Omas 555/S
About This Model
Trying to briefly describe Omas is as challenging as describing Montblanc or Parker: there is too much history, too much production, too many years, too many models and sub-brands to discuss briefly. In addition, Omas bought parts from and sold parts to other companies, as is the tradition in Italy but not elsewhere. For this account, Omas was founded around 1920 by Armando Simoni in Bologna, and the name first appeared in 1925. Early Omas pens were made first in ebonite, in the Waterman style. then significantly that of Parker Duofolds, which formed the design for the Omas Extra. The Extra appeared in many forms, both cylindrical and faceted, until 1946, when it was changed to a piston-filler with a transparent barrel window. The Lucens and Extra Lucens line appeared in 1936; the Lucens was cylindrical and the Extra was faceted. Post WWII pens were tapered, and were piston fill pens called the 361. These were the major production through the 1950s. Omas maintained numerous sub-brands, including Minerva, Accossano, Erccolessi, Fips, Mengoni, Simplex, Kosca, The Scotland, and even Parker, with some unspecified relationship to the American company.
About This Pen
This smaller Omas, the Extra 555/S, is an ogiva pen (torpedo-shaped), and its number designates it as a ladies size. It is a piston pen from the early to middle 1950s, made of black celluloid. Its length is 12.1cm (4.7″) capped, but is very well proportioned with a girth of 10.ccm (.41″) just below the cap edge. Yes, it is smaller, but not too small for all but the largest hand. It is freshly restored with a new cork. Like so many Omas pens, even with a simple appearance it is an elegant pen, the shiny black adorned only by a gold cap ring and plain gold clip. The pen is unmarked by scratches and use wear, having come to me as an almost new pen. The imprint is complete but not filled, so it does not detract from the pen’s clean appearance. After all this praise, remember that one buys an Omas for its nib, and this is no exception. The nib is a 585 (14K) Omas Extra, and writes a perfect wet fine with some flex, a wonderful writing nib. Yes, it will write far better for a righthander than an overwriting lefty, which is why it’s being sold.
Price: $205 Sold