Pens of Note - Stipula
Pens of Note are those pens of my collection that rank as something special.
About the Company The company's name, Stipula, was the name of the small straw ancient Romans used to split in sign of acceptance of a commitment.
In 2007 I had the opportunity to visit with Stipula and tour their factory. |
 |
Stipula EtruriaI purchased my first Stipula fountain pen, the Etruria, in September 2001 at Novelli Pens in Rome. Marco Parascenzo helped me view the various models and my immediate first choice was the elegant Etruria. It is one of my pens of choice ever since.
Made from Stipula's cellulose acetate. Each pen is hand-turned from a solid black of cellulose. The pen has a soft appearance because of the oval shape to the cap. The body is a rich amber-brown tone and the light catches silver, gold and red undertones. The pen is quite large but sits in my hand with ease.
The gold band on the cap reminds you of Tuscany because of the Florentine-look to the gold ring around the cap barrel and the workmanship of the clip.
The pen is piston-filled and holds a reasonable amount of ink. I can go almost over an hour in a meeting with solid nonstop writing.
The pen is available in a variety of nib styles and I was able to select a 1.3 oblique nib. This was a real treat for me. |
| It was 1991. Sitting at the desk in my office, I raised my eyes for a moment to the window and let my gaze run over the surrounding countryside: slopes traversed by interminable rows of vines still weighed down by grapes, the studied geometry of the vineyards interrupted here and there by farmhouses and cypress trees. I experienced a profound sense of admiration and satisfaction with the land, which is also my land. I was struck by the idea of making a fountain pen that would pay homage to Tuscany in all its facets, beginning with the name: Etruria
Renzo Salvadori, President |
 |
Stipula Etruria 991
I had first viewed the pen while visiting Simply the Best in Victoria. Jim has the pen as part of the roller ball and fountain pen set. The first 391 pens produced included a matching roller ball pen. The pen caught my eye at that time. It was quite a surprise to see it turn up in December. The pen is stunning with its brown celluloid, streaked with dark and light tones of brown and mother-of-pearl highlights. Todd was able to arrange for a broad nib, it is a smooth-writer.
The Stipula Etruria 991 is made by Stipula, and pen company based in Florence, Italy. The Etruria 991 is a special edition of the Etruria, a fountain pen the company first commenced production in 1991 and still produces.
The pen is available in a variety of nibs, and the nib for this pen is the same as used on the Etruria, Iris or Duetto models. It is a smooth writer. Ink just flows from the pen. As I passed the pen around, amongst the "don't you have enough pens already comments" there was an unanimous response: this is a great writing pen.
The Stipula Etruria 991 is inspired from the polychromatic art of the Etruscans. The soft, rounded lines are based on the typical shape of Etruscan amphora. The decorative work of finely tooled silver leaves made using the lost-wax casting process will bring memories of any trip to Tuscany!
The rounded oval end and top of the pen make it very comfortable to hold. Light catches the pearl highlights so the pen is an eye catcher without being one that you feel needs covering up in a business meeting.
The filling mechanism for the fountain pen is interesting. It has converter system that uses either Stipula's classic large-capacity piston filler or an ink cartridge - the small international size. Not being a cartridge fan I can't see using one, but I guess it is nice to know I could!
The pen is limited to 991 fountain pens and I am the proud owner of number 503! |
