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Osmia pens 

The OSMIA brand was founded in 1919 in Heidelberg in Germany. Although the company was gradually taken over by Faber-Castell already from around 1935 the production of pens marketed "Osmia" continued until the early 60s. 

From the late 20s Osmia collaborated with Parker and both distributed and produced Parker pens for the European market. That would explain the similarity of certain Osmia models to Parker Duofold models. You can also find pens the bear a double inscription; that is both "Parker" and "Osmia". The pics of the Osmia pen and pencil set of "pearl and black" show the obvious inspiration from Parker's "pearl and black" Duofold.

As a rule, pen companies took their name from the founder or they adopted a name that would give the possible buyers the right associations concerning the brand. In the case of Osmia that is not the case (or at least, it's not an obvious case). The Osmia brand name derives from an amalgam, osmiumalloy, patented by the founders of the Osmia Company. The osmiumalloy offered a much better tip than natural iridium thus allowing for the company to grant a life time warranty of the pens.

Black and pearl set - osmia supra Lux

This Osmia Black and Pearl set is obviously inspired by Parker. But is carries a nib from Penol. It is probably a question of a substitution nib, but then the nib size seems a perfect match for the pen, and one might suspect that there has been some kind of collaboration or relation between Parker, Osmia and Penol? 

In the pics you will notice the very unusual white plate in the blind caps. They certainly do not correspond to the circle and quadrate one normally finds in Osmia (see further below). You will also note the almost inevitable ambering of the pen barrel. It's not that bad and the cap and also the pencil are perfect in colour. Very nice set in the original box.

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Osmia - Faber Castell

Below some pics of the very nice Osmia 664

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So this is what an Osmia cap-top normally looks like (see pic to the left). These tops are sitting on two 664. They are absolutely gorgeous and as a matter of fact the feel of the nib when writing is different form that of other brands!

I don't know exactly when the 664 was introduced or discontinued, but an educated guess for the introduction (also judging from the 'double' inscription: Osmia // Faber- Castell ) would be the late 30s or 40s

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To the left af picture of a beautiful Osmia Supra 72A in a minty guilluché pattern. The pen behind is a Conway Stewart No 30 gone astray.

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