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The ''"Società Anonima Pennini King"'', owner of the ''The King'' trademark was founded in Turin in [[1926]], and even in his later incarnation as ''"Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Stilografiche"'' ([[SAFIS]]), is considered to be one of the leading Italian fountain pens manufacturers. Although there are links with the [[OMAS]], at least in the early years, the company is today considered as an independent producer.

The ''"Società Anonima Pennini King"'', owner of the ''The King'' trademark was founded in Turin in [[1926]], and even in his later incarnation as ''"Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Stilografiche"'' ([[SAFIS]]), is considered to be one of the leading Italian fountain pens manufacturers. Although there are links with the [[OMAS]], at least in the early years, the company is today considered as an independent producer.

The pens branded [[The King]] are of the highest quality, which is why for a long time have been attributed to the most reputed manufacturers (usually [[OMAS]], with which the company had links). They have nothing to envy to the production of the better national and international brands and are of great interest to collectors.{{Infobox_Brand|The King}}{{BrandData|Founder=Giovanni Rossi,Marco Subiglia,Gino Giretti|Place=Torino|Country=IT|Date=1926|Fullname=Società Anonima Pennini King}}

The pens branded [[The King]] are of the highest quality, which is why for a long time have been attributed to the most reputed manufacturers (usually [[OMAS]], with which the company had links). They have nothing to envy to the production of the better national and international brands and are of great interest to collectors.{{Infobox_Brand|The King}}{{BrandData|Founder=Giovanni Rossi,Marco Subiglia,Gino Giretti|Place=Torino|Country=IT|Date=1926|Fullname=Società Anonima Pennini King}}

== History ==

== History ==

[[File:1932-10-TheKing-Invoice.jpg|thumb|A 1932 [[The King]] invoice.]]

[[File:1932-10-TheKing-Invoice.jpg|thumb|A 1932 [[The King]] invoice.]]

The [[The King]] was founded in Turin as ''The King Società Anonima Torino'' in [[1926]], while the trademark ''The King Superior'' ({{Marchio|38982}}) was recorded in [[1928]]. Although for long time the hypothesis of a trade mark used only for production on commission has been credited, the discovery of the re-registration of the same trademark in the [[1946]] on behalf of [[SAFIS]] leads to the conclusion that it is a single company, apparently forced to change its name because of the the fascist regime policies of forced Italianisation of names.

The [[The King]] was founded in Turin as ''The King Società Anonima Torino'' in [[1926]], while the trademark ''The King Superior'' ({{Marchio|38982}}) was recorded in [[1928]]. Although for long time the hypothesis of a trade mark used only for production on commission has been credited, the discovery of the re-registration of the same trademark in the [[1946]] on behalf of [[SAFIS]] leads to the conclusion that it is a single company, apparently forced to change its name because of the the fascist regime policies of forced Italianisation of names.

Further confirmation of the existence of [[The King]] as an independent company is also evident from the recently found invoice reported by side, that also allows you to determine with certainty that at least until [[1932]] the company remained active as ''"The King Società Anonima Torino"''. </noinclude>For a long time one of the assumptions made about the origins of the brand [[The King]] had been to regard it as a production commissioned by the [[OMAS]] because of the similarity of some production, and the fact that the brand is mentioned as part of the products made ​​by the commission [[OMAS]] in a text published by the "Club Internazionale della Stilogragrafica A. Simoni".  

Further confirmation of the existence of [[The King]] as an independent company is also evident from the recently found invoice reported by side, that also allows you to determine with certainty that at least until [[1932]] the company remained active as ''"The King Società Anonima Torino"''. </noinclude>For a long time one of the assumptions made about the origins of the brand [[The King]] had been to regard it as a production commissioned by the [[OMAS]] because of the similarity of some production, and the fact that the brand is mentioned as part of the products made ​​by the commission [[OMAS]] in a text published by the "Club Internazionale della Stilogragrafica A. Simoni".

[[File:TheKing-Safety-Overlay-Spirals-Capped.jpg|thumb|A ''The King'' [[safety]]]]

[[File:TheKing-Safety-Overlay-Spirals-Capped.jpg|thumb|A ''The King'' [[safety]]]]

The initial production marked [[The King]] consisted of excellent quality [[BCHR|hard rubber]] safeties marked  ''The King Superior'', they were pens made ​​in the [[Waterman 42]] style but with beautiful engraved clips. From the same period is also the production of [[overlay]] pens engraved with the mark on the edge of the cap, like the one shown in the image on the left. This initial production features original characters and cannot be attributed in any way to the [[OMAS]] production. It's also known a production of [[lever filler]] models.

The initial production marked [[The King]] consisted of excellent quality [[BCHR|hard rubber]] safeties marked  ''The King Superior'', they were pens made ​​in the [[Waterman 42]] style but with beautiful engraved clips. From the same period is also the production of [[overlay]] pens engraved with the mark on the edge of the cap, like the one shown in the image on the left. This initial production features original characters and cannot be attributed in any way to the [[OMAS]] production. It's also known a production of [[lever filler]] models.

[[Image:TheKing-DoctorPen-Inscr.jpg|thumb|left|An [[OMAS]] [[penna del dottore]] marked [[The King]].]]

[[Image:TheKing-DoctorPen-Inscr.jpg|thumb|left|An [[OMAS]] [[penna del dottore]] marked [[The King]].]]

A link with [[OMAS]] is certainly evidenced by the "[[penna del dottore]]" marked [[The King]] shown in the side picture. It's possible, therefore, that some models, like the one shown, were produced to order and then rebranded. If therefore there are traces (as we shall see below) that link [[The King]] to [[OMAS]] is still quite unreliable the opposite hypothesis that would have been the [[The King]]/[[SAFIS ]] to produce [[OMAS]] pens, since the company's foundation is later.

A link with [[OMAS]] is certainly evidenced by the "[[penna del dottore]]" marked [[The King]] shown in the side picture. It's possible, therefore, that some models, like the one shown, were produced to order and then rebranded. If therefore there are traces (as we shall see below) that link [[The King]] to [[OMAS]] is still quite unreliable the opposite hypothesis that would have been the [[The King]]/[[SAFIS ]] to produce [[OMAS]] pens, since the company's foundation is later.

The later production were ''[[flat top]]'' models that as much of the Italian production of the time turn out to be clear imitations of the [[Parker]] [[Duofold]]. These models are still branded as ''[[The King Superior]]'' and produced in two sizes and five colors. Unlike [[Duofold]] there pens were equipped with an original twist filling system<ref>Letizia Jacopini reports in her book the n° 268827, but that's too similar to [[Columbus]] {{Cite patent|IT|268327}} where on a sample there is imprinted the {{Cite patent|IT|4572-1929}} (see [[:File:TheKing-Diamond-DuofoldLike-BronzeGreen-Filler.jpg|this photo]]).</ref> which can be accessed by unscrewing the cap anyway. During this period the top model is the ''[[The King Diamond]]'', featuring a cap with countersunk head decorated with a greek band.  

The later production were ''[[flat top]]'' models that as much of the Italian production of the time turn out to be clear imitations of the [[Parker]] [[Duofold]]. These models are still branded as ''[[The King Superior]]'' and produced in two sizes and five colors. Unlike [[Duofold]] there pens were equipped with an original twist filling system<ref>Letizia Jacopini reports in her book the n° 268827, but that's too similar to [[Columbus]] {{Cite patent|IT|268327}} where on a sample there is imprinted the {{Cite patent|IT|4572-1929}} (see [[:File:TheKing-Diamond-DuofoldLike-BronzeGreen-Filler.jpg|this photo]]).</ref> which can be accessed by unscrewing the cap anyway. During this period the top model is the ''[[The King Diamond]]'', featuring a cap with countersunk head decorated with a greek band.

[[Image:TheKing-Superior-DuofoldLike-MabledBrown-Capped.jpg|thumb|A ''[[The King Superior]]''.]]

[[Image:TheKing-Superior-DuofoldLike-MabledBrown-Capped.jpg|thumb|A ''[[The King Superior]]''.]]

This patent is a second point that bears witness of the presence, at least in early years, of a strong link with [[OMAS]]. The image of the filling mechanism used by these patented pens, present on the [[The King]] catalog found in the [[Omas]] archives, is in fact identical to the one on an Armando Simoni patent ({{Cite patent|US|1784078}}), that in the French version appears to have been achieved in Italy in [[1929]]. A further indication that somehow it was the [[OMAS]] to provide technology to the [[The King]] in the early years of this company.<noinclude>Around the [[1934]], the ''Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Stilografiche'' and the production adopted the brand [[Radius]], even though there are presumably contemporary examples use of the mark [[the King]]. The date of the name change to [[SAFIS]] is not precisely known,<ref>Letizia Jacopini in his book ''"La storia della stilografica in Italia"'', illustrates how Bruno Milocani and Emilio Pionzo witness the shift of production from [[the King]] to [[Radius]] in 1935 or so. </ref> but the [[Radius]] brand was recorded in [[1934]] with the new name, and we assume this to be the date of the passage.

This patent is a second point that bears witness of the presence, at least in early years, of a strong link with [[OMAS]]. The image of the filling mechanism used by these patented pens, present on the [[The King]] catalog found in the [[Omas]] archives, is in fact identical to the one on an Armando Simoni patent ({{Cite patent|US|1784078}}), that in the French version appears to have been achieved in Italy in [[1929]]. A further indication that somehow it was the [[OMAS]] to provide technology to the [[The King]] in the early years of this company.<noinclude>Around the [[1934]], the ''Società Anonima Fabbrica Italiana Stilografiche'' and the production adopted the brand [[Radius]], even though there are presumably contemporary examples use of the mark [[the King]]. The date of the name change to [[SAFIS]] is not precisely known,<ref>Letizia Jacopini in his book ''"La storia della stilografica in Italia"'', illustrates how Bruno Milocani and Emilio Pionzo witness the shift of production from [[the King]] to [[Radius]] in 1935 or so. </ref> but the [[Radius]] brand was recorded in [[1934]] with the new name, and we assume this to be the date of the passage.

{{:The King Dopoguerra/en}}

{{:The King Dopoguerra/en}}