Glenns Pens

Ancora

This is one of the first Italian pen companies.

In 1919 Giuseppe Zanini started his company in Arona, located on Lake Maggiore, in Northern Italy. It was in March 1920, with a partner, his company, named “Fabbrica e Commercio di Penne Stilografiche e Raffinati Oggetti per Arti Grafiche” — Manufacture and sale of fountain pens and luxury accessories for the graphic arts — was formed.

In 1924 the partnership ended and Zanini set up under a new name — “Fabbrica di Penne Stilografiche e Commercio Stampe in genere, Stampe e Riproduzioni Opere d’Arte”. Translated this is shown to be Manufacture of fountain pens and sale of prints in general. Prints and reproductions of artworks. No short names here. The company was formally transfered to Sesto Calende in September 1925.

He not only wanted to make beautiful fountain pens, but to manufacture all parts of the pen in his factory. He never got to that point as he died ten years later. His son, Alfredo took over the company and fulfilled his father's dream. Ancora made all parts of their pens, the feeds, body and nibs in their factory.

The company was one of about four to produce their own nibs. Others have specific nib manufactures produce their nibs.

After World War II Giusepe Zanini died and his son, Alfredo ran the company until 1975. At that time Ancora stopped producing pens and it was not until 1998 that Giovanni Santini, an owner of a pen store in Turin selling new and vintage pens, started up the company once more. Santini had worked as a pen repairman so he had a good knowledge of pens. 0

Today, Giovanni Santini contiues with the vision of the company. Santini owned a pen shop in Turin, and he also worked as a pen repairman. In 1998 he resumed production of Ancora pens.

Ancora pens are handmade in its workshop located in Pavia, about 50 km south of Milan. They make the total pen from the nibs, clips and ebonite feeds.

In June 2018 Ancora completed the acquisition of all OMAS brands and assets. Their press release indicated they acquired OMAS to enable the iconic models such as the OMAS 360 and OMAS Paragon to be available. The OMAS lines, however, do not appear on the company's website.

 

 

Ancora, s.n.c.
via Vignone, 10-12
27030 Confienza (PV)
Italia
Tel: (+39) 0384 674 865

ancora1919.shop

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