Modifiche

The birth of this company originates from the ''Edoardo Russo Webber'' activities, working in the Italian fountain pen market since [[1916]] as the Italian [[Parker]] dealer, and later also as the [[Astoria]] dealer, for which he registered the trademarks in Italy ({{Marchio|27479}}, {{Marchio|27562}} and {{Marchio|27563}}). During the '30s<ref>this period is quite uncertain, given that at least until December 1941 are (on ''L'Illustrazione Italiana'') of advertising [[Parker]] that are labeled ''"Ing. E. Webber & C. Viale Petrarca 24 Milano"''.</ref> the [[Parker]] exclusive concession was withdrawn for reasons not entirely clear (it's been suggested by a unauthorized production of [[Parker]] models in Italy, commissioned to [[OMAS]]), so he joined Virginio [[Mengoni]], owner of a successful stationery store in Milan, creating the ''Saratoga'' brand, as resulting from the first registration  note of the  trademark in January 1941 ({{Marchio|63047}}) made in common with Mengoni and the use of a particular arrow clip whose form had been registered a few months later by Mengoni ({{Marchio|63465}}).

The birth of this company originates from the ''Edoardo Russo Webber'' activities, working in the Italian fountain pen market since [[1916]] as the Italian [[Parker]] dealer, and later also as the [[Astoria]] dealer, for which he registered the trademarks in Italy ({{Marchio|27479}}, {{Marchio|27562}} and {{Marchio|27563}}). During the '30s<ref>this period is quite uncertain, given that at least until December 1941 are (on ''L'Illustrazione Italiana'') of advertising [[Parker]] that are labeled ''"Ing. E. Webber & C. Viale Petrarca 24 Milano"''.</ref> the [[Parker]] exclusive concession was withdrawn for reasons not entirely clear (it's been suggested by a unauthorized production of [[Parker]] models in Italy, commissioned to [[OMAS]]), so he joined Virginio [[Mengoni]], owner of a successful stationery store in Milan, creating the ''Saratoga'' brand, as resulting from the first registration  note of the  trademark in January 1941 ({{Marchio|63047}}) made in common with Mengoni and the use of a particular arrow clip whose form had been registered a few months later by Mengoni ({{Marchio|63465}}).

The initial ''Saratoga'' production was introduced to the market in [[1936]], <ref>for this date, such for other information, we refer to Letizia Jacopini book ''"La storia della stilografica in Italia"'', but the three versions appears also on a 1938 catalog.</ref> with three quality models, clearly inspired by the  [[Parker]] [[Vacumatic]], referred to as ''[[Saratoga Maxima|Maxima]]'', ''[[Saratoga Medium|Medium]]'' and ''[[Saratoga Standard|Standard]]''. The models used a filling system similar to the [[Vacumatic]] one,<ref>invented, according to Letizia Iacopini, by Nannelli, and purchased by Webber.</ref> they were made of semi-transparent celluloid, that someone is attributed to [[OMAS]], being very similar to those used for the [[Minerva Classica]] models.<ref>ad usual there is no reliable documentation of such claim, which also lingers on many other productions.</ref>  

The initial [[Saratoga]] production was introduced to the market in [[1936]], <ref>for this date, such for other information, we refer to Letizia Jacopini book ''"La storia della stilografica in Italia"'', but the three versions appears also on a 1938 catalog.</ref> with three quality models, clearly inspired by the  [[Parker]] [[Vacumatic]], referred to as ''[[Saratoga Maxima|Maxima]]'', ''[[Saratoga Medium|Medium]]'' and ''[[Saratoga Standard|Standard]]''. The models used a filling system similar to the [[Vacumatic]] one, <ref>invented, according to Letizia Iacopini, by Nannelli, and purchased by Webber.</ref> they were made of semi-transparent celluloid, that someone is attributed to [[OMAS]], being very similar to those used for the [[Minerva Classica]] models.<ref>ad usual there is no reliable documentation of such claim, which also lingers on many other productions.</ref>

</div>  

They were high quality models, with bicolor gold nib and an arrow clip very similar the [[Parker]] one (but with a  flat terminal part, as mentioned in the mark), which had a good success. The two higher-end models,  ''[[Saratoga Maxima|Maxima]]'' and ''[[Saratoga Medium|Medium]]'' are essentially identical and differ only in size. The model ''[[Saratoga Standard|Standard]]'' is less valuable, and in the '40s was also marketed under the brand ''[[Inco]]'' ({{Marchio|63398}}, also registered by Mengoni) that was also used for the inkwells.

They were high quality models, with bicolor gold nib and an arrow clip very similar the [[Parker]] one (but with a  flat terminal part, as mentioned in the mark), which had a good success. The two higher-end models,  ''[[Saratoga Maxima|Maxima]]'' and ''[[Saratoga Medium|Medium]]'' are essentially identical and differ only in size. The model ''[[Saratoga Standard|Standard]]'' is less valuable, and in the '40s was also marketed under the brand ''[[Inco]]'' ({{Marchio|63398}}, also registered by Mengoni) that was also used for the inkwells.

In the early 40's the company between Webber and Mengoni broke up, presumably at the end of [[1941]], when Webber recorded under his own name the ''Saratoga'' brand ({{Marchio|64297}}), formerly registered with Mengoni, and was also dismissed the production of the pens by [[OMAS]]. Edoardo Russo Webber continued to produce fountain pens, relying on manufacturers of lesser value with a corresponding reduction in the pens quality. After the war he produced other [[piston filler]] pens, marked  ''Saratoga-Webber''. The production went on with [[hooded nb]] models that were a clear [[Parker 51]] imitation, very similar to the analogous [[Radius]] products. There are traces of the use of the ''Saratoga'' trademark at least until 1973, in the renewal of the registration.

In the early 40's the company between Webber and Mengoni broke up, presumably at the end of [[1941]], when Webber recorded under his own name the [[Saratoga]] brand ({{Marchio|64297}}), formerly registered with Mengoni, and was also dismissed the production of the pens by [[OMAS]]. Edoardo Russo Webber continued to produce fountain pens, relying on manufacturers of lesser value with a corresponding reduction in the pens quality. After the war he produced other [[piston filler]] pens, marked  ''Saratoga-Webber''. The production went on with [[hooded nb]] models that were a clear [[Parker 51]] imitation, very similar to the analogous [[Radius]] products. There are traces of the use of the [[Saratoga]] trademark at least until 1973, in the renewal of the registration.

Also [[Mengoni]] continued its pens production, branded in this case ''[[Saratoga's]]'', that also were low-quality and economy market-oriented, produced presumably in the [[Settimo Torinese]] district, with desk pens and [[piston filler]] models. His activity continued until [[1957]], the year of the close of business of the [[Mengoni]] company.  

Also [[Mengoni]] continued its pens production, branded in this case ''[[Saratoga's]]'', that also were low-quality and economy market-oriented, produced presumably in the [[Settimo Torinese]] district, with desk pens and [[piston filler]] models. His activity continued until [[1957]], the year of the close of business of the [[Mengoni]] company.  

==External references==

===External references===

* [https://archive.org/stream/466SheafferCatalogOfDeskSets1970s39Pages_201410/618-saratogo-catalog-1938-8-pages#page/n0/mode/2up] A 1938 catalog from PCA (Pen Collectors of America) website and Internet Archive

* [https://archive.org/stream/466SheafferCatalogOfDeskSets1970s39Pages_201410/618-saratogo-catalog-1938-8-pages#page/n0/mode/2up] A 1938 catalog from PCA (Pen Collectors of America) website and Internet Archive

<noinclude>

<noinclude>

===Notes===

==Notes==

<references/>

<references/>

{{BrandData|Founder=Edoardo Russo Webber|Place=Milano|Date=1936|Country=IT}}

{{BrandData|Founder=Edoardo Russo Webber|Place=Milano|Date=1936|Country=IT}}

{{CategorizeBrand|Italia|Secondary brand}}</noinclude>

{{CategorizeBrand|Italia|Secondary brand}}</noinclude>