A is also for Aurora

Yes, we have another A – Aurora; however, the actual name of the company established in Turin in 1919 was Fabbrica Italiana de Penne a Serbatoio.

Aurora 88
The original Aurora 88 was launched in 1947. Nicknamed the “Glorious 88″, it had a hooded nib similar to the Parker 51. The current model (that I own) has an open nib.

My 88 is the large glossy black Ottantoto model (pictured above) with nikargenta (an alloy of silver and nickel) trim. The nib is a medium italic in 14k. Piston filler. Dimensions are 135 mm (just under 5 1/2 in.) capped and 158 mm (6 1/4 in.) posted. The diameter of the barrel is about 10 mm at the end, 14 mm around the middle.

If I had to go on a desert island and take only a handful of pens, this would be one, without a doubt. The pen is a classic, understated design. It holds a ton of ink and it is a magnificent pen to write with – well-balanced and giving my writing just the right amount of line variation that I expect from an italic nib. Now, I have heard rumours that Aurora nibs are toothy; maybe I am lucky but I don’t feel it.

Aurora Optima Auroloide

The Optima was released around 1992 and has a streamlined design, similar to pens released by Aurora in the 1930s such as their Duplex model, and accented by a wide Greek key deco cap band. The celluloid material called auroloide is just stunning, giving amazing depth to the various colours (blue, green and red). The pen also has a really cool imprint and plain black flattop, just like a vintage Duofold Lucky Curve.

The pen is very similar in size to the 88, perhaps a bit shorter and fatter. It is the exact opposite of the 88 in terms of overall design – where the 88 is understated, the Optima is luxurious. I have the blue one and it has to be one of the most beautiful pens that I own, if not the most beautiful. When I open the drawer that it is stored in, along with another 25 or so pens, it immediately catches your eye. The marbling of the blue, the gold geometric cap band, 18k gold nib and retro look and feel is something to behold. In fact, I love this pen so much I have not even written with it! Oh yeah, it has a medium nib.

Before I bought the blue auroloide, I looked carefully at the red and the green. The red is very nice (just not my colour – although look at the Perla below) but the green is just as spectacular as the blue. I had a very tough time picking between the green and blue.

Filed under: Aurora, Aurora, Aurora 88, Aurora Optima, fountain pen

Aurora World Continent Collection

When it comes to fountain pens, I am a completist – a collector who attempts to collect an example of every item in a particular field.. Perhaps the habit is a bit OC, Nevertheless, if I buy a fountain pen that is part of a collection, such as the Aurora World Continent collection, I have to have them all. Until now. I am very attracted to the recently released Aurora Europa. This pen is a wonderful combination – grey black swirls, chrome hardware and topped off by a blue quartz stone. I have come to learn that the colour is referred to as Fumo di Londra grey marbled resin, which translated means “Smoke of London”. An appropriate colour choice to represent the smoke that poured out of the trains and factories during the Industrial Revolution in Europe. The picture speaks for itself.

Beauty, eh?

I have often thought about buying the Afrikan model of this collection – a perfect match of amber with black swirls, gold hardware and an agate stone – if that doesn’t bring to mind a safari on the savannah, I don’t know what does. But then my completist tendency thought about the only other model released at the time – Asia. I just don’t feel the green/brown combination. So I have not bought the Afrika.

Aurora Afrika LE fountain pen

Aurora Asia LE fountain pen

Now to my dilemma. I have to have the Europa. Will I be able to fight off the completist in me and stop with just this model (at least until the next one(s) is/are released? I am expecting something in blue at some point. God help me when that happens!).

Filed under: Aurora, Europa, pelikan fountain pen

Aurora World Continent Collection

When it comes to fountain pens, I am a completist – a collector who attempts to collect an example of every item in a particular field.. Perhaps the habit is a bit OC, Nevertheless, if I buy a fountain pen that is part of a collection, such as the Aurora World Continent collection, I have to have them all. Until now. I am very attracted to the recently released Aurora Europa. This pen is a wonderful combination – grey black swirls, chrome hardware and topped off by a blue quartz stone. I have come to learn that the colour is referred to as Fumo di Londra grey marbled resin, which translated means “Smoke of London”. An appropriate colour choice to represent the smoke that poured out of the trains and factories during the Industrial Revolution in Europe. The picture speaks for itself.

Beauty, eh?

I have often thought about buying the Afrikan model of this collection – a perfect match of amber with black swirls, gold hardware and an agate stone – if that doesn’t bring to mind a safari on the savannah, I don’t know what does. But then my completist tendency thought about the only other model released at the time – Asia. I just don’t feel the green/brown combination. So I have not bought the Afrika.

Aurora Afrika LE fountain pen

Aurora Asia LE fountain pen

Now to my dilemma. I have to have the Europa. Will I be able to fight off the completist in me and stop with just this model (at least until the next one(s) is/are released? I am expecting something in blue at some point. God help me when that happens!).

Filed under: Aurora, Europa, pelikan fountain pen