A little bit of soul

Aurora's new Demo Black, based on the iconic Aurora 88, is a limited edition of 1,888 piston-filled fountain pens, 888 rollerball pens and 188 sketch pencils--as well as 18 solid gold fountain pens embellished with diamonds. The transparent resin is turned and polished by hand and the matte black solid gold nib of the fountain pen is a pleasant surprise, matching the matte black finish of the fittings and clip. The pen comes in a silver box lined in black satin. The fountain pen is priced at $950; rollerball, $725; sketch pencil, $550. The price of the solid gold fountain pen is available on request.

Going on about Safari

The always-favorite Lamy Safari is now available as a special edition in lime green. Bright, fun and eye catching, this color is one of my favorites and is sure to be a hit for summer and well beyond. The pens are made from sturdy, but lightweight, ABS plastic and feature an ergonomic gripping section for comfort. Safari is available as a fountain pen, rollerball or ballpoint. The fountain pen ($35) is filled by cartridge/converter and the steel nib comes in extra fine, fine, medium or broad. This cult classic in lime green will make it into my collection for sure--particularly since I own practically the whole rainbow of colors that have been introduced over the years.

Classic and Modern from Sheaffer

The Sheaffer Taranis features a patent-pending gripping section that combines the warmth of resin with the durability of metal. Designed by renowned US architect Charles Debbas, the pen collection is named for the Celtic God of Thunder. It includes a fountain pen, rollerball pen and twist-action ballpoint. The fountain pen has a stainless steel nib in fine, medium or broad. Prices range from $125 to $165. Colors include Stormy Night, Icy Gunmetal, White Lightening, Stormy Wine and Sleek Chrome. 

Winners unite...

Curtis Australia and Jack Nicklaus have worked closely to produce the new limited edition Jack Nicklaus US Open 50th Anniversary pen collection, each bringing their respective talents to the table. Curtis Australia's expertise in jewelry and pen making and Nicklaus's iconic status and his eye for quality were the perfect combination to result in a great pen. "It was the quality of the pens that got me--the quality of what they do," says Nicklaus. The pen features the image of Nicklaus in full swing at the Championships in 1962, his rookie year as a professional golfer and the year he won the title by defeating Arnold Palmer at the Oakmont course. There are 1,000 handcrafted ballpoint ($595) and fountain pens ($795) available in red or black with sterling silver appointments. Each pen is individually numbered. This second release from Curtis follows the Nicklaus Masters Anniversary pen released last year.

Miami Pen Show this weekend!

Don't miss the Miami Pen Show this weekend, July 20-22, at the Miami Marriott Dadeland Hotel, 9090 S. Dadeland Boutlevard, Miami, Florida. Hours on Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Come share and explore your love of pens!

Montblanc's Statue of Liberty...an interview

Limited to just 50 pieces ($33,000) symbolizing the number of states in the US, the Statue of Liberty Artisan Edition from Montblanc made its debut yesterday at Montblanc's Flagship boutique on Madison Avenue. And during the remainder of this week, the general public is invited to visit the boutique and share their insights about the Statue in a book on display. President and CEO of Montblanc North America Jan-Patrick Schmitz shared his thoughts in an interview.

Nancy Olson: In what way do you think that the Statue of Liberty writing instrument is particularly fitting at this moment in our country's evolution?

Jan-Patrick Schmitz: Obviously, this country is built on the immigrants who came to the US. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hope and of a brighter future, and I believe today it goes beyond that and has also become a global symbol of hope and freedom.

NO: What was the impetus for the collection?

JPS: As part of our Artisan Edition, it is about a great American historical moment. We are constantly looking at historic figures as well as historic symbols that represent values, and I think [the Statue of Liberty] is one of the most prominent and important symbols for our nation and around the globe.

NO: Was it designed and produced in Hamburg?

JPS: Yes.

NO: What are your expectations for the book that will be on display?

JPS: We are inviting people to our store to write down their experiences and thoughts about freedom. New York is built on diversity; all people come together with a common view of liberty, which is how we started. We at Montblanc always have a story to tell, and we love to interact and share with people.

NO: What pen will they be using?

JPS: Since there are only 50 Statue of Liberty pens, it will not be one of them! But we will be using another of our wonderful fountain pens and we will make it a joyful experience to write. 

Previous artisan editions from Montblanc include tributes to Max Reinhardt, Frida Kahlo and the Presidential Series. The Montblanc Statue of Liberty Artisan Edition is available at Montblanc boutiques nationwide.