I am thinking I'd like to order an Aurora, because I love the design on the nibs. The curvy scroll-type lines on the nib appeal to me. I've considered buying the Optima (black resin), but the style of the word "Aurora" on the band around the cap seems kind of "square-ish", and doesn't seem to coordinate with the curvy lines on the nib. On which Aurora fountain pen do all the design details coordinate best with the old-fashioned artistry on the nib? Are there any particular online vendors whose photos excel in showing this?

I'd like to buy in the $250 to $399 price range, and I would prefer piston fill. I am not able to visit a store, and am hoping some Aurora fans will offer advice. Thanks.

If you do not like the block letter Aurora nameplate and the Greek key design of the Optima, you may like the full size 88. The Aurora nameplate on the cap band is smaller and in a cursive script.

Giardino Italiano has a nice picture of the all black 88 with gold trim.

I Sell Pens has pictures of the various models available.

Edited to add that there is a current thread of messages here in the forum from satisfied customers of I Sell Pens.

Doug, thank you for pointing me in the direction of the 88. I wish it had the flat ends of the Optima, but overall I like the script and general styling of the 88 over the Optima. And thank you for elucidating me as to the Greek/key motif, which I did not know.

I found some fabulous photos of the 88 on www.nibs.com: a great photo of the word "Aurora" in an attractive script, and a huge enlargement of the previously mysterious ink window!

Next decision is whether to pop for some sterling, vs. stick with the black resin. . . I did kind of like how the black resin is just one metal coloration with the black. . . but the upgraded silver versions are nice-looking too.

I am a teeny bit confused about the following:
Some vendors' websites use the word "Ottantotto" as if it is synomymous with the "88"?
And I infer the word "Nikargento" is somehow supposed to mean chrome trim?

Thanks,
Nancy

88

First of all, the letters on the Optima which are "square-ish" fit the design of the body and cap which are squared off, I really do not think the "nib" of all things
take away from the Optima esthetics. 88 and Talentum are your only other choices for that nib. If one of them hasn't jumped out at you yet..........

Second, never mind some like me with blogspots now, but there are pics of these pens all over the net. It sounds like you never searched Google or Yahoo and
clicked on the "Image" threads. If you're leaving it up to the vendors to give you good pics...good luck.

Glad to help. I believe Ottantotto is Italian for 88. Yes, Nikargento is the silver tone trim model. I had an all black 88 (gold tone trim) with fine nib, and it was a very nice pen. I paid just $95 for it, and in a fit of trading madness I let it go with some cash for a tortoise Pelikan 400NN, which was later sold. I wish I had kept the Aurora. A good friend has one with the gold tone cap. It is quite attractive.

I have two Optimas (blue and green marbled auroloide) and love the way these pens write. If I could get a good price on another gold trim black 88 I would likely buy it.

I agree, the full size 88 has the best design. I is very classy, yet you can carry it around without worrying too much because the design is as sturdy as they come. In fact, I drop mine from the desk once and the only damage were a couple of micro scratches that you can only see with a magnifier. I don't think other similar pens would survive such a drop unscathed. In addition, the rhodium plating seems thick enough, so after more than three years of use, it still looks brand new. To make things even better, you can exchange nibs with the same ease as with Pelikan pens.

Now, off topic. If I could have a Custom 845 Fine nib in an Aurora 88 pen, the result would be for me as close to perfect as I can envision.

I also vote 88 and you can get it for less than $250.

Yet another recommendation for the larger 88. This is the only "modern" pen I carry and use every day (though I own a gazillion - Mb, Pelikan, Parker, etc). It's stylish, sturdy, and really a fantastic pen. The nib can feel a little "scratchy" to some, but for me, I like the feedback from the paper I get from it. Mine is a F, but the mediums I've tried feel smoother (so if you like M nibs, you probably won't notice a scratchiness much at all). It's one of the few modern pens that have more of a vintage 'feel' IMO. If you like F-XF nibs, just have it smoothed a bit if the feel bothers you.

Overall I think Aurora pens are completely kick-arse.

Dave

I've been visiting tons of websites trying to see if any of the larger silver barrel, silver cap 88's can still be bought in the U.S. If anyone can supply me with the item number, it might help me get better search results.

So far I think I have figured out the following:
Black resin: large is 800, small/regular is 810.
Solid silver cap: large is 803, small/regular is 803.
Solid silver cap and barrel: large is ____, small/regular is 816.

Kind of funny about the ottantotto. I speak a little French and a bit more Spanish. DH speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and some Italian. He just walked into the room, and I asked, What's the Italian word for "8". His answer: otto. So I guess the answer was here in my house all along. . . and now that I think about it, we have Italian/English dictionary etc. over there on the bookcase across the room. [Per our textbook, Basic Italian: 8 is otto (with an upside-down cedilla-type thing under the first "o", and 80 is ottanta.] Now I am curious to look up the Hottentots.



Any help on the large 88 would be appreciated.

I will just chime in with one additional vote for the O/S 88. All of my reasoning has already been expressed.

FYI: the cap band design has been recently changed on the Optima. See this thread with pictures about the new cap band design.

Optima. Black resin with gold trim. A classic.

Very interesting about the Optima design change. I'll have to take another look at the Optima vs 88.

Solid silver cap and barrel: no more available, it's sold out and no more in production.
The line-draw design was 805, the rice-grain design was 986



You're right, Ottantotto means Eighty-eight

And if you want to know how to pronounce Aurora.... look at here

I would go for the Optima, slightly larger girth than the 88 I think, and whilst shorter capped it is a perfect posting pen...

Hi guys, well both of those, the Optima and the 88 are grate pens, Aurora nibs are very reliable, fast starters and good looking, a bit stiff but very reliable and smooth (once they break or for the oblique), also if you have the Optima or the 88 you can swap nib very easily, so, you can buy both (not at the same time...I think) with different nibs and then just swap for try different combinations.

As a dealer I would recommend Pam Braun, she have very good prices and also she can find some not-regular nibs for you..of course I would like to have affiliation with Pam (and been payed with pens) but I don’t, just I have bought so far three pens with she and is a pleasure to deal with

Very best

Ricardo

Thanks to everyone! My Aurora 88 black resin with gold trim and fine nib just arrived, and I just love the way it looks and writes. imho this is way a nib is supposed to look. And the cursive "Aurora" on the cap band looks great with the nib.
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"This pen is just GORGEOUS!! I am so excited!!", she exclaimed!
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Perhaps later I'll pick up one with more metal, but for now this is just what I wanted!