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The company was between the most relevant Italian brands up to '50s, but as it was for all the other fountain pen manufacturers, she underwent the crisis due to the advent of the ballpoint pen that caused its gradual decline until the final closure in 1975. Like it happened for other historical companies, the brand [[Ancora]] was reused starting from 1988 for the production of modern fountain pens.{{Infobox_Brand|Ancora}}

The company was between the most relevant Italian brands up to '50s, but as it was for all the other fountain pen manufacturers, she underwent the crisis due to the advent of the ballpoint pen that caused its gradual decline until the final closure in 1975. Like it happened for other historical companies, the brand [[Ancora]] was reused starting from 1988 for the production of modern fountain pens.{{Infobox_Brand|Ancora}}

According to A. Lambrou and others [[Ancora]] was founded in 1909 by ''Giuseppe Zanini'',<ref>there is some uncertainty also about the surname of the founder, because there are documents reporting both the ''Zanini'' and the ''Zannini'' names, but no convincing explanation of the appearance of an extra "n".</ref> in Sesto Calende, on the shores of the Lake Maggiore. It is not known from what source Lambrou infers such a date, but the official website of the company although whitout indicating any source,<ref>the company's website is not very reliable, there is a big error in the Zanini birth date, badly transcribed in 1897 when the birth certificate posted on the website shows the correct date of 1879, and after that it talks about a production of pens called... ''Aurora''.</ref> talks about the beginning of his activities in 1919, consistent with what is indicated by many others. There are also [[:Categoria:Ancora_Documents|some invoces]] from 1941 showing the claim ''Casa fondata nel 1902'', but this probably refers to the begininng of Zanini commercial activities, not to [[Ancora]] foundation.

The [[Ancora]] date of foundation is not known with certainty and there are conflicting versions.<ref>there is some uncertainty also about the surname of the founder, because there are documents reporting both the ''Zanini'' and the ''Zannini'' names, but no convincing explanation of the appearance of an extra "n".</ref> According to A. Lambrou, it was founded in 1909 by ''Giuseppe Zanini'', in Sesto Calende, on the shores of the Lago Maggiore, but it is not known from which source Lambrou infers such a distant date; on the company's official website, although sources are not indicated again, the origin of the company was reported to 1919 in Bologna,<ref>but the company's website is not very reliable, there was a big error in the Zanini birth date, badly transcribed in 1897 when the birth certificate posted on the website (no more present) showed the correct date of 1879, and after that it talked about a production of pens called... ''Aurora''.</ref> which is consistent with what has been indicated by others.<ref>The main reference is, however, the Letizia Jacopini book in which various documentary evidences are reported.</ref> Finally, [[:Categoria:Ancora_Documents|some invoces]] from 1941 are showing the claim ''Casa fondata nel 1902'', but this almost certainly refers to the begininng of Zanini commercial activities, not to [[Ancora]] foundation.

[[Ancora]] initial history is quite clouded, we know for sure that Zanini began its activities in the field of writing articles in Bologna, where apparently he was in contact with ''Armando Simoni'' (founder of [[OMAS]]) and where there are traces of his activities dating back to 1918.<ref>in the Letizia Jacopini book ''La storia della stilografica in Italia 1900-1950'' is published a report of start of activities for the ''Arti Grafiche - Giuseppe Zanini'' dated February 22, 1918.</ref> In 1920 he founded with a partner, Clerici, a company named ''Fabbrica e Commercio di Penne Stilografiche e Raffinati Oggetti per Arti Grafiche''.<ref>meaning ''Factory and commerce of fountain pens and fine objects for graphic arts''.</ref> The production of these early years was not yet clearly identified by the trademark [[Ancora]]. The official website of the actual trademark holder reports the purchase of a stationery shop in Bologna and the beginning of the production of fountain pens in 1919.  

[[Ancora]] initial history is quite clouded, we know for sure that Zanini began its activities in the field of writing articles in Bologna, where apparently he was in contact with ''Armando Simoni'' (founder of [[OMAS]]) and where there are traces of his activities dating back to [[1918]].<ref>in the Letizia Jacopini book ''La storia della stilografica in Italia 1900-1950'' is published a report of start of activities for the ''Arti Grafiche - Giuseppe Zanini'' dated February 22, 1918.</ref> In [[1920]] he founded with a partner, Clerici, a company named ''Fabbrica e Commercio di Penne Stilografiche e Raffinati Oggetti per Arti Grafiche''.<ref>meaning ''Factory and commerce of fountain pens and fine objects for graphic arts''.</ref> The production of these early years was not yet clearly identified by the trademark [[Ancora]]. The official website of the actual trademark holder reports the purchase of a stationery shop in Bologna and the beginning of the production of fountain pens in 1919.  

The collaboration with Clerici continued until 1924, when Zanini founded his personal company, with the name ''Fabbrica di penne stilografiche e commercio, stampe in genere e riproduzioni opere d'arte''.<ref>meaning ''Factory for fountain pens, prints and art reprints''.</ref> In 1925, the activity thus far hosted in Zanini own house, was moved to Sesto Calende. In 1938 the production was moved to Arona, where new plants were created.<ref>both dates where reported by Letizia Jacopini in his book as result of a search in the Bologna Chamber of Commerce documents.</ref> After the death of the founder, the son Alfredo took over the management, up until 1975 when the company was closed.

The collaboration with Clerici continued until [[1924]], when Zanini founded his personal company, with the name ''Fabbrica di penne stilografiche e commercio, stampe in genere e riproduzioni opere d'arte''.<ref>meaning ''Factory for fountain pens, prints and art reprints''.</ref> In [[1925]], the activity thus far hosted in Zanini own house, was moved to Sesto Calende. The [[Ancora]] trademark ({{Marchio|40112}}) was indeed registered only in [[1929]]. In [[1938]] the production was moved to Arona, where new plants were created.<ref>both dates where reported by Letizia Jacopini in his book as result of a search in the Bologna Chamber of Commerce documents.</ref> After the death of the founder, the son Alfredo took over the management, up until [[1975]] when the company was closed.

[[Image:1950-Ancora.jpg|thumb|left|An [[Ancora]] advertisement from '50 for the [[Lusso]] model.]]

[[File:1952-11-Ancora-Lusso.jpg|thumb|left|An [[Ancora]] advertisement from '50 for the [[Lusso]] model.]]

Unfortunately [[Ancora]] models history is highly clouded, because there are no catalogs or model listings.  The [[Ancora]] initial production consisted of relatively conventional pens with the classic [[safety]] filler. They were made in [[BCHR|chased hard rubber]], but some luxury model were produced with gold filled [[overlay]]s; these were usually made in 18k gold plated metal, some full gold models have been found, but apparently silver was never used. Typically, these [[overlay]]s are marked with the [[Ancora]] name in uppercase letters at the bottom of the cap, but some have the company logo, an anchor, in blue over white enamel on the top of the cap. The same decoration can be found also on the ebonite models.

Unfortunately [[Ancora]] models history is highly clouded, because there are no catalogs or model listings.  The [[Ancora]] initial production consisted of relatively conventional pens with the classic [[safety]] filler. They were made in [[BCHR|chased hard rubber]], but some luxury model were produced with gold filled [[overlay]]s; these were usually made in 18k gold plated metal, some full gold models have been found, but apparently silver was never used. Typically, these [[overlay]]s are marked with the [[Ancora]] name in uppercase letters at the bottom of the cap, but some have the company logo, an anchor, in blue over white enamel on the top of the cap. The same decoration can be found also on the hard rubber models.

Since the '20s the ''[[Ancora]]'' branded [[safety|safeties]] were joined by the sub-brand ''[[Rapid]]'', that remained in production until about the '40s. This sub-brand was associated only with pens made with precious metal [[overlay]], that were marked with the name ''Rapid'' and the letters "G.Z." within a diamond on the cap. The nib was still marked ''Ancora'' or ''Warranted'' with an engraving of an anchor and the initials "G.Z." Whitin this line, especially in the '30s, have been designed some [[overlay]] with the most refined and elegant decorations of that time.

Since the '20s the ''[[Ancora]]'' branded [[safety|safeties]] were joined by the sub-brand ''[[Rapid]]'', that remained in production until about the '40s. This sub-brand was associated only with pens made with precious metal [[overlay]], that were marked with the name ''Rapid'' and the letters "G.Z." within a diamond on the cap. The nib was still marked ''Ancora'' or ''Warranted'' with an engraving of an anchor and the initials "G.Z." Whitin this line, especially in the '30s, have been designed some [[overlay]] with the most refined and elegant decorations of that time.

Around 1930 [[Ancora]] produced the [[Ancora Flat-top|first celluloid models]], clearly inspired by the [[Parker]] [[Duofold]], with ebonite black ends a ball clip and [[button filler]]. These models were produced in two sizes, using marbled, black or single colored celluloid. They were soon followed by other models with slightly tapered end, produced in a colorful celluloid; now these early celluloid model are very rare and highly sought by collectors.

Around 1930 [[Ancora]] produced the [[Ancora Flat-top|first celluloid models]], clearly inspired by the [[Parker]] [[Duofold]], with hard rubber black ends, a ball clip and [[button filler]]. These models were produced in two sizes, using marbled, black or single colored celluloid. They were soon followed by other models with slightly tapered end, produced in a colorful celluloid; now these early celluloid model are very rare and highly sought by collectors.

[[Image:Ancora-Flattop-Rossa-Open.jpg|thumb|A [[Duofold]]-like [[Ancora]] ]]

[[Image:Ancora-Flattop-Rossa-Open.jpg|thumb|A [[Duofold]]-like [[Ancora]] ]]

In the first years of '30s [[Ancora]] introduced a new top model, the [[Ancora Duplex|Duplex]] a more streamlined [[lever filler]] pen, produced in four different sizes: lady, medium, senior and oversize. The [[Duplex]] had a wheel clip (like the one used on the first [[Doric]] models), with three cap rings on the bottom of the cap, one on the top and other two rings on the barrel: one just under the cap and at the other at the end. All finishes were gold plated, and the nib was 14k gold. There are also alternate versions, with [[button filler]], a ball clip, with a single ring on the bottom of the cap and different celluloid patterns and colors produced in just three sizes, but all have the anchor logo and the words [[Ancora Duplex|Duplex]] marked on the body of the pen.  

In the first years of '30s [[Ancora]] introduced a new top model, the [[Ancora Duplex|Duplex]] a more streamlined [[lever filler]] pen, produced in four different sizes: lady, medium, senior and oversize. The [[Duplex]] had a wheel clip (like the one used on the first [[Doric]] models), with three cap rings on the bottom of the cap, one on the top and other two rings on the barrel: one just under the cap and at the other at the end. All finishes were gold plated, and the nib was 14k gold. There are also alternate versions, with [[button filler]], a ball clip, with a single ring on the bottom of the cap and different celluloid patterns and colors produced in just three sizes, but all have the anchor logo and the words [[Ancora Duplex|Duplex]] marked on the body of the pen.  

[[Image:Ancora-Maxima-Blue-Open.jpg|thumb|A [[Maxima]].]]

[[Image:Ancora-Dama-RingedGray-Open.jpg|thumb|A [[Da-Ma]].]]

In the late '30s two new models, called [[Da-Ma]] and [[Maxima]] were produced. They were high quality pens made in many beautiful colors, using also a laminated transparent celluloid similar to the one used on the [[Vacumatic]]. The pens were equipped with an innovative [[siringa rovesciata|plunger vacuum filling]] system, with a gold plated roller clip and three cap rings. The difference between the two model was that [[Maxima]] was rounded when the [[Da-Ma]] was faceted, like a [[Doric]] (or an [[Omas Extra]]). The [[Da-Ma]], was also produced in a [[lever filler]] version, and in four sizes, when the [[Maxima]] only had two sizes, it also had a two-tone nib featuring the logo of the anchor.  

In the late '30s two new models, called [[Da-Ma]] and [[Maxima]] were produced. They were high quality pens made in many beautiful colors, using also a laminated transparent celluloid similar to the one used on the [[Vacumatic]]. The pens were equipped with an innovative [[siringa rovesciata|plunger vacuum filling]] system, with a gold plated roller clip and three cap rings. The difference between the two model was that [[Maxima]] was rounded when the [[Da-Ma]] was faceted, like a [[Doric]] (or an [[Omas Extra]]). The [[Da-Ma]], was also produced in a [[lever filler]] version, and in four sizes, when the [[Maxima]] only had two sizes, it also had a two-tone nib featuring the logo of the anchor.  

During '50s and '60s, the company, like almost all fountain pen manufacturers, underwent a steady decline as it was hardly hit by the crisis due to the introduction of the ballpoint pen. [[Ancora]] continued to produce some [[piston filler]] plastic models, however its fountain pens never reached the success of its best years, and in 1975 the company ceased operations.

During '50s and '60s, the company, like almost all fountain pen manufacturers, underwent a steady decline as it was hardly hit by the crisis due to the introduction of the ballpoint pen. [[Ancora]] continued to produce some [[piston filler]] plastic models, however its fountain pens never reached the success of its best years, and in 1975 the company ceased operations.

{{BrandCrono}}

{{BrandChrono|Ancora}}

|-

| 1932~ || (guess date<ref name="date_ancora"/>) Introduced the [[Ancora Duplex|Duplex]] model

{{TabEnd}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071228211800/http://xoomer.alice.it/leiacopi/ancora.htm] An old page by Letizia Jacopini

* [https://www.ancora1919.com/it/history-and-production/] Section of the official site, almost empty (some documents were removed).

== Notes ==

| [[Da-Ma]] || 1938~ || ?

| [[Maxima]] || 1938~ || ?

|-

|-

| [[Calamus]] || 1949? || ?

 

== Note ==

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{{CategorizeBrand|Italia}}

 

[[Category:Italia]]