The company Astoria was founded in 1921 by former Montblanc manager Georg Ilgner together with Herman Dietzel, Sigmund Popper and Wilhelmelm Frings in Hamburg founded. Die fountain pens are those of Montblanc quite similar. The brand logo also resembles Montblanc through the colors black and white. Many of the produced writing instruments were exported abroad.
The range included, among others, safety pens and lever fillers, which were often decorated with an overlay of gold or silver. Later followed also push button fountain pens.
In the 1930s Astoria ran into financial problems and was eventually bought back by Montblanc in 1932 and distributed until 1936.
Due to the short production period (1921-1932), Astoria writing instruments are today very rarely found.
Although Montblanc has since that time produced no further Astoria writing instruments, the word and image mark "Astoria" is still internationally registered at Montblanc (as of August 2004).*
*What should actually have been impossible, since trademark protection expires after 5 years of non-use, meaning the mark "Astoria" is still registered with Montblanc, but does not but any longer. Nevertheless, it is better to avoid trademark disputes.
The company Astoria was found 1921 from the former Montblanc production manager Georg Ilgner and his financiers Herman Dietzel, Sigmund Popper and Wilhelm Frings in Hamburg.
The produced writing instruments show several similarities to the Montblanc fountain pens. Also the brand logo used the colours black and white. Most of these pens were sold outside of Germany.
The following fountain pens were produced, safety filler and level fillers often decorated with gold and silver overlays.
In the 30ties Astoria came into financial trouble and was sold in 1932 to Montblanc. Montblanc stopped using the brand name Astoria in 1936.
Because of the short production period of only 11 years, those writing instruments are extremely rare.
