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GAMA pens

hari317

By hari317
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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Posted (edited)

GAMA is a pen brand in existence from the 1940's in South India. Gem and Company in Madras (now Chennai) are the owners of this trademark and market these pens from their showroom on NSC Bose road. The present line up of Gama pens are plastic pens, huge capacity ED filled, equipped with steel nibs, but it was not always like this. In the past they had a nice line of Gold nibbed models such as the Gama Kid, Gama Coronation, Gama Manifold and the Gama Royal. In addition to pocket pens, from time to time they also made some hand turned acrylic desk pens in really limited numbers. This post features the Gama Royal, Gama Manifold and an unnamed desk pen.

 

GAMA Royal:

 

The Royal was their flagship model in the 1950s-1970s. The pen is modelled after the Parker 51 and VS in external looks. The body is made of a nice plastic which has held up very nicely in the two pens that I have. The cap is gold filled and looks very similar to a 51 cap, the clip shape is different though. The clutch ring and the cap clutch look very much like 51 units. The nib is very sturdy (also firm) and is made of 14Ct gold. A well made comb type feeder is used. The pen is ED filled. During the time they were made, the pens were priced at INR 50 to 60. Have a look at the photos:

 

The Royals with a '46 Vac 51 for comparison:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2066.jpg

 

The pen posted:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2067.jpg

 

Nib and feeder details, observe the '54 Date code:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2068.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2069.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2070.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2082.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2084.jpg

 

The Cap and barrel stamped GAMA:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2075.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2077.jpg

 

The plastic Cap jewels:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2078.jpg

 

Gama MANIFOLD:

 

My Manifold is fitted with a 14Ct Manifold nib with a 15 year point, the nib I am told was rated for 15 years of continuous use.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2086.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2087.jpg

 

Gama Desk pen:

 

This desk pen is fitted with a nice steel nib, the pen is around 30 cms in length, I have not had the heart to ink this one up yet.

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2091.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Gama%20Royal/IMG_2092.jpg

 

 

Hope you enjoyed reading about some extinct examples of the GAMA pen as much as I enjoyed writing about them.

 

Cheers,

Hari

Edited by hari317

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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Abhik Extremely Rare

Abhik

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hari,

Gama pen certainly looks beautiful. :lol:

Desk pen looks cute? How did you manage to get that pen in this pristine condition? How that pen was supposed to be used with out a supplied base & flute?

Finish of Gama pens are looking better than other vintage pens you posted in recent pasts!

Warm wishes from heartland of Africa!

Abhik.

 

Edited: Some personal comments made earlier.

Edited by Abhik
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HDoug Antique

HDoug

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Thanks for the info and photos! That desk pen looks so fascinating.

 

Doug

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kazoolaw Collectors Item

kazoolaw

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Hari,

Your posts are consistently fascinating, and very well photographed.

The Royal nib is a direct copy of the Montblanc wingnib on the 25x series of pens, down to the star outline with the letter inside. Nothing wrong with copying the best.

Thanks again,

gary

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Abhik Extremely Rare

Abhik

Posted
Posted

Hari, I just saw you photo-srvet of some Chennai pen shops! Did you also got some Mini-Ed filler celluloid pens? If, yes, please post some photos of those lovely Parker Vacumatic clones as well!! That is good for me!

Abhik.

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Sharkle Extremely Rare

Sharkle

Posted
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:wub: Oh boy are those nice. Great reviews, and thanks for taking the time with the detailed pics. Wow. I really like all of these pens. Utterly cool desk pen. Thanks!

 

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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  • Author
Posted (edited)
How did you manage to get that pen in this pristine condition? How that pen was supposed to be used with out a supplied base & flute?

 

Hi Abhik, The shopowner gave me that pen from his personal collection. You get a desk ink well set with a concave depression to keep the deskpen horizontally upon.

 

Hari,

Your posts are consistently fascinating, and very well photographed.

The Royal nib is a direct copy of the Montblanc wingnib on the 25x series of pens, down to the star outline with the letter inside. Nothing wrong with copying the best.

 

Thanks Gary for your kind comments. The Royal seems to have inherited (borrowed) the best from all the brands!

 

Leigh, Fateh and Sharkle, thanks for your kind comments.

 

Best Regards,

Hari

Edited by hari317

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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brahmam Mint

brahmam

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Hari:

Are you from Chennai? I am also a pen collector and know Prathap Kumar of GEM pens quite well. I would love to get in touch with you. Please send me an e-mail to sprasad_m@rediffmail.com, with your contact number and I shall call you.

 

Sathya Prasad (Brahmam)

 

 

 

How did you manage to get that pen in this pristine condition? How that pen was supposed to be used with out a supplied base & flute?

 

Hi Abhik, The shopowner gave me that pen from his personal collection. You get a desk ink well set with a concave depression to keep the deskpen horizontally upon.

 

Hari,

Your posts are consistently fascinating, and very well photographed.

The Royal nib is a direct copy of the Montblanc wingnib on the 25x series of pens, down to the star outline with the letter inside. Nothing wrong with copying the best.

 

Thanks Gary for your kind comments. The Royal seems to have inherited (borrowed) the best from all the brands!

 

Leigh, Fateh and Sharkle, thanks for your kind comments.

 

Best Regards,

Hari

Oh! my dear, dear Free-will!

Tell me really, "Will I ever be free?"

Allow me until my body becomes still,

To sacrifice as a still standing tree!

- Just another tumble weed!

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  • 2 years later...
kethiemann Rare

kethiemann

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Oh my, I wonder where I could find a Royal. I am a 51 lover so I'd love to get my hands on one of these.

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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Oh my, I wonder where I could find a Royal. I am a 51 lover so I'd love to get my hands on one of these.

 

Your best bet is to get in touch with Mr. Pratap of Gem and Company in Chennai. They are the owners of this brand.

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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  • 3 weeks later...
ashishwakhlu Extremely Rare

ashishwakhlu

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Posted

Oh my, I wonder where I could find a Royal. I am a 51 lover so I'd love to get my hands on one of these.

 

Your best bet is to get in touch with Mr. Pratap of Gem and Company in Chennai. They are the owners of this brand.

 

Hari,

 

Fantastic review, thanks

 

regards

 

Ashish

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beak Collectors Item

beak

Posted
Posted

Great stuff - thanks.

 

Unlike others, if it were mine, I be inking the desk pen immediately - I would be absolutely itching to see how it feels and writes! Such a thing would be for signatures etc. at a hotel reception desk, do you think, rather than for everyday office work?

Sincerely, beak.

 

God does not work in mysterious ways – he works in ways that are indistinguishable from his non-existence.

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somnath1077 Rare

somnath1077

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Hi Hari,

 

I lived in Chennai till 2009 and while I've visited the pen stores at NSC Bose and have seen quite a few of these Gama pens, I never bought one. I usually ended up buying Walitys. But the pens that you describe appear to be well-made. I'll be visiting Chennai again this year and will be sure to buy some of these pens.

 

Thanks for sharing the info.

 

Best,

 

Somnath.

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rokurinpapa Extremely Rare

rokurinpapa

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Posted

Thank you for your nice review. I have been able to know the information about interewsting Indian pens.

 

rokurinpapa

 

 

 

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hari317 Museum Piece

hari317

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  • Author
Posted

Great stuff - thanks.

 

Unlike others, if it were mine, I be inking the desk pen immediately - I would be absolutely itching to see how it feels and writes! Such a thing would be for signatures etc. at a hotel reception desk, do you think, rather than for everyday office work?

 

:vbg: I have still not inked that desk pen. It is peacefully resting. Since it was a one off example, I want to keep it like new. Maybe one day I will ink it up...

 

I lived in Chennai till 2009 and while I've visited the pen stores at NSC Bose and have seen quite a few of these Gama pens, I never bought one. I usually ended up buying Walitys. But the pens that you describe appear to be well-made. I'll be visiting Chennai again this year and will be sure to buy some of these pens.

 

 

Somnath, the currently produced Gamas are at a different quality level corresponding to their price point. However Mr. Pratap might have saved a few of these outstanding older Gamas. It is worthwhile to check out their shop.

 

Thank you for your nice review. I have been able to know the information about interewsting Indian pens.

 

rokurinpapa

 

Thank you for your Interest in Indian pens Rokurinpapa.

In case you wish to write to me, pls use ONLY email by clicking here. I do not check PMs. Thank you.

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  • 3 years later...
karuna New

karuna

Posted
Posted

hi , mr. his hari im from chennai please send me indian best pen list . , i have bought qa gama pen in gem and co last week , mail me about brand pens in india , i willing to collect the best pens from india ..

my email id joshjskk@gmail.com

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