Sneak Peeks from Omas

Two new pens from Omas, sure to capture your imagination, are the Burl Wood Celluloid Vintage Paragon and the Red 360 Demonstrator, both available within the next few months. The Paragon comes with either a 14-karat extra-flex nib (extra fine, fine and medium) or an 18-karat nib (extra fine, fine, medium and broad). There are 80 pens each: with rose gold trim, yellow gold trim, hi-tech silver trim and ruthenium trim. Nibs must be pre-ordered through your favorite retailer; price is under $1,000. The fabulous 360 Demonstrator in red is really hot. This limited edition--there are only 360 available worldwide, with 180 slated for the US--features "hi-tech" silver trim. It is priced at $750. I'm in love.

Made for women

Here's a sneak preview of the newer-than-new Milady twist-action ballpoint, part of the Omas Arte Italiana collection. Diminutive in size and bright of color, each pen in the collection is topped with a complementary gemstone: maroon features an amethyst; ivory, smoky quartz; teal, green gold quartz; red, garnet. Another great purse pen.

Chicago is my kind of town...

    Last weekend was the Chicago Pen Show at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont, and I had a great time despite the cold, windy and rainy weather. I think this show beat my last for record sales of the 2011 Stylus Annual, and I was delighted to autograph a number of them (I offered, and what could any polite person do but accept? Overheard: one person said he was going to sell his signed copy for big bucks when I leave this mortal coil...I was flattered, I guess...).  Kenro Industries was there with a beautiful assortment of pens (the company now distributes quite a few brands, including Montegrappa, Omas, Aurora and, as of last week, Sheaffer). Brian Gray was there with his fabulous collection of Edison pens, as was Howard Levy of Bexley. Retailers included Total Office Products, Bertram's Inkwell, the Pear Tree Pen Company and the local Paradise Pen. Of course no show would be complete without Pendemonium. Show hosts Don Lavin and Dan Zazove were ever-gracious, offering Stylus the usual prime real estate at the front of the room--a fun and "safe" location, thanks to Ken and Robert.

    For Chicagoans or those planning to be in the Windy City, try the Girl & the Goat restaurant (award-winning chef Stephanie Izard). Amazing small plates, great wine list and trendy atmosphere. Thanks, Lynn and Lauren! 

    More on the show coming soon...

Certifiably Beautiful

The limited edition 1910 Certified Collection from Ermenegildo Zegna features a rosewood barrel and platinum-plated cap and trim. The coat of arms and the tactile pin stripe engraved on the cap represent Ermenegildo Zegna’s textile tradition. Five stars are engraved on the end of the barrel, as on the selvedge of Zegna fabrics, and the Ermenegildo Zegna coat of arms is inscribed on the platinum-plated 18-karat gold nib of the fountain pen ($1,200). A rollerball pen ($1,050) is also available. The pens, made by Omas, are available at Zegna boutiques.

Celebrating 85 years

Omas is introducing the limited edition Fusion, which combines an interesting profile, with materials for which the company is well known, including titanium. There are just 850 piston-filled fountain pens in the edition, each priced at $4,000. The 18-karat gold nib is available in extra fine, fine, medium and broad.