Aurora Olo Lusso
1930-35
About This Model
Aurora's history is among the longest in the fountain pen manufacture, having been inaugurated in 1919. Like many companies worldwide, their earliest output was of ebonite, copying Waterman's success with safety pens and eyedroppers. In 1927, they introduced the Duplex line, a lever-filler in celluloid and a copy of the Parker Duofold. In addition, the subbrand Olo emerged, with lower cost pens. By the 1930s, the Superba appeared, a successor to the Duplex.; also, at this time, Aurora starteed producing back lever pens and pens in brighter colors for the European market. The Novum came out in 1933, a back lever-filled model that also carried a security clip, a clever device that locked on a jacket or shirt pocket. Other models, the Etiopia, Superna, and Optima all followed before the end of the 1930s; all well-made, elegant and mechanically advanced pens.
About This Pen
Olo Lusso was an Aurora sub-brand from around 1929 until the 1940s, probably created to help Aurora achieve better market integration. Unlike other companies’ sub-brands, Olos were made of the same materials as the top-of-line Auroras, so are beauties. The Olo Lusso with gold trim was a 1930-1935 pen, and it appeared in marbled and horizontal-over-marbled patterning; this pen is one of the latter types, and the celluloid shimmers in light. At 13.2cm long capped and 1.2cm wide just below the cap, it is a substantial, but not large. It is indeed one of the most attractive pens I’ve owned, and I’ve dithered about selling it. It is in outstanding condition, giving one the impression of having not been previously used. The celluloid is unmarked. There is a bit of tarnish around the gold crown, but this is this pen’s only flaw. The imprint is “Olo Lusso” in script; it is complete. The nib is steel, and is engraved with “platiridio extra aurora 5”. The nib is firm, a F/EF, with a bit of flex and audible feedback. A fine, rarely seen, beautiful pen.
Price: $390 Sold