Welcome to the Steel Age

Visconti celebrates the Steel Age, adding a new finish to its Homo Sapiens pen collection, which uses real lava in the making. The pen features marine stainless steel trim, and the fountain pen, which is piston filled, has a 23-karat palladium nib in F, M, and B sizes. A new mid-sized fountain pen has been added to the collection, joining the large-size fountain pen, rollerball, ballpoint and pencil. Prices range from $325 to $345.

Istos Aracnis from Visconti

Visconti’s latest limited edition, Istos Aracnis, Greek for spider, pays tribute to a famous myth in which the mortal Arachne challenges the goddess Athena to a weaving competition. Angering Athena with her overbearing display of pride in her skill as a weaver, Arachne is transformed into a spider and sentenced to weave and spin forever. Limited to 888 pieces, the Istos Aracnis is made from black Lucite featuring a sterling silver overlay in a spiderweb pattern. White enamel has been carefully painted over the web to highlight the intricate design. It is available in fountain pen only, featuring Visconti’s patented "double reservoir power filler" filling system and Visconti’s dream touch 23-karat palladium nib available in XF, F, M, B, BB and Stub. The Istos Aracnis, available this month, is priced at $1,950.

Royal touch

Visconti created a pen in honor of the royal wedding of HSH Albert II of Monaco, Sovereign Prince, and Miss Charlene Wittstock, held July 1 and 2.   

The royal couple agreed to the release of a special limited edition pen of just 388 pieces, and all profits from the subscription of the pen will be donated to a Monegasque charity chosen by the newlyweds.

Each pen is made from ivory-color resin and features a hand-crafted sterling silver filigree plated in 18-karat rose gold, evoking the Monaco Crown. The pen is available in either a fountain pen ($2,950) or rollerball. The fountain pen fills using Visconti's patented Double Reservoir Power Filler and features Visconti's 23-karat palladium nib in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, double broad and stub sizes. Each pen is displayed in a wooden box lacquered in pearlescent white with the official wedding crest embossed on top.