Having admired Aurora pens for many years I was most appreciative to receive the opportunity for a personal tour of their factory in 2006.
The company was started in 1919 in Italy - following the Treaty of Versailles - and a country coming out of post-war crisis - it was all a new beginning. Isai Levi, a textile merchant in the town or Turin, commenced the development of an Italian fountain pen. The first pen was named Aurora... now the company name — meaning the dawn.
In the 1920, the Parker Duofold was a dominate design in pens. To match this, Aurora issued the Duplex. Made of celluloid, it later became the Internazionale Line. These were large celluloid pens which I have ready are considered by many as some of the most stunning pens produced in Italy.
Aurora continued to develop innovative pens. The company survived the difficult times of the 40s and in 1947 produced what is often referred to as the counter to the Parker 51 — the Aurora 88.
The company operated from a factory in Torino, but after World War II, moved to a new location on the outskirts of town. That factory has been expanded to meet its production needs. Here is where I saw the hub of activity that includes extensive research and design concepts for various lines of pens (all which start a good two years before production could commence), their labs for testing everything from the durability of clips, the non-skip writing of its inks or the altitude that a pen can handle before ink leaks through the nib - an important point for those who fly!
Cesare Verono, is the owner and President/CEO of the company. He has instilled a passionate enthusiasm for Aurora's products and its goals to increase its production of high-end fountain pens and to expand its business outside of Italy. There is fierce Italian pride in this company. Aurora produced the Hastil pen, the only fountain pen to be exhibited permanently at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York. In fact the Aurora was the first pen displayed at the MOMA.
In Feruary 2007 Aurora announced it had acquired Firma Srl and the two brands the company distributes: Nettuno and Firma. The acquisition of Firma is based on its historial nature of the brands (Nettuno, Firma), the distinctive positionof the collections in the market, and the commitment to innovation and technological research. Aurora also plans to customize Nettuno pens in terms of materials and colours.
It takes two and a half years to create a new Aurora pen. This covers the time from concept, design models and final production.
Currently (2010) there are three groups or pens:
The US Distributor is:
Kenro Industries, Inc. | 393 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2 | Mineola, New York 11501
Joel Blumberg, President
Customer Service:
US Tel: 800.741-0005 | Fax: 516.741.0125
Worldwide: 39.011.273.4186
kenroindustries.com
Web Site: www.aurorapen.it
In 1970 Aurora released the Hastil. This one the first Limited Edition pen Aurora produced. It has simplistic and elegant sytle. In fact, it is on permanent display at New York's Museum of Modern Art.
Classic lines are part of the look of an Aurora fountain pen.