The Arco Photo Thread

[como]

I added two Arco pens to my collection. One is a vintage Omas 361 Slim model in Arco Grey/PL. The other is the Leonardo Cuspide Arco Brown with a #8 14k nib in Medium.

 

If I call correctly, the Omas 361 has four different sizes: Senior, Midsize, Slim and Vest Pocket/Lady. The smallest one is very short but a little girthier than the Slim model. For me both smaller sizes are quite nice and make it more affordable to acquire.

 

I was a little undecided about the Leonardo Arco, mainly because it's rather expensive compared to what I paid for my other Arco pens, but also because I felt stupid and greedy to want another Arco pen. But I went ahead, thinking that it would probably be the last batch of Arco coming from good hands, and if I don't like it for some reason, I can sell it easily without losing too much. After receiving the pen, I saw that one side of the Arco pattern actually has "cusp" shape, similar to the regular Cuspide pattern in resin, which is faithful to its name. So I decided to keep it, as a closure to my  fascination of Omas pens, an end story .🙂 Sorry the photos are not the best quality as I took it with my phone, and it's been grey here for many days with no warm natural light!

 

[como]

It's been quiet here, but we have not forgotten about Omas, about Arco... An Omas Lady Arco Verde with an Extra Lucens vintage nib that I acquired not long ago. I adore this pen with its killer nib which I enjoy writing with very much!

[Seney724]

What a gorgeous pen @como!!

 

Congratulations on this superb addition to your collection and thank you for sharing the photo with us

 

The green "roller"component on the ruzzolina pocket clip is stunning.  I was not aware that Omas used the green color in the Arco Verde pens they manufactured with this type of clip.  Other colors, yes, but the green is new to me.  Makes perfect sense and I think it adds to the visual "pop" of the pen!

[Michael R.]

Very pretty pen @como!

Love the little details like the vintage nib and the green roller on the clip. The writing looks lovely. I'd say one can see the "vintage" (nib) in the writing!

Is this the same size as the 1930? How does it compare to the clipless Dama?

Also the Arco Leonardo is sooooo tempting every time I see it!

What a huge pen compared to the 361.

Enjoy in good health

 

Michael

[como]

2 hours ago, Seney724 said:

What a gorgeous pen @como!!

 

Congratulations on this superb addition to your collection and thank you for sharing the photo with us

 

The green "roller"component on the ruzzolina pocket clip is stunning.  I was not aware that Omas used the green color in the Arco Verde pens they manufactured with this type of clip.  Other colors, yes, but the green is new to me.  Makes perfect sense and I think it adds to the visual "pop" of the pen!

@Seney724Thank you! This particular one was a tester for engraving at Omas. You know we talked about some Omas pens that "escaped" the factory during and after the company demise have no engraving of any sort? Well, this one is the opposite. It's got like 6-7 "OMAS EXTRA" engraved on its facets, a tester for trying out the depth and spacing of engraving. It's a grand little lady 😀. Being small and a tester, it's a bit more affordable to me too.

1 hour ago, Michael R. said:

Very pretty pen @como!

Love the little details like the vintage nib and the green roller on the clip. The writing looks lovely. I'd say one can see the "vintage" (nib) in the writing!

Is this the same size as the 1930? How does it compare to the clipless Dama?

Also the Arco Leonardo is sooooo tempting every time I see it!

What a huge pen compared to the 361.

Enjoy in good health

 

Michael

@Michael R.Thank you! It's a rather unusual Omas, for reasons I mentioned above with Seney724. Here is a photo of this modern Dama compared to vintage Dama. 

 

For size comparison:

1. Omas vintage Lady Cracked Ice (plunger filler, so it's even a bit shorter than the piston Dama version);

2. Omas vintage Lady Arco Grey (piston);

3. Omas modern Lady Arco Verde (about 11.4cm capped);

4. Omas modern old style Paragon Arco Brown;

5. MB 149 (this one happens to be the Calligraphy), you know this one very well! That's why I put it here.

[Michael R.]

Perfect comparison - thank you 🙂

[fpupulin]

On 12/13/2020 at 6:38 AM, como said:

I added two Arco pens to my collection. One is a vintage Omas 361 Slim model in Arco Grey/PL. The other is the Leonardo Cuspide Arco Brown with a #8 14k nib in Medium.

 

I was a little undecided about the Leonardo Arco, mainly because it's rather expensive compared to what I paid for my other Arco pens, but also because I felt stupid and greedy to want another Arco pen. But I went ahead, thinking that it would probably be the last batch of Arco coming from good hands, and if I don't like it for some reason, I can sell it easily without losing too much. After receiving the pen, I saw that one side of the Arco pattern actually has "cusp" shape, similar to the regular Cuspide pattern in resin, which is faithful to its name. So I decided to keep it, as a closure to my  fascination of Omas pens, an end story .

 

 

On 6/16/2021 at 10:05 AM, como said:

For size comparison:

1. Omas vintage Lady Cracked Ice (plunger filler, so it's even a bit shorter than the piston Dama version);

2. Omas vintage Lady Arco Grey (piston);

3. Omas modern Lady Arco Verde (about 11.4cm capped);

4. Omas modern old style Paragon Arco Brown;

5. MB 149 (this one happens to be the Calligraphy), you know this one very well! That's why I put it here.

 

 

For some reason, It seems I missed a lot of post here!

 

Beautiful pens, como, and one of my preferred is no doubt the vintage Lady Cracjked ice, even if not an Arco...

 

I understand you when you say that one feels a bit greedy wanting another Arco pen when he already ahas several, but you can not decide what your heart pulses for! After many years looking at the late Omas Milord Arco production, I was sure that the quite pronounced step between body and section would be a break dealer for me. Furthermore, the imperfect filling system, with that bad piston prone to crack and with no more OMAS technicians to repair it, well, I felt myself safe from temptation... But, no!

 

That bar of Arco celluloid is irremediably growing on me, and I know I will not resist more. Now, finding a OMAS Arco Milord today, possibly not broken, and at a human price, could be a very difficult task, so I continue to be safe, against my will..

 

 

The photo is not mine, and the pen is not more for sale, unfortunately (or fortunately). I particularly like this combination of Arco and  silver trims...  

[fpupulin]

Meantime, here is another Arco pen, my Ogiva, who yesterday night drawn one of my beloved watches. I shot the two early this morning.

 

There are so much beautiful things to made life happier...

 

 

[como]

25 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

 

 

 

For some reason, It seems I missed a lot of post here!

 

Beautiful pens, como, and one of my preferred is no doubt the vintage Lady Cracjked ice, even if not an Arco...

 

I understand you when you say that one feels a bit greedy wanting another Arco pen when he already ahas several, but you can not decide what your heart pulses for! After many years looking at the late Omas Milord Arco production, I was sure that the quite pronounced step between body and section would be a break dealer for me. Furthermore, the imperfect filling system, with that bad piston prone to crack and with no more OMAS technicians to repair it, well, I felt myself safe from temptation... But, no!

 

That bar of Arco celluloid is irremediably growing on me, and I know I will not resist more. Now, finding a OMAS Arco Milord today, possibly not broken, and at a human price, could be a very difficult task, so I continue to be safe, against my will..

 

 

The photo is not mine, and the pen is not more for sale, unfortunately (or fortunately). I particularly like this combination of Arco and  silver trims...  

Dear Franco, before I even read your text, I saw that photo and I thought: Franco, you really did it! I have no words but congratulations, and I know 100% that the heart wants what it wants... I had and sold a blue demo version of this same pen (believe it’s called Art Vision blue), and I miss it a lot. Anyway, perhaps one day, may you find her and live happily ever after 🙂!

22 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

Meantime, here is another Arco pen, my Ogiva, who yesterday night drawn one of my beloved watches. I shot the two early this morning.

 

There are so much beautiful things to made life happier...

 

 

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. I must have said it a thousand times 😀! I cherish these Italian celluloid pens more perhaps because somehow they are more mortal (the threat of piston failure, celluloid crystallization is always a possibility). And mortal aren’t we all. Thank you for this photo. It’s beautiful! Time and timeless...

[OMASsimo]

On 6/16/2021 at 11:35 AM, como said:

It's been quiet here, but we have not forgotten about Omas, about Arco... An Omas Lady Arco Verde with an Extra Lucens vintage nib that I acquired not long ago. I adore this pen with its killer nib which I enjoy writing with very much!

 

Oh, I missed your post, unfortunately. What a beautiful pen and what an exquisite handwriting! Congratulations and enjoy it as much as you can.

[OMASsimo]

On 7/11/2022 at 5:22 PM, fpupulin said:

Meantime, here is another Arco pen, my Ogiva, who yesterday night drawn one of my beloved watches. I shot the two early this morning.

 

There are so much beautiful things to made life happier...

 

 

 

What an excellent photo of two beautiful items and a really nice drawing! You are very talented in both photography and sketching apparently. And you obviously have great taste.

[como]

On 7/13/2022 at 9:22 PM, OMASsimo said:

 

Oh, I missed your post, unfortunately. What a beautiful pen and what an exquisite handwriting! Congratulations and enjoy it as much as you can.

@OMASsimo Thank you very much! I saw some comments in another thread about Arco imitations and Arco inspired materials. Meanwhile some are interesting, real Arco seen in person is always so stunning. The season which I use my Italian celluloid pens more often is definitely autumn, when the leaves tune shades of yellow, orange and brown, beautiful warm tones of nature. 🙂

[OMASsimo]

@como, I only have one Arco bronze pen and love it to death. And I totally agree that this is an absolutely stunning and unique material. I have many beautiful vintage celluloid pens but none comes close to this. I think I missed the chance to buy an old style Paragon/Gentleman in this material for a human price.

 

This is an interesting idea that you connect Italian celluloid with autumn. I assume that your association has to do with the celluloid colours. My approach which pen to fill next is much more random and probably has more to do with the nib characteristics of the pen. A certain celluloid colour may inspire me to fill it with a certain ink colour, though. For instance, I like to fill my green OMAS Ercolessi with Waterman Harmonious Green. 

[fpupulin]

 

 

Now yes! this is my photo, my pen, and the pen is no longer for sale because I bought it. The pattern of the Arco celluloid is just amazing...

 

Engrossments were made with a second stroke (and a third when necessary). The paper is hard as a stone... 

 

Interestingly, there has been quite a flourishing of Omas Milord Arco sells in the net lately, even though at ultrageous prices.

[francoiacc]

On 8/15/2022 at 2:49 PM, fpupulin said:

 

 

Now yes! this is my photo, my pen, and the pen is no longer for sale because I bought it. The pattern of the Arco celluloid is just amazing...

 

Engrossments were made with a second stroke (and a third when necessary). The paper is hard as a stone... 

 

Interestingly, there has been quite a flourishing of Omas Milord Arco sells in the net lately, even though at ultrageous prices.

 

Another lucky beauty! No one else could honor better an OMAS Arco than you.

The Milord is in my opinion a pen that unjustifiably lived in the shade of the Paragon, especially the Modern one that is a perfect size being in the same order of dimension of the old Paragon.

Congratulations for your new acquisition.

 

 

[fpupulin]

4 hours ago, francoiacc said:

 

Another lucky beauty! No one else could honor better an OMAS Arco than you.

The Milord is in my opinion a pen that unjustifiably lived in the shade of the Paragon, especially the Modern one that is a perfect size being in the same order of dimension of the old Paragon.

Congratulations for your new acquisition.

 

 

 

Thank you, my friend! You know, the different in size between the two pens, when closed, is really minimal. Was it not for the different pattern of the celluloid, I would be unable to distinguish one from another when they are on my desk. The Milord looks however quite bigger than the old Paragon, and sensibly heavier. The section, in celluloid (Milord) or in silver (Paragon) has a slightly different feeling, but I do not feel the metal section of the Paragon particularly slippery. Omas' designers succeeded in making the Paragon body almost with no "step" with the barrel – and its shape when the one is open is truly amazing, like a Greek column - , while in the Milord the step is more pronounced. Fortunately, I grip the pen quite low, so I do not feel the step at all with my fingers. The Arco celluloid "monoblock" of the Milord is surely impressive, nonetheless.

 

The nibs of these modern (post-2005) Omas are simply splendid, as it has always been a tradition for the house of Bologna.

 

Arco is a sickness...

[como]

@fpupulin Now I can really say: you finally did it! Congratulations!!!!

 

Even at market price, who can blame you for such purchase? As @francoiacc said, any Arco who comes to your house would be a lucky and happy Arco. This one found the perfect owner! Even better that you magically found this Arco Milord at a good price. Enjoy it in good health and good time!

 

@OMASsimo I love the warm tones of Italian celluloids. I also love shades of blue celluloids that Montegrappa makes, the dark blue, Mediterranean blue, turquoise... They remind me of Mediterranean in different types of light. Arco is the most beautiful.

[georges zaslavsky]

old picture of one of my arco paragon

[fpupulin]

On 9/1/2022 at 3:06 PM, georges zaslavsky said:

old picture of one of my arco paragon

 

 

 

Hi George! Glad to see you here again.

 

It doesn't matter when the photographs were taken: your "Grand" Paragon in Arco is a timeless beauty!

[Doug C]

On 7/11/2022 at 9:19 AM, fpupulin said:

 

 

 

For some reason, It seems I missed a lot of post here!

 

Beautiful pens, como, and one of my preferred is no doubt the vintage Lady Cracjked ice, even if not an Arco...

 

I understand you when you say that one feels a bit greedy wanting another Arco pen when he already ahas several, but you can not decide what your heart pulses for! After many years looking at the late Omas Milord Arco production, I was sure that the quite pronounced step between body and section would be a break dealer for me. Furthermore, the imperfect filling system, with that bad piston prone to crack and with no more OMAS technicians to repair it, well, I felt myself safe from temptation... But, no!

 

That bar of Arco celluloid is irremediably growing on me, and I know I will not resist more. Now, finding a OMAS Arco Milord today, possibly not broken, and at a human price, could be a very difficult task, so I continue to be safe, against my will..

 

 

The photo is not mine, and the pen is not more for sale, unfortunately (or fortunately). I particularly like this combination of Arco and  silver trims...  

I have that pen, and it indeed is very nice.