Osmia
A short history of Osmia brand:
Osmia fountain pens were founded in 1919 by Hermann Böhler in Germany and quickly became one of the leading German fountain pen manufacturers. The name "Osmia" refers to osmium, a metal previously used for pen nib tipping. Early on, Osmia experienced success and became the second largest pen producer in Germany, but then faced financial difficulties by the late 1920s.
In the late 1920s, Parker Pen Company took an interest in Osmia and acquired it around 1928 to expand into the European market. During this period, Osmia produced Parker Duofold pens for Europe with the imprint "Parker - Osmia A. G. Heidelberg." However, the partnership ended around 1930 because the Duofold model was too expensive and the nib too rigid for the German market. Osmia then went into liquidation and reformed as "Osmia Füllhalter-Fabrik G.m.b.H." under the Böhler brothers again.
From 1935 onward, Osmia was gradually acquired by Faber-Castell, with the final ownership transfer completed in 1951. During this time, Osmia continued producing high-quality fountain pens under its own brand, including models like the Supra Luxus (piston filler) and Osmia Progress (vacumatic-style filler). Despite financial challenges, Osmia maintained a reputation for excellent craftsmanship. The Osmia trademark was used until the early 1960s when the rise of ballpoint pens led Faber-Castell to phase out the prestigious Osmia name, shifting focus to cheaper, school-market models.
Faber-Castell ceased fountain pen production entirely in 1975 but revived it decades later, though without the Osmia brand.
**Summary:**
- Founded 1919 by Hermann Böhler in Germany, named after osmium alloy for nibs.
- Became the second largest German pen manufacturer but hit financial issues in late 1920s.
- Parker acquired Osmia around 1928 for European market; ended partnership ~1930.
- Reorganized under Böhler brothers as Osmia Füllhalter-Fabrik G.m.b.H. in 1932.
- Gradual acquisition by Faber-Castell from 1935, completed in 1951.
- Osmia pens noted for quality, piston fillers, lever fillers, including Supra and Progress models.
- Brand phased out by early 1960s as ballpoint pens displaced fountain pens.
- Faber-Castell stopped fountain pen manufacturing in 1975.
Osmia is remembered as a prestigious German fountain pen maker whose legacy continued under Faber-Castell for several decades.
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This table shows all in my database available Osmia writing instruments.
To a particular Osmia please use the above menu.
Click on a picture to enlarge it.
This list is sorted by period of production and model/number.
For more information about following writing instruments please select
| # | Model/Number | Period | Picture | |
| 1. | Normal Supra | 1930-1935 |  | |
