Modifiche

Like other Italian pens of the same period, [[Columbus]] pens were imitations of the most famous models at that time, but they were produced locally so they could be sold at much lower prices. Most of the [[Columbus]] initial production consisted in [[safety]] pens with gold plated (both 14k or 18k) [[overlay]]s. The pens had good technical quality, and their decorations were very sophisticated, by far the best of that time and significantly better than those of the foreign models they imitated.  

Like other Italian pens of the same period, [[Columbus]] pens were imitations of the most famous models at that time, but they were produced locally so they could be sold at much lower prices. Most of the [[Columbus]] initial production consisted in [[safety]] pens with gold plated (both 14k or 18k) [[overlay]]s. The pens had good technical quality, and their decorations were very sophisticated, by far the best of that time and significantly better than those of the foreign models they imitated.  

The activity was quite successful and in 1924 the [[Columbus]] trademark was officially recorded at {{Marchio|26261}}<ref> Letizia Jacopini reports on "The history of the fountain in Italy," the number 23247, which presumably refers to the fact that the mark is registered in Vol. 247, Ranked #23 in the register of trade marks.</ref> at the department of the economy. After this date the pens started reporting an extended imprint (compared to the previous one havin only the ''Columbus'' name) bearing the registration number and the words ''sicurezza garatita''.<ref>meaning ''security guaranteed''.</ref> At the same time the company expanded its production by introducing new versions of gold-plated [[overlay]]s pens.  

The activity was quite successful and in 1924 the [[Columbus]] trademark was officially recorded at {{Marchio|26261}}<ref> Letizia Jacopini reports on "The history of the fountain in Italy," the number 23247, which presumably refers to the fact that the mark is registered in Vol. 247, Ranked #23 in the register of trade marks.</ref> at the department of the economy. After this date the pens started reporting an extended imprint (compared to the previous one havin only the ''Columbus'' name) bearing the registration number and the words ''sicurezza garatita''.<ref>meaning ''security guaranteed''.</ref> At the same time the company expanded its production by introducing new versions of gold-plated [[overlay]]s pens.

In this period, placed in the first half of '20s, there was also a change of style, passing from the imitation of Germans model to the American ones. The change is shown by some as a consequence of birth, in 1927, the new Columbus Eugenio Verga, but there are<ref>on the [http://www.columbuspenne.it/COL/antiche/pagine-ita/origini.htm historic section] on the company site the [[Columbus 670]] is dated to 1924, and there is a commercial letter from 1926 were such models are shown.</ref> clear references to pens with this style produced before the separation of Verga brothers.

In this period, placed in the first half of '20s, there was also a change of style, passing from the imitation of Germans model to the American ones. The change is shown by some as a consequence of birth, in 1927, the new Columbus Eugenio Verga, but there are<ref>on the [http://www.columbuspenne.it/COL/antiche/pagine-ita/origini.htm historic section] on the company site the [[Columbus 670]] is dated to 1924, and there is a commercial letter from 1926 were such models are shown.</ref> clear references to pens with this style produced before the separation of Verga brothers.