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My Pen Collection Part 2

Posted in Fountain Pens, and Non-Fountain Pens

Expensive and Retro 51 Pens

I’m back with Part 2! Once again, please use the form at the end of this post to vote for pens you want to see “pen porn” posts about.

Like the “less expensive” pens, I keep these categories in rainbow order.

Aurora

Auroras
The 88 in Venere and the Sun Moon Lake Moonlight

I adore the look of the Sun Moon Lake. However, the Venere (AKA Venus), now that the “new shiny” has worn off, is working its way further down my ranking. I can easily see myself selling it at some point. Aurora nibs aren’t my favorite, and I have so many beautiful pens that the Venere can’t really compare.

Montegrappa

montegrappas
The Fortuna in Crowned Skull and the Extra 1930 in Shiny Lines/Dove

The Shiny Lines/Dove is stunning and writes beautifully. The Crowned Skull is too cool to get rid of, despite the hard-start issues the Fortuna model has.

OMAS

omases
The Paragon Arte Italiana in Titanium with Bronze PVD and a prototype for a Chatterley Luxuries exclusive in the Dama size

The Arte Italiana is beautiful in an understated way. And after having the nib narrowed, it’s even better. The Dama is uber cool since it’s a prototype, and it sports the T2 nib, which is pretty nice.

Pelikan

expensive pelikans
Top to bottom: The M640 in Indian Summer, Sahara, and Eternal Ice

The M640 is a fabulous pen with a great shape. I love this series, and I’m happy I have the three I really wanted. I just wish I had the boxes for the Sahara and the Indian Summer.

Pilot

expensive Pilots
The Elabo in Black and Silver with aftermarket decor and the Custom 745 in Pinstripe

The Custom 743, not pictured because it’s out for nib work, is just a standard black pen. But, it has the coveted Pilot FA nib. Damien (All in the Nib) is softening it for me to make it flex easier. I look forward to that. The Custom 745, while somewhat on the plain side, has the same, smooth-as-silk, nib that my Rock Garden does. And, I’ve already written about the Elabo. The nib is lovely; the body is… well, it is. Let’s just leave it there.

Platinum

platinums
The #3776 Century Nice Lavande and Izumo Bamboo Torafu

I’ve mentioned before that it’s proven impossible for me to sell my Nice Lavande. I love the color, and the nib is nice, too. The Izumo Bamboo is an odd case for me. I store it separately from my other pens because I don’t want to run the chance of ruining it with the elastic bands in my pen cases. As a result, I often forget I have it, and then think I should sell it. But then I write with it and, wow! The nib is silky smooth! I love it!

Sailor

more expensive sailors
Top to bottom: Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary and Pro Gear in Tequila Sunrise, Après Ski, Mojito, Champagne, and Blue Lagoon

Yeah, I have too many Pro Gears, but I can’t choose any to get rid of. The Hello Kitty will be pried out of my cold, dead fingers. The Tequila Sunrise is absolutely beautiful, totally my colors. The Après Ski was a present. I put way too much effort into getting the Blue Lagoon to let it go anytime soon. The Mojito and Champagne are the most likely to be sold in the future, but for now they make me happy. And, finally, the black Pro Gear — not pictured — is out with District Urushi for a fancy “new coat.” I’m sure it will be stunning.

Stipula

expensive stipulas
The Etruria in Rainbow Prisma 88 and the Leonardo da Vinci Olive Wood in Bronze

These two are interesting. I’ve written about the Prisma 88 before, twice actually, so I’ll only say it’s very special to me. The Leonardo da Vinci was a grail pen that miraculously found its way to me. While neither makes it to the top of my list for writing experience, they are both right at the top on the sentimental value scale.

Visconti

more expensive viscontis
Top to Bottom: Mazzi Red Symphony, Mazzi Blue Symphony, Medici Rose Sovrano, Homo Sapiens Bronze Age

I remember a time when the Homo Sapiens seemed like the ultimate “cool pen.” That was several years ago. The only reason I keep mine is because the nib was tuned in a team-up we’ll never see again. But, to be honest, I don’t know how much longer that will keep it in my collection. The two Mazzis are really cool for their paint work. Blue Symphony, especially, reminds me of the Lowrider cars that were so popular near where I grew up. And the Medici is simply beautiful. The material has a depth worthy of a Brooks resin.

Retro 51

retro 51 rollereballs and ballpoints

Phew, my Retro 51 collection keeps growing. I don’t know the models (Tornado, Tornado Popper, etc.) for certain, so I’m leaving that out. Left to right we have:

  • Calaveras: I had to get this. It’s representative of Día de Muertos.
  • Cherry Blossom 2021: My office is right near the Tidal Basin, and, before COVID, I’d go over to see the cherry blossoms at lunch. Getting this one was a no brainer.
  • Elephant and Rhino 2: I loved the colors, plain and simple
  • Buzz: My first Retro.
  • Cherry Blossom 2022: My newest Retro. It was a bit of an impulse buy, we’ll see if it stays in my collection.
  • Ombre Avocado: I’m Mexican, it’s an avocado. Do I need to say more?
  • Statue of Liberty: This is just a fantastic color scheme. And it’s pretty.
  • Paris Skyline: I love Paris. It’s one of my favorite cities.
  • Dino Fossil: Dinosaurs. Enough said.
  • Artist Series Katie McGowan: This is really pretty, and I love that I got an artist proof.
  • Hummingbird & Flowers: I love hummingbirds. My patronus is a hummingbird. I needed this.
  • The System: Once I saw that this had Pluto, I had to have it.
  • Apollo 11: Not going to lie, the footstep finial is what sold me.
  • London Skyline: London is both my and Jim’s favorite city.
  • Elephant and Rhino: When I first saw this, I wasn’t super interested, but then I realized there are little Elephants and Rhinos in the pattern. Sold!
  • Rosie: Girl power!!
  • The System Alloy: This one kind of came as a two-fer with The System.
  • Eiffel Tower: Paris again.
  • Palmer: I almost didn’t buy this one, but I kept thinking about it, and then NibsAndFlourishes posted a macro photo of it, and my restraint disappeared.

Alright, those are my expensive and Retro 51 pens. I don’t expect either of these categories to grow much, either. Really, most of the pens I want right now are indie pens.

Anyway, what do you think of this part of my collection? Do you own any of them? Have I made you want any? Let me know in the comments. I love hearing from you! Thanks for reading!

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