This is one of the first Italian pen companies.
In 1919 Giuseppe Zanini started his company in Bologna with operations in 1925 beng established in Sesto Calende on Lake Maggiore in 1925 and later the headquarters moving to Arona 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.
Zanini 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.
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.
Some of the notable lines include:
The company's website includes that Julia Briling, IP Brilig Yulia, located in Saint Peterburg, Russia, is an Official Partner. The Briling Yulia website notes they are the exclusive representatives of Ancora in Russian and the CIS countries.
Ancora, s.n.c.
Via Guido D'Arezzo 15,
2 piano, ufficio nr. 4
Milano, Italia,
20145
