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Stipula Etruria Blue Celluloid Acetate - Notte Di Stelle

jigesh

By jigesh
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jigesh Extremely Rare

jigesh

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Stipula Etruria Blue Celluloid Acetate FPN Limited Edition Vermeil Trim 18K Two-Tone Medium Nib, Model Name Notte di Stelle (Starry Night, or Night of Stars)

Etruria series from Stipula embodies beauty and performance (or form and function), a common trait in all Italian masterpieces ranging from arts to engineering and from fashion to food. Some time back, I posted my subjective take on various pens within Etruria series that I have had an opportunity to appreciate over time. I don't have too much to add to what has been previously said except that I am thankful to FPN and Wim for being instrumental from start to finish in creating this beautiful new Etruria as an FPN Limited Edition. A number of nib and trim choices (various widths, 14K rhodinated and 18K duo-tone, silver and vermeil trims) were available. I think blue and silver trim is down-to-earth beautiful; blue and gold trim is heavenly majestic. I happened to get 13th of the 21 Notte di Stelle in Vermeil trim with 18K two-tone medium nib. Here's how it looks like:

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5931_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5929_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5938_2.jpg

 

Those who haven't owned an Etruria, the following pictures will give some idea about its size as compared to Montblanc 149 (top) and 146 (bottom) pens:

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5940_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5943_2.jpg

 

Here are a couple of family pictures, Notte di Stelle (in the middle) with older siblings Alter Ego (top) and 991 (bottom):

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5945_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5947_2.jpg

 

As we can see from the following measurements, this pen is not as heavy as an Alter Ego or a Fiesole, and is not as light as an older Amber. It's very close to a 991.

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/blueEtruraTable123.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/blueEtruraTable4.jpg

 

The 991 has more camphor smell and is a different celluloid material (nitrate where camphor was added to help plasticize the material and make it more malleable). The 991 feels "stickily" smooth in hand but not slippery. Notte di Stelle is acetate type celluloid, not much of a camphor smell as far as I can tell. It also is smooth in feel but a different kind of smooth compared to the 991 (difficult to verbalize). The piston filler mechanism operates very smoothly and holds a lot of ink.

Like all Etrurias, the perception of depth and vibrancy varies under direct light (or camera flash) versus in the ambient light. The following pictures show what I mean. The upper pictures are at "normal" ambient light, while the lower ones are under flash.

The cap, clip, gold-mark and band:

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5959_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5960_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5951_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5952_2.jpg

 

The barrel and inscriptions on it:

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5955_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5956_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5958_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5957_2.jpg

 

 

The grip section and the nib:

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5953_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5954_2.jpg

 

The pen has a two-tone 18 K solid gold nib with nice springiness and great feel. The nib width is medium. The nib sections can be screwed out and in for changing nibs. Other than that, the method that works common to all Etruria models for nib removal (if needed), as mentioned by Wimg in the Italian Pens section of this forum, is to pull in straight horizontal direction with care using rubberized gloves or using thin sheet of rubber wrapped around the nib/feeder before pulling. Here are pictures of a writing sample and nib close-up:

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5961_2.jpg

 

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5967_2.jpg

 

Summary:

Notte di Stelle is a beautiful blue pen. Being an FPN LE, it's a very special pen. All Etrurias are a bit expensive. Those who like full-sized pens that hold tons of ink, this pen is a great fit. Is it the most beautiful Etruria ever? I am not sure as it's very subjective. My personal favorite is Etruria 991. Notte di Stelle is going to be my second favorite Etruria it seems. Thank you, FPN and thank you, Wim.

 

 

 

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georges zaslavsky Museum Piece

georges zaslavsky

Posted
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congrats one a nice and rare eritruria :thumbup: I am going to look for one of the older models but in ocean blue like the one the Noble Savage reviewed,but also to look for an Eritruria Fiseole and an Eritruria Ambrosa.

Edited by georges zaslavsky

Pens are like watches , once you start a collection, you can hardly go back. And pens like all fine luxury items do improve with time

 

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SamCapote Antique

SamCapote

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That is a fabulous review. Man am I glad I have one just like this coming now. Will be my first Etruria. You really captured everything about it that I could think of or wonder about. Thanks!

With the new FPN rules, now I REALLY don't know what to put in my signature.

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kazoolaw Collectors Item

kazoolaw

Posted
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[/size]http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5945_2.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/BlueEtruria/DSC_5947_2.jpg

 

 

 

 

Your family photos are excellent comparision shots, and confirm my preference for one of the "cousins". All of them are very, very handsome pens.

 

Thank you for sharing,

 

gary

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georges zaslavsky Museum Piece

georges zaslavsky

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congrats on a nice collection gary :thumbup:

Pens are like watches , once you start a collection, you can hardly go back. And pens like all fine luxury items do improve with time

 

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kazoolaw Collectors Item

kazoolaw

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congrats on a nice collection gary :thumbup:

 

Alas George, I just included two of the OP's photos in my reply. They are not mine, though I do have one Etruria.

 

gary

Edited by gary
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