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[[Immagine:Logo-Montegrappa.svg|center|200px|Elmo Montegrappa Logo]]

[[Immagine:Logo-Montegrappa.svg|center|400px|Elmo Montegrappa Logo]]

[[Montegrappa]] contends to [[Tibaldi]] and [[Aurora]] for the primacy of beeing first Italian fountain pens producer. Although the company is undoubtedly the oldest of three, it was founded as a manufacturer of nibs for fountain pens, whose production seems rather starting back to the early 20's. The company, along with [[Aurora]] and [[Omas]] is one of the longest living Italian producers, remained in operation until the present day. In 2001 the company was purchased by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richemont Richemont group] (the same owner of [[Montblanc]]).{{Infobox_Brand|Montegrappa}}

[[Montegrappa]] contends to [[Tibaldi]] and [[Aurora]] for the primacy of being the first Italian fountain pens producer. Although the company is undoubtedly the oldest of three, it was founded as a manufacturer of nibs for fountain pens, whose production seems rather starting back to the early 20's. The company, along with [[Aurora]] and [[Omas]] is one of the longest living Italian producers, remained in operation until the present day. In 2001 the company was purchased by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richemont Richemont group] (the same owner of [[Montblanc]]) to be re-acquired at the end of 2009 by the Aquila family.{{Infobox_Brand|Montegrappa}}

== History ==

== History ==

[[Image:Montegrappa-Extra-154-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Montegrappa]] in celluloid]]

[[Image:Montegrappa-Extra-154-Capped.jpg|thumb|A [[Montegrappa]] in celluloid]]

The [[Montegrappa]] history is rather complex, the company was founded in [[1912]] in Bassano del Grappa with the name ''"Manifattura Pennini Oro per Stilografiche - The Elmo Pen"''<ref>date and name comes form Giuseppe Fichera research published on the book ''Montegrappa'' of 1999.</ref> by ''Edwige Hoffman'' and ''Heidrich Helm''. It would therefore be more correct to refer to it with the ''[[Elmo]]'' name, used also for some models, since the use of the [[Montegrappa]] brand, with which it is now universally known, is much more late. Moreover, as the name testifies, the company initially produce only pens nibs, so it is at least arguable the claim to qualify itself as the first Italian manufacturer of fountain pens<ref>this title belongs instead to  [[Uhlmann's Eterno]], founded before and for which is known a production starting at least from 1913.</ref> since the production of the latter will not start until the beginning of the '20s.  

The [[Montegrappa]] history is rather complex, the company was founded in [[1912]] in Bassano del Grappa with the name ''"Manifattura Pennini Oro per Stilografiche - The Elmo Pen"''<ref>date and name comes form Giuseppe Fichera research published on the book ''Montegrappa'' of 1999.</ref> by ''Edwige Hoffman'' and ''Heinrich Helm''. It would therefore be more correct to refer to it with the ''[[Elmo]]'' name, used also for some models, since the use of the [[Montegrappa]] brand, with which it is now universally known, is much more late. Moreover, as the name testifies, the company initially produce only pens nibs, so it is at least arguable the claim to qualify itself as the first Italian manufacturer of fountain pens<ref>this title belongs instead to  [[Uhlmann's Eterno]], founded before and for which is known a production starting at least from 1913.</ref> since the production of the latter will not start until the beginning of the '20s.  

The initial production of [[Montegrappa]] has been dated to the beginning of the '20s, they were hard rubber pens produced with both [[eyedropper filler|eyedropper]] of [[safety]] filling system. In this period were produced two different lines, the ''[[Modelli iniziali Montegrappa|Elmo]]'', a [[safety]] pen with a design very similar to the German production of the same time (with rounded cap and barrel end) and ''[[Modelli iniziali Montegrappa|The Elmo Pen]]'' who instead imitated the style of american pens like [[Waterman 42]], with flat cap and barrel end.  

The initial production of ''Montegrappa'' has been dated to the beginning of the '20s, they were hard rubber pens produced with both [[eyedropper filler|eyedropper]] of [[safety]] filling system. In this period were produced two different lines, the ''[[Modelli iniziali Montegrappa|Elmo]]'', a [[safety]] pen with a design very similar to the German production of the same time (with rounded cap and barrel end) and ''[[Modelli iniziali Montegrappa|The Elmo Pen]]'' who instead imitated the style of american pens like [[Waterman 42]], with flat cap and barrel end.  

In [[1922]] [[Montegrappa]] acquired the building in Via Ca 'Erizzo in Bassano Veneto, later expanded and renovated, that still is the headquarter of the company. In [[1925]] [[Montegrappa]] was bought by Alessandro Marzotto and Domenico Manea, and the following year was renamed as ''"Industria Pennini Oro e Penne Stilografiche Elmo"'' which acronym, ''I.P.O.P.S.E.'', was marked on the nibs until the first half of the '30s. Despite the new ownership ''Heidrich Helm'' continued to be the production director, providing a vital contribution to the success of the company.

In [[1922]] the company acquired the building in Via Ca 'Erizzo in Bassano Veneto, later expanded and renovated, that still is the headquarter of the company. In [[1925]] the company was bought by Alessandro Marzotto and Domenico Manea, and the following year was renamed as ''"Industria Pennini Oro e Penne Stilografiche Elmo"'' which acronym, ''I.P.O.P.S.E.'', was marked on the nibs until the first half of the '30s. Despite the new ownership ''Heinrich Helm'' continued to be the production director, providing a vital contribution to the success of the company.

[[Image:Montegrappa-RedBrown-Posted.jpg|thumb|A [[Montegrappa]] in celluloid]]

[[Image:Montegrappa-RedBrown-Posted.jpg|thumb|A [[Montegrappa]] in celluloid]]

In [[1935]] an interesting line of [[Montegrappa faccettata|faceted pens]] was created, characterized by a great variety of celluloid colors. The style of these pens was the same as the other main Italian producers and resembled the [[Doric]]. In this series was also produced an original version made with wawed faces, one of the most interesting products from the company. In this same period began a further differentiation, at the ''Montegrappa'' brand was added the ''Montegrappa Extra'' brand, reserved for the most valuable pens, while in the low end to the ''Elmo'' was added the ''Ducale''.

In [[1935]] an interesting line of [[Montegrappa faccettata|faceted pens]] was created, characterized by a great variety of celluloid colors. The style of these pens was the same as the other main Italian producers and resembled the [[Doric]]. In this series was also produced an original version made with wawed faces, one of the most interesting products from the company. In this same period began a further differentiation, at the ''Montegrappa'' brand was added the ''Montegrappa Extra'' brand, reserved for the most valuable pens, while in the low end to the ''Elmo'' was added the ''Ducale''.

The '30s were a period of great activity for [[Montegrappa]], which in addition to creating its own models, became a major production company for others brands, building pens for a wide variety of companies, more or less known. Among these Letizia Iacopini, in the book ''La storia della stilografica in Italia'', reports: ''a.b.c.'', ''Aquila'', ''Astoria'', ''[[Atlantica]]'', ''[[Caesar]]'', ''[[Contessa]]'', ''Dacis AVR'', ''[[Domino]]'', ''[[Duchessa]]'', ''Montenero'', ''Pilus'', ''Titanus'', ''Vulcan-Saturnia'', ''[[Zenith]]''. Excepted ''[[Domino]]'' for which is known a trademark registration ({{Marchio|32169}}) from [[1925]], the attribution for the others is quite uncertain.

The '30s were a period of great activity for [[Montegrappa]], which in addition to creating its own models, became a major production company for others brands, building pens for a wide variety of companies, more or less known. Among these Letizia Iacopini, in the book ''La storia della stilografica in Italia'', reports: ''a.b.c.'', ''Aquila'', ''Astoria'', ''[[Atlantica]]'', ''[[Caesar]]'', ''[[Contessa]]'', ''Dacis AVR'', ''[[Domino]]'', ''[[Duchessa]]'', ''[[Montenero]]'', ''Pilus'', ''Titanus'', ''Vulcan-Saturnia'', ''[[Zenith]]''. Excepted ''[[Domino]]'' for which is known a trademark registration ({{Marchio|32169}}) from [[1925]], the attribution for the others is quite uncertain; in particular ''[[Atlantica]]'', ''[[Caesar]]'', ''[[Contessa]]'', ''[[Duchessa]]'' and ''[[Zenith]]'' are known to be owned by other companies, tough production on commission cannot be excluded.

In the late 30's, following the trend of the pens capable to show their ink level, [[Montegrappa]] started to use the [[piston filler]] and produced a  [[Montegrappa trasparente|new line]] of celluloid pens with a transparent section.  Also in this period, the effects of the World War II began to be felt, and autarkic models, equipped with metal trim and chrome steel nibs, began to appear.

In the late 30's, following the trend of the pens capable to show their ink level, [[Montegrappa]] started to use the [[piston filler]] and produced a  [[Montegrappa trasparente|new line]] of celluloid pens with a transparent section.  Also in this period, the effects of the World War II began to be felt, and autarkic models, equipped with metal trim and chrome steel nibs, began to appear.

After the war, production resumed with a stylistic renewal of the entire production range, moving, as was the case for virtually all the Italian manufacturers, to tapered lines with a classic torpedo shape. The new pens were identified by a three digits numerical code, which meaning has not been fully clarified, excepted for the fact that the number of decimal indicated the filling system, and the unit the pen dimension (although without a ascending order). The hundreds digit usually stands for the model, but the same number was used for many different model, so its meaning is not clear.  

After the war, production resumed with a stylistic renewal of the entire production range, moving, as was the case for virtually all the Italian manufacturers, to tapered lines with a classic torpedo shape. The new pens were identified by a three digits numerical code, which meaning has not been fully clarified, excepted for the fact that the number of decimal indicated the filling system, and the unit the pen dimension (although without a ascending order). The hundreds digit usually stands for the model, but the same number was used for many different model, so its meaning is not clear.  

Nel primo dopoguerra vennero prodotte le penne delle serie [[Montegrappa 2xx|200]], [[Montegrappa 3xx|300]] e [[Montegrappa 4xx|400]]. Nel [[1946]] un incendio distrusse parzialmente gli stabilimenti, con degli effetti sulla produzione: la produzione in celluloide venne limitata, e la [[Montegrappa]] si concentrò sulla produzione di rivestimenti in metallo e nell'uso delle plastiche ad iniezione. Nel [[1947]] l'azienda viene rifondata come ''"Elmo - Montegrappa s.n.c."'' e nel [[1951]] diventò la ''"Fabbrica Penne Stilografiche Elmo Montegrappa s.r.l."''.  

In the postwar period were produced the [[Montegrappa 2xx|200]], [[Montegrappa 3xx|300]] e [[Montegrappa 4xx|400]] series. In [[1946]] a fire partially destroyed the buildings, with some negative effects: the celluloid pens production was limited, and the [[Montegrappa]] focused in the production of metal overlays and in the use of injection plastic for pens. In [[1947]] the company was refounded as ''"Elmo - Montegrappa s.n.c."'' and in [[1951]] became the ''"Fabbrica Penne Stilografiche Elmo Montegrappa s.r.l."''.  

The production of the '50s saw the gradual replacement of celluloid with injection plastic models, celluloid remained used only for the economic production of pens in pearl or ivory colors, then widely used as a typical gift for the First Communion. During this period was also made the move to [[cartridge filler]].

The production of the '50s saw the gradual replacement of celluloid with injection plastic models, celluloid remained used only for the economic production of pens in pearl or ivory colors, then widely used as a typical gift for the First Communion. During this period was also made the move to [[cartridge filler]].

{{BrandChrono|Montegrappa}}

{{BrandChrono|Montegrappa}}

==Riferimenti esterni==

== External references ==

* [http://www.montegrappa.com/] Sito dell'azienda, le informazioni storiche sono del tutto assenti.

* [http://www.montegrappa.com/] Company web site, just marketing, no significant historic infos.

* [http://www.pennamagazine.com/load_detail.aspx?id=8&nt=stilo] Un interessante articolo storico di Giuseppe Fichera

* [http://www.pennamagazine.com/load_detail.aspx?id=8&nt=stilo] Interesting article by G. Fichera (in italian)

==Note==

== Notes ==

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