Omas Phoenix Gold, Silver & Bronze Fountain Pen Set

OMAS was founded in Bologna, Italy in 1925 by Armando Simoni. OMAS is one of the most famed and respected pen companies in the world.

Each of their pens is handcrafted to perfection in the same workshop in Italy from which the company was founded. 

The process of creating an OMAS pen involves a myriad of different stages, levels, and processes that must be done to exact specifications. There are over 100 stages involved in the refinement process alone. From the initial cutting of the 18-carat gold leaf to the rolling, trimming, and final shaping, every stage contributes to the extraordinary flexibility of OMAS nibs.

The OMAS Fountain Pen available through Abbey Pens embodies all the passion and expertise a skilled pen craftsman can put into their work.

Armando Simoni was often quoted to say, “A pen must make writing pleasurable.” If this is true, then there is no other company in the world that has worked harder to prove it than OMAS. In their entire manufacturing process, they only use the most capable and exceptional quality, craftsmanship and materials to make their pens. From the skilled hands of a craftsman to the eager hands of a writer, OMAS pens are the epitome of traditional finesse and sophistication. 

The Omas PhoenixGold, Silver & Bronze Fountain Pen Set.

"A mythological bird which never dies, the Phoenix flies long distances ahead of us, observing with its sharp eyes the countryside around us and the area ahead. It represents our visual capacity to gather sensory information on the environment around us and on the events that unfurl within it.

The Phoenix, with its perfect beauty, produces an amazing exaltation combined with the dream of immortality.”

Only in the aura of mystery surrounding it is the Chinese Phoenix similar to the mythical Egyptian bird, which continually rises from its own ashes.

It represents power and prosperity which were the exclusive attributes of the emperor and empress, the only people allowed to wear the symbol of the Feng.

It is portrayed in many ways, often with the forehead of a crane, the beak of a wild bird, the neck of a snake, the shell of a tortoise, the stripes of a dragon and the tail of a fish, held to be the finest attributes of these animals, and is the personification of the primordial forces of the Heavens.
In its beak, it carries the sacred texts, on its body are written the Five Cardinal Virtues, its song contains the five notes of the Chinese musical scale and its tail has the five primary colours: blue (the East, spring and wood), red (the South, summer and fire), white (the West, autumn, metal), black (the North, winter and water), and yellow (the Centre, the emperor and earth).
The two yang colours, blue and red, are balanced with the yin colours, white and black.

The enamel Phoenix, elegant and proud, which dominates the reservoir of the Omas fountain pen "The Trip of the Phoenix" copies this faithfully.
The body of the pen too, which comes in four versions, offers four of these colours; however, the metal of the finish changes:

The yellow enamel is combined with platinum, the red with gold, the blue, silver, and the white, bronze.
On the top there is a beautiful jade of an intense green, which recalls the green of the plumage, and the highly original clip is inspired by the presence of movement and harmony.
The Phoenix flies from Greece to China, from the Parthenon skilfully reproduced on the cap, to the Summer Palace, symbolically miniaturized on the nib, bringing together for the Olympics two great civilisations whose influence has been fundamental to the development of humanity.
Though geographically distant, they have both given the world wisdom, philosophy, art and innovation.
This small masterpiece available with 20% discount via Abbey Pens comes in a precious wood case, and its production has been entrusted, as always, to craftsmen and artists with unquestioned experience over many long years.

The Omas Phoenix Gold, Silver & BronzeFountain Pen Set writing instruments will make a superb investment to any collection.

From The David Oscarson Celestial Range

The David Oscarson Celestial Fire Red Golden Yellow Broad Limited Edition Fountain Pen.

The Celestial Collection continues in the spirit of artistic mastery and the tradition of Old World craftsmanship by combining the centuries-old technique of Guilloché with the art and expertise of Hard Enamel. Each Collection piece is engraved with multiple levels of Guilloché, then adorned with multiple colors of Hard Enamel. The five breathtaking color pairs featured on the caps stand in bold contrast to the translucent midnight blue hard enamel on the barrels.

The sun and sunburst designs featured on the Celestial cap require multiple levels of engraving; the rays of the sun remain in high relief while the sunburst pattern in the background features occasional omissions in engraving, reflecting heat and solar flares. Most remarkable perhaps is the three-dimensional face of the sun engraved on the tapered and rounded surface of the cap.

The level of difficulty involved in the moon and stars featured on the Celestial barrel equals that employed on the cap. The four phases of the moon (new, quarter, half and full) are outlined in high relief while the stars are represented in various widths and depths. Three different diameters of stars are featured in high relief and three in low relief (above and beneath the midnight blue enamel) as a reflection of the midnight sky. Fire Red Cap with Golden Yellow Sun and Midnight Blue Barrel with Translucent White Moons in 18-kt. Yellow Gold Vermeil.

Visit Abbey Pens to see the Available Range of exquisite Pens by 

David Oscarson

The Krone Tutankhamen

The Krone Tutankhamen Limited Edition Black Fountain Pen.

Discovering Tutankhamen's tomb west of Thebes on November 25, 1922 provided the world with the first glimpse of the most incredible burial treasure in existence. Egyptology had been established as a scientific vocation 100 years earlier by Frenchman Jean-Francois Champollion, but nothing as extraordinary as Tutankhamen's tomb and treasure had ever been found. And the west bank of the Nile had been a veritable treasure trove of Egyptian artefacts. Archaeologists had been able to piece together 4000 years of Egyptian life, including the study of temples and tombs, the remains of pharaohs and monuments discovered by Napoleon Bonaparte's expeditions in the early 1800s. All served to piece together centuries of human experience, ranging from ancient customs to the details of daily life to the recounting of military campaigns. But nothing approached the treasure that Lord Carnarvon and his party saw as they pulled back the first stones from Tutankhamen's tomb.

In spite of the wealth of his dynasty, Tutankhamen remained a shadowy figure. There were few objects that bore his name and in fact two important monuments bore the name of the dynastic god Armun, supplanting the significance of the boy pharaoh to some degree. Virtually all of the artefacts that bore Tutankhamen's face had been obliterated, showing the hate and ruthlessness of his enemies. And little was known of Tutankhamen when British archaeologist Howard Carter, supported by Lord Carnarvon, put together an expedition to find Tutankhamen's grave. Carter had been encouraged by his finding in the Valley of Kings and wanted to press on.

There were in fact many broken monuments of Tutankhamen, as Egyptian gods were transformed anthropomorphically to resemble the pharaoh or "dear son", but all of these had been later appropriated by King Haremheb, who had been one of the powers behind the throne when Tutankhamen ruled.

No royal sepulchres had ever been found intact in the burial grounds on the west bank of the Nile, but Carter and Carnarvon's perseverance led to Tutankhamen's tomb 3265 years after it had been sealed. It was earth shattering news that instantly became world headlines and made celebrities out of the discoverers. Soon the curse and myth of Tutankhamen would be famous the world over and the stories became more fantastic as the expedition got closer to the sarcophagus itself.

Pay homage to Tutankhamen with this superb, handcrafted writing instrument available through

Abbey Pens.

The tapered cap is wrapped with genuine papyrus and then delicately painted with a regal scene of Tutankhamen seated upon his throne. At the top of the cap is a brass band inscribed with "Tutankhamen", which frames an Egyptian Circular Zodiac. A bronze clip geometrically emulates the surrounding motif.

The richly detailed barrel is painted with a meticulous Egyptian pattern, featuring royal, crimson, emerald and golden colours, in a Limited Edition of 388 Fountain Pens and 38 Rollerballs worldwide.

Abbey Pens offers this Pen at Tremendous Discount, so check it out today.

The KroneTutankhamen Limited Edition Black Fountain Pen.

The Oakley Fountain Pen in African Blackwood

Abbey Pens Presents The Elegant Oakley Fountain Pen which is complimented with a blend of insets and engraved accent bands in 22Kt Gold cobalt combined with the brilliance of Rhodium plating. 

With effortless operation and dependability using the highest quality components, this pen is a writers delight and will serve as a treasured companion for it's owner.

The Oakley Pen being as distinctive as it’s owner, features a Very High Quality German two tone nib with an iridium point affording dependable smooth writing and ink flow, which is delivered by either cartridge or a Schmidt® ink reservoir.

The body of the pen is Hand Turned and Finished in African Blackwood, which is taken from near to the centre of the tree and gives a lighter area of material to contrast the piece. 

The pen comes together with a black leather single pen case for protection and storage.


Take a browse at our other Pens, Vintage and Antique Desk Accessories at abbeypens.com 

The Kensworth Rollerball Pen

Handmade by Ken McLeod 

The Kensworth Rollerball Pen is styled in a Flamboyant Balanced Design and is of Very High Quality with Appointments in Rhodium, which I am sure will compliment any Writers Desktop. 

The Kensworth

The Kensworth features a Flared Cap and Centre Band Design and benefits from a Very High Quality German ceramic tipped Schmidt® Cartridge affording Dependable Smooth Writing.This instrument is completed by being Hand Turned and Finished in Fools Gold Resin which has been Polished to the Finest Standard and with Precision.

Rollerball

The Pen measures approximately 5.5 inches ( 140mm) in length and is styled with a threaded end cap which allows the pen cap to be attached quickly and easily without losing balance. The Kensworth Rollerball Pen comes secure in a Faux Leather Single Pen case for Protection and ease of carrying.

For more details of this and other handmade pens by Abbey Pens

Please Click HERE

What Inspired The Steppingley Rollerball Pen Name?

When I began making handmade fountain and rollerball pens, I had to come up with individual names for the separate designs that I decided to make.

As I live in a rural area of Bedfordshire in England, I thought I would name the pens after Villages and Hamlets from around the County.

The Steppingley R Rollerball was inspired by the Village of Steppingley in the Heart of Bedfordshire situated only a few miles from where I live.

Steppingley R Rollerball with Black Titanium appointments and a Bocote Wooden Body 

Steppingley village stands on high ground in the centre of a small parish of about 562ha on the Greensand Ridge. People have lived here for several thousand years, flint tools over 8000 years on have been found in the southwest of the parish. Stepigelai (Steppingley Manor) is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.

Probably the most famous resident of the village was one of the early rectors, John Schorne, who took up office in 1273 (it has been said that the French Horn pub was named after him). He became well known as a healer and was credited with having imprisoned the devil, or demon of pain, in an old boot. He moved to North Marston church in 1283 and when he died North Marston became a place of pilgrimage. Small models of Schorne holding a boot with the devil’s head poking out were sold as pilgrim tokens and this is believed to have been the inspiration for the Jack-in-the-Box, so popular in Victorian times. John Schorne’s remains lie in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.







































In the late medieval period the poor quality agricultural land was emparked for hunting and timber production. Beckerings Park lay in the northwest of the parish and Steppingley Park occupied most of the south of the parish. Routes running through the parish were redirected around the parks, restricting further growth of the village.





In the sixteenth century, Beckerings became one of the local deer parks providing entertainment for King Henry VIII. Timber from the park and other parts of Steppingley became the most important element in the village economy at this time and much of it was used to build ships for the navy. Two hundred year’s later, Steppingley was one of a group of parishes in the area with a high proportion of pasture land producing dairy products for the growing London market, which brought a measure of prosperity to the village and an increase in population. Steppingley Kiln (where Kiln Farm stands today) was producing bricks for the local gentry and provided the materials for the Earl of Ossory’s Ampthill Great House in 1762-64.


In 1839 the 7th Duke of Bedford purchased almost all of the parish that he didn’t already own and began a programme of improvements. Hedges were removed to make larger fields, the Church, farm buildings and cottages were rebuilt. A few older buildings survive, but most of Steppingley was created between 1840 and 1872.
Today the village retains much of this character and the conservation status helps to preserve this.

St Lawrence Church at Steppingley was rebuilt in 1860 on the site of an earlier church, which collapsed when repairs were undertaken to rectify an outward leaning wall. The old church was once described as the 'the smallest church in Bedfordshire' by the Gentleman's Magazine, 1849 and the oldest parts of the building, the Norman nave, probably dated from the twelfth century and the chancel from the thirteenth century. However the only portion to have been preserved is part of the sedilia or piscina, which now forms the niche in the sacristy of the present building.

The new church was designed by the architect, Henry Clutton, who also designed the Romanesque church at Woburn, and the rebuilding was financed by the Duke of Bedford and the rector. Built of local red-brown sandstone excavated at Green End, Maulden, it is an example of the Early Decorated and Perpendicular styles of the fourteenth century architecture.
It consists of a chancel, nave, vestry, north aisle and a western tower containing 4 bells. The broad and regular tower is supported by buttresses which terminate half-way up each wall. An embattled newel-turret rises above the tower and below the embattlements are four gargoyles, one at each corner.
St Lawrence Church was restored in 1912 by the Duke of Bedford K.G. at a cost of £1000 and in the course of excavations in the chancel, 531 English and Scotch silver coins of 13th century were found. It is thought that these were offerings of patients of a former rector, John de Schorne, who acquired fame for his healing powers. A popular myth credited him with conjuring the devil into a boot and keeping him there under a restraining hand that allowed only his head to emerge.
The register of the church dates from 1562 but not continuous until after 1647.

Extracts taken from the Steppingley Parish Web Site where more details of the village and amenities are available.

Officer and a Gentleman

             Burr Walnut Campaign Writing Slope Circa 1850

As it’s name suggests; The Campaign Writing  Slope was designed for Gentleman Officers away on campaign during the reign of Queen Victoria, and her predecessors,  affording them a secure place for letters, documents and writing instruments, and a platform to write messages and letters to other Officers in the field and to loved ones back home.

Campaign slopes and other campaign furniture can sometimes be identified by the brass corners and banding that gave added protection during travel, and for their design in being dismantled quickly when on the move.

The intent of the furniture was so that the Gentlemen Officers could enjoy similar comfort to that at home whist away in Foreign Lands of The Empire!

This example of a Campaign Writing Slope which is in good honest condition showing only marks of time being some 160 years old, and was made in England in about 1850.

Due to it’s age it has some tarnishing of the brass and some slight repair has been made at some time to some banding; however appears quite original.

The Burr Walnut veneer remains complete and original with a nice patina, showing only marks and wear commensurate with it’s age.

The base of the slope has received  a black baize replacement which is in good condition.

Once inside the slope, there is a lockable area with a secret compartment which is released by lifting one edge of the right hand side inkwell walls revealing two secret drawers, ideal for small desk items and valuables.

The slope also has a removable pen rest where pens and nibs could be stored beneath, and a sloped area for stamps together two inkwell compartments at either corner which is complete with two original antique Mosleys Revolving inkwells.

The inkwells are in very good condition and are from the same period in square cut glass with a Crown insignia on the brass screw caps which still have an early rubber seal inside of the caps, albeit  they have some wear and ink residue from their previous use.

The lower half of the slope reveals an insecure area for storing writing paper etc, and the writing area itself displays a beautiful  replacement skiver in Black Leather, with gold tooling around the edge.

Both locks are in working order with keys, with the main lock having been recently serviced by Bramah Locksmiths of London.

Bramah were first given their Patent on 21^st August 1784 and were sited at Denmark Street in St. Giles London and are still in operation to this day.

Interestingly; during the service of the Bramah lock, the company identified that it was in fact a copy version of their lock which was fitted to furniture following the locks patent ending in 1815.

I was advised that during the period that followed it was a common practice for these locks to be used, and that they were of such a high quality, Bramah continued to repair and service them and were happy to do so on this occasion. 

So the pirating of goods it appears is not a modern practice!

Well I hope you have enjoyed my little insight into a Victorian Campaign Writing Slope which has now been SOLD and gone to a new home in The USA.

Ken McLeod © 2011

For Your Wedding Day

This beautiful Oakley Classic Fountain Pen Handcrafted by Ken McLeod at Abbey Pens has been created with The Wedding Breakfast in mind and suits to be partnered by a Wedding Guest Journal to record that Very Special Occasion.

This Wedding Oakley Classic Fountain Pen has been Hand Turned and Polished using an early form of man made material known as Casein which was pioneered in the late 1800’s as an imitation to horn and semi precious stone and was used to make many products such as buttons, jewellery and Conway Stewart perfected it in the manufacture of their pens; however this material which gives a attractive layered appearance in this example is rarely used today due to its lengthy manufacturing process.

This Wedding Oakley Classic Fountain Pen is complimented with a blend of insets and engraved accent bands in 22Kt Gold, with the use of Rhodium which is part of the Platinum family for bright work brilliance.

This Wedding Oakley Classic Fountain Pen is as distinctive as it’s owner and will undoubtedly become one of their favorite assets and features a Very High Quality German two tone nib with an iridium point affording dependable smooth writing and ink flow, which can delivered by either cartridge or an ink reservoir.

With effortless operation and dependability using the highest quality components, this Wedding Oakley Classic Fountain pen which can also be created in a Rollerball form is a true writers delight, and will become one of the Happy Couples most Treasured Wedding Day keepsakes. 

You can also find other styles of pen that can be used to make a Wedding Pen or a Pen for any Occasion by visiting Abbey Pens where a personal writing instrument can be handmade using any of the options available to your requirements.

Can I thank you for visiting us, and I hope you will return to see us again soon.

Kind regards,

Ken.

Ken McLeod © 2011

Standing Out in a Crowd

Hi there to all Our Followers and New Readers.

Today I want to Highlight The Aspley R Rollerball Pen which I have just listed in my Etsy Online Shop.

The Aspley R Rollerball pen has been designed especially to stand out amongst others and to Grace any Gentleman's desk top.

The Pen displays an elegant design, but remains Robust with superb balance, coupled with all the tradition of a fine desk pen, and is complimented using 22k Gold cobalt accents on a Rhodium finish and features a top quality German made ceramic tipped Schmidt® Cartridge for smooth, effortless writing.

This example has a body and cap made of Black Quartz Corian® which is a man made material that has been developed by Dupont® which has resulted in a finely polished black pen which has fine particles that sparkle when subjected to light bringing the pen to life.

With the use Rhodium in this pen which is part of the Platinum group, it offers very durable hard plating and should be expected to retain its brilliance under normal careful use for many years.

This pen measuring approximately 140mm in length with a wide girth is a Substantial Gentleman’s Pen which will become an asset for it’s owner for generations to come.

Well that’s an insight to The Aspley R Rollerball Pen in Rhodium and Black Quartz Corian, so may I Thank You for taking the time to read this Blog, and if you want to take the opportunity of purchasing this wonderful pen, it can be found at my Etsy Online Shop.

Until the next time!

Ken McLeod © 2011