FountainPen.it Forum

Greetings. I'm Colin and I live near Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

A year ago, all I knew about Italian fountain pens was that the Delta DV Original Oversize was the most beautiful pen I had ever seen. Since then I have enjoyed learning about the many brands in current production and the amazing array of unique and interesting fountain pen brands and craftsmen. I now have many Italian pens from Delta, Stipula, Omas, Montegrappa, Columbus, Aurora, Astura, Radius, and my current concentration, FILCAO. While I enjoy pens from France, Germany, England, and Switzerland, I find the most interesting variety from Italy.

It was the Parker 45 that got me started in collecting writing instruments. It was the first fountain pen I used in school and I have memories of my grandfather having a Parker 45 desk set in his insurance office in about 1967.

I'm here, although I do not speak Italian, because it is very hard to find good information about italian brands and models in the English language resources I have found, either hard copy or online. This forum has been by far the best resource I have come across. In anticipation of finding many more lovely fountain pens from Italy to love in the near future, I've just ordered a new presentation case that will hold forty pens, in addition to my FILCAO case that will hold thirty

Thank you for having me here!

Welcome 'home', Colin. This is the forum where you will be able to satisfy your knowledge on Italian pens!
Fenomenal historians and tech gurus write here.

Welcome Colin!

Welcome!
I think the preventive purchase of a 40 slot pen holder for italian models is a great project that will impress many of us.
I feel that among us, collectors and compulsive pen users, always complaining, but in spite of everything always coughing up money, you will fit superbly!

Michele

Hello Colin,
It's a pleasure to read your introduction, and I hope you find all the information you need on our forum.
If the Italian language is a barrier for you, I’d suggest trying AI tools to translate texts, since they work much better than traditional translators, IMHO.
Welcome and enjoy your time here with us.

Hi, Colin. Wellcome.
You have really splendid modern pens, but try the vintages too, they are beautiful and your collection can't miss them.
I love Aurora 88 and her sisters (1950-60) they were stilized by Nizzoli and have wonderful nibs

Hi Colin. Welcome to our family!
You have a really interesting fountain pen collection.
I noticed that in your large collection there is one manufacturer missing: Visconti. What's the reason?
I ask only because my three favorite Italian manufacturers are Aurora, Omas and Visconti (the last expecially for the modern pens). Maybe are you focused only on vintage pens?

Hey Colin! Welcome in!

Ciao, benvenuto.

Benvenuto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Colin,

welcome on the forum, glad to know that we were helpful to you!

Simone

Thank you, yes, most of my recent acquisitions have been vintage, 1930s through 1950s; Astura, Columbia, Omas, Aurora, Radius. I'll post some pictures soon.

Odradek ha scritto: ↑lunedì 30 giugno 2025, 10:27 Hi, Colin. Wellcome.
You have really splendid modern pens, but try the vintages too, they are beautiful and your collection can't miss them.
I love Aurora 88 and her sisters (1950-60) they were stilized by Nizzoli and have wonderful nibs

I have only one Visconti, a lowly Rembrandt I picked up early on. But my "grail" pen (at the moment) is the Visconti Divina Elegance Bordeaux I tried one in a store recently, but thankfully it was black. If it had been Bordeaux, I likely would have brought it home. The feel, the design, the features, the nib... Divina!

lucacecchi ha scritto: ↑lunedì 30 giugno 2025, 11:20 Hi Colin. Welcome to our family!
You have a really interesting fountain pen collection.
I noticed that in your large collection there is one manufacturer missing: Visconti. What's the reason?
I ask only because my three favorite Italian manufacturers are Aurora, Omas and Visconti (the last expecially for the modern pens). Maybe are you focused only on vintage pens?

Welcome in this forum!

Colin ha scritto: ↑venerdì 4 luglio 2025, 4:29 I have only one Visconti, a lowly Rembrandt I picked up early on. But my "grail" pen (at the moment) is the Visconti Divina Elegance Bordeaux I tried one in a store recently, but thankfully it was black. If it had been Bordeaux, I likely would have brought it home. The feel, the design, the features, the nib... Divina!

lucacecchi ha scritto: ↑lunedì 30 giugno 2025, 11:20 Hi Colin. Welcome to our family!
You have a really interesting fountain pen collection.
I noticed that in your large collection there is one manufacturer missing: Visconti. What's the reason?
I ask only because my three favorite Italian manufacturers are Aurora, Omas and Visconti (the last expecially for the modern pens). Maybe are you focused only on vintage pens?

I agree with you. I have a Divina black (the big size). It's wonderful with its dream-touch nib.