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[[Image:Logo-Onoto.svg|center|350px|Onoto Logo]]
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:De La Rue - Onoto}}[[File:Logo-Onoto.svg|center|350px|Onoto Logo]]
  
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[[De La Rue]] origin dates back to 1813, although the real start of fountain pen production dates back only at the beginning of last century. The company, however, was already operating in the 1800s in the field of writing instruments and it is the oldest British manufacturer of fountain pens. His fortune, however, stem from another activity, the production of playing cards, which led to even greater success when they entered, taking advantage of the technologies acquired for cards, in the production of paper money, in which the company is still operating.
  
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[[Onoto|Onoto - De La Rue]] origin dates back to 1813, although the real start of fountain pen production dates back only at the beginning of last century. The company, however, was already operating in the 1800s in the field of writing instruments and it is the oldest British manufacturer of fountain pens. His fortune, however, stem from another activity, the production of playing cards, which led to even greater success when they entered, taking advantage of the technologies acquired for cards, in the production of paper money, in which the company is still operating.
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[[De La Rue]] entered the fountain pen history in [[1905]] for the creation of the first plunger filler model, introducing an automatic filling system that was functional and efficient even when all other brands, except [[Conklin]], were substantially tied to the use of the eyedropper. Apart from the initial period, the company maintained a very conservative attitude, being a late follower for new stylistic tendencies. Fountain pen production was also a peripheral activity for the [[Onoto|The De La Rue Company]]. Despite this, theirs pens were of the highest quality and are still highly sought and prized by collectors. After the advent of the ballpoint pen, production was discontinued in the late '50s, to be resumed, as for many other historic brands, in recent times.{{Infobox_Brand|Onoto}}{{BrandData|Ancestor=Thomas De La Rue|Place=London|OrigDate=1813|Date=1881|Country=UK}}
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[[Onoto|Onoto - De La Rue]] entered in the fountain pen history for the creation in 1905 of the first plunger filler model, introducing an automatic filling system that was functional and efficient even when all other brands, except [[Conklin]], were substantially tied to the use of the eyedropper. Apart from the initial period, the company maintained a very conservative attitude, beeing a late follower for new stylistic tendencies. Fountain pen production was also a peripheral activity for the [[Onoto|The De La Rue Company]]. Despite this, theirs pens were of the highest quality and are still highly sought and prized by collectors. After the advent of the ballpoint pen, production was discontinued in the late '50s, to be resumed, as for many other historic brands, in recent times.{{Infobox_Brand|Onoto}}
 
 
==History==
 
==History==
  
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The [[Onoto|De La Rue]] activities were started in 1813  by ''Thomas De la Rue'' in Guernsey in France, with the printing of the newspaper ''Le Miroir Politique''. Three years later ''Thomas De la Rue''  moved to England and since 1821 began to operate as a printer in the manufacture of office equipment. The initial success of the company is however due to the creation of an efficient method for printing playing cards (up to then hand-painted) that constituted the early fortunes of the company, and its reputation as the creator of English playing card.
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The [[De La Rue]] activities were started in [[1813]] by ''Thomas De la Rue'' in Guernsey in France, with the printing of the newspaper ''Le Miroir Politique''. Three years later ''Thomas De la Rue''  moved to England and since [[1821]] began to operate as a printer in the manufacture of office equipment. The initial success of the company is however due to the creation of an efficient method for printing playing cards (up to then hand-painted) that constituted the early fortunes of the company, and its reputation as the creator of English playing card.
  
 
[[Image:Logo-DeLaRue.jpg|thumb|[[De La Rue]] logo from 1925]]
 
[[Image:Logo-DeLaRue.jpg|thumb|[[De La Rue]] logo from 1925]]
  
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But the real success came entering the market for the stamps and paper money production, which occurred with the experience gained in the production of playing cards. This made the company one of the most important British industries. Although commercial success has taken place much later, [[Onoto|De La Rue]] presence in the writing objects market dates from the late '800, when, in 1881, they introduced the ''Anti-Stylograph pen '', a first model of fountain pen, albeit primitive. Following other models were produced, as the ''Swift'' of 1884, distributed for more than 10 years, or the ''Pelican'' of 1895, another pen with a reservoir, and further models always having a tank valve, such as the ''Onostyle'' or the ''Umpire''.
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But the real success came entering the market for the stamps and paper money production, which occurred with the experience gained in the production of playing cards. This made the company one of the most important British industries. Although commercial success has taken place much later, [[De La Rue]] presence in the writing objects market dates from the late '800, when, in [[1881]], they introduced the ''Anti-Stylograph pen '', a first model of fountain pen, albeit primitive. Following other models were produced, as the ''Swift'' of [[1884]], distributed for more than 10 years, or the ''[[Pelican]]'' of [[1895]], another pen with a reservoir and eyedropper filled (but the american patent, {{Cite patent|US|466950}}, dates to 1891), and further models always having a tank valve, such as the ''Onostyle'' or the ''Umpire''.
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But the first modern fountain pen produced by the [[Onoto|De La Rue]] was born in 1905. At that time ''Evelyn Andros De La Rue,'' great-grandson of the founder, who had a passion for inventions, was striving to build a fountain pen that was actually functional, and had already filed several patents for a primitive [[plunger filler]].<ref>like the {{Cite patent|GB|190502671}}.</ref>  But his pen was defective and required to be loaded a repeated pressure of the piston, whith a complex mechanism. During the same period ''George Sweetser'' made a pen based on the same principle but with an improved mechanism,<ref>''George Sweetser'' registered patents {{Cite patent|GB|190513768}} and {{Cite patent|GB|190704787}}.</ref> substantially identical to the present one. ''George Sweetser'' showed his invention to ''Evelyn De La Rue'' who bought it immediately, and managed to convince his father ''Thomas Andros De La Rue'', who was in the board of directors, about the validity of the investment, so that in 1905 was started a fountain pen production.  
 
  
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La nuova penna venne chiamata semplicemente [[Onoto]]. L'origine del nome della penna è incerta e ne esistono diverse versioni. C'è chi lo fa risalire a ''Ono Tokusaburo'', un produttore di orologi giapponese i cui progetti erano stati usati per la precedente ''Onostyle'', c'é chi sostiene che venne scelto per la sua semplicità e perché facile da pronunciare e con lo stesso suono in molte lingue diverse. La potenza finanziaria dell'azienda consentì comunque un lancio in grande stile del marchio ''Onoto'', e la penna ebbe un grandissimo successo, tanto che in breve tempo venne chiamata ''Onoto the Pen''.
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But the first modern fountain pen branded [[Onoto]] was born in [[1905]]. At that time ''Evelyn Andros De La Rue,'' great-grandson of the founder, who had a passion for inventions, was striving to build a fountain pen that was actually functional, and had already filed several patents for a primitive [[plunger filler]].<ref>like the {{Cite patent|GB|190502671}}.</ref>  But his pen was defective and required to be loaded a repeated pressure of the piston, whith a complex mechanism. During the same period ''George Sweetser'' made a pen based on the same principle but with an improved mechanism,<ref>''George Sweetser'' registered patents {{Cite patent|GB|190513768}} and {{Cite patent|GB|190704787}}.</ref> substantially identical to the present one. ''George Sweetser'' showed his invention to ''Evelyn De La Rue'' who bought it immediately, and managed to convince his father ''Thomas Andros De La Rue'', who was in the board of directors, about the validity of the investment, so that in [[1905]] was started a fountain pen production.  
  
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[[Image:Onoto-3xxx-Open.jpg|left|thumb|Una delle prime [[Onoto]] ]]
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The new pen was called simply [[Onoto]]. That name origin is uncertain and there are different theories. Some people date it back to ''Tokusaburo Ono'', a Japanese watch manufacturer whose projects were used for the previous ''Onostyle'' pen, some others say it was chosen for its simplicity and because it is easy pronounced and with the same sound in many different languages. The financial strength of the company allowed a big launch of the new brand, and the new fountain pen was a huge success, so that in a short time was called: ''Onoto The Pen.''
  
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Le prime penne [[Onoto]] erano realizzate in ebanite nera cesellata, con pennini ''[[overfeed]]'' e prodotte in due misure, la [[Onoto 3000|N]] e la [[Onoto 2000|O]], successivamente chiamate anche [[Onoto 3000|3000]] e [[Onoto 2000|2000]]. I [[Modelli iniziali Onoto|modelli iniziali]] vennero prodotti in diversi colori e materiali: all'[[BCHR|ebanite nera cesellata]], si aggiunsero modelli in [[mottled|ebanite marmorizzata]] rosso/nera, ed in ebanite cesellata rossa, ma anche modelli [[overlay|rivestiti]] in argento o in oro, con decorazioni a [[filigree|filigrana]] o a [[engine turned|cesello meccanico]], con prezzi che variavano da mezza a 5 ghinee. Il modello [[Onoto 3000|N]] rimase in produzione per oltre 30 anni fino al 1939, con variazioni poco significative a parte la sostituzione del pennino originale ''[[overfeed]]'' con uno ordinario.
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[[Image:Onoto-3xxx-Open.jpg|left|thumb|An early [[Onoto]] model]]
  
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Visto il successo della penna essa venne commercializzata anche in Francia e nel 1909 venne anche aperta una filiale a New York, ma nonostante la penna fosse senz'altro all'altezza dal punto di vista tecnico (e probabilmente anche superiore alle concorrenti americane dell'epoca), la [[De La Rue]] non fece sforzi significativi nel pubblicizzare il suo prodotto sull'iper-competitivo mercato americano. Negli stessi anni vengono citati nuovi modelli come ''Empire'', ''Elfin'' ed ''Express''.
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Earliest [[Onoto]] pen were made in [[BCHR|black chased hard rubber]], with ''[[overfeed]]'' nibs and produced in two sizes, the [[Onoto 3000|N]] and the [[Onoto 2000|O]] which later were called [[Onoto 3000|3000]] and [[Onoto 2000|2000]]. The early models were produced in different colors and materials: to [[BCHR |black chased hard rubber]] were added models in [[mottled|red/black marbled hard rubber]], in red chased hard rubber, and also [[overlay]] models in silver or gold, decorated with [[filigree]] or [[guilloché]]; their prices ranged from half to 5 guineas. The  [[Onoto 3000|N]] model remained in production for over 30 years until [[1939]], with little changes apart from the replacement of the original ''[[overfeed]]'' nib with an ordinary one.  
  
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Nel 1911 la [[De La Rue]] perse il contratto per la produzione di francobolli e subì una ristrutturazione interna diventando una società a responsabilità limitata proprietà di ''Thomas Andros'' ed dei suoi figli, nel 1915 ''Evelyn De La Rue'' si dimise e l'azienda rimase nella mani del fratello ''Stuart Andros'' che non aveva un significativo interesse nella produzione delle stilografiche. L'azienda subì un calo di vendite, che la portò nel 1921 a ristrutturarsi come società per azioni, con la proprietà che venne sostanzialmente ceduta ad un consorzio di altre tre grandi imprese.  
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Given the pen success it was marketed also in France and in [[1909]] a branch was open in New York. But despite these fountain pen being much better from the technical point of view than the american competing models, the [[De La Rue]] did not make significant efforts to publicize its products in the high competitive U.S. market, not having a significant success. In the same year are cited some new models named ''Empire'', ''Elfin'' and ''Express''.
  
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[[Image:1915-12-Onoto-2.jpg|thumb|Pubblicità della [[Onoto]] del 1915]]
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In [[1911]] [[De La Rue]] lost the state contract for the production of stamps and underwent an internal restructuring to become a limited liability company owned by ''Thomas Andros'' and his sons, in [[1915]], ''Evelyn De La Rue'' resigned and the company remained in the hands of his brother ''Andros Stuart'' who did not have a significant interest in the production of fountain pens. The company suffered a drop in sales, which led in 1921 to restructure itself as a limited company, with the property that was essentially sold to a consortium of three other major companies.
  
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In questi anni la produzione comunque proseguì sostanzialmente immutata, senza variazioni significative, l'azienda aveva infatti un prodotto funzionale ed efficiente, e non vedeva motivo per effettuare cambiamenti. Venne comunque introdotta (1913?) l'[[mottled|ebanite marmorizzata]], sono citati i modelli ''Hermit'' (una [[safety]]) e ''Pentago'' in un catalogo del 1913 ed il modello [[Valvless]] del 1915. Il pennino con alimentatore superiore venne sostituito da un pennino ordinario nel 1921, anno in cui venne introdotta la [[Ink Pencil]], una [[penna a stilo]] sempre con caricamento a [[siringa rovesciata]].
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[[Image:1915-12-Onoto-2.jpg|thumb|[[Onoto]] advertisement from 1915]]
  
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Negli anni '20 ci furono varie novità; incalzata dalla concorrenza anche la [[Onoto]] iniziò a produrre dei modelli con [[caricamento a levetta]], denominati [[Onoto 7000|7000]] e [[Onoto 8000|8000]]. La data di introduzione di questi modelli è incerta e diverse fonti riportano alternativamente il 1922, il 1923 o il 1924.<ref>rispettivamente [http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%2011.htm] (1922), [http://www.onoto.com/ingenuity.asp] (1923) e [http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Brief-History-of-Onoto-Pens] e [http://www.vintagepens.com/Onoto.shtml] (1924); Andreas Lambrou parla di un brevetto del 1924.</ref> Nel 1924 venne anche prodotto il modello [[Mammouth 1800]], una penna di grandi dimensioni con un pennino di misura n.8, e l'anno successivo la [[Princess Mary]] in ebanite colorata in blu. Venne iniziata anche una produzione di penne marchiate semplicemente ''De La Rue'', di cui è noto un modello denominato [[Swift]]. L'azienda continuò a resistere alle mode e alle innovazioni, ed anche l'introduzione della celluloide è piuttosto tarda; anche in questo caso vengono riportate date diverse,<ref>rispettivamente [http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%2011.htm] indica il 1926 mentre [http://www.onoto.com/ingenuity.asp], [http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Brief-History-of-Onoto-Pen] ed Andreas Lambrou il 1928.</ref> il 1926 o il 1928.  
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In those years however production continued without significant changes, the company had in fact a functional and efficient fountain pen, and saw no reason to make changes. However [[mottled|marbled hard rubber]] was introduced (1913?). In a [[1913]] catalog are  cited the  ''Hermit'' (a [[safety]]) and ''Pentago'' models, where the [[Valvless]] model is in [[1915]]. The ''[[overfeed]]'' nib  was replaced by an ordinary nib in [[1921]], when it was also introduced the [[Ink Pencil]], a [[plunger filler]] stylographic model.
  
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Nel 1927 la produzione venne spostate in Scozia, a Strathendry nel villaggio di Leslie nel Fifeshire, Lambrou cita lo spostamento come contromisura per le rivendicazioni portate avanti dai sindacati nella sede di Burnhill Row a Londra. Lo spostamento prevedeva il licenziamento di tutti coloro che non si volevano trasferire, ma non risultò molto efficace per la presenza di uno dei licenziati all'assemblea degli azionisti, che portò nel giro di un mese all'adesione ai sindacati di tutti i lavoratori trasferiti. Sul sito dell'azienda è riportata una storia diversa, in cui una trentina di lavoratori fra i più capaci accettò di trasferirsi da Londra con l'azienda che si fece carico di trovar loro una abitazione.
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In the '20s there were several innovations, hounded by competition [[Onoto]] began to produce [[lever filler]] models, the [[Onoto 7xxx|7000]] and [[Onoto 8xxx|8000]]. The introduction date of these models is uncertain and various sources report either the [[1922]], [[1923]] or [[1924]].<ref>respectively [http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%2011.htm here], [https://onoto.com/story/onoto-history here] and [http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Brief-History-of-Onoto-Pen here]; Andreas Lambrou speaks of a 1924 patent.</ref> In [[1924]] was also produced the [[Onoto Mammoth|Mammoth]] model, a pen with a large number 8 nib, and the following year the [[Princess Mary]] a model made in blue colored hard rubber. It was also started a production of pens simply called ''De La Rue'', from which is known the [[Swift]] model. The company continued to resist the trends and innovations, as well as the introduction of celluloid is quite late; even in this case are given different dates,<ref>respectively [http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%2011.htm this] gives the 1926 and [https://onoto.com/story/onoto-history this], [http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Brief-History-of-Onoto-Pen this] and Andreas Lambrou the 1928.</ref> the [[1926]] or [[1928]].  
  
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Negli anni '30 l'azienda continuò la produzione da Strathendry, iniziata nel 1928 con la [[De La Rue Pen]], una penna in celluloide realizzata in vari colori come il nero, e marmorizzato blu, verdi e rosso. Vennero anche prodotte penne di fascia inferiore come la [[Swift]] e la [[Everybody's Pen]]. Nel 1935, seguendo la tendenza introdotta dalla [[Vacumatic]] di penne trasparenti che consentissero di visualizzare il livello dell'inchiostro, vennero introdotte le [[Visible-ink]].
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In [[1927]] production was moved to Strathendry, Scotland, in the Leslie village in Fifeshire, Lambrou cites the move as a counter to the claims brought forward by the unions at the site of Burnhill Row in London. The move included the dismissal of all those who not wanted to transfer, but not proved very effective because of the presence of a dismissed at the shareholders meeting, which brought in around a month all transferred employees to apply for membership to trade unions. On the company website you will find a different story, in which thirty of the most capable workers agreed to move from London, with the company that took charge of finding them a home.
  
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[[Image:1932-12-Onoto-Models.jpg|thumb|left|Modelli [[Onoto]] da una pubblicità del 1932]]
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In the '30s the company continued doing its production from Strathendry, which began in [[1928]] with the [[De La Rue Pen]] model, a celluloid pen, made in different colors like black, blue marbled, green and red. There were also produced lower price pens as the [[Swift]] and [[Everybody's Pen]]. In [[1935]], following the trend introduced by [[Vacumatic]] for transparent pens that lets you view the ink level, [[Onoto]] the introduced [[Visible-ink]] model.
  
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Ma il modello più significativo dell'azienda nacque nel 1937, quando venne lanciata sul mercato la [[Magna]], una penna di grandi dimensioni come il precedente modello [[Mammouth 1800|Mammouth]], con un pennino bicolore, tre vere sul cappuccio e prodotta in una nuova celluloide semitrasparente creata con una lavorazione particolarmente complessa, nei colori nero cesellato, verde/argento e marrone/oro. A questa si aggiunsero altri modelli di dimensione inferiore denominate [[Minor]] e [[Dainty]]. La seconda guerra mondiale però pesò negativamente sulla diffusione della nuova penna, con la produzione che presto venne convertita per il sostegno agli sforzi bellici.
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[[Image:1932-12-Onoto-Models.jpg|thumb|left|[[Onoto]] models from a 1932 advertisement]]
  
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[[Image:File:Onoto-Magna-WB-Posted.jpg|thumb|Una [[Onoto]] [[Magna]]]]
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But the company most significant model was introduced in [[1937]], when [[Onoto]] launched the [[Magna]], a large pen like the previous [[Onoto Mammoth|Mammouth]], with a two-color nib, the three rings ont the cap, produced in a new translucent celluloid created with a very complex process, in the black chiseled, green/brown and silver/gold colors. These pens were joined by other smaller models called [[Minor]] and [[Dainty]]. WWII however weighed negatively on the diffusion of the new pen, with the production that was soon converted to armaments to support the war effort.
  
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La produzione riprese a pieno ritmo nel dopoguerra solo a partire dal 1947 con la reintroduzione di una nuova serie di [[Magna]] alcune delle quali dotate di [[caricamento a levetta]]. Vennero introdotte nello stesso periodo una nuova serie di penne color perla marmorizzato. Ormai però l'azienda aveva perduto ogni capacità innovativa, e continuò a produrre penne economiche con [[caricamento a levetta]] seguendo sostanzialmente le tendenze del mercato, con la [[Onoto Penmaster]] a pennino coperto e cappuccio metallico, entrando pure nel mercato delle penne a sfera.
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[[Image:Onoto-Magna-WB-Posted.jpg|thumb|An [[Onoto]] [[Magna]]]]
  
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Come per gli altri grandi produttori la concorrenza della penna a sfera usa e getta assestò un colpo mortale all'azienda, l'ultimo modello significativo prodotto fu la [[Onoto K]] del 1955, una penna con [[caricamento a stantuffo]] con pennino coperto e serbatoio visibile e cappuccio a incastro, prodotta in diverse versioni. Nel 1958 la produzione di penne da parte della [[De La Rue]] cessò definitivamente con la chiusura dello stabilimento di Strathendry avvenuta il 27 febbraio 1958. La produzione comunque proseguì per qualche anno, fino al 1963, in Australia dove la ''Norman Backer'' e la ''Longhurst Pty Ltd.'' che avevano curato la distribuzione delle [[Onoto]] per 32 anni rilevarono la produzione.  Come molti altri marchi storici anche la [[Onoto]] è stata riportata alla luce in tempi recenti per la produzione di penne moderne.
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After the war production resumed at full speed only since [[1947]] with the reintroduction of a new [[Magna]] series, some of which were [[lever filler]]. In the same period were also introduced a new set of pearly marbled pens. But at that rime the company had lost all its innovation capacity, and continued to produce economic [[lever filler]] pens substantially following market trends with the [[Onoto Penmaster]] an [[hooded nib]] pen with metal cap. They also went in the ballpen market.  
  
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{{CronoMarche}}
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Like happened with other big producers, competition from disposable ballpoint dealt a mortal blow to the company, the latest significant product was the [[Onoto K]] of [[1955]], a [[piston filler]] pen with [[hooded nib]], visible tank and friction cap, produced in different versions. In [[1958]] pens production by the [[De La Rue]] finally ceased with the closing of the Strathendry factory occurred February 27, [[1958]]. The production however continued for some years, until [[1963]], in Australia, where the ''Backer Norman'' and the ''Longhurst Pty Ltd.'' who managed [[Onoto]] distribution for 32 years, took over the brand. Like many other historic brands also [[Onoto]] was brought back to light in recent times for the production of modern fountain pens.
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| 1813 || ''Thomas De la Rue'' inizia le sue attività a Guernsey
 
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| 1881 || Introdotta la ''Anti-Stylograph'', una stilografica primitiva
 
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| 1905 || La [[Onoto|De La Rue]] lancia la sua stilografica con il marchio ''[[Onoto]]''
 
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| 1909 || Aperta una filiale a New York
 
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| 1913? || Introdotta l'ebanite rosso/nera ''mottled'' denominata ''Antique''
 
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| 1915 || Introdotto il modello [[Valvless]]
 
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| 1921? || Introdotto un pennino ordinario al posto dell'iniziale dotato di alimentatore superiore
 
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| 1921 || Introdotto il modello [[Ink Pencil]], una penna a stilo
 
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| 1922 || Introdotto il modello [[Receder]] con caricamento [[safety]] (o 1921?)
 
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| 1923 || Introdotti dei modelli con [[caricamento a levetta]] (o 1922 o 1924?).
 
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| 1924 || Introdotto il modello [[Mammout 1800]] con pennino n. 8
 
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| 1924 || Iniziata produzione di fascia inferiore senza marchio [[Onoto]]
 
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| 1925 || Introdotto il modello [[Princess Mary]] in ebanite colore blu
 
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| 1927 || La produzione viene spostata in Scozia, a Strathendry nel villaggio di Leslie nel Fifeshire.
 
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| 1928 || Introdotti i primi modelli in celluloide (o 1926?)
 
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| 1935 || Introdotti i modelli in celluloide trasparente ''visible ink''
 
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| 1937 || Introdotti i modelli [[Magna]], [[Minor]] e [[Dainty]]
 
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| 1955 || Introdotto il modello [[Onoto K]]
 
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| 1958 || Chiusura della produzione della ''[[Onoto]]'' in Inghilterra
 
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| 1963 || Chiusura della produzione della ''[[Onoto]]'' in Australia
 
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{{LegendaModelli}}
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{{BrandChrono|Onoto}}
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| [[XX]] || 19XX || XX, ?
 
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==Note==
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==External references==
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* [http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%2011.htm] Article on the history of the company, dating back to about 1955 by an unknown author
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* [http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Brief-History-of-Onoto-Pens] Other article on the history of the company
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* [http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Thomas_De_La_Rue_and_Co] Chronology and some old advertisements
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_La_Rue] Page on [[De La Rue]] on [http://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]
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* [http://www.vintagepens.com/Onoto.shtml] Short article on [[Onoto]] pens
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* [https://onoto.com/story/onoto-history] Page on the company website, refounded in 2004, with various historical information
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* [http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%203.htm] Article on the repair of [[Onoto]] pens
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* [http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113186] A discussion with direct testimony
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== Notes ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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==Riferimenti esterni==
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{{CategorizeBrand|Inghilterra}}
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* http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%2011.htm Articolo sulla storia della ditta, originante al 1955 circa di autore ignoto
 
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* http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Brief-History-of-Onoto-Pens Altro articolo sulla storia dell'azienda
 
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* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_La_Rue Pagina sulla [[De La Rue]] su [http://en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]
 
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* http://www.vintagepens.com/Onoto.shtml Breve articolo sulle penne [[Onoto]]
 
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* http://www.onoto.com/history.asp Sito ufficiale dell'azienda rifondata nel 2004, con varie informazioni storiche
 
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* http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/master%203.htm Articolo sulla riparazione delle [[Onoto]]
 
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* http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=113186 Una discussione con una testimonianza diretta
 

Versione attuale delle 19:09, 26 gen 2022

Onoto Logo

De La Rue origin dates back to 1813, although the real start of fountain pen production dates back only at the beginning of last century. The company, however, was already operating in the 1800s in the field of writing instruments and it is the oldest British manufacturer of fountain pens. His fortune, however, stem from another activity, the production of playing cards, which led to even greater success when they entered, taking advantage of the technologies acquired for cards, in the production of paper money, in which the company is still operating.

De La Rue entered the fountain pen history in 1905 for the creation of the first plunger filler model, introducing an automatic filling system that was functional and efficient even when all other brands, except Conklin, were substantially tied to the use of the eyedropper. Apart from the initial period, the company maintained a very conservative attitude, being a late follower for new stylistic tendencies. Fountain pen production was also a peripheral activity for the The De La Rue Company. Despite this, theirs pens were of the highest quality and are still highly sought and prized by collectors. After the advent of the ballpoint pen, production was discontinued in the late '50s, to be resumed, as for many other historic brands, in recent times.

Onoto
Brand pages
Brand advertising
Brand photos
Instructions sheet
Patents

History

The De La Rue activities were started in 1813 by Thomas De la Rue in Guernsey in France, with the printing of the newspaper Le Miroir Politique. Three years later Thomas De la Rue moved to England and since 1821 began to operate as a printer in the manufacture of office equipment. The initial success of the company is however due to the creation of an efficient method for printing playing cards (up to then hand-painted) that constituted the early fortunes of the company, and its reputation as the creator of English playing card.

De La Rue logo from 1925

But the real success came entering the market for the stamps and paper money production, which occurred with the experience gained in the production of playing cards. This made the company one of the most important British industries. Although commercial success has taken place much later, De La Rue presence in the writing objects market dates from the late '800, when, in 1881, they introduced the Anti-Stylograph pen , a first model of fountain pen, albeit primitive. Following other models were produced, as the Swift of 1884, distributed for more than 10 years, or the Pelican of 1895, another pen with a reservoir and eyedropper filled (but the american patent, nº US-466950, dates to 1891), and further models always having a tank valve, such as the Onostyle or the Umpire.

But the first modern fountain pen branded Onoto was born in 1905. At that time Evelyn Andros De La Rue, great-grandson of the founder, who had a passion for inventions, was striving to build a fountain pen that was actually functional, and had already filed several patents for a primitive plunger filler.[1] But his pen was defective and required to be loaded a repeated pressure of the piston, whith a complex mechanism. During the same period George Sweetser made a pen based on the same principle but with an improved mechanism,[2] substantially identical to the present one. George Sweetser showed his invention to Evelyn De La Rue who bought it immediately, and managed to convince his father Thomas Andros De La Rue, who was in the board of directors, about the validity of the investment, so that in 1905 was started a fountain pen production.

The new pen was called simply Onoto. That name origin is uncertain and there are different theories. Some people date it back to Tokusaburo Ono, a Japanese watch manufacturer whose projects were used for the previous Onostyle pen, some others say it was chosen for its simplicity and because it is easy pronounced and with the same sound in many different languages. The financial strength of the company allowed a big launch of the new brand, and the new fountain pen was a huge success, so that in a short time was called: Onoto The Pen.

An early Onoto model

Earliest Onoto pen were made in black chased hard rubber, with overfeed nibs and produced in two sizes, the N and the O which later were called 3000 and 2000. The early models were produced in different colors and materials: to black chased hard rubber were added models in red/black marbled hard rubber, in red chased hard rubber, and also overlay models in silver or gold, decorated with filigree or guilloché; their prices ranged from half to 5 guineas. The N model remained in production for over 30 years until 1939, with little changes apart from the replacement of the original overfeed nib with an ordinary one.

Given the pen success it was marketed also in France and in 1909 a branch was open in New York. But despite these fountain pen being much better from the technical point of view than the american competing models, the De La Rue did not make significant efforts to publicize its products in the high competitive U.S. market, not having a significant success. In the same year are cited some new models named Empire, Elfin and Express.

In 1911 De La Rue lost the state contract for the production of stamps and underwent an internal restructuring to become a limited liability company owned by Thomas Andros and his sons, in 1915, Evelyn De La Rue resigned and the company remained in the hands of his brother Andros Stuart who did not have a significant interest in the production of fountain pens. The company suffered a drop in sales, which led in 1921 to restructure itself as a limited company, with the property that was essentially sold to a consortium of three other major companies.

Onoto advertisement from 1915

In those years however production continued without significant changes, the company had in fact a functional and efficient fountain pen, and saw no reason to make changes. However marbled hard rubber was introduced (1913?). In a 1913 catalog are cited the Hermit (a safety) and Pentago models, where the Valvless model is in 1915. The overfeed nib was replaced by an ordinary nib in 1921, when it was also introduced the Ink Pencil, a plunger filler stylographic model.

In the '20s there were several innovations, hounded by competition Onoto began to produce lever filler models, the 7000 and 8000. The introduction date of these models is uncertain and various sources report either the 1922, 1923 or 1924.[3] In 1924 was also produced the Mammoth model, a pen with a large number 8 nib, and the following year the Princess Mary a model made in blue colored hard rubber. It was also started a production of pens simply called De La Rue, from which is known the Swift model. The company continued to resist the trends and innovations, as well as the introduction of celluloid is quite late; even in this case are given different dates,[4] the 1926 or 1928.

In 1927 production was moved to Strathendry, Scotland, in the Leslie village in Fifeshire, Lambrou cites the move as a counter to the claims brought forward by the unions at the site of Burnhill Row in London. The move included the dismissal of all those who not wanted to transfer, but not proved very effective because of the presence of a dismissed at the shareholders meeting, which brought in around a month all transferred employees to apply for membership to trade unions. On the company website you will find a different story, in which thirty of the most capable workers agreed to move from London, with the company that took charge of finding them a home.

In the '30s the company continued doing its production from Strathendry, which began in 1928 with the De La Rue Pen model, a celluloid pen, made in different colors like black, blue marbled, green and red. There were also produced lower price pens as the Swift and Everybody's Pen. In 1935, following the trend introduced by Vacumatic for transparent pens that lets you view the ink level, Onoto the introduced Visible-ink model.

Onoto models from a 1932 advertisement

But the company most significant model was introduced in 1937, when Onoto launched the Magna, a large pen like the previous Mammouth, with a two-color nib, the three rings ont the cap, produced in a new translucent celluloid created with a very complex process, in the black chiseled, green/brown and silver/gold colors. These pens were joined by other smaller models called Minor and Dainty. WWII however weighed negatively on the diffusion of the new pen, with the production that was soon converted to armaments to support the war effort.

An Onoto Magna

After the war production resumed at full speed only since 1947 with the reintroduction of a new Magna series, some of which were lever filler. In the same period were also introduced a new set of pearly marbled pens. But at that rime the company had lost all its innovation capacity, and continued to produce economic lever filler pens substantially following market trends with the Onoto Penmaster an hooded nib pen with metal cap. They also went in the ballpen market.

Like happened with other big producers, competition from disposable ballpoint dealt a mortal blow to the company, the latest significant product was the Onoto K of 1955, a piston filler pen with hooded nib, visible tank and friction cap, produced in different versions. In 1958 pens production by the De La Rue finally ceased with the closing of the Strathendry factory occurred February 27, 1958. The production however continued for some years, until 1963, in Australia, where the Backer Norman and the Longhurst Pty Ltd. who managed Onoto distribution for 32 years, took over the brand. Like many other historic brands also Onoto was brought back to light in recent times for the production of modern fountain pens.

Chronology

Year Event
1813 Thomas De La Rue starts its activities in Guernsey, is the origin of the company
1881 De La Rue produced the Anti-Stylograph pen, a primordial fountain pen
1895 the company introduces the Pelican
1905 De La Rue introduces the first pen with the Onoto brand name
1908 the company introduces the Onoto G
1911 the company is incorporated as limited liability company
1911 the company introduces the Onoto G with highly flexible nib[5]
1913 the company introduces some models in red/black mottled hard rubber called Antique (?)
1915 the company introduces the Valvless
1921 the company introduces a normal feeder instead of the initial overfeed (uncertain date)
1921 the company introduces the Ink Pencil a stilographic model
1921 the company becomes a public limited company, changing ownership
1922 the company introduces the Receder a safety model (or 1921?)
1923 the company introduces its first lever filler models (1922 or 1924?)
1924 the company introduces a second tier production marked The De La Rue
1924 the company introduces the Mammout 1800
1925 the company introduces the Princess Mary in blue hard rubber
1927 the company productions is transferred to Strathendry in the Fifeshire, Scotland
1928 the company introduces celluloid models (or 1926?)
1935 the company introduces the Visible-ink models in transparent celluloid[6]
1937 the company introduces the Dainty
1937 the company introduces the Onoto Magna
1937 the company introduces the Minor
1947 the company restart Magna production, also with lever filler
1955 the company introduces the Onoto K
1958 the company ceases operations in England, activities are selled to Australian reseller
1963 the company ceases operations also in Australia

External references

  • [1] Article on the history of the company, dating back to about 1955 by an unknown author
  • [2] Other article on the history of the company
  • [3] Chronology and some old advertisements
  • [4] Page on De La Rue on Wikipedia
  • [5] Short article on Onoto pens
  • [6] Page on the company website, refounded in 2004, with various historical information
  • [7] Article on the repair of Onoto pens
  • [8] A discussion with direct testimony

Notes

  1. ↑ like the nº GB-190502671.
  2. ↑ George Sweetser registered patents nº GB-190513768 and nº GB-190704787.
  3. ↑ respectively here, here and here; Andreas Lambrou speaks of a 1924 patent.
  4. ↑ respectively this gives the 1926 and this, this and Andreas Lambrou the 1928.
  5. ↑ see this advertisement.
  6. ↑ as indicated here.
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