Vintage Italian Pen series

[gentlyom]

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. 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.

[peterpen53]

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]

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.




The button fill system



The mechanism



The most brilliant green celluloid



Red Arco



Steel nib



Gold Nib

[fountainpenkid]

That clip looks very flimsy, but the fill system is awesome!

[peterpen53]

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]

Very attractive streaked celluloid. The colours look marvellous.

[youstruckgold]

Just fabulous pics!!

[AltecGreen]

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.

[AltecGreen]

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.

[AltecGreen]

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.



The Eye of Sauron









Fabulous Omas nib.

[AltecGreen]

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.

[fountainpenkid]

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.

The flat ends are really cool!

[AltecGreen]

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.



Somewhat faded art deco band


Amazing celluloid pattern



Standard Columbus nib.

[peterpen53]

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]

Altec is indeed treating us to extraordinary pen porn! - THankyou.

[reprieve]

*faints*

[fountainpenkid]

*faints*

as well.

[snedwos]

My future collecting focus is starting to take shape. A very expensive shape.

[gentlyom]

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.

[Bogon07]

"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.