Turin. Radius was their higher end line while Astura was their mid-range line. Radius started in the mid-30's and the Superior was one of heir first products. The Superior was made into the 50's albeit with several styling changes over the years. The early Superiors sported a very ornate triangle and lines cap band and the pens were made in both round and faceted versions. Of course, these pens were made in gorgeous celluloid. S.A.F.I.S. also made pens for third parties and heir pens can be seen in a lot of places under different names. Radius is not a bad place to start for people wanting to start collecting vintage Italian pens but are scared off by the price commanded by the more famous makes (i.e. like the pens I've shown so far) but with similar quality.

Radius Superior in a dark brown arco celluloid.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8705453181_1e1641efb9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8705453181/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8705453819_85147911cf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8705453819/)


Unique capband
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8705454209_466d115802_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8705454209/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8131/8705454037_d998778b80_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8705454037/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8418/8706576488_3757acb672_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8706576488/)




The next pen is a Tabo Mentis. Tabo was a company based in Bologna, same as Omas. There is not that much information on Tabo. Pens with the Tabo name started appearing in 1939. The pen I am showing is a Tabo Mentis. This is a large button filler with a very nice celluloid pattern. Tabo also made a series of transparent barrel pens with a Parke Vac-like filling system and the ubiquitous lever filler. Other than that I don't really know much more about this pen.

Tabo Mentis
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8706575194_2f01fc0879_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8706575194/)


Wild celluloid pattern
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8414/8705453367_e7b19d24c9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8705453367/)


Mentis logo on a slightly darkened barrel.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8706575702_a2706ede26_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8706575702/)


Tabo Nib
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8264/8706575838_41d9fa12a7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8706575838/)

Jon Szanto
May 3rd, 2013, 09:23 PM
Quadruple bonus for using your bass as the backdrop, dude! Spectacular 'venue' for the pens!! :)

AltecGreen
May 3rd, 2013, 09:25 PM
Quadruple bonus for using your bass as the backdrop, dude! Spectacular 'venue' for the pens!! :)

The bass is what I call a half-dozen Nakayas.

fountainpenkid
May 4th, 2013, 10:34 AM
They're all so similar! (but beautiful)

AltecGreen
May 4th, 2013, 10:50 AM
They're all so similar! (but beautiful)

It is pretty funny that many of the top tier vintage Italian pens do resemble on another for a given time period. What does set them apart is each companies use of celluloid. Also, I've shown pens so far from similar time periods. Today, I'll break the mold and go in a different direction.

fountainpenkid
May 4th, 2013, 11:06 AM
They're all so similar! (but beautiful)

It is pretty funny that many of the top tier vintage Italian pens do resemble on another for a given time period. What does set them apart is each companies use of celluloid. Also, I've shown pens so far from similar time periods. Today, I'll break the mold and go in a different direction.

Great! I can't wait!

AltecGreen
May 4th, 2013, 12:47 PM
To change things up, the next pen I'm showing is a pen from the early 1930's. Specific pen stores are important in the development of Italian fountain pens. Many important stores commissioned pens from many of the major and minor pen makes. The pen I'm showing next was sold by Stilo Fetti in Rome. Fetti opened in 1893 and are still in business. In the early 1930's to the end of that decade, Fetti ordered pens from Omas. Like the pen I'm showing today, the early Fetti pens (FIPS) were clones of the Parker Duofold. The Parker Duofold was tremendously influential and many Italian makers started their business making Parker Duofold-like pens.


The FIPS pen I own is in a classic blue and bronze celluloid.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8707120819_2ce011f627_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8707120819/)


The top cap is slightly tapered and knurled
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8549/8707121309_01b161f196_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8707121309/)


Knurled blindcap
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8536/8707121541_e591025230_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8707121541/)


The cap band is a single capband with two lines. Other FIPS pens had two cap bands that resemble Parker trim.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8707121101_937cbda367_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8707121101/)




I expect to be busy the rest of the day and tomorrow so I'll put up more pens today.

Going in the opposite direction in time, we look at a post-war Columbus pen. After WWII, the Italian pens moved away from flat top and other classic pen designs towards a more streamlined and rounded look. It was also a time of re-building as many of the pen factories were destroyed or damaged during the war. Columbus introduced the lever filling model 55. This was a solidly built pen with an affordable price. It has the new streamlined look but kept the large variety of celluloids (much stock was saved and hoarded from the 1930's by Columbus). There is nothing fancy about this pen and uses the tried and true lever filler. The pen was a hit. These are very nice pens to use.

The Columbus 55
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4137/4803366885_d73f9cc39b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/4803366885/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8708244828_731c20218f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8708244828/)



Logo
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8707122345_ae54c9ac50_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8707122345/)


These pens were made from sheets of celluloid that were rolled and sealed. This was much cheaper than lathe turning rod stock.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8533/8708245808_78edc9598b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8708245808/)


The pens were available with gold nibs and gold trim or steel nibs and chrome trim
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8708245578_ac2bf2e375_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8708245578/)



They came in a wide variety of celluloid patterns
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8708246030_82767acac3_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8708246030/)

soot
May 4th, 2013, 01:45 PM
Those are some admirable [albeit expensive] vintage Italians...

But the colors are really stunning! Eye candies!

AltecGreen
May 4th, 2013, 01:59 PM
Those are some admirable [albeit expensive] vintage Italians...


The Columbus 55 really is a moderately priced pen. They run somewhere between $150-190 USD. That's pretty good as vintage Italians goes. The others I've shown so far are significantly more expensive.

fountainpenkid
May 4th, 2013, 03:01 PM
Those are some admirable [albeit expensive] vintage Italians...

But the colors are really stunning! Eye candies!

Wait...since when were you here? ;) I remember your AMAZING pens from FPN. Nice to see you here! You should start a thread like this about your Soenneckens.

reprieve
May 4th, 2013, 05:16 PM
Be still my beating heart!!!

ethernautrix
May 6th, 2013, 10:23 AM
Quadruple bonus for using your bass as the backdrop, dude! Spectacular 'venue' for the pens!! :)

The bass is what I call a half-dozen Nakayas.

Grok.

AltecGreen
May 6th, 2013, 08:30 PM
To start the week, I have some of most favorite vintage Italian pens to collect and use. Yes, I do use some of them.

The pen is a Minerva Classica. Minerva is a sub-brand of Omas that sold very high quality pens that rival the quality of mainline Omas pens but with a twist. Most if not all of the major Italian companies has sub-brands in the golden age. Some were lower tier pens, some were meant for export, some were very high quality. Armando Simoni, the founder of Omas, kept the Omas line very conservative. There were not a lot of styling changes in the flagship Omas lines. However, the Minerva pens had many different body styles and trim that were never seen on the main line Omas pens. The Classica is a lever filler with a single cap band, a shovel clip, and very clean styling from the mid-1930's. The ones I own all have fabulous flexible nibs that are very fine (almost Japanese like). They came in many varieties of celluloid including three unique vertically striated celluloids.

Minerva Classica is two sizes.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/8716512442_5a51c7d18d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8716512442/)


Up close
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7432/8716512792_3fb9008828_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8716512792/)


Vertically Striated Celluloid. The larger pen has some discoloration on the barrel. This pattern can also be found in blue.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/8715394363_001ae427b2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8715394363/)


Minerva Logo
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/8716513474_2812344f73_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8716513474/)


Very fine nibs
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/8716513804_d5176daecb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8716513804/)

AltecGreen
May 7th, 2013, 07:58 PM
A quick one for today.


The pen is a Zemax. I'm not sure of the model. I'm not even sure Zemax had model numbers. Zemax was a company founded in 1934 in Turin by Massimo Zeme, hence the name Zemax. The pens are not quite equal to the quality of the major houses but the pens are of good quality, had interesting trim, and by all accounts were good value for the money at the time. The big attraction of this particular pens are the two rather intricate and ornate bands on the cap and barrel. The bands give the pen a very elegant look and is something not common in vintage pens. Modern on the otherhand.....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/8719501866_5fdcc1e75a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8719501866/)


barrel band
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/8719502142_82b0b8c299_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8719502142/)


cap band
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/8719502412_bf200b9ab1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8719502412/)


The pen has a celluloid section.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/8719502728_18d45224bd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8719502728/)

fountainpenkid
May 7th, 2013, 08:37 PM
Ohh baby!!!

tandaina
May 7th, 2013, 08:42 PM
A quick one for today.

The pen is a Zemax. I'm not sure of the model. I'm not even sure Zemax had model numbers. Zemax was a company founded in 1934 in Turin by Massimo Zeme, hence the name Zemax. The pens are not quite equal to the quality of the major houses but the pens are of good quality, had interesting trim, and by all accounts were good value for the money at the time. The big attraction of this particular pens are the two rather intricate and ornate bands on the cap and barrel. The bands give the pen a very elegant look and is something not common in vintage pens. Modern on the otherhand.....



I will sell a kidney for that pen. Holy cow that is unspeakably beautiful! So warm, so honey glowing, the silver, just, WOW>

AltecGreen
May 7th, 2013, 08:45 PM
I will sell a kidney for that pen. Holy cow that is unspeakably beautiful! So warm, so honey glowing, the silver, just, WOW>

You won't need to sell a kidney. I paid $150 from a seller in Italy. I've seen another on eBay a few months after I bought mine for about the same price. Zemax is a 2nd tier maker and thus their pens don't command the sometimes outrageous prices that the big first tier pens.

fountainpenkid
May 7th, 2013, 08:47 PM
I will sell a kidney for that pen. Holy cow that is unspeakably beautiful! So warm, so honey glowing, the silver, just, WOW>

You won't need to sell a kidney. I paid $150 from a seller in Italy. I've seen another on eBay a few months after I bought mine for about the same price. Zemax is a 2nd tier maker and thus their pens don't command the sometimes outrageous prices that the big first tier pens.
What makes this pen second tier? ;)

AltecGreen
May 7th, 2013, 08:54 PM
What makes this pen second tier? ;)

The maker is relatively small. Zemax started just making pens for others under various names and then put out their own. The pens are good quality and solid but the execution, finish, etc. are not up to the standards of say a Omas or Columbus. They were also mid-range price pens. It's easier to see the differences if you hold this pen in hand and say an Omas.

fountainpenkid
May 7th, 2013, 09:00 PM
What makes this pen second tier? ;)

The maker is relatively small. Zemax started just making pens for others under various names and then put out their own. The pens are good quality and solid but the execution, finish, etc. are not up to the standards of say a Omas or Columbus. They were also mid-range price pens. It's easier to see the differences if you hold this pen in hand and say an Omas.
Are they easily restored and suitable for daily use?

AltecGreen
May 7th, 2013, 09:13 PM
What makes this pen second tier? ;)

The maker is relatively small. Zemax started just making pens for others under various names and then put out their own. The pens are good quality and solid but the execution, finish, etc. are not up to the standards of say a Omas or Columbus. They were also mid-range price pens. It's easier to see the differences if you hold this pen in hand and say an Omas.
Are they easily restored and suitable for daily use?

The Zemax is a buttonfiller so it is easy to restore and quite useable. The material does not seem to be too fragile and the pen is not that expensive.

peterpen53
May 8th, 2013, 03:42 AM
The cap band reminds me a bit of what Stipula currently puts on some of their Etrurias.

In the third picture there is a clearly visible cut in the band. Given the difference in the width of the lines on both sides of the cut I would assume this to be how it was made and not a crack. While it does not make the pen any less beautiful does this come under the "lower standards of finish"?

fountainpenkid
May 8th, 2013, 04:31 AM
The cap band reminds me a bit of what Stipula currently puts on some of their Etrurias.

In the third picture there is a clearly visible cut in the band. Given the difference in the width of the lines on both sides of the cut I would assume this to be how it was made and not a crack. While it does not make the pen any less beautiful does this come under the "lower standards of finish"?

Yeah, I saw that and thought the same thing.

JustinJ
May 8th, 2013, 12:05 PM
For today since time is short, I have an Ancora #4 buttonfiller. Ancora is one of the five big Italian pen companies from the golden age to still survive today . As of a few years ago, Ancora was still making their own nibs so that already sets them apart.

The Ancora buttonfillers and lever fillers were the medium budget pens in the Ancora range in the 1930's. They were below the faceted Damas and the round Maximas. The #4 was the large senior sized pen in the line. The shape of this pen is classic Italian; a shape duplicated by many of the great Italian pen makers. This is the shape I have in mind when I think of an Italian pen. Perfect balance and grace. This is one of the few vintage Italians in my collection that I ink up and use.

The celluloid is called oriental azure or something like that. It has deep rich blue color set off by veins of gold. Quite elegant and one of my favorites.


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8394/8694152423_8b7c5c7cfb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8694152423/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8694152549_44039ed6a1_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8694152549/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8695272788_78110d335e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8695272788/)

What a beautiful pen. I have not looked at Italian pens closely, but this thread has made me reconsider. The celluloid is amazing on these pens.

Thank you Ricky for taking the time to post in this thread. I always enjoy learning about pens and understanding their history adds to appreciating them more.

AltecGreen
May 9th, 2013, 09:53 PM
Today's pen is a Williamson, the Italian Williamson.

According to research, the founder of the Italian Williamson was an agent for the American Williamson and sold the American made pens in Italy. In the twenties, the Italian Williamson starting making pens in Turin and by all accounts took the American name and four clover logo as expediency. The Italian Williamsons most successful pens were from the thirties and were button fillers in ringed celluloid. The celluloid obviously invokes Parker but has a unique feel to it. They are very nice. Williamson also made safety pens and other celluloid pens. My pen is in a slick golden ringed celluloid and is in the large size.


Williamson
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/8724189815_2abb737489_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8724189815/)


Williamson logo
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/8724190035_44033e6492_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8724190035/)


Stylized arrow clip. Kinda looks like a Stipula clip.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/8724190245_74bdb2c5d2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8724190245/)


Unfortnately, my pen does not have the original clip. It has an ABT (another Italian pen company) replacement.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/8725309738_610280b18e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8725309738/)

JustinJ
May 10th, 2013, 12:33 PM
Could you take a picture of the nib to show all the design?

AltecGreen
May 10th, 2013, 01:22 PM
Could you take a picture of the nib to show all the design?

I'll take a new photo when I put up today's pen later tonight.

blopplop
May 10th, 2013, 01:30 PM
I love the look of these pens. Hopefully one day I'll acquire one.

fountainpenkid
May 10th, 2013, 03:04 PM
Did Williamson ever make a piston or non-button filler?

JustinJ
May 10th, 2013, 04:37 PM
Could you take a picture of the nib to show all the design?

I'll take a new photo when I put up today's pen later tonight.

Thank You

AltecGreen
May 10th, 2013, 05:53 PM
Did Williamson ever make a piston or non-button filler?

The earliest Williamson pens were eyedroppers and then safeties. Then came buttonfillers.

I do not know of a Williamson pistonfiller.

Pistonfillers only became common in Italian pens in the 40's and more typically in the late 40's/early 50's.

AltecGreen
May 10th, 2013, 07:48 PM
Could you take a picture of the nib to show all the design?

Here you go.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/8726644097_a9ffe17d0b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8726644097/)

AltecGreen
May 10th, 2013, 07:55 PM
Since there was interest in pistonfillers, I have today a Montegrappa from the 1940's.

By the forties, many Italian companies adopted the piston filler mechanism. These were produced along side other filling systems. This Montegrappa pen is kind of mid-range pen. It is medium sized and came in a variety of different celluloids. The Montegrappa pens sported a large ink window. In this pen, the ink window has a web pattern. I've seen other pens in this series with cross hatch markings on the ink window. This pen sports a steel nib and is possibly wartime production. The piston works pretty well and this is a nice user pen. There were fairly popular because they came in a wide variety of colors.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/8727763438_faac371c46_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8727763438/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/8727763604_370c65d43f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8727763604/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/8727763764_f26f600ba4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8727763764/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/8726644781_48519aa991_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8726644781/)



http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/8727764080_ed31df62a3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8727764080/)

peterpen53
May 11th, 2013, 12:20 AM
I said it before, I'll say it again. How Montegrappa has changed! Not necessarily for the better, depending on one's personal taste, of course.

AltecGreen
May 11th, 2013, 12:43 AM
I said it before, I'll say it again. How Montegrappa has changed! Not necessarily for the better, depending on one's personal taste, of course.

Maybe at the end of this series, I'll post some comparative pictures of past and present for the brands that still exist today.

It's a fun way to see the evolution in the pens and design.

Jerome Tarshis
May 11th, 2013, 04:59 AM
Sometime I think I'm too addicted to media experiences, where "media" refers to something that comes between me and the physical reality. I've had opportunities to see AltecGreen's collection from close enough so that I can pick up the pens. But I feel I am enjoying this thread, with his commentary on individual pens and company history and lovely photographs, more than I've enjoyed looking at the real thing. Time to work on eliminating that need for a middle man. For now, I love this thread.

JustinJ
May 11th, 2013, 07:41 AM
Sometime I think I'm too addicted to media experiences, where "media" refers to something that comes between me and the physical reality. I've had opportunities to see AltecGreen's collection from close enough so that I can pick up the pens. But I feel I am enjoying this thread, with his commentary on individual pens and company history and lovely photographs, more than I've enjoyed looking at the real thing. Time to work on eliminating that need for a middle man. For now, I love this thread.

It is not the media experience but that you have more information on the pens. With greater information on the pens, it much easier to appreciate them.

It reminds me of the times that I've watched Sister Wendy on PBS. She had a series of shows on art in various museums. She had a way of bringing out the paintings to help you appreciate them more.

This thread has helped me to understand Italian fountain pens. I never payed much attention to them, especially since they are not as prominent in the U.S. Now, after reading this thread and having more information, I am much more likely to look for one to purchase.

AltecGreen
May 11th, 2013, 06:50 PM
The Columbus 130 series pens were the mainline pens from Columbus after the war. They were very successful and came in three sizes (130, 132, and 134) and in at least twelve different celluloids. One look at the 130 series and you will see the influence of the Wahl Evershap Skyline in the design of the 130 series pens. One of the post war trends in Italian design was towards a more rounded and streamlined shape and away from the classic flat top pens. The 130 series came with a venerable but reliable lever filler.


Columbus 130 family
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/8729333321_914bc09f23_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8729333321/)


Columbus 134
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/8729325805_f3841d0e93_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8729325805/)


Columbus 132
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/8729325985_0d050b2ed0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8729325985/)


Columbus 130
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/8730445960_31e85f8298_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8730445960/)


Skyline like top of the cap.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/8729326371_eec6342ac4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8729326371/)


Columbus clip from the 1940's
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/8729326579_3d5f54c9eb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8729326579/)


Standard Columbus nib
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/8729326791_8576cfcafd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8729326791/)

peterpen53
May 12th, 2013, 04:33 AM
That 134 almost looks like it's made of wood, especially the cap.

AltecGreen
May 12th, 2013, 03:37 PM
Today's pen is a Columbus 128.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7293/8733363558_58c69ba0f6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8733363558/)



Wait. Isn't this a Columbus 134 I showed yesterday.





Hmmm.......no lever.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/8733363764_95a2f88e0a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8733363764/)




There is a knob at the end.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/8732246935_7842e26817_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8732246935/)



Ink Window
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/8732247203_ddf075664d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8732247203/)



The Columbus 128 is a fairly obscure variant of the Columbus 134 with the obvious change to a piston filler.

gentlyom
May 12th, 2013, 04:27 PM
How beautiful Columbus pens are!! Definitely superb quality. :thumb:

DanDeM
May 14th, 2013, 02:34 PM
So much for retaining focus.

Here's what I know:
Columbus Overlay, button-fill. 10.1 cm, 4.0 inches. Nib reads Columbus (in script) 585K
(in a diamond). Spear clip, with box. Cap lip imprint: COLUMBUS LAMINATO ORO

http://fpgeeks.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2717&d=1368562695

My cheesy camera blows out the chasing detail, but the workmanship is remarkable; even
the fill button is gold filled.

http://fpgeeks.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2719&d=1368562697

http://fpgeeks.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2718&d=1368562696

Here's what I think:
#25, 1930 something.

Well AG, care to straighten me out, and please fill in the gaps?

Right now it sits ominously alone in a 48 pen case.

Looks like I'm going to be much more selective with the Hollands and the Wirts.

AltecGreen
May 14th, 2013, 04:47 PM
Nice pen.

I don't usually go after the gold overlay pens but Columbus made very nice overlays.

I'll have to do a bit of digging. The pen could be 30's but I think 1940's is also a big possibility. By the late 1940's Columbus was making these pens with a piston filling mechanism.


BTW-I had a computer meltdown over the weekend so no more updates until I get the new computer up and running. I had to go buy a new computer at lunch today.

DanDeM
May 15th, 2013, 05:21 PM
Nice pen.

I don't usually go after the gold overlay pens but Columbus made very nice overlays.

I'll have to do a bit of digging. The pen could be 30's but I think 1940's is also a big possibility. By the late 1940's Columbus was making these pens with a piston filling mechanism.


BTW-I had a computer meltdown over the weekend so no more updates until I get the new computer up and running. I had to go buy a new computer at lunch today.

Thanks. Anything you can add would help greatly. The background I've read is sketchy.
Hope the install goes smoothly and you don't lose anything.

AltecGreen
May 17th, 2013, 07:57 PM
Ok! I'm back. The computer situation is mostly resolved. To celebrate, let's pull out the good stuff.


I return with the Omas Extra Lucens. The facetted Extra Lucens was Omas' flagship pen for many decades and it is the pen I think of when I think of Omas. The Extra Lucens was introduced in 1936/1937 in response to Parker's vacumatic along with the cylindrical Lucens. The Extra Lucens and Lucens used a new filling system patented by Armando Simoni called the "stantuffo tuffante". It is functionally very similar to the filling system on a Dunn. The first generation Extra Lucens had a Greek key cap band like the Omas Extra, a roller clip, and very light colored transparent celluloid. The celluloid was not stable when the pens first came out. Omas switched to darker celluloid and changed the clip to a arrow clip (a
la Parker) and three thin cap band rings. The first gen Extra Lucens are among the rarest of the rare. Few are known to still exist. Here I show the two Extra Lucens I own, one in tortoise shell and the other in a Parker-like ringed celluloid. Both are medium sized.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8749675900_1b9bca1586_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8749675900/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8416/8748551801_817fa395d5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8748551801/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8278/8749676020_b4e807e775_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8749676020/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8268/8748551929_32d4607532_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8748551929/)

Lucens arrow nib
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8554/8748552083_e4d03dd3e1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8748552083/)

Tony Rex
May 18th, 2013, 01:10 AM
You're a champ mate. And a generous one for showing us these. Because, my possibilities of owning these beauties are next to zero; from lack of resources and knowledge on my part, and opportunity on nature's. I'm not big on Italian pens but perhaps this thread may change that.

Edit: Oh, and moar please!! :)

gentlyom
May 19th, 2013, 03:54 PM
Hi Altec, what beautiful Omas Extra Lucens pens you have!! And superb pictures you took!! :thumb:

I especially like the tortoise shell color, and would want one in my collection. Would you mind tell which year was your pen made, and the price range of the pen like this? Very possible I would have to save up for two decades for one like yours. :shocked:

AltecGreen
May 19th, 2013, 06:00 PM
Hi Altec, what beautiful Omas Extra Lucens pens you have!! And superb pictures you took!! :thumb:

I especially like the tortoise shell color, and would want one in my collection. Would you mind tell which year was your pen made, and the price range of the pen like this? Very possible I would have to save up for two decades for one like yours. :shocked:

The Extra Lucens in this trim appeared in 1938 and continued in this style to probably the late 40's. At some point, the Extra Lucens became available only in black. The Tortoise shell pen has a two tone nib and was probably 1938-1940. The other pen has a single tone nib and probably dates to after the war.

These pens generally run $1-2K. For pens like the ones I showed above, you are looking more like $1.5k to over $2k depending on the seller.

AltecGreen
May 19th, 2013, 06:29 PM
Today's pen is a Helios from probably the 40's. Helios was a company that was active from the late 30's to the late 40's based in Milan. Like many Italian companies, they were buying materials and parts and assembling pens. The pens are of reasonable quality with really good celluloid quality. This pen is in a gold veined green marbled celluloid. It is basically the green version of the 'oriental blue' that was featured in the Ancora #4 I showed. This pen is interesting because the shape has a balanced look and is very similar to modern Japanese pens. Think Nakaya Portable writer. This pen has a very smooth transition from the cap to barrel when the pen is capped. The pen also has an ornate cap band.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/8755991646_4167c86e73_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8755991646/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/8755991874_fc595649b9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8755991874/)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/8755992198_82e5b77148_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8755992198/)

gentlyom
May 19th, 2013, 09:37 PM
The Extra Lucens in this trim appeared in 1938 and continued in this style to probably the late 40's. At some point, the Extra Lucens became available only in black. The Tortoise shell pen has a two tone nib and was probably 1938-1940. The other pen has a single tone nib and probably dates to after the war.

These pens generally run $1-2K. For pens like the ones I showed above, you are looking more like $1.5k to over $2k depending on the seller.

That's really informative, many thanks!! $2k is extremely expensive, but I really like the one you have which has beautiful translucent barrel. I will put in on my wishlist. I am very new to Itlian pens, I hope this is not too much to ask... but do you happen to know where I am likely to find one like this? :blink:

AltecGreen
May 19th, 2013, 09:55 PM
The Extra Lucens in this trim appeared in 1938 and continued in this style to probably the late 40's. At some point, the Extra Lucens became available only in black. The Tortoise shell pen has a two tone nib and was probably 1938-1940. The other pen has a single tone nib and probably dates to after the war.

These pens generally run $1-2K. For pens like the ones I showed above, you are looking more like $1.5k to over $2k depending on the seller.

That's really informative, many thanks!! $2k is extremely expensive, but I really like the one you have which has beautiful translucent barrel. I will put in on my wishlist. I am very new to Itlian pens, I hope this is not too much to ask... but do you happen to know where I am likely to find one like this? :blink:

Vintage Italian pens are not easy to find in the US. There was very little export of pens from Italy during the period in question. Such pens can be found from various dealers who handle such pens. Gary Leherer usually has a selection of vintage Italian pens in each of his catalog. You'll have to wait and see if a Tortoise shows up. I bought the Tortoise pen from Letizia Jacopini who wrote the two volume "The History of the Italian Fountain Pens". There are a number of dealers based in Italy who could find the pen for you. Also, the Swann auction (if they have another one) is a good source. Youstruckgold acquired a tortoise from the last Swann auction. Finally, they do turn up at US pen shows but you will have to go to the shows and find the dealer with the pens. A black Extra Lucens is fairly easy to find and much less expensive ($600-1000).

Jon Szanto
May 19th, 2013, 10:17 PM
Gee, Ricky, you think that Helios nib has any Parker lineage in it? ;)

AltecGreen
May 19th, 2013, 10:23 PM
Gee, Ricky, you think that Helios nib has any Parker lineage in it? ;)

You can write a whole book about Parker and Waterman's influence on Italian fountain pens. Waterman's influence was in the early pens while Parker's influence spans the 20's to at least the 50's. Wahl-Eversharp's influence makes for an interesting debate.

gentlyom
May 19th, 2013, 11:17 PM
Vintage Italian pens are not easy to find in the US. There was very little export of pens from Italy during the period in question. Such pens can be found from various dealers who handle such pens. Gary Leherer usually has a selection of vintage Italian pens in each of his catalog. You'll have to wait and see if a Tortoise shows up. I bought the Tortoise pen from Letizia Jacopini who wrote the two volume "The History of the Italian Fountain Pens". There are a number of dealers based in Italy who could find the pen for you. Also, the Swann auction (if they have another one) is a good source. Youstruckgold acquired a tortoise from the last Swann auction. Finally, they do turn up at US pen shows but you will have to go to the shows and find the dealer with the pens. A black Extra Lucens is fairly easy to find and much less expensive ($600-1000).

Again, a million thanks for your kindness and help. :hail: It seems most definitely will take time getting one, I am setting out a middle to long term goal for it. For now, I will have to save it in my dreams... Thanks for sharing these beautiful pens and valuable information. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

peterpen53
May 20th, 2013, 03:47 AM
Gee, Ricky, you think that Helios nib has any Parker lineage in it? ;)

I was thinking more of Omas. Given Helios assembled pens from parts that would not be surprising.

AltecGreen
May 20th, 2013, 07:03 PM
Today we look at the Columbus Extra 90 series pens. These were among the last great pens made by Columbus. These were introduced in the late 40's and were made probably until 1952 when Columbus abandoned celluloid and focused on lower end pens. These pens have a unique button filling mechanism. You unscrew the top blind cap but the blind cap does not unscrew completely. Unscrewing the blind cap extends the cap and then you push down on the cap to actuate the button filler. You won't lose the blind cap with this mechanism. The mechanism is simple and effective. These pens were reasonably priced and came in a dazzling variety of celluloid as well as both steel and gold nibs. The larger pen is a Columbus Extra 92 and the smaller pen is a Columbus Extra 90.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/8760739926_15578f446c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8760739926/)


The button fill system
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/8760744970_11baa1c52e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8760744970/)


The mechanism
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/8759622393_c0c50d65dd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8759622393/)


The most brilliant green celluloid
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/8759621125_1f3650c178_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8759621125/)


Red Arco
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/8760745372_746694aef3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8760745372/)


Steel nib
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/8759622805_6dc23a65f7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8759622805/)


Gold Nib
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/8760746634_f9a643e103_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8760746634/)

fountainpenkid
May 20th, 2013, 08:12 PM
That clip looks very flimsy, but the fill system is awesome!

peterpen53
May 21st, 2013, 02:43 AM
Does the differing clip on the black pen have any significance? Period is was built maybe? It looks to be the same type that's on the smaller one.
And glorious celluloid colours, by the way.

Bogon07
May 21st, 2013, 03:27 AM
Very attractive streaked celluloid. The colours look marvellous.

youstruckgold
May 22nd, 2013, 01:09 AM
Just fabulous pics!!

AltecGreen
May 26th, 2013, 01:30 PM
Back from slacking off.


In the 30's introduced the Infrangible series with the introduction of celluloid. Infrangible means unbreakable (not tested). There were several series of Infrangibles and the pens were made into the 40's. The pictures show Infrangibles from the Simplice series. These had the tear drop shaped clip and two cap band rings. The pens were made in three sizes and a whole variety of colors.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/8844617535_21a82d0a3f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844617535/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/8845240474_8a06db9ec8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845240474/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/8845241478_a7e5d1fa04_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845241478/)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/8844621155_76a571f250_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844621155/)

AltecGreen
May 26th, 2013, 01:42 PM
Here is a not commonly discussed vintage Aurora. The 88s, Novums, and Optima get most of the attention but Aurora made a number of other pen models. This pen is the Aurora Iridia. There is not much information on this series. It was arguably Aurora's first traditional button filler. The pen came in several sizes. These pens were introduced in the later half of the 1930's.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/8845243630_c1edede1aa_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845243630/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/8845244772_4fed946d76_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845244772/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/8844624099_b51989d137_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844624099/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/8845246706_6c8f0e8847_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845246706/)

AltecGreen
May 26th, 2013, 01:50 PM
This Electa Extra is one of my favorite pens. The pen did not come with an Electa nib but an vintage Omas. The vintage Omas nib is one of the finest nibs I've ever used and supremely flexible with control. The celluloid is in a red Arco that is seen on many other vintage Italian pens and some Montblancs.

Electa itself was a name used by the Ceriani company and related to Regina, Gloria, and Balilla. The Electa Extra was the top of the line from Ceriani.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/8844626165_b9f9f987b9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844626165/)

The Eye of Sauron
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/8844627137_51422fb26e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844627137/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/8845249656_3f25427123_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845249656/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3815/8844629839_2b7702d0cb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844629839/)


Fabulous Omas nib.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/8845250640_6ecf9b8a60_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845250640/)

AltecGreen
May 26th, 2013, 01:56 PM
E. E. Ercolessi is one of the most important pen stores in Italy. The store(s) are based in Milan and have had a hand in the development of several Italian pen companies. The friendship between the founders of Ercolessi with the Verga Brothers (Columbus) and Armando Simoni (Omas) is noted. Ercolessi did not make their own pens but contracted out to various companies. Many of the pens sold were variants of Omas and Columbus pens.

This particular pen looks like Columbus production.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/8845252468_62af1c0f7b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845252468/)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/8845253548_ee49dc4fb7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845253548/)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/8845254482_ae85ecf6c4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845254482/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/8845255468_4ac3e57a83_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845255468/)

fountainpenkid
May 26th, 2013, 01:59 PM
Here is a not commonly discussed vintage Aurora. The 88s, Novums, and Optima get most of the attention but Aurora made a number of other pen models. This pen is the Aurora Iridia. There is not much information on this series. It was arguably Aurora's first traditional button filler. The pen came in several sizes. These pens were introduced in the later half of the 1930's.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/8845243630_c1edede1aa_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845243630/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/8845244772_4fed946d76_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845244772/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/8844624099_b51989d137_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844624099/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/8845246706_6c8f0e8847_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845246706/)
The flat ends are really cool!

AltecGreen
May 26th, 2013, 02:03 PM
This pen has one of the most magnificent celluloid patterns I've ever seen. The pen is a Columbus 25. It was a mid-priced pen made in the late 1930's. It was made in a difficult economic time but Columbus maintained quality. But this pen is all about the celluloid.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8085048354_0ec05be7e1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8085048354/)

Somewhat faded art deco band
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/8845256876_2de92d2941_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8845256876/)

Amazing celluloid pattern
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/8844637435_de3224bb71_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844637435/)


Standard Columbus nib.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7305/8844636303_8f400e17c4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8844636303/)

peterpen53
May 26th, 2013, 03:20 PM
Oh man, those colours!! And Sauron's Eye is well spotted:).

Occasionally, in Penna Magazine one can still see ads by Ercolessi for their custom made pens, indeed usually made by Omas.

youstruckgold
May 27th, 2013, 06:49 AM
Altec is indeed treating us to extraordinary pen porn! - THankyou.

reprieve
May 27th, 2013, 08:22 AM
*faints*

fountainpenkid
May 27th, 2013, 11:30 AM
*faints*

as well.

snedwos
May 27th, 2013, 01:03 PM
My future collecting focus is starting to take shape. A very expensive shape.

gentlyom
May 28th, 2013, 09:29 AM
My future collecting focus is starting to take shape. A very expensive shape.

Agreed. After I got the pelikans I wanted, I thought the hunt was over. Now a whole new series of hunt for beautiful, more expensive and elegant Italian pens just started. :blink:

Bogon07
May 28th, 2013, 04:04 PM
"This pen has one of the most magnificent celluloid patterns I've ever seen"
That is absolutely spectacular. Would it be termed ArtDeco ?

Now if only Brian gray could get hold of even some acrylic matching the celluloid pattern of that Columbus 25 for one of his LE runs.

Jon Szanto
May 28th, 2013, 04:11 PM
Ultra-bonus on Dan for putting a Sticky on this thread. As usual, kudos to AG for sharing just a portion of his stellar collection. Time to go rob some banks, kiddies... ;)

AltecGreen
May 28th, 2013, 04:21 PM
"This pen has one of the most magnificent celluloid patterns I've ever seen"
That is absolutely spectacular. Would it be termed ArtDeco ?

Now if only Brian gray could get hold of even some acrylic matching the celluloid pattern of that Columbus 25 for one of his LE runs.


This is an interesting point. I'm not sure it would be easy to replicate many of the geometric celluloid patterns using acrylic. Celluloid is the raw form is like a dough. The dough can be colored, rolled, cut, and different layers and pieces can be put together and process to produce the vintage patterns. Acrylic resin when uncured is a liquid. That makes swirly patterns easy but the ones like the arco pattern would seem to be difficult to make out of acrylic.

AltecGreen
June 2nd, 2013, 02:25 PM
Let's look at some post war pens.


This pen is a Duchessa. Duchessa is one of the many Montegrappa sub-brands. One can see the influence of the Wahl Eversharp Skyline. The pen has a more rounded and streamline look that was popular after the wear. Duchessa was a more budget oriented line and this pen is definitely a budget pen. The celluloid is nice but not spectacular. I've seen this pen in at least 4-5 other celluloid patterns. The pen is a button filler.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/8927929551_9c53360aa6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927929551/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/8927930671_0979d07c95_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927930671/)


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/8928539090_06fc4b7f4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928539090/)

AltecGreen
June 2nd, 2013, 02:30 PM
Safis took a similar route to their post-war pens. This Radius has the new popular streamline cigar shape rather than the classic design of the Radius Superior I showed earlier. Like the Duchessa above, the cap bands became simpler. Gone are the ornate caps bands on the Radius Superior. The celluloid is classic light colored Tortoise shell celluloid seen on many Italian pens.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8927933171_9c03518b4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927933171/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/8928539952_e0d39916ee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928539952/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/8928541752_0e688a7552_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928541752/)

AltecGreen
June 2nd, 2013, 02:36 PM
Omas also introduced more rounded pen bodies in the form of the Ogival. But I don't have one of those. Omas continued with their classic facetted shapes in addition to the Ogival.. However, there were tweaks to the classic design. The trim was simplified to a single thick solid cap band, simple non-roller clip and the proportions seem a bit more 'modern'. Of course, the filling system was switched to a piston filler. This Omas Extra was made for Italia Navigazione.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7441/8928542812_52a20a914a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928542812/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8927936059_f3ab6a2890_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927936059/)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/8928544944_c465b530ca_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928544944/)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/8928545780_e2778878b1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928545780/)

AltecGreen
June 2nd, 2013, 02:47 PM
Now back to more classic pens.


Here is a selection of Columbus 98's. The 98 was a mainline pen for Columbus in the 1930's and were the first main series with the introduction of celluloid. The first pens made in celluloid were derivative of the Parker Duofold. The pen (on the left) is a clone of the Parker Duofold with one exception. These pens were soon replaced with pens that are classically Italian. The 98 was made for quite some time and underwent many subtle changes in trim. Simple clip, roller clips, and a Parker-like arrow clip. The number of celluloid patterns is just vast for these pens. The filling system for these pens is unique to Columbus, a spoon filler. Basically, the pen has a spoon which when depressed would compress the sac. It's bit of a novelty and not my favorite filling system but is it definitely unique to Columbus.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/8927939079_1a1237378b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927939079/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/8927940085_99b0796d80_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927940085/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8407/8927940997_40275d8a7b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927940997/)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/8927942227_a22d9974d5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927942227/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8927943215_91b5b01129_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927943215/)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/8927943939_024452b0cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927943939/)

fountainpenkid
June 2nd, 2013, 03:54 PM
Safis took a similar route to their post-war pens. This Radius has the new popular streamline cigar shape rather than the classic design of the Radius Superior I showed earlier. Like the Duchessa above, the cap bands became simpler. Gone are the ornate caps bands on the Radius Superior. The celluloid is classic light colored Tortoise shell celluloid seen on many Italian pens.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8927933171_9c03518b4e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8927933171/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/8928539952_e0d39916ee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928539952/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/8928541752_0e688a7552_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/8928541752/)
That is a really beautiful celluloid. Is it a piston filler?

AltecGreen
June 2nd, 2013, 04:07 PM
[QUOTE=AltecGreen;33338]
That is a really beautiful celluloid. Is it a piston filler?

This one is not but Safis introduced piston filling Radius pens around the same time. I don't know if the piston fillers came in this celluloid. Many of the piston fillers had Parker like ringed celluloid so you can see the ink level.

ethernautrix
June 3rd, 2013, 01:40 PM
Fabulous photos, Ricky.

aschup
June 4th, 2013, 04:34 AM
Hot damn.

AltecGreen
June 9th, 2013, 09:10 PM
The Omas Extra series was Omas main line pen in the early 30's and replaced the earlier Duofold like pens. The round and facetted Omas Extra oens were lever fillers and really have the classic design that continues today. This pen is a medium sized cylindrical Omas Extra. The pen has the classic Greek key band set off by two smaller bands.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/9001445891_ef126d9a1b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9001445891/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/9002628066_43ce733531_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002628066/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/9002628610_b7d3c2b18b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002628610/)

AltecGreen
June 9th, 2013, 09:16 PM
Omega is an interesting company. In 1919 Eugenio and Alfredo Verga started the Columbus pen company in 1919. Around 1930, the brothers parted ways. Alfredo Verga started the Omega pen company in Milan and made good quality pens through the 1930's while Eugenio continued on with Columbus. The Supernova series was one of the better known Omega pen models. This pen is a button filler in a classic red marble celluloid.

Omega Supernova
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/9002629404_38c4a48934_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002629404/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/9002630200_52bdb98c10_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002630200/)


Gold plated steel nib
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/9002630836_0477eea2eb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002630836/)

AltecGreen
June 9th, 2013, 09:22 PM
The Aurora Selene was a budget pen from Aurora made in the 1940's. The pen came with chrome trim and Aurora's steel alloy nib called Platridio. The pens came in a dozen varieties of celluloid. This was a successful series that was made until the mid 1940's.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2859/9001450095_a6a76e4ac5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9001450095/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/9002632328_bccb9ab53c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002632328/)


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/9002633030_36a6c2ef14_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002633030/)

AltecGreen
June 9th, 2013, 09:27 PM
Astura was a budget line from SAFIS. These were nice economical pens that came in a variety of nice celluloid patterns. These came in round and facetted varieties. These were low cost high volume pens.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8132/9001452375_1f41f0766e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9001452375/)


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/9001453011_d63f4f9c08_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9001453011/)

AltecGreen
June 9th, 2013, 09:34 PM
Goliarda is a Ancora sub-brand. The pen has an interesting flared clip. The Goliarda pens were budget offerings but still had quality celluloid and gold nibs. This pen has a warranted Ancora nib that is marked with the Ancora symbol.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/9002635264_7499a8576f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002635264/)

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9002636022_f5a18f31f7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002636022/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/9002636738_e8f2a8c39a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9002636738/)

youstruckgold
June 16th, 2013, 01:21 AM
It's just heaven looking at these pics - I'm both jealous and in awe!!! Thankyou

AltecGreen
June 28th, 2013, 09:29 PM
Contrary to rumors, I have not run out of pens. :)


I have a bit of time tonight so let's throw up some more pens.


Tonight we have a pair of Omas Lucens. The Lucens was the cylindrical counterpart to the Omas Extra Lucens. The Lucens came out around the same time but perhaps a bit later than the Extra Lucens. Unlike the EXtra Lucens, the first generation Lucens were not made in the fragile light color celluloid so you can find first gen Lucens. The first gen pens have the classic Greek key band and the roller clip. These were soon changed to the arrow clip and three ring cap bands. My two pens are not as transparent as my Extra Lucens. The barrels of both pens have darkened. The red pen moreso. The picture with the flashlight hopefully gives you a sense of what the pen looked like when new. The larger pen has an Omas Extra nib which is possibly not original. The medium sized red marbled pen has the Lucens style arrow nib.


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9164225888_5027beb380_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9164225888/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/9164226380_72d8e0a361_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9164226380/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/9164226756_b6575086c0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9164226756/)


http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9164227398_eb4c827edd_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9164227398/)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/9162006085_5216030509_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7953903@N03/9162006085/)

marcshiman
July 19th, 2015, 11:30 PM
Ricky,

Hope you don't mind me playing in your space here....

Two pens recently acquired in Rome, both from a company called "SAFIS", a big manufacturer back the in the day. Their main two brands were Radius (high quality) and Astura (not so much)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bcaqFlr2G7jjNjx_oQI-IBfA-s4gXi_0DaRFgSiosZw=w1894-h820-no

The top one with the outrageous celluloid is a Prismatica. It has the same shape and cap band of a Wahl Doric, and it happens to have a Wahl nib in it (not for long - that nib will go in a Wahl). Its a smaller line on SAFIS' higher end. I doubt I'll ever find a Prismatica nib; finding original gold nibs in Italy is very difficult because so many were scrapped after the way.

Below that is The King. Often (incorrectly) attributed to Omas, The King was another high quality brand of SAFIS

Jon Szanto
July 19th, 2015, 11:53 PM
Hey now, this is necro-posting I can get behind! :) Lovely pens, Marc. Can I assume the typo near the end should have been "scrapped after the war"?

marcshiman
July 20th, 2015, 01:30 AM
"War" would be correct. Apparently I don't have editing priviledges

AltecGreen
July 22nd, 2015, 09:31 AM
Ricky,

Hope you don't mind me playing in your space here....





It's great that you posted here and added to the thread. I need to do another round of these since I never finished showing all of my pens and have added some in the interim. I really should do the same for the vintage Japanese pens too.

Sevenof9
July 22nd, 2015, 01:41 PM
yes please!!!!! this is one of my favourite threads of all time.:):lazy2: 7

purplepencils
July 27th, 2015, 01:37 AM
Truly an amazing thread and a great resource as I begin my own collection. I hope to share pictures soon.

Giovanni Abrate
July 27th, 2015, 07:09 PM
Italian pens that got their inspiration from the Parker Vacumatic (and a real Vacumatic Maxima set). From my collection.

http://s26.postimg.org/4pnd8yvh5/vacitaliane.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
July 27th, 2015, 07:11 PM
My vintage Aurora 88s and derivatives:

http://s26.postimg.org/nmyzkig61/My_88s.jpg

Haefennasiel
July 27th, 2015, 08:56 PM
Impressive! [emoji106]🏼

Giovanni Abrate
July 28th, 2015, 05:31 AM
Thanks! You can read my article on the Aurora 88 here: http://www.newpentrace.net/articleGA01.html

Giovanni Abrate
July 28th, 2015, 05:33 AM
An Italian pen that made history! The LUS Atomica, the pen that outsold the ballpoint!
http://s26.postimg.org/n6qn6iaqh/atomica.jpg

You can read its story here: http://www.newpentrace.net/articleGA02.html

Giovanni Abrate
July 28th, 2015, 05:34 AM
Radius Superior

http://s26.postimg.org/rfr538gk9/Radius2.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
July 28th, 2015, 05:35 AM
Universal, made in the town of Settimo Torinese

http://s26.postimg.org/gboovakt5/Universal_chiusa.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
July 28th, 2015, 05:36 AM
A rare Goldmichel, still stickered

http://s26.postimg.org/7a9oyb5y1/Goldmichel_corazzata.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
July 28th, 2015, 05:38 AM
Williamson (my first collectible pen, bought in 1968 at the Williamson shop in Turin)

http://s26.postimg.org/lb4mzhiah/Will_Nib.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
July 28th, 2015, 12:02 PM
Omega pen

http://s26.postimg.org/kxvdn7byx/Omega_Pen.jpg

AltecGreen
August 4th, 2015, 10:19 PM
Universal, made in the town of Settimo Torinese

http://s26.postimg.org/gboovakt5/Universal_chiusa.jpg



I acquired this Universal a while back.


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/527/20118959609_c0223c8b8e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/wDQVKX)

Giovanni Abrate
August 6th, 2015, 05:43 AM
Very nice!!!



Universal, made in the town of Settimo Torinese

http://s26.postimg.org/gboovakt5/Universal_chiusa.jpg



I acquired this Universal a while back.


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/527/20118959609_c0223c8b8e_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/wDQVKX)

mhphoto
October 31st, 2015, 06:37 AM
Omega pen

http://s26.postimg.org/kxvdn7byx/Omega_Pen.jpg

This is one of the most stunning pens I've ever seen. Have any more pictures on hand???

Giovanni Abrate
October 31st, 2015, 06:31 PM
Omega pen

http://s26.postimg.org/kxvdn7byx/Omega_Pen.jpg

This is one of the most stunning pens I've ever seen. Have any more pictures on hand???

I do. Let me look for them and put them online. I will try posting them tomorrow. I always post pictures of my vintage italian pens on the Pentrace Facebook page. I posted several today.

Giovanni Abrate
October 31st, 2015, 06:43 PM
Wilson (Italy)

http://s26.postimg.org/63lwoqwyh/Wilson1.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
October 31st, 2015, 06:44 PM
Zemax from the 1930s

http://s26.postimg.org/6dodaz595/Zemax_verde_chiaro.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
October 31st, 2015, 06:45 PM
Monte Nero (quite rare) 1930s

http://s26.postimg.org/thou3k8k9/Monte_Nero.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
October 31st, 2015, 06:45 PM
Stilnova

http://s26.postimg.org/6hi6r8aqh/Stilnova.jpg

Giovanni Abrate
October 31st, 2015, 06:47 PM
Bigraf: Fountain pen and rubber stamp combined (1949)

http://s26.postimg.org/3lkdj1byx/Bigraf4.jpg

lbrlux
October 26th, 2017, 10:25 PM
Do you have further information about this factory. Omega pens were widely exported to Brazil in the 40’s and early 50’s.
I got Omega pens number 99 (senior and lady sizes), 88, 34 and 22. All are Vacumatics lookalike and have open nibs.
Cheers.
Luciano.

Hermite
April 5th, 2018, 10:29 PM
italian pen

Ahriman4891
April 9th, 2018, 06:37 PM
Omega pen

http://s26.postimg.org/kxvdn7byx/Omega_Pen.jpg


Monte Nero (quite rare) 1930s

http://s26.postimg.org/thou3k8k9/Monte_Nero.jpg

Beauties! I wish Aurora made the 88 in similar plastics.

Cyril
June 22nd, 2021, 04:01 AM
Lovely pens and lovely thread .
Today I learnt about Italian pens I never knew about. (I don't have any Italian pen in my small collection. It's shame...:facepalm: )

christof
June 22nd, 2021, 05:25 AM
Thanks for bring up this thread.

Fantatsic pens and photos. Here is one of mines:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49636411902_2c5cece7ba_k.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49636523422_e78362d930_k.jpg

more pics will follow.

fountainpenkid
June 22nd, 2021, 06:47 AM
That is such a cool clip!

christof
June 22nd, 2021, 08:32 AM
That is such a cool clip!

...and it even is spring loaded!

christof
June 22nd, 2021, 08:34 AM
Here is another one that I really like. OMAS Extra. Piston filler, Flex nib.

https://live.staticflickr.com/2846/33512865120_923b928043_k.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/4456/36930061553_3b74d72bbc_k.jpg

mizgeorge
June 22nd, 2021, 09:06 AM
Those are both beautiful Christoph - the OMAS is stunning :)

fountainpenkid
June 22nd, 2021, 03:29 PM
I'm looking back at this thread and realizing it was a huge inspiration for me...here's my very, very humble addition, under "OMAS".
The reddish vest pocket is a 1940s "Extra" model piston filler, same as Christof's but vest pocket size. It is interesting how much larger it is than my green 1930's Lucens vest pocket. I've wondered if this change was a response to feedback from customers who found the Lucens vps to be too small. The caps do interchange, strangely enough.
The large black pen, an Extra Lucens is very much a user grade example but it is splendid nonetheless.
61543

61544
A closer inspection reveals the imprint on nibs changed slightly from Lucens vp to Extra vp.
61545

A Parker Vacuum Filler clip beside the OMAS clip it inspired...
61546

mizgeorge
June 22nd, 2021, 03:42 PM
So much happiness in just one thread. Lovely!

christof
June 24th, 2021, 10:28 PM
another lovely OMAS Extra from the 1950's

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50237313988_d3931c1402_o.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50254874546_24e668d542_b.jpg

christof
June 25th, 2021, 02:51 AM
something completely different. OMAS TOKYO mini collection:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49838183871_0adf491bd1_k.jpg

cool pens!

available in 5 colors:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49834089838_61fa196eb7_k.jpg

eachan
June 25th, 2021, 04:39 AM
https://images41.fotki.com/v1673/photos/2/3815032/14358355/imgp6672-vi.gif (https://private.fotki.com/sempilch/private/imgp6672.html)

https://images15.fotki.com/v1674/photos/2/3815032/14358355/imgp6673-vi.gif (https://private.fotki.com/sempilch/private/imgp6673.html)

https://images41.fotki.com/v1402/photos/2/3815032/14358355/imgp6678-vi.gif (https://private.fotki.com/sempilch/private/imgp6678.html)

The Fratelli Pecco Eridano Extra No 33. Made in Turin by the Pecco Brothers. "Eridano" is the ancient Greek name for the River Po which flows through Turin. Ten sided rather than twelve sided but it's still rather Doric-like. Not a well-known Italian brand but it was around for quite a long time.

mizgeorge
June 25th, 2021, 05:25 AM
something completely different. OMAS TOKYO mini collection:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49838183871_0adf491bd1_k.jpg

cool pens!

available in 5 colors:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49834089838_61fa196eb7_k.jpg

I love these! Classic design and colours - thank you for sharing :)

Fantastic shot of the nibs on the Extras as well!

mizgeorge
June 25th, 2021, 05:29 AM
https://images41.fotki.com/v1673/photos/2/3815032/14358355/imgp6672-vi.gif (https://private.fotki.com/sempilch/private/imgp6672.html)

https://images15.fotki.com/v1674/photos/2/3815032/14358355/imgp6673-vi.gif (https://private.fotki.com/sempilch/private/imgp6673.html)

https://images41.fotki.com/v1402/photos/2/3815032/14358355/imgp6678-vi.gif (https://private.fotki.com/sempilch/private/imgp6678.html)

The Fratelli Pecco Eridano Extra No 33. Made in Turin by the Pecco Brothers. "Eridano" is the ancient Greek name for the River Po which flows through Turin. Ten sided rather than twelve sided but it's still rather Doric-like. Not a well-known Italian brand but it was around for quite a long time.

I like this very much too :)

fountainpenkid
June 25th, 2021, 08:53 PM
another lovely OMAS Extra from the 1950's

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50237313988_d3931c1402_o.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50254874546_24e668d542_b.jpg

What size is that one?--I didn't realize they made the facetted pens of that vintage with matching sections.
Love the 'collaborative' nib shot!

christof
June 25th, 2021, 11:10 PM
I think that it‘s a 555

FredRydr
June 26th, 2021, 05:09 AM
A copper Universal and a silver Zemax. Alas, the Zemax was returned to Italy for a repair, and the registered parcel sent back to me never arrived. <sniff!>

61603

mizgeorge
June 26th, 2021, 08:40 AM
A copper Universal and a silver Zemax. Alas, the Zemax was returned to Italy for a repair, and the registered parcel sent back to me never arrived. <sniff!>

61603

Heartbreaking - that Zemax is beautiful. I have only one, with a 'wrong' cap, and it has the most amazing nib.

christof
June 28th, 2021, 06:06 AM
Probably the most beautiful Italian pen I own ist this OMAS Extra Lucens from ca. 1936

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50244789978_46cf3455c6_k.jpg

Of course, these pens were highly inspirated by Parker's Vacumatic's. The celluloid, the nib, the arrow clip etc... Even the filling mechanism is kind of a vacumatic filler, just without diaphragm.

This example is NOS and has never seen any ink. Another neat detail is this tiny AS (Armando Simoni) stamp on the cap:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50254370753_f815bf54e2_k.jpg

rkesey
July 4th, 2021, 03:13 PM
What an absolute stunner of a pen.

markiv
September 26th, 2021, 09:09 PM
Thank you people for resurrecting this thread. I drew a lot of inspiration from OPs posts and went down a rabbit hole myself.

Christof, that Lucens is probably one of the most beautiful pens IMO. Here are couple of beauties to whet the appetite -
Omas Extra and Columbu 98

Enjoy :cheers:

https://i.imgur.com/buA10od.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/aWxYcfu.jpg?1

Viktaurian
September 26th, 2021, 09:13 PM
Thank you people for resurrecting this thread. I drew a lot of inspiration from OPs posts and went down a rabbit hole myself.

Christof, that Lucens is probably one of the most beautiful pens IMO. Here are couple of beauties to whet the appetite -
Omas Extra and Columbu 98

Enjoy :cheers:

https://i.imgur.com/buA10od.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/aWxYcfu.jpg?1

That's some serious Wild Wild pens [emoji15][emoji91]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fountainpenkid
September 26th, 2021, 09:19 PM
Wow! I have never seen that wood herringbone (if that's an appropriate description) OMAS celluloid before--thanks for sharing markiv! Is it pre-stantuffo tuffante filler (i.e early '30s)?

markiv
September 26th, 2021, 09:49 PM
Checking with experts this is pretty unique material so feel free to call it whatever...rattan arco is what I thought but wood herringbone makes sense too.
You are right - it's a lever filler predating the plunger filled models.

christof
September 27th, 2021, 01:06 AM
These are fantastic pens. Thanks for showing.

PS: It's good to have you here Vik!

markiv
September 27th, 2021, 12:27 PM
A copper Universal and a silver Zemax. Alas, the Zemax was returned to Italy for a repair, and the registered parcel sent back to me never arrived. <sniff!>


That's a shame - Zemax made some very interesting pens. I had a similar episode where the post lost an OS Lapis Decoband :faint:

markiv
September 27th, 2021, 12:31 PM
These are fantastic pens. Thanks for showing.

PS: It's good to have you here Vik!

There are very few watering holes for vintage lovers so this is a great place to be and contribute.

Here are a few Ancoras

Dama in arco
https://i.imgur.com/sFcBFjz.jpg?2

Duplex
https://i.imgur.com/khRBoj9.jpg?1

fountainpenkid
September 27th, 2021, 04:00 PM
Are those Ancora Damas (not Da-Ma? I've seen it both ways and haven't found clarification) both clipless and ringless?
That red arco is incredible!

markiv
September 27th, 2021, 08:15 PM
Are those Ancora Damas (not Da-Ma? I've seen it both ways and haven't found clarification) both clipless and ringless?
That red arco is incredible!

I, too, am not clear about their nomenclature. You probably know this already - Da-Ma pens were made in lady, medium and senior sizes. The brown arco is a lady size Da-Ma but there is no model inscription on red arco ringtop. I referred to both as dama primarily due to their size.

fountainpenkid
September 30th, 2021, 05:31 PM
Interesting...I did know that about sizes; was the hyphen in that case actually there to discourage confusion with the Italian word "dama?" If so what did "da-ma" mean? I know no Italian but apparently those two words would translate nonsensically to "from-but"...
Is that red arco material pearlescent? It's not clear from that picture...

markiv
October 24th, 2021, 07:44 PM
Here is little gem with an equally pleasing nib - Omas Extra in its smallest iteration.
https://i.imgur.com/YEFHwI1.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/77QPtr8.jpg

fountainpenkid
October 25th, 2021, 02:49 PM
Here is little gem with an equally pleasing nib - Omas Extra in its smallest iteration.
https://i.imgur.com/YEFHwI1.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/77QPtr8.jpg

markiv--as I remember, your documentation of that very pen is what made me start looking for my own OMAS Extra vest pocket....
64442

markiv
October 25th, 2021, 04:23 PM
I hope it nudged you in the right direction :tea: your's looks to be in superb condition based on that ink-window!

markiv
October 25th, 2021, 04:31 PM
Here is neat Tibaldi for today -
https://i.imgur.com/eKgxe7W.png
https://i.imgur.com/ek6cwkX.png?1

fountainpenkid
October 25th, 2021, 07:45 PM
What is that filling system? It looks like the plunger is threaded but then there's a tube?

fountainpenkid
October 26th, 2021, 10:50 AM
I hope it nudged you in the right direction :tea: your's looks to be in superb condition based on that ink-window!

The ink window/threading is actually a replacement by Brad Torelli. I bought it NOS but the ink window was weak and seemed badly manufactured (Mr. Torelli actually thought it was a contemporary replacement)

markiv
October 26th, 2021, 11:47 AM
What is that filling system? It looks like the plunger is threaded but then there's a tube?

It is Tibaldi's take on Parker's vacumatic filler. The bladder is missing in my picture above but you can see petrified remnants on that plunger thingy. I have intentionally held off on re-sacing to preserve color.

markiv
October 26th, 2021, 11:49 AM
I hope it nudged you in the right direction :tea: your's looks to be in superb condition based on that ink-window!

The ink window/threading is actually a replacement by Brad Torelli. I bought it NOS but the ink window was weak and seemed badly manufactured (Mr. Torelli actually thought it was a contemporary replacement)

That's the least one can expect from the master - threads look factory original.

markiv
November 12th, 2021, 09:20 PM
An opportunity to revive this thread since I received a cracker of a pen from a dear friend. It helped me expand my oversize Ancora collection - thanks Christof:cheers:
https://i.imgur.com/DNsSy1J.jpg?2

christof
November 12th, 2021, 11:27 PM
good to see that he has found his home.

markiv
December 11th, 2021, 09:45 AM
Here is a neat entry into the Italian collection - Omega convertible desk pen with a gorgeous box
https://i.imgur.com/iA5RdDd.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xz2NNoq.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/qJrIMVy.jpg

penwash
December 11th, 2021, 09:48 AM
@Vik

You got my attention at woodgrain ebonite above. Such gorgeousness!!

christof
December 11th, 2021, 01:56 PM
what a great desk pen!

rkesey
January 12th, 2022, 09:51 PM
Oh that's stunning.

markiv
January 29th, 2022, 04:27 PM
First iteration Omas Extras

https://i.imgur.com/GTJrDmk.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/8gVss3u.jpg?1

markiv
February 3rd, 2022, 09:11 PM
Here's a trio of Minervas

The grey smoke streamline should have a ball cliphttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220204/4621575b4405e2943b9023e06c0fed00.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

christof
February 3rd, 2022, 09:55 PM
Here's a trio of Minervas

The grey smoke streamline should have a ball clip

Great!

...looks like a Pelikan 100N clip...?

C.

markiv
February 3rd, 2022, 10:02 PM
You are probably correct [emoji106]

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

markiv
March 27th, 2022, 08:45 PM
Twins but one Italian and other is French

Aurora Novum and StyloChap (smaller)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/138520944ceeb18568f317138d648733.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

FredRydr
March 28th, 2022, 04:33 AM
Twins but one Italian and other is French Aurora Novum and StyloChap....
Lovely pens and nibs. I wonder if the StyloChap has any connection with OldChap, another French brand. Be sure you take precautions to preserve that Novum celluloid.

markiv
March 28th, 2022, 04:45 AM
Twins but one Italian and other is French Aurora Novum and StyloChap....
Lovely pens and nibs. I wonder if the StyloChap has any connection with OldChap, another French brand. Be sure you take precautions to preserve that Novum celluloid.These French brands are a bit esoteric for me so no idea about any links.
Lucky me, I got both of these in mint condition other than the brassed trims. Got the usual best practice in place to avoid crazing [emoji1696]

The StyloChap has a nice presentation box which I probably should share here....

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

christof
March 28th, 2022, 06:04 AM
These are fantastic museum pieces!

I also have a new Italian:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51927752361_bc2d525a54_k.jpg
OMAS Extra 555/s

fountainpenkid
March 28th, 2022, 06:29 PM
Twins but one Italian and other is French

Aurora Novum and StyloChap (smaller)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/138520944ceeb18568f317138d648733.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
Very interesting! Any explanation of this? Did Aurora make pens for them, or did they copy?
I notice the Aurora is 2nd gen (like my green mottled one) while the Stylochap is based on the 1st gen.

markiv
March 28th, 2022, 11:05 PM
Twins but one Italian and other is French

Aurora Novum and StyloChap (smaller)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/138520944ceeb18568f317138d648733.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
Very interesting! Any explanation of this? Did Aurora make pens for them, or did they copy?
I notice the Aurora is 2nd gen (like my green mottled one) while the Stylochap is based on the 1st gen.Edacoto, a French brand was known for selling rebadged/rebranded Aurora pens. So it's not unusual to find this rebadged Novum and suggest Aurora had several French tie-ups.

Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk

FredRydr
April 1st, 2022, 09:18 AM
...Aurora Novum....
Check out the in-depth article on the Aurora Novum in Foolish Magazine No. 15 (https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/36844-Foolish-Magazine-15-Free-Online?p=360329#post360329) that labeo just posted. It has photos, diagrams of the lever mechanism and vintage advertisements.

fountainpenkid
April 1st, 2022, 09:04 PM
...Aurora Novum....
Check out the in-depth article on the Aurora Novum in Foolish Magazine No. 15 (https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/36844-Foolish-Magazine-15-Free-Online?p=360329#post360329) that labeo just posted. It has photos, diagrams of the lever mechanism and vintage advertisements.

I very much enjoyed the advertisement included in that article...according to which, my Novum is in emerald green.
Can't wait for the international version of the issue to come out so I can read it.

Cyril
April 4th, 2022, 05:48 PM
Lovely pens and they seems to be best writers !!! I never hahave a single Italian pen except a safety pen that has no name !!!!!

markiv
April 12th, 2022, 06:02 AM
That's a great choice for your only Italian pen.

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fountainpenkid
April 12th, 2022, 07:50 AM
EoC, did it come with a receipt? I've always wanted to get an old pen with original proof of purchase (I did get my grey Soennecken 111 with a beautifully designed warranty/receipt for a 222 from the early '60s from a shop in the Hague).

Here's a new thing I've discovered: Italian pens are enhanced in daily use with an Italian-made case. The workmanship of this Il Bussetto is delightful--all these little details--and the leather feels amazing.

69067

69068

dneal
April 13th, 2022, 07:09 AM
I have a twin to that little brown Omas. What's interesting for that period is the way the piston filler mounts to the barrel - and your photo shows the two pieces well.

Nice pen.

markiv
April 13th, 2022, 01:29 PM
That's a fantastic pair from most prominent Italian brands. That Novum is quite uncommon [emoji106]

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FredRydr
April 13th, 2022, 03:46 PM
That's a fantastic pair from most prominent Italian brands. That Novum is quite uncommon [emoji106]
But more common than Optimas from the same era in my experience. I've had twice as many pre-war Novums pass through my hands than pre-war Optimas.

fountainpenkid
April 13th, 2022, 04:51 PM
That's a fantastic pair from most prominent Italian brands. That Novum is quite uncommon [emoji106]
But more common than Optimas from the same era in my experience. I've had twice as many pre-war Novums pass through my hands than pre-war Optimas.
Yeah I have found it harder to find optimas….I wonder if they were produced in smaller numbers, are less likely to have survived over the years, or are more coveted and hung on to…

markiv
April 13th, 2022, 05:02 PM
I was referring to the celluloid when I wrote "that Novum..."

Agreed about Optima >> Novum on scarcity scale.

FredRydr
April 13th, 2022, 06:49 PM
That's a fantastic pair from most prominent Italian brands. That Novum is quite uncommon [emoji106]
But more common than Optimas from the same era in my experience. I've had twice as many pre-war Novums pass through my hands than pre-war Optimas.
Yeah I have found it harder to find optimas….I wonder if they were produced in smaller numbers, are less likely to have survived over the years, or are more coveted and hung on to…

The Optima, a plunger-filler, was their flagship pen and probably cost enough more to limit sales in comparison to the lever & sac Novum.

fountainpenkid
April 13th, 2022, 09:55 PM
That's a fantastic pair from most prominent Italian brands. That Novum is quite uncommon [emoji106]
But more common than Optimas from the same era in my experience. I've had twice as many pre-war Novums pass through my hands than pre-war Optimas.
Yeah I have found it harder to find optimas….I wonder if they were produced in smaller numbers, are less likely to have survived over the years, or are more coveted and hung on to…

The Optima, a plunger-filler, was their flagship pen and probably cost enough more to limit sales in comparison to the lever & sac Novum.

Although having toyed with the novum's cam-operated lever while it was being restored, it is a pretty sophisticated little part, as is the choice to line the barrel with aluminum. According to the one bit of advertising I've translated, the aluminum was a durability selling point. (Which seems funny and maybe misguided, considering how durable properly-made celluloid is!)

Piersmorgan18
August 31st, 2022, 08:15 AM
Fantastic

BoBo Olson
September 11th, 2022, 06:08 AM
What gorgeous pens. For some of them I'd had to learn to speak enough Italian to buy pens. :thumb:
I only have one Italian pen (One of my first 20 pens) a piston Columbus from @ 1948-52. It has always been one of my most beautiful pens. The nib is not original but it is semi-flex.
https://i.imgur.com/OJxNi6B.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/l8bEROA.jpg