Omas Celluloids- The Whole Collection

[Vicary]

I've spent a fair amount of time over the last week or so going through my collection and doing some regrouping and cataloging. What I realized was that around Christmas last year I realized a complete collection- all of the colors of Omas celluloid. Not that I have all of the celluloid pens, but at least one example of each of the modern production colors. I hope you Italian pen lovers will enjoy this!

 

Here they are, starting with the originals. These colors were originally offered in three sizes: Princess, Dama, and Paragon. All of these are Paragons. The original offerings were all with gold trim. Later, white metal trim, special 75th engravings and nibs, and sterling and vermeil caps were added.

 

From left to right:

Scarlet Red-Also available on the current model Bologna.

Saffron Blue-A beautiful color, but the white bits are prone to staining from within, darkening them over time.

Blue Royale-Later available with sterling cap. It was also offered on the Bologna and 360. The basis for the Blue Lucens celluloid.

Pearl Grey- Also used on the Cinema LE and the 360.

Saft Green-An underrated color, not used for much else.

Arco Green-Just beautiful, also not used much elsewhere.

Arco Brown-The best, IMO. Currently offered in two sizes, both bigger than the Paragon. A couple of LE versions including a round pen were made.

 

There were also some limited editions and some later regular production colors.

Cracked Ice-Originally offered on the Galileo, also used on a round barreled version. Later used for the Wild 360.

Emerald Green-A lighter, brighter variant of the Saft green. Very nice.

Autumno- A darker green/bronze. Not the same stuff as the Saft or Emerald. More 'flake' oriented. Also used on the older Bologna.

Black and Gold- From the Lucens/Extra Lucens series. Also offered on an FPH LE and a Omas Club Pen. The solid part (from the cap) used on the current Bologna.

Lucens Blue- Based on the Royale Blue (the cap is the same) but with clear and blue mixed in the barrel. Also used on the 360 Lucens LE.

Harlequin-The last piece of the puzzle for me! This one has a factory italic to boot. Also used on a Milord sized faceted Omas Club pen.

Burkina- The newest color. A really cool bronze/green with a black square pattern. Also used on the 360.

 

Finally, here's a picture of all of my Omas celluloids together. Some colors are duplicated, and there are a few other Paragons (including a super rare yellow Ferrari FP) in the mix.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed looking!

 

best,

Doug

 

[RedRob]

This is not a collection, it is an archive. A real beauty. Congratulations.

 

PS Could you post a picture of the pens uncapped?

[Opus104]

W * O * W

[Deirdre]

I like the Emerald Green so much more than the Saft Green. Thanks for showing all these!

[Vicary]

The Emerald is really nice. Very bright. I've heard that there were two slightly different variations of it used in the Ercolessi, but every piece I've seen shows the same stuff shown here....

 

[sumgaikid]

I've spent a fair amount of time over the last week or so going through my collection and doing some regrouping and cataloging. What I realized was that around Christmas last year I realized a complete collection- all of the colors of Omas celluloid. Not that I have all of the celluloid pens, but at least one example of each of the modern production colors. I hope you Italian pen lovers will enjoy this!

 

Here they are, starting with the originals. These colors were originally offered in three sizes: Princess, Dama, and Paragon. All of these are Paragons. The original offerings were all with gold trim. Later, white metal trim, special 75th engravings and nibs, and sterling and vermeil caps were added.

 

From left to right:

Scarlet Red-Also available on the current model Bologna.

Saffron Blue-A beautiful color, but the white bits are prone to staining from within, darkening them over time.

Blue Royale-Later available with sterling cap. It was also offered on the Bologna and 360. The basis for the Blue Lucens celluloid.

Pearl Grey- Also used on the Cinema LE and the 360.

Saft Green-An underrated color, not used for much else.

Arco Green-Just beautiful, also not used much elsewhere.

Arco Brown-The best, IMO. Currently offered in two sizes, both bigger than the Paragon. A couple of LE versions including a round pen were made.

 

There were also some limited editions and some later regular production colors.

Cracked Ice-Originally offered on the Galileo, also used on a round barreled version. Later used for the Wild 360.

Emerald Green-A lighter, brighter variant of the Saft green. Very nice.

Autumno- A darker green/bronze. Not the same stuff as the Saft or Emerald. More 'flake' oriented. Also used on the older Bologna.

Black and Gold- From the Lucens/Extra Lucens series. Also offered on an FPH LE and a Omas Club Pen. The solid part (from the cap) used on the current Bologna.

Lucens Blue- Based on the Royale Blue (the cap is the same) but with clear and blue mixed in the barrel. Also used on the 360 Lucens LE.

Harlequin-The last piece of the puzzle for me! This one has a factory italic to boot. Also used on a Milord sized faceted Omas Club pen.

Burkina- The newest color. A really cool bronze/green with a black square pattern. Also used on the 360.

 

Finally, here's a picture of all of my Omas celluloids together. Some colors are duplicated, and there are a few other Paragons (including a super rare yellow Ferrari FP) in the mix.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed looking!

 

best,

Doug

:puddle: :puddle: :puddle:

 

 

John

 

[omasfan]

Incredible! Four celluloids are still missing in my collection of the entire rainbow of Omas' celluloids: the Arlecchino, the blue Lucens, the autumn Ogiva, and the Ercolessi green. Well, come time and money, and I'll close this gap. I consider myself seriously done with collecting then.

I also consider these Omas celluloids the quintessential pens. Just beautiful beyond description!

 

What's the yellow resin Paragon next to the T2 called? I haven't seen that one before.

[omasfan]

I like the Emerald Green so much more than the Saft Green.

 

You know, while the Emerald Green is really nice (reminiscent of the moss green of old), the saft green isn't to be sneezed at. Pictures somehow misrepresent this color often, giving it an olive-brownish tan. It is much richer and much greener in the flesh. I didn't like it in pictures but I bought it as I wanted to have the color. Once I had it, I fell in love with it.

[errantmarginalia]

Awesome collection, Doug! Thanks for sharing. Best,

David

[lterry]

Birdy num nums....what beautiful pens.

[Vicary]

Incredible! Four celluloids are still missing in my collection of the entire rainbow of Omas' celluloids: the Arlecchino, the blue Lucens, the autumn Ogiva, and the Ercolessi green.

 

What's the yellow resin Paragon next to the T2 called? I haven't seen that one before.

 

The Autumno color is available on the Ogiva or the Bologna (old style) while the Blue Lucens is still available on the 360 Lucens LE. For the Ercolessi you have to buy an Ercolessi, and they're tough to come by! The Arlecchinos come up from time to time, but they're not cheap. There's an Omas Club pen in that material as well, but to get it you have to do the three year subscription. There was a time when that was not so bad, but with the exchange rate being so bad now it's also pretty pricey.

 

The yellow fountain pen is a special limited production piece for Ferrari Owners. I believe it was only available through Ferrari dealers. Another tough one to find! There is a much more common roller version that you'll see from time to time.

 

best,

Doug

 

[Deirdre]

I like the Emerald Green so much more than the Saft Green.

 

You know, while the Emerald Green is really nice (reminiscent of the moss green of old), the saft green isn't to be sneezed at. Pictures somehow misrepresent this color often, giving it an olive-brownish tan. It is much richer and much greener in the flesh. I didn't like it in pictures but I bought it as I wanted to have the color. Once I had it, I fell in love with it.

I really dislike olive or brown greens. I don't mind yellow greens as long as they're a strong color and don't look too much like vomit.

Chartreuse is fine, though.

[handlebar]

Many thanks for sharing those delicious photos!!! You are one lucky fella. While i only own three Omas celluloids,they are wonderful writers and stunningly beautiful. Same goes for my Paragon and Milord pens.

 

Jim

[Michael R.]

This is such a wonderful collection!

 

Thanks for sharing.

 

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

 

 

 

PS: I'm working on one, too :-)

[AndyW]

Wowza - what a beautiful collection. I really drool after the Lucens Blue. Do you also have any vintage Omas? Those old Lucens are so impressive.

 

BTW, I'll be your best friend if I make it in your will

[aurrida]

thats some collection, very desirable.