MINERVA TRASPARENTE BY OMAS - PISTON FILLER

Minerva pens were introduced by Omas in the  late 1920's/early 1930's as a parallel line of pens  to diversify production and reach a wider share of the market.

Very early Minerva pens were button fillers, very similar in shape and finish to Parker Duofold streamlined models. They replicated their Omas counterparts whith the same design.

In 1932 the Minerva Classica series was introduced; it comprised only lever fillers and pens were produced in fancy celluloids with a wide variety of colors and combinations. The Ellittica line followed, with more elaborate finish and a wide range of colors, too.

 A few years later, Minerva piston fillers were marketed to meet the demand of the market for more modern filling mechanisms and ink visibility. These models are very often referred to as "Minerva Trasparente".

They were produced in one size only and remained on the market for a very short time; they are today very rare.

The range of colors of Minerva Trasparente piston fillers comprises gray pearl, tortoise brown, green marbled and black. 

During wartime Minerva pens, like all Omas models,  were produced with chrome trim and fitted with steel nibs as the use of gold was forbidden in Italy. Later on, many wartime models had their steel nibs replaced and the pens got their gold nibs back..

This Monerva Trasparente piston filler in black celluloid is in excellent condition and it is fitted with a very pleasant nib, which is extremely flexible and very smooth.