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[[Image:Logo-Osmia.svg|center|350px|Osmia Logo]]
 
[[Image:Logo-Osmia.svg|center|350px|Osmia Logo]]
  
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[[Osmia]] was founded in 1919, while the activities of [[Faber-Castell]] went back to the eighteenth century. The [[Osmia]] was born as fountain pen producer, while [[Faber-Castell]] is still known mainly for its work as a producer of pencils, carried out continuously from its origins. Since 1935 the [[Osmia]] essentially became a division of [[Faber-Castell]], although the company survived for a long time, until the 1951.  
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[[Osmia]] was founded in 1919 by Hermann Böhler and has been for long one of the leading German fountain pens manufacturers, and it was for a short period a [[Parker]] subsidiary for european production. Since 1935 the [[Osmia]] essentially became a division of [[Faber-Castell]], who started an acquisiton, completed in 1951.  
  
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[[Osmia]] had been one of the leading German fountain pens manufacturers, and because the prestige of the brand, due to the absolute quality of his pens, the name was maintained for a long time after the complete acquisition by [[Faber-Castell]]. It disappeared only in the early '60s, when the crisis derived from the success of the ballpoint pen pushed [[Faber-Castell]] to produce cheaper models. Fountain pen production ceased definitively in 1975 when [[Faber-Castell]], during a corporation restructuring, eliminated this area to focus on its other activities, restarting production recently, when the interest on fountain pens began to rise again.{{Infobox_Brand|Osmia}}
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But because the prestige of the brand, acquired by [[Osmia]] thanks to the absolute quality of his pens, the trademark was maintained for a long time after the complete acquisition by [[Faber-Castell]]. It disappeared only in the early '60s, when the crisis derived from the success of the ballpoint pen pushed [[Faber-Castell]] to produce cheaper models.{{BrandData|Founder=Hermann Böhler|Place=Dossenheim|Date=1919|Country=DE|Fullname=Böhler und Cie}}{{Infobox_Brand|Osmia}}
 
==History==
 
==History==
  
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[[Faber-Castell]] origins are traced back to 1761 when ''Kaspar Faber'' began a production of pencils in Stein, a village located close to Nuremberg. The activity was developed by his son ''Anton Wilhelm'', who created the ''A. W. Faber'' company, and then passed to his son. The real architects of the company success, however, was the grandson ''Lothar von Faber'', which took the direction of a declining company and with the invention of modern wooden pencil, remained unchanged to this day, built the success of the ''A. W. Faber'' brand.
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[[Osmia]] was founded in [[1919]] by ''Hermann Böhler'' under the name of ''Böhler und Cie'', in Dossenheim, near Heidelberg. Böhler, as many others of his colleagues who made a similar choice, left [[Kaweco]] to create a new company with his brother Georg, leveraging the expertise gained in this field inside [[Kaweco]], during the years in which that company acquired [[A. Morton & Co.]] to realize a production of gold nibs.  
  
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In the mid of 1800 [[Faber-Castell]] was already a large international company, directed by ''Lothar von Faber'' with the help of its brothers Johan and Eberhard Faber. Both Eberhard and Johan created their own companies, the first in New York, where he went to direct the U.S. subsidiary of the mother company, always producing pencils, the second in Nuremberg, where in 1878 he founded a personal company, which in 1885 became a family limited partnership, the ''Johan A. Faber A.G.''.
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The initial [[Osmia]] production consisted primarily of mechanical pencils and hard rubber [[safety]] pens. The [[Osmia]] logo was a diamond placed inside a circle. The first version of the logo consisted in a convex Greek cross, but has been reported<ref>In a [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=c45f3e9adbdca24ea62226e4eabdbc10&showtopic=15065 FPN post] with an interview to Gregor Miltner, an [[Osmia]] from its birth, also become chairman in its later years.</ref> that given the similarity with its own logo [[Osmia]] was brought to court by [[Montblanc]], that required a very high compensation and the complete destruction of the entire production. That would have destroyed the company, but the case was resolved with an agreement and Böhler had to change the symbol transforming the cross in a diamond.  
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Johan Faber started also a production of fountain pens around '20s; they were mainly [[safety]] hard rubber pens  but a [[button filler]] was also produced; also some metal model were produced. The company logo consisted of two crossed hammers, and on the hard rubber models cap the name Johan Faber was imprinted, and also reported on the clip. In the late '20s a [[piston filler]] series was produced, with rounded ends and up to four band on the cap. 
 
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The main branch of the company remained under ''Lothar Faber'' direction until his death, after that his wife took over the management and then, in 1898, the count ''Alexander zu Castell'', who had married his niece. He renamed the company using the name under which its is still known today, transforming it into the  ''A. W. Faber-Castell''. The production, however, remained focused on pencils, and the first fountain pen, a hard rubber [[safety]] pen, is traced back to 1908. The pen was imprinted with the words ''A. W. Faber-Castell'' and given the similarity of its filling mechanism, is quite probable that it had been produced by [[Kaweco]] on commission.
 
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After the death of ''Alexander Castell'' in 1929 the company became a family limited partnership. His son Roland obtained between 1931 and 1932 the reunification between the ''A. W. Faber-Castell'' and the ''Johan Faber A. G.'', giving life to the actual [[Faber-Castell]]. In 1935 [[Faber-Castell]] began to buy shares of the  [[Osmia|Osmia A. G.]], that at that time was between the major German fountain pen producers, taking control over the company in order to have a strong starting point in pens manufacturing.
 
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[[Osmia]] was founded in 1919 by ''Hermann Böhler'' under the name of ''Böhler und Cie'', in Dossenheim, near Heidelberg. Böhler, as many others of his colleagues who made a similar choice, left [[Kaweco]] to create a new company with his brother Georg, leveraging the expertise gained in this field inside [[Kaweco]] during the years in which that company acquired [[Morton]] to realize a production of gold nibs.
 
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The initial [[Osmia]] production consisted primarily of mechanical pencils and hard rubber [[safety]] pens. The [[Osmia]] logo was a diamond placed inside a circle. It has been reported<ref>In a [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=c45f3e9adbdca24ea62226e4eabdbc10&showtopic=15065 FPN post] with an interview to Gregor Miltner, an [[Osmia]] from its birth, also become chairman in its later years.</ref> that the first version of the logo consisted in a convex Greek cross, given the similarity with its own logo [[Osmia]] was brought to court by [[Montblanc]], that required a very high compensation and the complete destruction of the entire production. That would have destroyed the company, but the case was resolved with an agreement and Böhler had to change the symbol transforming the cross in a diamond.  
 
  
 
[[Image:Osmia-Instruction2.jpg|thumb|left| [[Osmia|Osmia Faber-Castell]] instruction sheet]]
 
[[Image:Osmia-Instruction2.jpg|thumb|left| [[Osmia|Osmia Faber-Castell]] instruction sheet]]
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The company name, [[Osmia]], derived from a special metal alloy, called ''Osmiumalloy'' for which the Böhler brothers obtained the use thanks to a patent of the Heraeus company in Hanau,<ref>[http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=c45f3e9adbdca24ea62226e4eabdbc10&showtopic=20363 A FPN message] with more details about the topic of [[Osmia]] nibs.</ref> The ''Osmiumalloy'' was used widely for the tips of the [[Osmia]] nibs, and the alloy, though much more expensive, had a much higher quality respect to natural iridium then available in Germany (which contained many impurities that it favoured wear), and allowed the company to provide a lifetime warranty on their pens.
 
The company name, [[Osmia]], derived from a special metal alloy, called ''Osmiumalloy'' for which the Böhler brothers obtained the use thanks to a patent of the Heraeus company in Hanau,<ref>[http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=c45f3e9adbdca24ea62226e4eabdbc10&showtopic=20363 A FPN message] with more details about the topic of [[Osmia]] nibs.</ref> The ''Osmiumalloy'' was used widely for the tips of the [[Osmia]] nibs, and the alloy, though much more expensive, had a much higher quality respect to natural iridium then available in Germany (which contained many impurities that it favoured wear), and allowed the company to provide a lifetime warranty on their pens.
  
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[[Osmia]] had a great initial success, becoming in a short time the second largest producer of pens in the country, so that a plant was specially created to produce pens. In the late '20s however sales had slowed and margins were weak, so the company went into financial troubles. In this period [[Parker]], who was trying to expand its business into Europe, began to take an interest in [[Osmia]] which was acquired (or with whom took an interest, sources are unclear) in 1928. In this period the company produced the [[Duofold]] for the European market, characterized by the imprint ''Parker - Osmia A. G. Heidelberg''.
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[[Osmia]] had a great initial success, becoming in a short time the second largest producer of pens in the country, so that a plant was specially created to produce pens. In the late '20s however sales had slowed and margins were weak, so the company went into financial troubles. In this period [[Parker]], who was trying to expand its business into Europe, began to take an interest in [[Osmia]] which was acquired (or with whom took an interest, sources are unclear) in [[1928]]. In this period the company produced the [[Duofold]] for the European market, characterized by the imprint ''"Parker - Osmia A. G. Heidelberg"''.
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During the same period the company continued to produce under the [[Osmia]] brand, with [[mottled]] hard rubber [[safety]] pens, [[lever filler]] pens and mechanical pencils, which remained the original logo on the cap. Around 1930, [[Parker]] withdrew because the sales of [[Duofold]] did not have a great success because of a price too high for the German market, and a too rigid nib. The activity went on (or was given) to [[Osmia|Osmia Gmbh]], again under the direction of the Böhler brothers. It was launched a new line, the [[Osmia Supra]], similar to the [[Duofold]], with an improved [[button filler]], and a brass enameled logo on top of the cap.
 
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In 1932, facing financial difficulties for the return of investment to the [[Parker]], the nib factory was sold to [[Degussa]]. In 1933 the pen style was amended to follow the [[streamlined]] trend also used by [[Duofold]] of the same time. Were also launched other models: the [[Luxus]] line, a torpedo-shaped [[piston filler]], and the the [[Osmia Progress]], with a filling system similar to the [[Vacumatic]] one. Despite the financial troubles due to end of the cooperation with [[Parker]], [[Osmia]] got a good selling success.
 
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Since 1935 the company was gradually acquired by [[Faber-Castell]], even if the final sale of all ownership was made only in 1951. The fountain pens took the inscription ''A. W. Faber-Castell Dossenheim'' but nevertheless the continued to bear the [[Osmia]] brand and logo, which was well known and respected, until the '60s. In 1938 Hermann Böhler resigned from [[Osmia]] to found in Dossenheim another company with its name that produced pens and automatic pencils.  
 
  
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Despite the acquisition of [[Osmia]], [[Faber-Castell]] also produced some model with just its brand, in 1936 was produced a model with the [[Faber-Castell]] name engraved on all parts of the pen, available in four colors, the pen was a [[piston filler]] with and finishes (band and clip) in 14k gold, and bore the logo of the company, a balance that represented trade integrity.  
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During the same period the company continued to produce under the [[Osmia]] brand, with [[mottled]] hard rubber [[safety]] pens, [[lever filler]] pens and mechanical pencils, which retained the original logo on the cap. Around [[1930]], [[Parker]] withdrew because the [[Duofold]] sales did not have a great success because of a price too high for the German market, and a too rigid nib. The activity went on (or was given, sources are unclear) to [[Osmia|Osmia Gmbh]], again under the direction of the Böhler brothers. It was launched a new line, the [[Osmia Supra]], similar to the [[Duofold]], with an improved [[button filler]], and a brass enameled logo on top of the cap.  
  
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[[Image:1937-07-FaberCastell-n36.jpg|thumb|A [[Faber-Castell]] advertising]]
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In [[1932]], facing financial difficulties for the return of investment to the [[Parker]], the nib factory was sold to [[Degussa]]. In [[1933]] the pen style was amended to follow the [[streamlined]] trend also used by [[Duofold]] of the same time. Were also launched other models: the [[Luxus]] line, a torpedo-shaped [[piston filler]], and the the [[Osmia Progress]], with a filling system similar to the [[Vacumatic]] one. Despite the financial troubles due to end of the cooperation with [[Parker]], [[Osmia]] got a good selling success.
  
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Most of the production of [[Faber-Castell]] fountain pens was however done with [[Osmia]] trademark. In 1935 were introduced several models with different filling systems. Using the [[piston filler]] were: the [[Supra Luxus]] in chiseled black celluloid, produced in the 42, 44 and 46 measures, the [[Supra]] in the black or blue or silver or gold colors, with a black cross-striped transparent section produced in the 72, 74, 76, and 78 measures, the [[Osmia Brilliant|Osmia]] similar to the [[Supra]] but only in black celluloid and in 62, 64, 66 measures, and the [[Osmia Brilliant|Osmia]], black, in 54, 55 and 56 measures.  
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Since [[1935]] the company was gradually acquired by [[Faber-Castell]], even if the final sale of all ownership was made only in [[1951]]. The fountain pens took the inscription ''A. W. Faber-Castell Dossenheim'' but nevertheless the continued to bear the [[Osmia]] brand and logo, which was well known and respected, until the '60s. In [[1938]] Hermann Böhler resigned from [[Osmia]] to found in Dossenheim another company with its name that produced pens and automatic pencils.  
  
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Using a membrane filling system were the [[Supra Progress]] in plain colors (black, green, red, gray, blue, silver and gold) and 192, 193, 194 and 196 measures, and the [[Progress]] in the 92, 93, 94 and 96 measures. Finally using the [[button filler]] the [[Brilliant]] produced in black, gold, red and green and 232, 126, 127 and 128 measures.
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Most of the production of [[Faber-Castell]] fountain pens was however done with [[Osmia]] trademark. In [[1935]] were introduced several models with different filling systems. Using the [[piston filler]] were: the [[Osmia Supra Luxus|Supra Luxus]] in chiseled black celluloid, produced in the 42, 44 and 46 measures, the [[Osmia Supra|Supra]] in the black or blue or silver or gold colors, with a black cross-striped transparent section produced in the 72, 74, 76, and 78 measures, the [[Osmia Brilliant|Brilliant]] similar to the [[Osmia Supra|Supra]] but only in black celluloid and in 62, 64, 66 measures, and the [[Osmia Brilliant|Brilliant]], black, in 54, 55 and 56 measures.  
  
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In the late '30s, because of World War II, like all other German manufacturers the company suffered major difficulties, but despite the production was reduced for the call to arms of most of the employees, it remained active. After the war, not having the facilities suffered significant damage, production was resumed at full speed from 1946, proposing the same models of before, but with only with a [[piston filler]] and with the explicit endorsement (in addition to the [[Osmia]] brand and logo) of ''A. W. Faber-Castell''.
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[[File:Osmia-Supra-Progress-194-Posted.jpg|thumb|left|A black [[Supra Progress]] 194]]
 +
Using a membrane filling system were the [[Supra Progress]] in plain colors (black, green, red, gray, blue, silver and gold) and 192, 193, 194 and 196 measures, and the [[Osmia Progress]] in the 92, 93, 94 and 96 measures. Finally using the [[button filler]] the [[Osmia Brilliant]] produced in black, gold, red and green and 232, 126, 127 and 128 measures.
  
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Dal 1949 la [[Faber-Castell]] iniziò anche la produzione di penne a sfera, e nel 1950 introdusse direttamente anche un suo modello a forma di siluro, denominato [[Gentleman]], nei colori nero o grigio perla e argento. La penna aveva caratteristiche rivoluzionare, una clip a forma di farfalla ed un particolare [[caricamento a stantuffo]] che conteneva parte del meccanismo nella manopola stessa, consentendo una maggiore dimensione del serbatoio, ma soprattutto era realizzata con un corpo trasparente coperto da un cilindro di plastica opaca sul quale erano praticate una serie regolare di incisioni che svolgevano allo stesso tempo il ruolo di facilitare l'impugnatura della penna e di consentire la visualizzazione del livello di inchiostro.  
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In the late '30s, because of World War II, like all other German manufacturers the company suffered major difficulties, but despite the production was reduced for the call to arms of most of the employees, it remained active. After the war, not having the facilities suffered significant damage, production was resumed at full speed from [[1946]], proposing the same models of before, but with only with a [[piston filler]] and with the explicit endorsement (in addition to the [[Osmia]] brand and logo) of ''A. W. Faber-Castell''.
  
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Negli anni '50 la [[Osmia]] introdusse una serie di nuovi modelli, come la [[Supra 880]], in tre misure (2, 3 e 4) di colore nero con vera sul cappuccio e indicatore del livello di inchiostro, la [[Supra 666]] in quattro misure (1, 2, 3 e 4), di colori nero, grigio perla e rosso perla, con vere sul cappuccio e pennini in oro e acciaio, la [[Osmia 744]] in plastica nera intagliata, progettata per eseguire copie carbone e la [[Osmia 52]], per il mercato studentesco.
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In the '50s [[Osmia]] introduced a series of new models like the [[Osmia Supra|Supra 880]], in three sizes (2, 3 and 4) in black, with a band on the cap and an ink level indicator, the [[Osmia Supra|Supra 666]] in four sizes (1, 2, 3 and 4), in black, gray and pearl and red and pearl colors, with rings ont the cap and gold and steel nibs, the [[Osmia 74D]] in black plastic, designed to make carbon copies, and the [[Osmia 52]] for the student market.
  
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A partire dal 1955 vennero introdotti due modelli più affusolati, i più prestigiosi, che miravano a competere con le [[Montblanc]] [[Montblanc 14x|146]] e [[Montblanc 14x|149]], erano il [[Osmia 446 e 448|446]] ed il [[Osmia 446 e 448|448]], con tre vere ed il marchio inciso sul cappuccio, pennino oro bicolore e fermaglio diritto. A queste seguivano i modelli di fascia media [[Osmia 88x|882]], [[Osmia 88x|883]] e [[Osmia 88x|884]], in colore nero o verde rigato, una vera larga sul cappuccio e clip a becco.  
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Starting from [[1955]] were introduced two more streamlined models: the most prestigious, which were intended to compete with the [[Montblanc]] [[Montblanc 14x|146]] and [[Montblanc 14x|149]], were  [[Osmia 44x|446]] and [[Osmia 44x|448]], with three ring and the logo engraved on the cap, bicolored gold nib and a straight clip. To these followed the mid-range models [[Osmia 88x|882]], [[Osmia 88x|883]] and [[Osmia 88x|884]], in black or green stripes, a band on the cap and a beak clip.  
  
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All'inizio degli anni '60 il marchio [[Osmia]] non venne più utilizzato e vennero introdotti una serie di modelli a pennino coperto marchiati direttamente ''A. W. Faber-Castell'', dotati di sezione trasparente per la visualizzazione del livello di inchiostro, più sottili rispetto alle versioni precedenti e realizzati in plastica a stampo. La linea di lusso venne denominata [[Faber-Castell 66|66]], aveva il corpo in plastica nera, rossa, blu o verde, il cappuccio laminato ed il pennino in oro; i modelli di fascia media vennero chiamati [[Faber-Castell Progress]] e prodotti in tre versioni, la 77S in plastica con pennino in acciaio, la 55S con cappuccio in argento e corpo in plastica e pennino in acciao, e la 55G con pennino in oro. Venne prodotta anche una versione per studenti denominata 54VT (da ''Vest Tank'') un serbatoio di riserva usabile tramite una valvola.  
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In the early '60s the [[Osmia]] trademark was no longer used;  a number of hooded nib plastic models were introduced, they were thinner than previous one and marked ''A. W. Faber-Castell'', with a transparent section for ink level view. The luxury line was called [[Faber-Castell 66|66]], with body in black, red, blue or green plastic, rolled gold cap and gold nib, the mid range models were called [[Faber-Castell Progress]] and produced in three versions: the 77S in plastic with a steel nib, the 55S with silver cap, plastic body and steel nib, the 55G with gold nib. It was also produced a student model called 54VT, because the ''Vest Tank'', with a secondary reservoir usable through a valve.  
  
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Alla fine degli anni '60, come avveniva per la gran parte di tutti gli altri produttori di penne stilografiche, avendo per di più completamente cancellato un marchio prestigioso che godeva di una vasta popolarità, le vendite declinarono in maniera irreversibile, reggendo solo parzialmente per le penne destinate agli studenti. Nel 1975, nel corso di una ristrutturazione aziendale, la [[Faber-Castell]] eliminò completamente l'intero settore di produzione delle stilografiche, salvo riprendere la produzione ai nostri giorni, con il ritorno in voga di questo strumento di scrittura.
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In the late '60s, as for most of the other fountain pens producers, having also completely erased a prestigious brand that enjoyed a wide popularity, sales had an irreversible decline, holding only partially for the students pens. In [[1975]], during a corporation restructuration, [[Faber-Castell]] completely eliminated the entire field of fountain pens production, resuming today, with the return of interest for this popular writing tool.
  
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{{CronoMarche}}
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In the early '60s [[Faber-Castell]] ceased to use  the Osmia trademark, starting to a production of cheap models for the scholastic market marked only by its brand name, with a drastic reduction in sales, accentuated even more by having removed from the market a prestigious brand.
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|-
 
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| 1761 || Nascita della [[Faber-Castell]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1878 || Nascita della ''Johan Faber A. G.''
 
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|-
 
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| 1898 || ''Alexander Castell'' trasforma la ''A. W. Faber'' nella ''A. W. [[Faber-Castell]]''
 
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|-
 
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| 1919 || Nascita della [[Osmia]] come ''Böhler und Cie''
 
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|-
 
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| 1928 || La [[Parker]] acquisisce la [[Osmia]] per la produzione in Europa
 
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|-
 
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| 1930 || La [[Parker]] rivende la [[Osmia]] che diventa la ''Osmia Gmbh''.
 
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|-
 
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| 1931/32 || Riunificate la ''A. W. Faber-Castell'' e la ''Johan Faber A. G.''
 
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|-
 
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| 1935 || La [[Faber-Castell]] acquisisce la [[Osmia]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1935 || La [[Osmia]] introduce i modelli [[Supra|Supra Luxus]], [[Supra]], [[Osmia Brilliant|Osmia]], [[Osmia Brilliant]] [[caricamento a stantuffo|a stantuffo]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1935 || La [[Osmia]] introduce i modelli [[Supra Progress]] e [[Progress]] a membrana e [[Brilliant]] a [[pulsante di fondo]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1950 || La [[Faber-Castell]] introduce il modello [[Gentleman]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1951 || La [[Faber-Castell]] incorpora ufficialmente la [[Osmia]]
 
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|-
 
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| 1975 || La [[Faber-Castell]] cessa la produzione di stilografiche
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
  
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{{LegendaModelli}}
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{{BrandChrono|Osmia}}
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|-
 
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| [[Supra]] || 1935 ||
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
  
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==Note==
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== External references==
 +
* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=c45f3e9adbdca24ea62226e4eabdbc10&showtopic=14741]  A FPN article
 +
* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/288564-osmia-882-supra-question/] An interesting discussion with some historical information
 +
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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==Riferimenti esterni==
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{{CategorizeBrand|Germania}}
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* [http://www.faber-castell.de/docs/index.asp?id=17143&domid=1010&sp=E&addlastid=&m1=10329&m2=17138&m3=17143] La storia della [[Faber-Castell]], dal sito ufficiale
 
−
* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?s=c45f3e9adbdca24ea62226e4eabdbc10&showtopic=14741] Un articolo di FPN sulla storia del fiduciario europeo di [[Parker]] nelle relazioni con [[Osmia]]
 

Versione delle 20:01, 28 giu 2017

Osmia Logo

Osmia was founded in 1919 by Hermann Böhler and has been for long one of the leading German fountain pens manufacturers, and it was for a short period a Parker subsidiary for european production. Since 1935 the Osmia essentially became a division of Faber-Castell, who started an acquisiton, completed in 1951.

But because the prestige of the brand, acquired by Osmia thanks to the absolute quality of his pens, the trademark was maintained for a long time after the complete acquisition by Faber-Castell. It disappeared only in the early '60s, when the crisis derived from the success of the ballpoint pen pushed Faber-Castell to produce cheaper models.

Osmia
Brand pages
Brand advertising
Brand photos
Instructions sheet
Other documents
Patents

History

Osmia was founded in 1919 by Hermann Böhler under the name of Böhler und Cie, in Dossenheim, near Heidelberg. Böhler, as many others of his colleagues who made a similar choice, left Kaweco to create a new company with his brother Georg, leveraging the expertise gained in this field inside Kaweco, during the years in which that company acquired A. Morton & Co. to realize a production of gold nibs.

The initial Osmia production consisted primarily of mechanical pencils and hard rubber safety pens. The Osmia logo was a diamond placed inside a circle. The first version of the logo consisted in a convex Greek cross, but has been reported[1] that given the similarity with its own logo Osmia was brought to court by Montblanc, that required a very high compensation and the complete destruction of the entire production. That would have destroyed the company, but the case was resolved with an agreement and Böhler had to change the symbol transforming the cross in a diamond.

Osmia Faber-Castell instruction sheet

The company name, Osmia, derived from a special metal alloy, called Osmiumalloy for which the Böhler brothers obtained the use thanks to a patent of the Heraeus company in Hanau,[2] The Osmiumalloy was used widely for the tips of the Osmia nibs, and the alloy, though much more expensive, had a much higher quality respect to natural iridium then available in Germany (which contained many impurities that it favoured wear), and allowed the company to provide a lifetime warranty on their pens.

Osmia had a great initial success, becoming in a short time the second largest producer of pens in the country, so that a plant was specially created to produce pens. In the late '20s however sales had slowed and margins were weak, so the company went into financial troubles. In this period Parker, who was trying to expand its business into Europe, began to take an interest in Osmia which was acquired (or with whom took an interest, sources are unclear) in 1928. In this period the company produced the Duofold for the European market, characterized by the imprint "Parker - Osmia A. G. Heidelberg".

During the same period the company continued to produce under the Osmia brand, with mottled hard rubber safety pens, lever filler pens and mechanical pencils, which retained the original logo on the cap. Around 1930, Parker withdrew because the Duofold sales did not have a great success because of a price too high for the German market, and a too rigid nib. The activity went on (or was given, sources are unclear) to Osmia Gmbh, again under the direction of the Böhler brothers. It was launched a new line, the Osmia Supra, similar to the Duofold, with an improved button filler, and a brass enameled logo on top of the cap.

In 1932, facing financial difficulties for the return of investment to the Parker, the nib factory was sold to Degussa. In 1933 the pen style was amended to follow the streamlined trend also used by Duofold of the same time. Were also launched other models: the Luxus line, a torpedo-shaped piston filler, and the the Osmia Progress, with a filling system similar to the Vacumatic one. Despite the financial troubles due to end of the cooperation with Parker, Osmia got a good selling success.

Since 1935 the company was gradually acquired by Faber-Castell, even if the final sale of all ownership was made only in 1951. The fountain pens took the inscription A. W. Faber-Castell Dossenheim but nevertheless the continued to bear the Osmia brand and logo, which was well known and respected, until the '60s. In 1938 Hermann Böhler resigned from Osmia to found in Dossenheim another company with its name that produced pens and automatic pencils.

Most of the production of Faber-Castell fountain pens was however done with Osmia trademark. In 1935 were introduced several models with different filling systems. Using the piston filler were: the Supra Luxus in chiseled black celluloid, produced in the 42, 44 and 46 measures, the Supra in the black or blue or silver or gold colors, with a black cross-striped transparent section produced in the 72, 74, 76, and 78 measures, the Brilliant similar to the Supra but only in black celluloid and in 62, 64, 66 measures, and the Brilliant, black, in 54, 55 and 56 measures.

A black Supra Progress 194

Using a membrane filling system were the Supra Progress in plain colors (black, green, red, gray, blue, silver and gold) and 192, 193, 194 and 196 measures, and the Osmia Progress in the 92, 93, 94 and 96 measures. Finally using the button filler the Osmia Brilliant produced in black, gold, red and green and 232, 126, 127 and 128 measures.

In the late '30s, because of World War II, like all other German manufacturers the company suffered major difficulties, but despite the production was reduced for the call to arms of most of the employees, it remained active. After the war, not having the facilities suffered significant damage, production was resumed at full speed from 1946, proposing the same models of before, but with only with a piston filler and with the explicit endorsement (in addition to the Osmia brand and logo) of A. W. Faber-Castell.

In the '50s Osmia introduced a series of new models like the Supra 880, in three sizes (2, 3 and 4) in black, with a band on the cap and an ink level indicator, the Supra 666 in four sizes (1, 2, 3 and 4), in black, gray and pearl and red and pearl colors, with rings ont the cap and gold and steel nibs, the Osmia 74D in black plastic, designed to make carbon copies, and the Osmia 52 for the student market.

Starting from 1955 were introduced two more streamlined models: the most prestigious, which were intended to compete with the Montblanc 146 and 149, were 446 and 448, with three ring and the logo engraved on the cap, bicolored gold nib and a straight clip. To these followed the mid-range models 882, 883 and 884, in black or green stripes, a band on the cap and a beak clip.

In the early '60s the Osmia trademark was no longer used; a number of hooded nib plastic models were introduced, they were thinner than previous one and marked A. W. Faber-Castell, with a transparent section for ink level view. The luxury line was called 66, with body in black, red, blue or green plastic, rolled gold cap and gold nib, the mid range models were called Faber-Castell Progress and produced in three versions: the 77S in plastic with a steel nib, the 55S with silver cap, plastic body and steel nib, the 55G with gold nib. It was also produced a student model called 54VT, because the Vest Tank, with a secondary reservoir usable through a valve.

In the late '60s, as for most of the other fountain pens producers, having also completely erased a prestigious brand that enjoyed a wide popularity, sales had an irreversible decline, holding only partially for the students pens. In 1975, during a corporation restructuration, Faber-Castell completely eliminated the entire field of fountain pens production, resuming today, with the return of interest for this popular writing tool.

In the early '60s Faber-Castell ceased to use the Osmia trademark, starting to a production of cheap models for the scholastic market marked only by its brand name, with a drastic reduction in sales, accentuated even more by having removed from the market a prestigious brand.

Chronology

Year Event
1919 the company is founded by Hermann Böhler in Dossenheim as Böhler und Cie
1928 Parker acquire Osmia for the european production
1930 Parker retires from Osmia and the Osmia GmbH is founded
1932 Degussa acquire the Osmia nib production unit
1935 the company introduces the Progress
1935 the company introduces the Osmia Supra
1935 the company introduces the Supra Progress
1935 the company introduces the Brilliant
1935 the company introduces the Osmia Supra Luxus
1935 the company introduces the Osmia Brilliant
1935 Faber-Castellbegins Osmia acquisition
1938 Hermann Böhler leaves Osmia to found Böhler
1946 the company restarts production
1951 Faber-Castell complete Osmia acquisition

External references

  • [1] A FPN article
  • [2] An interesting discussion with some historical information

Notes

  1. ↑ In a FPN post with an interview to Gregor Miltner, an Osmia from its birth, also become chairman in its later years.
  2. ↑ A FPN message with more details about the topic of Osmia nibs.
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