Montegrappa honors St. Andrews Links

For the second time, Bassano del Grappa-based Montegrappa has been asked to create pens that celebrate the famed golf course St. Andrews Links. For 2012, a new model will be offered as a fountain pen and rollerball in black resin and sterling silver or in bamboo black celluloid and 18-karat rose gold. The silver pens will be produced in a limited edition of 600 pieces each to denote the number of years golf has been played at St. Andrews, while the gold pens will be issued in an edition of only seven fountain pens and seven rollerballs to represent the number of golf courses there. 

Lastly, a special hand-etched edition called “18th Hole” completes the collection, with only 18 fountain pens and 18 rollerballs in 18-karat rose gold and green celluloid being produced. The barrel shows a golfer in period dress, about to complete a putt, skillfully reproduced by Montegrappa’s in-house engraver, Mario Rossetti, from an original photo. The cap ring is engraved with golfing images. 

In 2010, Montegrappa created a green celluloid collection detailed with a golf ball cabochon on the cap, and the St. Andrews Links’ logo engraved on the barrel.

Tibaldi for Bentley...new pen collection!

The Tibaldi for Bentley Supersports pen collection is just one of the perks of owning a Bentley. To represent the spirit and soul of the Continental Supersports, Tibaldi has developed a series of writing instruments that speak in the design language of the vehicle. According to Giuseppe Aquila, CEO of Tibaldi, “The close collaboration between our engineers and Bentley’s design team of Robin Page, head of Interior Design, and Jonathan Punter, resulted in the creation of an outstanding pen, which encapsulates the features of Bentley’s most powerful car ever.” Each pen features Tibaldi’s unique pocket clip, and every writing instrument adheres to Tibaldi’s respect for the Divine Proportion, the ratio between the pen’s cap and the visible portion of the barrel when the pen is closed, equalling the ratio of 1.618. The carbon fiber collection (with titanium trim) is limited to 630 fountain pens and 630 rollerball pens. The number of pieces manufactured corresponds with the horsepower of the Continental Supersports. Founded in 1916, Tibaldi has been creating fine writing instruments for almost a century. The brand is owned by the Elmo & Montegrappa company.

The Montegrappa Cosmopolitan returns...

Montegrappa is reviving one of its popular pens from the 1990s: the Cosmopolitan. Sterling silver with resin accents, with details formed in bas relief, the Cosmopolitan will serve as the medium to communicate the spirit of five different cultures. Each will be offered in an edition of 500 rollerball pens ($2,400), 500 fountain pens ($3,200), and  a special edition of 50 rollerball pens and 50 fountain pens ($20,295-$23,215) in gold. The series comprises:

Arabian Animals of the Desert

From exotic birds of prey to desert-crossing camels to noble horses, the Cosmopolitan captures the fauna, the majesty and the mystery of one of the planet’s most challenging environments: the Arabian deserts.

Mt. Rushmore

In the US state of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore bears the likenesses of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. A challenge, no doubt, to recreate on a pen.

Bohemian Paris

Paris has inspired more artists than any city in the world, becoming a magnet for the greatest painters of the past millennium. They, in turn, enriched Paris with what is referred to as a “Bohemian” atmosphere – captured in a pen. 

Victorian England

England’s longest-reigning queen – Victoria – provided the name for the richest, most-fecund period in man’s history, a time when bold men and women advanced to create the modern technological era. 

China’s Ancient Gods – Lu Fu Shou

Spiritualism moves and guides Chinese culture, its gods influencing behavior on every level. Cosmopolitan honors the Taoist triumvirate “Fu Lu Shou,” representing Good Fortune (Fu), Prosperity (Lu) and Longevity (Shou)

Come fly with me...

...to BaselWorld, the famed watch and jewelry show held annually in Basel, Switzerland, where Italian pen brand Montegrappa exhibited. Many of the company’s latest products, including pens and watches, were on display. The latest limited edition Frank Sinatra is perfectly timed, since a few years ago Congress designated May 13 as Frank Sinatra Day. The collection comprises 1,915 fountain pens and 1,915 rollerball pens, each in resin with silver trim, to honor the year Frank Sinatra was born (1915); 12 fountain pens and 12 rollerball pens in resin with 18-karat gold trim to denote Sinatra’s birthday on December 12; and five rollerball pens and 13 fountain pens, each with 18-karat gold trim and an overlaid barrel, to recognize the date of Frank Sinatra Day.

Is tobacco the new black?

Watch brand Cuervo y Sobrinos is introducing a new, lower-priced pen line call the Historiador. Produced by Italian pen maker Montegrappa, the pens are crafted from resin (available in "ivory" and "tobacco") with a choice of silver- or gold-tone trim. The clip is reminiscent of the lugs on the watches in the Historiador timepiece line. Available as a fountain pen with a 14-karat gold nib or a rollerball, each is priced at $1,395 or $995 respectively. Cuervo y Sobrinos first introduced pens to its line of luxury items a few years ago. This year, jewelry is making its debut. 

Though no photos of the pens are yet available, I did see prototypes at the recent BaselWorld trade show. They are well made: finely detailed trim, good balance (the cap is not designed to post), and all parts fit together well. My favorite is the tobacco color, which is a warm tone that is both unique in the world of pens and neutral in a more interesting way than black.

Spring in Basel

I am at the BaselWorld watch and jewelry show in Basel, Switzerland. What a wonderful few days it has been, seeing and touching some exquisite new timepieces slated for introduction later this year. To make matters even better, it is spring in Basel, and everything is in bloom along the Rhine. If only I could find a few pens around here, life would be perfect. But wait: Montegrappa is exhibiting, as is Caran d`ache, Edelberg and more. Stay tuned for interviews and pictures when I return to my office this weekend.