2000 IG followers - WIN, WIN, WIN!

Erasmus said the supreme reward for mankind is nothing but a kind of madness; well clearly this applies to at least 2000+ of you Quillophyles now following my Instagram account. Why on earth would you do it?

Well, whatever your reason I want to thank you; and what is the best way for Quillophyles to reward each other? Yes, I'm giving away a fountain pen.

This is a significant mile-stone, so the prize needs to be significant too. I thought about sharing one of my beloved OMAS fountainpens - but I just can't forgo any of them. So I've decided to stick with Italy but move to Florence.

Here it is:

A Visconti Moonlight Voyager in Rose gold Vermeil, with a 14k Medium nib AND complete with a matching Travelling Ink Pot.

I hope you'll agree, this is a great prize.

To enter is easy. Just repost my Instagram Competition IG post (I'll do a few) with the tag #Quillidyllic and tag one friend. The winner will be chosen at random.

Thankyou Quillophyles for following; and don't stop posting!

OMAS -tars! Save OMAS - use one!

Just to help with my heading, that should be pronounced: "Oh-Ma-Stars"!

Arco gathering: Paragon, Ogiva, 360

Yes, this is a blog that is distressing to pen (pun-intended).

Founded by Armando Simoni in Bologna in Italy in 1925, 90 years ago, the OMAS Fountain Pen Company, (Officine Meccaniche Armando Simoni) is under threat and up for sale or closure. 

556/s Brevetto

This sad state of affairs does not relate to the quality of OMAS pens, their design, their appeal or their value; unfortunately the challenge in any global world, lies with the ownership structure and the broader goals and needs of global companies. In this case, 90% shareholder Oluxe, cannot see a role for OMAS in its future. A similar situation occurred in around 2007 when Hennessy, Louis Vuitton sold its 50% share in Omas. On a hopeful note, OMAS survived. 

If you have looked at this blog before, you know my obsession appreciation for the output of this small but wonderful fountain pen Company. With a staff of only 17 in Italy, OMAS produce:

• the most stunning celluloids (Arco, Wild, Lucens, et al);

Lucens 2000

Arco Paragon closeup

• wonderful nibs (one of the few to continue using ebonite feeds for the best ink flow; and the producers of the world-best modern, production flex nibs -"extra flessible"); 

Omas 90th Anniversary Scarlet Paragon

Arlecchino with stub nib (ink is Herbin  1670 Emerald of Chivor)

Black Lucens (my pen, photo by my friend T.J. Garvie)

• fabulous resins (Soleterre, 360 vintages, the Alba and Cocktail Ogiva series);

Turquoise and rose gold, Vintage 360

How did that Pilot VP get in there? The 360 Soleterre is on the right :-)

• Limited editions (too many to mention); and

 

1996 Ercolessi LE

• Creative and Innovative design (the 360 is still my favourite modern pen).

Orange Soleterre (left) and Arco 360

So what does this mean? (apart from the fact that I have too many OMAS pens)

Well, I can't afford to buy out the company (although I have done my best to keep them afloat through my purchases). 

I am now therefore committing to use my OMAS fountain pens, and ONLY my OMAS fountain pens, until such time as the company is saved.

Join me. 

If you have OMAS fountain pens sitting in your drawer, pen case or pocket, pull it/them out, ink them up and use them! 

If you don't own an OMAS pen (and why on earth not!!) buy one, buy more than one! 

OK, if you don't have the cash (and you don't want to use credit), find a vintage OMAS fountain pen and use that (it doesn't support the current company, but it supports the OMAS legacy).

OMAS is a wonderful fountain pen brand, with a rich history; be a part of history and join me in crossing pens and wishing them an even better future.

from left top: Ogiva Alba (x2); Ogiva wild; and Ogiva Autunno. Bottom: Ogiva Arco

Here are just a few gratuitous photos to close with:

Extra 556 in gold

Some of my Paragons (photo taken by my friend TJ Garvie)

Platinum Arco Extra (circa 1937)

90th Anniversary LE Paragon