I have a soft spot for Osmiroids, being both a closet Anglophile and a
low-grade Calligrapher. It was in the 1980s that I found this
British company which made non-dip calligraphy pens, with exchangable
points. Bliss!
The 65 appeared in a couple of body shapes. The earlier one was fairly standard pen-shape, without any serious
stylistic flourishes. This late model has a cap heavily affected
by stylists, and reminds me slightly of the fender of a '57 Chevy.
Unlike the 75, the 65 is a lever fill and lacks an ink window.
The idea of the interchangible point is not an innovation
for Osmiroid, since Sheaffer and Esterbrook had both done it
previously-- in point of fact, the Osmiroid and Esterbrook points can
be mounted in one another's bodies, which is a rather neat trick.
Swapping is a somewhat messy operation if the pen has ink in it;
if you're doing something that demands several points, you'll either
want more than one pen, or you'll want to take your time.
This set contains in addition to the points a short guide to lettering,
which I hesitate to reproduce because of the copyright notice at the
bottom. This notice is dated 1976, which gives an earliest
possible date for the set's production (another such notice on the back
of the box says 1974). This model apparently went out of
production in about 1980, making way for the cartridge-based "Easy
Change". The point sizes are, from smallest,
Italic Straight Fine, -Medium, -Broad, B2, B3, and B4. In the
near future, I'll have a page about nothing but the points to describe
them in greater detail.
I have yet to actually use any of the parts of this set yet. I've
another 65 (link forthcoming) which I use freely, but the fact that
this set gives every indication of having never
been used-- even the transparent sac seems without stain-- gives
me pause. The urge to preserve is still at war with the urge to
fulfill the pen's purpose, using the convolutions of my brain as their
trenches. Trench warefare is a fairly static thing, so until some
kind of breakthrough occurs, it remains uninked.
Specifications: Interchangable point. Lever filler. 13.5cm long capped, 13.7cm to the face of the section posted (because the end-to-point length can vary depending on the point).
Condition: Well,
there it sits in its box. The lever and cap-ring are actually a
little dull when compared to the in-use 65, but that could simply be a
matter of different production years having different materials in the
finish. The box is clearly a little worn, and the stripe of glue
which kept the clear sleeve around it together has let go, rendering
the sleeve into a wrapper.
Repairs: None needed.
Location: My collection.
For Sale?: Not at the
moment. While the above-mentioned trench warfare goes on
regarding the use question, both sides are in accord in screaming,
"It's mine! Mineminemine!" I have a lone pen of the same type,
with a medium italic straight point in it, which I'd sell for $30.00,
so if you're after an Osmiroid 65, send a note to:
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