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Fpn Pen: Status Update, May 21


Admin

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Dearest Members and Visitors of the Fountain Pen Nuthouse,

As mentioned in the previous news update, we still had a few snags to deal with. At the end of last week, we had had extensive contact with Stipula, and we knew the representatives, we are dealing with, would be traveling to the US on Friday, now more than a week ago, to attend an exhibition and to have meetings with their US representatives. Expected return date was Thursday, but it currently looks like that was Thursday after close of business in the US, as we haven't heard anything from Stipula since their departure, yet. We are therefore still waiting for new pricing considering our proposals, and the possibilities we agreed upon.

 

Let us first reiterate what those are.

 

First of all, the Passaportos. Both models will be produced, be it the Gold Coloured version only with stanless steel, gold coloured M nib. The Chrome version will be produced with a selection of F or M stainless steel nibs:

 

gallery_17_13_73156.png gallery_17_13_84035.png

 

Next the Modello T. As the Gold Coloured version received too few votes, that version will not be produced. Furthermore, the variants with palladium section ends are less popular, so we are going for the models in palladium trim, and full azurite section. As both types of clip jewels are availabe, we all have a choice between either a Mother-Of Pearl clip jewel, or a blue stone. Gold nibs are not available as too few people indicated they would like one. However, that still means we can produce two of these beauties, and at no extra cost, both with titanium T-Flex nib:

 

gallery_17_13_86638.png gallery_17_13_25384.png

 

The Etruria is a different story altogether. We do have enough votes for both an Azurite, and a Blue Celluloid production run. Furthermore, 14K rhodinated nibs, 18K duotone nibs, silver trim, and vermeil trim all appear to be "standard" stock items for Etrurias, which means we can mix and match to some degree. Unfortunately, that is not the case with piston filler vs c/c versions. As an enormous majority of people either want a piston filler, or do not mind either filling system, we have opted for the piston filler. All in all, this provides us with 6 (!) options, namely, the following in Azurite:

 

gallery_17_17_73924.png gallery_17_17_67885.png gallery_17_17_98756.png

 

And the same variants in Blue Celluloid (acetate):

 

gallery_17_17_78394.png gallery_17_17_42842.png gallery_17_17_111674.png

 

In short, plenty of choice, 2 material types, 3 rhodinated nib types, 7 duotone nib types, silver or vermeil trim, but at different price points.

 

To return to the snags, those have been mostly solved. As indicated, shipping to US, Canada and EU countries would be € 10, and we now have managed to realize a € 20 shipping fee to all other countries in the world, with in both cases no extra fees for combined shipping!

 

The VAT issues we discussed have also been solved completely. VAT will only be charged, as we have to do from a legal POV, on a EU country by country basis, but will not be included in an overall price, IOW, the non-EU prices will be tax-free (VAT-free)!

 

Stipula did ask us a last question with regard to the pen mix in the production runs, and this is likely causing the current delay, because by the time we could reply, they were well underway to the US.

 

In the mean time we did set up the FPN web store, which isn't visible yet :D. We are planning on giving the voters first dibs at ordering, for up to 10 days, after which we will open the store to everybody. The reason for this is that we do have only limited production runs, and as the voters in principle have committed themselves, they will therefore have the option to buy first.

 

So if you want to have first dibs too, make sure you vote before the polls close, with closure scheduled for very early on Tuesday, May 24!

 

As a reminder, here are the links to the votes:

FPN LE Passaporto vote

FPN LE Modello T vote

FPN LE Etruria vote

Warm regards,

 

The FPN Admin Team

49 Comments


Recommended Comments



I'm glad the poll was still open! I voted for a specific Modello T, but I'll get whichever one ends up being made!

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Well, both of the models mentioned above will be made, as will be all the other models of Passaporto and Etruria shown pictures of here :D.Warm regards, Wim

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You were right Wim, that gold trim on azurite does look good. Somehow did not register before to me. But the silver is great too. Lets wait for the definitive pricelist.D.ick

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Given the rapture to arrive on 5/21, maybe Stipula was hedging their bets :D

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You were right Wim, that gold trim on azurite does look good. Somehow did not register before to me. But the silver is great too. Lets wait for the definitive pricelist.D.ick
:DIt does indeed :D. The price difference will depend mostly on the difference going from 14K rhodinated to 18K duotone nib. The difference between silver and vermeil trim is very small, pricewise :D.Warm regards, Wim
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Given the rapture to arrive on 5/21, maybe Stipula was hedging their bets :D
You'll have to point me th eway to that one.... :DWarm regards, Wim
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I would like to see a final price list, if possible, before committing to a final choice on the Etruria. :D

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So would we, so would we :D. Based on previous experience, I expect a new list by Tuesday morning - hence the closure of the polls then.Warm regards, Wim

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A very exciting time for FPN'ers ! Thank you once again!

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Hi. I voted for Erruria. Can anybody tell me if there is a difference from 14K rhodium plate and 18K duo tone in terms of writing characteristics? Best regardsBen

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I would not know about the writing characteristics between say a 14k M and a 18k M. I only have one, a 14 k 1.1 italic. Very nice nib.But the choice in nibwidths is much larger in the 18k.from the pricelist: 14k: F, M, 1.1italic18k: EF, F, M, B, 0.9it, 1.1it, 52dgrI am not sure about the 52dgr. I remember reading somewhere that is is sort of a zoom nib.D.ick

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Robert Hughes

Posted

I think an Etruria in blue Azurite is gorgeous. I'm late to this thread. How do I vote?

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Hi. I voted for Erruria. Can anybody tell me if there is a difference from 14K rhodium plate and 18K duo tone in terms of writing characteristics? Best regardsBen
I would not know about the writing characteristics between say a 14k M and a 18k M. I only have one, a 14 k 1.1 italic. Very nice nib.But the choice in nibwidths is much larger in the 18k.from the pricelist: 14k: F, M, 1.1italic18k: EF, F, M, B, 0.9it, 1.1it, 52dgrI am not sure about the 52dgr. I remember reading somewhere that is is sort of a zoom nib.D.ick
Personally, I think the 14K nibs are slightly stiffer than the 18K nibs, but that could well just be my imagination :D. Both have excellent spring, however :D.The 52 degree nib is indeed a kind of zoom nib. It is widest when held at 52 degrees to the paper (in a plane perpendicular to the paper), about a 2 1/2 to 3B, and it narrows at higher and lower angles. In practice, it probably works like a 2 1/2 B nib most of the time, unless you pay special attention to its characteristics.Very nice as a signature nib :D.Warm regards, Wim
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Hello,I have voted for a passporto, but would also like to order a modello t with azurite jewel. I couldn't figure out if I was supposed to vote in both polls. But the modello t poll wouldn't load on my IPad, so please consider this my commitment to order both.Many thanks for all the coordination!Karen

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Hello,I have voted for a passporto, but would also like to order a modello t with azurite jewel. I couldn't figure out if I was supposed to vote in both polls. But the modello t poll wouldn't load on my IPad, so please consider this my commitment to order both.Many thanks for all the coordination!Karen
Hi Karen,Ok, duly noted :D.Warm regards, Wim
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Wim,Thanks for all of your hard work on this. I'm looking forward to seeing the final prices and the store. :D Simcha

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Oh, and those blue celluloid Etrurias are so beautiful. I wish I could afford all three... :D Simcha

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Oh, and those blue celluloid Etrurias are so beautiful. I wish I could afford all three... :D Simcha
:DI know the feeling but too well :D.Warm regards, Wim
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Hi. I voted for Erruria. Can anybody tell me if there is a difference from 14K rhodium plate and 18K duo tone in terms of writing characteristics? Best regardsBen
I would not know about the writing characteristics between say a 14k M and a 18k M. I only have one, a 14 k 1.1 italic. Very nice nib.But the choice in nibwidths is much larger in the 18k.from the pricelist: 14k: F, M, 1.1italic18k: EF, F, M, B, 0.9it, 1.1it, 52dgrI am not sure about the 52dgr. I remember reading somewhere that is is sort of a zoom nib.D.ick
Personally, I think the 14K nibs are slightly stiffer than the 18K nibs, but that could well just be my imagination :D. Both have excellent spring, however :D.The 52 degree nib is indeed a kind of zoom nib. It is widest when held at 52 degrees to the paper (in a plane perpendicular to the paper), about a 2 1/2 to 3B, and it narrows at higher and lower angles. In practice, it probably works like a 2 1/2 B nib most of the time, unless you pay special attention to its characteristics.Very nice as a signature nib :D.Warm regards, Wim
Thank you to both of you.I have 18KF and 14K 1.1. so I was thinking of getting M and wondered if there is any difference. 52 degree sounds very interesting.Ben
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Is it ok for FPN members to buy both a Modello T and a Etruria?Did you ever finalize what would be written on the barrel of the Pen?

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GirchyGirchy

Posted

Wim,

 

Any idea when the store might be up? I understand plans may have been delayed because of the database crash (thanks for getting the site up and going again!). Just curious. :)

 

Brian

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Same here, I'm also curious so I can allot my money. I have an expense coming up and I need to either commit soon or wait until the 7th.

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