Well, it took a while, and I had to think outside the box a little, but I finally have a Saffron Blue OMAS in my hands. This material has been on my grail list for a very long time, but the Paragon was always tantalizingly out of reach (that's right, I'm looking at you, Kate!). So, when omasfan told me about an LE OMAS was doing for Vecchietti in this material, I had to investigate.
A couple of emails later, this beauty was on its way to me from Novelli. It arrived today, and I can't begin to describe how unique and beautiful this celluloid is. The nib is a lovely M affair, which will soon find its way into Greg Minuskin's capable hands. I'll take better pics when I get a chance, but here's an idea:



The pen is actually slightly longer than the Paragon, and rounded instead of faceted. Mine is #48/80.

Best,
David

PS: If you're looking for hard-to-find pens, you won't do any better than Marco at Novelli. A true gentleman.

I am glad you got your pen from Novelli and not..... XXX ! Marco's the best! And he is a wonderful person to talk to, passionate about pens and also a solicitous seller who cares about his customers and for their needs.

Enjoy this beautiful material! I know you had been lusting after one for eons.

I figured this would get your attention! If he has the pen I'm looking for, Marco is always my first choice for these big purchases. On top of the pleasure of dealing with such a nice guy, his price was also cheaper than you-know-who's :-). And now I get to stare endlessly at my new baby. I know the Saffron Blue has its detractors, but I can't for the life of me understand why. Off to ogle and caress my pen so more,
David

What a great looking pen

When it comes to rare, hard to find, Italian pens, look no further than Marco at Novelli. A wonderful store run by a very nice family. Be sure to stop by if you're ever in Rome. One warning though, it's impossible to visit his store without buying a pen or two, as I had to buy (I use the word "had" when justifying it to my wife) his last Montegrappa Extra in Midnight Blue FP and an Omas Bologna in Pearl Grey with a stub nib. Not to mention the two pens that I ordered since returning from my trip to Italy.

I plan to return this year and have a special pen in mind :-)

I am so incredibly happy for you! I knew it would happen! The pang of guilt I've had since I took delivery of my own Saffron Blue can now be cast away. I haven't even loaded it yet because I've felt so guilty. Now, I can breathe a sigh of relief, smile, do a happy dance, and let the Stipula Deep Blue flow. I know that you've searched for the Saffron Blue for a long time, and it was the last of your Grails. So a hearty and heartfelt congratulations to you! It could not have happened to a nicer and classier person.

Cheers,
Kate

P.S. In celebration and excitement over this, I'm going to try to stun omasfan with some Baystate Blue, and then pry the Omas Scarlet from his clutches. If that doesn't work maybe he can help me source one...

Thank you for the kind words, girlieg . I hope you enjoy the Paragon as much as I'm enjoying this one. Of course, omasfan may not be aware of how dangerously he's living, but it's only a matter of time before we band together and relieve him of his burdensome collection. You get the Scarlet, I get the Galileo ?

What a gorgeous pen! I'm so envious -- the Saffron is one of my grail colors. Someday, maybe!

Debbie

Oh, yeah, I AM aware of those those two rapacious Omas collectors who are now openly in collusion and want to unlawfully take possession of my scarlet and Galileo.

David, it's new to me that you've fallen in love with the wild celluloid. In my book you were always a collector of blue pens (hopefully not blue movies ). So, what shall I think of you now?



Girlieg wrote:


Kate, please do not fill this beautiful and precious Omas with this ink! I would hate for you to have this pen potentially stained. I will voluntarily surrender my scarlet pen to you if you abjure such ink! Other than that, I will inform you of any scarlet that I might discover somewhere.
I know that there is a pen boutique in Padua, Italy that probably still has a scarlet. This specimen, however, has a weird crystalline exudation around its golden trim ring. I assume that the pen was unfortunately on display for years under a very hot incandescant light bulb that might have irritated the celluloid. The pen was also slightly warped. Nonetheless, they wanted to have the usual price for in-stock items.

Strength in numbers and all that!


Aww... I wrote that in jest. it was my attempt to stun you... I don't even have Baystate Blue and have no plans to acquire it. I'm using mostly Diamine and Waterman in the Omas Celluloids. But the first ink that's going into the Saffron Blue will be Stipula Deep Blue. It will be filled this evening when I get home. Can't wait...

By the way, I like the part about you handing over the Scarlet... Thanks for being on the lookout for a Scarlet for me! The fact that you own all the Omas Celluloids gives me hope.

I do focus on blue... uh ... pens, yes, pens, but now that I have the three OMAS blue pens, I suppose I could make room for the wild. I love interesting materials, and the wild is quite unique. If you ever decide to replace the gold clip with a HT roller clip, then I'd start keeping my pens in a vault, if I were you .

Mmm please do a review and post some more pics: specifically length, girth, weight, fill system...

Now that you have told me that you don't use Baystate Blue, my offer is null and void!
Keep also checking Mottishaw's website. If any of the U.S. dealers should ever get another small supply of old stock from Italy, it'll probably be him.
Oh, did I tell you that the scarlet is soooo wonderful. I am using it right now. What a wonderful pen and what a pity that you don't have one.

Dear all,

It was this thread that put me on to Marco at Novelli. Today I bought the old style Arco Paragon in Pearl Grey and in Brown. I am still not deciding on my personal Holy Grail but these two came pretty close to being on the list & I couldn't find any distributors on the net that had them (Novelli did not appear, probably because it has an Italian domain). So thank you every body for the pointer!

Rgds

Happy to enable, Amberviv. You have nice taste; I hope you enjoy your pens. Best,
David