Batman

Montegrappa and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have recently announced their partnership under a licensing agreement, allowing Montegrappa to develop new collections inspired by DC Comics characters, beginning with Batman. 

THE BATMAN PENS
Appropriately, there will be 1939 Batman fountain pens and 1939 Batman rollerballs, the number signifying the year of his first introduction. All of the pens’ components are made of aluminum with a black anodized finish--except for the clip, which is fashioned from ruthenium-plated brass. These materials give the pens a dark gray hue evoking the color of Batman's original costume, and the pens’ surfaces are engraved with bats in flight. The fountain pen has an 18-karat gold nib bearing the Batman logo. In addition to the pens being offered for individual sale, there will be 500 sets that also include cufflinks and a wristwatch. These are exclusive to the box sets. The cufflinks are jet-black representations of the Batmanlogo in three dimensions, with the bat-shape cutout exposing a carbon fiber surface. 

Based on the Montegrappa NeroUno watches, the matching wristwatch is powered by a Swiss-made Ronda quartz movement, housed in a 42mm stainless steel case finished in black PVD, with six screws securing the back. As befits a model in the Cult Collection, the packaging for the Batman editions bear bats-in-flight patterns, the inner box featuring a large Batman logo on its lid, while the inner lid shows Gotham City at night.

Coming soon...the Ohio Pen Show!

The eighteenth Ohio Pen Show is right around the corner--November 8 - 11, 2012--at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Hotel. A variety of pen companies will be in attendance, and on Saturday there will be an auction of vintage pens. The public show is on Saturday, from 9 am to 5 pm and on Sunday, from 10 am until 5 pm. Come join the fun, either as an exhibitor or attendee!

Don't miss tonight's presidential election debate...

But there's nothing debatable about Montblanc's Signatures for Freedom collection, first launched in 2007. Each pen is an example of truly beautiful workmanship, and the series as a whole is inspired by the lives and visions of previous commanders-in-chief whose services laid the groundwork for our nation's freedom, independence and values. Limited to 50 pieces honoring the number of states in the union, the collection includes tributes to George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. For the serious patriot and serious Montblanc writing instrument fan, Airline International has a three-piece set with matching numbers (50/50), exclusive to that store and priced at $145,000. Shown here are Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

Listen up, Onoto fans...

Webster’s is a family business serving London and the Southeast UK, with six stores retailing luxury pens and accessories. The company has commissioned Onoto, the classic British pen manufacturer based in Norwich, to craft a limited edition of 40 fountain pens, with just 10 available in a set with a matching rollerball in honor of the retailer's fortieth anniversary.

In addition to the inscription ‘Websters 1972-2012’, the individually numbered pens each feature a sterling silver cap embossed with the Queen’s Jubilee hallmark. This unique cap is interchangeable between the fountain pen and rollerball, with an additional clear cap supplied for the rollerball. Available with an 18-karat gold two-tone nib, the pen has an acrylic resin barrel and is presented in a beautiful, burrwood gift box. The Webster’s anniversary pen accepts both bottled ink – with a converter supplied – and international standard cartridges. As with all Onoto’s products, the pen comes with a lifetime warranty.

Year of the Dragon from David Oscarson

Dromgoole's, the preeminent pen shop in Houston, hosted a David Oscarson event last evening. David was there greeting guests and talking about his latest--and truly gorgeous--new creation: the Black Water Dragon. While it is Oscarson's eighteenth limited edition, it is his first overlay pen. And he has done well. The golden dragon overlay is rendered in great detail, with a ruby for an eye and a pearl in his open mouth. It coils around the clipless cap. The pen is rich in symbolism, and the colors are gorgeous: shiny black or translucent red. There are just 88 pieces (cartridge- or converter-filled fountain pen with 18-karat gold nib or rollerball); they are priced respectively: $5,600 and $5,400. Larry Dromgoole was his most gracious self, welcoming guests at his store on Rice Boulevard. Dromgoole's has been a Houston institution for decades, offering fine writing instruments, stationery and office supplies.

Only a few days left...

Limited to only 50 numbered pieces worldwide, the Conway Stewart Dartmoor Special Edition with silver trim was created at the company's factory in Devon, England. From the Conway Stewart Wellington collection, this model is a substantial pen with a subtly curved cap and barrel. Orders will be taken until October 12, 2012...just four days left! The cartridge- or converter-filled fountain pen with an 18-karat gold nib (extra fine, fine, medium, broad, extra broad, italic fine, italic medium and italic broad) is priced at $608, and the rollerball is priced at $572.

San Francisco Pen Show opens today!

The San Francisco Pen Show, held at the Marriott San Mateo Airport Hotel, opens today at 11 a.m. and runs through Sunday, October 7. Visit and check out some of the vintage and new pens available for sale from some of the best dealers around the world. A one-day pass is $10 and a two-day pass is $15; children under 13 are free. So bring the kids and have some fun--there's lots to do in and around San Francisco after all the pen hunting is over!

Not yet seen in the US...

Curtis Australia, the Melbourne-based jewelry and pen manufacturer, is introducing a new ballpoint: the Free Spirit. Its colors at once suggest Harley-Davidson edginess and autumn-sunset romance. While already available in Australia, it has not yet been seen on these shores, but I'll let you know when it arrives, and what its selling price will be.

Five Best Budget Pens

Lifehacker, a very cool website devoted to offering "tips and downloads for getting things done," published a list of Five Best Budget Pens "you make sure never to let someone borrow and walk away with." The article, written by Alan Henry, gives the results of a poll taken among the site's readers, and it cites several models from five affordable brands: Pilot, Zebra, Uniball, Lamy and Sharpie. Thankfully, the Lamy pens pictured are all fountain pens. What are your favorite budget pens?