The Arco Photo Thread

[fpupulin]

Long due thread...

 

In a page devoted to Italian pens, this topic is calling all the expressions of one of the most recognizable Italian materials ever used in fountain pens: the mythical Arco celluloid!

 

Made worldwide famous by the Officine Meccaniche Armando Simoni (OMAS) in Bologna in their Extras and Paragons, Milords and Princesses and Damas, and proposed here and there by other brands and independent manufacturers, the Arco celluloid is the quintessence of "italianity" in pens: warm, refined, flamboyant and unique.

 

Judging by the prices fetched by Arco celluloid pens in these days, is seems that the "Arco fever" is strongest than ever, and I can understand why...

 

Let me begin with a few photos of some of my Arco:

 

 

[zaddick]

Wasnt the first arco celluloid the platinum celluloid made by Bayer in Germany and famously used by MB?

[fpupulin]

Wasnt the first arco celluloid the platinum celluloid made by Bayer in Germany and famously used by MB?

 

 

Really I do not know, Zaddick, but you are surely right. It may well be that I exceeded a bit in Italian pride, he he he...

[zaddick]

I could also be wrong, but arco is most strongly associated with OMAS so I am sure this wonderful thread will be filled with lovely images. My favorite arco pens are French made by Mora Stylos in their classic torpedo shape.

 

Nothing wrong with Italian pride... I'm Italian too!

[fountainpen51]

I didn't think that Arco could look more beautiful, but these photos elevate her beauty.

[RubenDh]

A picture tells a thousand words, but a video tells a thousand pictures

Thought it could be interesting to share a video of some acro being rotated

 

https://i.imgur.com/Ogzc35v.mp4

Edited August 3, 2019 by RubenDh

[PAKMAN]

Arco pens are so beautiful! Wish I hadn't foolisly sold my Arco Omas!

[Seney724]

I could also be wrong, but arco is most strongly associated with OMAS so I am sure this wonderful thread will be filled with lovely images. My favorite arco pens are French made by Mora Stylos in their classic torpedo shape.

 

Nothing wrong with Italian pride... I'm Italian too!

Agree 100%

Arco celluloid "shows" magnificently on Mora Stylos pens. The large size and torpedo shape of the pen enables the Arco pattern to fully "express" itself.

And quality of the craftsmanship is incredible.

 

 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Seney724

[Michael R.]

P1480030 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1480056 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1480054 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[fpupulin]

A picture tells a thousand words, but a video tells a thousand pictures

Thought it could be interesting to share a video of some acro being rotated

 

Great, short video, enhancing the qualities of this special material! Thank you for sharing.

[zaddick]

Agree 100%

Arco celluloid "shows" magnificently on Mora Stylos pens. The large size and torpedo shape of the pen enables the Arco pattern to fully "express" itself.

And quality of the craftsmanship is incredible.

 

(Apologies for not giving credit to the person to whom these photos belong, but I do not know where they originated!)

Not sure if you are being cheeky, but those are my photos.

[fpupulin]

I could also be wrong, but arco is most strongly associated with OMAS so I am sure this wonderful thread will be filled with lovely images. My favorite arco pens are French made by Mora Stylos in their classic torpedo shape.

 

Nothing wrong with Italian pride... I'm Italian too!

Agree 100%

Arco celluloid "shows" magnificently on Mora Stylos pens. The large size and torpedo shape of the pen enables the Arco pattern to fully "express" itself.

And quality of the craftsmanship is incredible.

 

Great pens, those Oldwins by Mora Stylos. I particularly like how they did use the Arco celluloid with complete freedom and in a very original way, to make pens that are true to their original models, with no relationships with Omas stylistic elements. A great job, I heartedly agree.

[Seney724]

Not sure if you are being cheeky, but those are my photos.

Not at all. I had no idea where they originated.

Why don't you put them up on your post and I will take them down from mine......

They deserve to be up here somewhere!! No description can accurately convey the beauty of the Arco celluloid on the Mora Stylos template.

[abstract49]

Arco pens are so beautiful! Wish I hadn't foolisly sold my Arco Omas!

 

Is that the one I bought from you at the Dallas Pen Show about 4 or 5 years ago?

[como]

Wonderful thread. My Omas 360 Rollerball in vermeil before I sold it.

[fpupulin]

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

 

Wow, Michael! I absolutely love those "family portraits"! A Grand Paragon, a Paragon, and a Princess... What a beautiful trio!

[fpupulin]

Wonderful thread. My Omas 360 Rollerball in vermeil before I sold it.

 

Welcome to the thread, Como! It must have been difficult to give up such beauty, isn't it?

 

Do you still have some Arco celluloid pen?

[fpupulin]

And here I am going again, with a few Arcos living in tropical Costa Rica:

 

[dms525]

My OMAS Arco pens: 3 Old-style Paragons and an Ogiva. 3 Brown arcos and a green.

 

David

 

 

[sanpei]

Vintage arco celluloid