Visconti Ragtime
The Ragtime was first issued in 1991, a different model was issued again in 1994 and in 1999. The 1994 release was in celluloid, in rich brown tones. The 1999 release was made of Lucite with a guillochet finish. The 1999 version had a steel nib with iridium point. There were 120 fountains pens produced..
Now, in 2008 the pen is updated and issued as a limited ediition pen to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the company. There are 1,988 pens issued, the number to correspond with the year the company was created.
The barrel is turned from a solid bar of acryloid and the two solid 14K gold rings are “force fit” around the cap – a bygone technique still practiced by Visconti’s artisans. The colours are very attractive - a swirling patterns in onyx, gold, tiger’s eye and ivory.
The pen writes so smooth with its 14K gold nib.
The Ragtime is also compatible with the My Pen System that was introduced in 2008.
The My Pen System allows the owner to substitute the Visconti logo on the end of the pen cap with a a stone or zodiac sign. The Visconti logo is held on my a magnet, it can be lifted off and a stone or zodiac sign of your choice inserted. I have a couple of different colours (as this also works with the Divina and the Opera pens).
It is just a nice way to personalize my pen for me. There are 12 natural stones,12 western and 12 oriental zodiacal signs available.