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[[Image:Logo-Omas.svg|center|300px|Omas Logo]]

[[Image:Logo-Omas.svg|center|300px|Omas Logo]]

[[OMAS]] was founded in 1925 and is one of the historic Italian fountain brands. Since then, albeit with mixed success, and with several changes of ownership occurred after the death of its founder, it has always remained active in the fountain pen market. Ownership passed in 2000 to the French [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LVMH Luis Vuitton] company, that sold it in October 2007 to the Chinese [http://www.xinyuhengdeli.com/ Xinyu Hengdeli] company.

[[OMAS]] was founded in 1925 and is one of the historic Italian fountain brands. Since then, albeit with mixed success, and with several changes of ownership occurred after the death of its founder, it has always remained active in the fountain pen market. Ownership passed to the French [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LVMH Luis Vuitton] company in 2000, and then in October 2007 they sold it to the Chinese company [http://www.xinyuhengdeli.com/ Xinyu Hengdeli], in March 2016 it ceased activities.

In its activities [[OMAS]] has been characterized by a remarkable capacity for technical innovation and product quality, resulting probably from these point of view better than any other Italian company. It cannot be said, however, that it has particularly excelled for innovation in design, because all its most famous models, also if they often are better quality than the originals, always show in a clear manner a high rate of imitation of the stylistic features of other brands models. Despite this, the quality of the [[OMAS]] production, the ability to create imitations that are better than the originals, and in particular the refinement of its celluloid models makes this brand one of the most sought after by collectors. {{Infobox_Brand|Omas}}

In its activities [[OMAS]] has been characterized by a remarkable capacity for technical innovation and product quality, resulting probably from these point of view better than any other Italian company. It cannot be said, however, that it has particularly excelled for innovation in design, because all its most famous models, also if they often are better quality than the originals, always show in a clear manner a high rate of imitation of the stylistic features of other brands models. Despite this, the quality of the [[OMAS]] production, the ability to create imitations that are better than the originals, and in particular the refinement of its celluloid models makes this brand one of the most sought after by collectors. {{Infobox_Brand|Omas}}{{BrandData|Founder=Armando Simoni|Place=Bologna|Date=1925|Country=IT|Fullname=Officine Meccaniche Armando Simoni}}

==History==  

==History==  

The initial [[OMAS]] production of is characterized by various [[Flat top]] [[button filler]] models, clear imitations of the [[Duofold]]. However some of these models were characterized by original technical solutions, as for the second version of the "[[penna del dottore]]" in which again the thermometer was hosted by the body of the pen, or as for the "[[penna del calligrafo]]", which was equipped with a special section that could be easily unscrewed, allowing an easy the change of the nib type, which was directed towards the use by calligraphers.

The initial [[OMAS]] production of is characterized by various [[Flat top]] [[button filler]] models, clear imitations of the [[Duofold]]. However some of these models were characterized by original technical solutions, as for the second version of the "[[penna del dottore]]" in which again the thermometer was hosted by the body of the pen, or as for the "[[penna del calligrafo]]", which was equipped with a special section that could be easily unscrewed, allowing an easy the change of the nib type, which was directed towards the use by calligraphers.

[[Image:Omas-FlatTop-Serie.jpg|thumb|Series of early ''[[flat top]]'' [[Duofold]] style models]]

[[Image:Omas-FlatTop-Serie-Capped.jpg|thumb|Series of early ''[[flat top]]'' [[Duofold]] style models]]

In this same time period there is a presence in Italy of some [[Parker]] models ([[Duofold]] and [[Thrift Time]]) marked ''"Geo. S. Parker - made in Italy"'' whose production is attributed to [[OMAS]]. There is a debate about these pens, whether if this can be considered a real production commissioned by the [[Parker]], to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the autarkic policies of the fascist regime, or if it is a semi-official production commissioned by the [[Parker]] agent for Italy, Edoardo Russo Webber, who was facing a supply shortage, or if it is indeed a clandestine (and illegal) production. As there are no documents, nor other findings than those of later interactions from Webber and Simoni for the production of the [[Saratoga]] pens, it's impossible to come to any definite conclusion.

In this same time period there is a presence in Italy of some [[Parker]] models ([[Duofold]] and [[Thrift Time]]) marked ''"Geo. S. Parker - made in Italy"'' whose production is attributed to [[OMAS]]. There is a debate about these pens, whether if this can be considered a real production commissioned by the [[Parker]], to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the autarkic policies of the fascist regime, or if it is a semi-official production commissioned by the [[Parker]] agent for Italy, Edoardo Russo Webber, who was facing a supply shortage, or if it is indeed a clandestine (and illegal) production. As there are no documents, nor other findings than those of later interactions from Webber and Simoni for the production of the [[Saratoga]] pens, it's impossible to come to any definite conclusion.

[[OMAS]] between the first Italian companies to switch to [[celluloid]] in the late '20s or early '30s, producing its fountain pens as well as in the classic colors like green jade or lapis lazuli and also interesting variation of marbled colors. Between the production of this time there are some celluloid pens, with cap and clip similar to that used in the previous [[Duofold]] imitations, but having instead tapered ends. These were probably born in the early '30s, following the establishment of the ''[[streamlined]]'' style, and only a couple of samples are known. More or less in this period can be traced back the production beginning of the [[Minerva]] branded pens, the only real [[OMAS]] sub-brand,<ref>there are many pens that are known as made by [[OMAS]] on behalf of other companies, often directly derived from [[Minerva]] models; between them there are productions for the [[Ercolessi]], the [[Saratoga]] or [[Scotland]] brands, and perhaps also the [[Nettuno Superba]], there are also attributions to [[OMAS]] for the production of some particular models, as the [[Itala]] and, almost certainly wrong, the [[Zerollo]], but the only pens marketed directly by the company and appearing in its catalogs are the [[Minerva]] ones.</ref> dedicated to the production of second-tier but not less than excellent quality.

[[OMAS]] between the first Italian companies to switch to [[celluloid]] in the late '20s or early '30s, producing its fountain pens as well as in the classic colors like green jade or lapis lazuli and also interesting variation of marbled colors. Between the production of this time there are some celluloid pens, with cap and clip similar to that used in the previous [[Duofold]] imitations, but having instead tapered ends. These were probably born in the early '30s, following the establishment of the ''[[streamlined]]'' style, and only a couple of samples are known. More or less in this period can be traced back the production beginning of the [[Minerva]] branded pens, the only real [[OMAS]] sub-brand,<ref>there are many pens that are known as made by [[OMAS]] on behalf of other companies, often directly derived from [[Minerva]] models; between them there are productions for the [[Ercolessi]], the [[Saratoga]] or [[Scotland]] brands, and perhaps also the [[Nettuno Superba]], there are also attributions to [[OMAS]] for the production of some particular models, as the [[Itala]] and, almost certainly wrong, the [[Zerollo]], but the only pens marketed directly by the company and appearing in its catalogs are the [[Minerva]] ones.</ref> dedicated to the production of second-tier but not less than excellent quality.

[[File:Omas-Extra-Band-ArcoGrey-Senior-Capped.jpg|right|thumb|An [[Omas Extra]] in [[arco]] celluloid]]

[[File:Omas-Extra-Band-ArcoGrey-OS-Capped.jpg|right|thumb|An [[Omas Extra]] in [[arco]] celluloid]]

The real turning point in the [[OMAS]] production happened in [[1932]], when it introduced what is was for several decades one of the top models of the company, the [[Omas Extra]], made of faceted celluloid, a  [[lever filler]] model with a very large cap band, decorated with a greek pattern. The pen was produced in four different sizes and launched with the slogan ''the creation of an artist and a scientist'', and it was accompanied by a very extensive advertising campaign.  

The real turning point in the [[OMAS]] production happened in [[1932]], when it introduced what is was for several decades one of the top models of the company, the [[Omas Extra]], made of faceted celluloid, a  [[lever filler]] model with a very large cap band, decorated with a greek pattern. The pen was produced in four different sizes and launched with the slogan ''the creation of an artist and a scientist'', and it was accompanied by a very extensive advertising campaign.  

[[Image:1959-Omas-361.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Advertising for an [[Omas 361|361]] ]]

[[Image:1959-Omas-361.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Advertising for an [[Omas 361|361]] ]]

In [[1948]] it was made what is perhaps the most significant invention in the Italian fountain pen production, the [[Omas 361|361]] model. Born as a response for the success of [[Parker 51]], the originality of the pen is in the central position of the nib, mounted on the axis of the pen, around which is placed an hood open by one side. Depending on the position of use of the pen, and in particular of the open side, the nib can be almost completely covered, resulting in a rigid nib, or left uncovered, allowing a flexible writing. A grading system suddenly very functional, so that it is told that the [[Parker]] tried several times to acquire the patent ({{Cite patent|US|2565667}}) from [[OMAS]].

In [[1948]] it was made what is perhaps the most significant invention in the Italian fountain pen production, the [[Omas 361|361]] model. Born as a response for the success of [[Parker 51]], the originality of the pen is in the central position of the nib, mounted on the axis of the pen, around which is placed an hood open by one side. Depending on the side of use of the pen, when the nib is almost completely covered it will give a rigid

writing, and when it is left uncovered, it will allow a flexible writing. It was very functional grading system, so that it is told that the [[Parker]] tried several times to acquire the patent ({{Cite patent|US|2565667}}) from [[OMAS]].

[[File:Omas-ExtraLucens-BlackVeined-VestPocket-Set-Box.jpg|thumb|A group of gray [[Omas]] pens]]

[[File:Omas-Models-GraySerie-Capped.jpg|thumb|A group of different gray [[Omas]] pens]]

The introduction of [[Omas 361|361]] led to a series of novelty even on the stylistic side other than in the technical one. For its production were used the new ogival shapes, and also cap decoration passed to a single band, and the [[piston filler]] was adopted, which was used for all the production except the [[Extra Lucens]] who stayed with the ''"[[stantuffo tuffante]]"'', the arrow clip and the three rings on the cap, remaining in production, without double color nibs, in all black and in medium and large sizes for all the '50s.  

The introduction of [[Omas 361|361]] led to a series of novelty even on the stylistic side other than in the technical one. For its production were used the new ogival shapes, and also cap decoration passed to a single band, and the [[piston filler]] was adopted, which was used for all the production except the [[Extra Lucens]] who stayed with the ''"[[stantuffo tuffante]]"'', the arrow clip and the three rings on the cap, remaining in production, without double color nibs, in all black and in medium and large sizes for all the '50s.  

In the same period of the [[Omas 361|361]] ogival shaped were adopted for other models and led to the [[Lucens|Lucens Ogiva]] and new ogival versions of the old [[Omas Extra|Extra]] model (called [[Omas 55x|555/S]], [[Omas 55x|556/S]] and [[Omas 55x|557/S]]), These were celluloid made with a  red or yellow transparent window, and there were also variants with metal cap. The faceted forms were also kept, for both the [[Omas 361|361]] and the new '' Extra'' series with models denominated  [[Omas 55x|555/F]], [[Omas 55x|556/F]] and [[Omas 55x|557/F]].  

In the same period of the [[Omas 361|361]] ogival shaped were adopted for other models and led to the [[Lucens|Lucens Ogiva]] and new ogival versions of the old [[Omas Extra|Extra]] model (called [[Omas 55x|555/S]], [[Omas 55x|556/S]] and [[Omas 55x|557/S]]), These were celluloid made with a  red or yellow transparent window, and there were also variants with metal cap. The faceted forms were also kept, for both the [[Omas 361|361]] and the new '' Extra'' series with models denominated  [[Omas 55x|555/F]], [[Omas 55x|556/F]] and [[Omas 55x|557/F]].  

In the following years [[OMAS]] production continued with the construction of [[piston filler]] celluloid pens. The company produced new models like the [[Omas VS|VS]] and the [[OMAS CS|CS]]. With the death of Armando Simoni in [[1958]], however, no more significant innovations were produced, although in later decades the company introduced different models, trying to chase the high end of the market and luxury items, bringing in some models similar to celluloid one of the '30s. The company, although it changed hands from the heirs of Simoni to be sold first to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LVMH Luis Vuitton] and then to the Chinese [http://www.xinyuhengdeli.com/ Xinyu Hengdeli] has been active until March 2016, when it ceased activities.

In the following years [[OMAS]] production continued with the construction of [[piston filler]] celluloid pens. The company produced new models like the [[Omas VS|VS]] and the [[OMAS CS|CS]]. With the death of Armando Simoni in [[1958]] no more significant innovations were produced, although in the following decades the company introduced many [[Produzione Omas dagli anni '60|different models]], trying to chase first the economy tier and the the high end of the market. The company changed hands from the Simoni heirs and was sold first to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LVMH Luis Vuitton] and then to the Chinese [http://www.xinyuhengdeli.com/ Xinyu Hengdeli] remaining active until March 2016, when it ceased activities.

{{BrandChrono|Omas}}

{{BrandChrono|Omas}}  

== External references ==

== External references ==

* http://www.omas.net/  

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071012005104/http://www.omas.net/defaultMenuSingolo2.asp?tree=3&usr=-1&codlingua=1&grc=4&grl=13] History section from the dead official website

* http://www.rickconner.net/penoply/misc.19.html

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010124080700/http://www.omas.net:80/pagina6.htm] Presentation of some old collections with some history info

* http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/omas.html

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060323180316/http://www.pennamagazine.com/articolo.php?id=226] Article on [[Duofold]] like models (no data on the affirmed [[Parker]]-[[Omas]] relatio)

* http://www.pennamagazine.com/load_detail.aspx?id=5&nt=stilo

* http://www.pennamagazine.com/load_detail.aspx?id=4&nt=stilo

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160527142137/http://www.rickconner.net:80/penspotters/omas.html] Article with some historic info

== Notes ==

== Notes ==

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