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Fpn Pen 2011 - More Info, Preliminary Pricing And Polls


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Dearest Members of the Fountain Pen NetworkAs already posted in this Admin Column, we have been negotiating with Stipula for a new set of FPN Pens, and we also provided a few mock-ups of possibilities. Note that these are really only mock-ups, no photographs of the actual items.We wil discuss the possibilities here one by one, and will refer you to the specific polls we created for the possibilities and a preliminary price list.For those who can't wait, we'd suggest you still read this whole and long post, despite the links that follow here. Do make sure you read the instructions in the polls first, please - once done your vote is final.Preliminary Price Indication of possible FPN LE 2011 PensPoll for the FPN LE 2011 PassaportoPoll for the FPN LE 2011 Modello TPoll for the FPN LE 2011 EtruriaAs indicated in an earlier column, based on ideas and opinions in the past more options were required for th emembers to choose from, and there is the distinct possibility now to realize these choices, provided there are at least 100 people prepared to buy a specific pen. As before, we will only order pens, once we have established which the final choices are, and after the pens are paid for. FPN does not have deep pockets or any pockets at all to fund the manufacturing of these pens. Once the pens are paid for in full, we can ask Stipula to manufacture the chosen options, and pay for them.In case you are interested, we will be making a small profit on these pens, approximately 13 % after shipping, VAT and taxes, which is a little more than with the previous FPN Pen due to the fact that we do more of the work ourselves this time. This profit goes entirely to the upkeep of the site, i.e., hosting, software, licensing and support. With a bit of luck, provided we sell about 100 pens of each model, so a total of 300 pens, we should be able to earn enough to keep the site running for the next year and a half.Anyway, back to the actual story on hand.The colour of FPN is blue, it has been that since we started out. This is why the first FPN had shades of blue, and that is why we investigated the possibilities for another blue pen this time around, too. In order to fulfil the requirements for as many people possible, in discussions with Stipula, we came up with three possibilities, an FPN 2011 LE Passaporto, Modello T, and Etruria:1) Stipula Passaporto Azzurrite FPN LE.Passaporto in azurite resin, chrome trim, stainless steel nib (F or M):gallery_17_12_19574.pngPassaporto in azurite resin, gold colour trim, stainless steel nib (F or M):gallery_17_12_59417.pngAs is clear from these images, there are essentially two possibilities, namely a Chromium variety, and a Gold Coloured variety, essentially by means of a special electro-plating applied by Stipula. The standard nibs for the Passaporto are stainless steel nibs, in F and M. The pen itself is a cartridge pen which can also be used as an eyedropper filler, and an eyedropper is included in the package. We don't know yet whether the stainless steel nibs can be electro-plated as well, and we sincerely hope so, because it does look very special that way. Optionally there is also the possibility for a 14K or even 18K nib, which are slightly bigger than the stainless steel nibs. However, these have to be ordered in quantities of 100 each per nib type, which means that at least 100 pens would have to be ordered with a gold nib just for a single nib type, such as an F, in gold. Considering the price of such a pen, we do think that that is not really feasible. The pen will be engraved with Stipula / Made in Italy on one side of the barrel, and on the other side it can be engraved with whatever we decide upon. so that will be part of the poll.Now an important item: the price. We have done our utmost to keep pricing as competitive as possible, hopefully as a win-win to FPN members and FPN itself. This is not the final price yet, but we doubt that there will be any large discrepancies between what we show here and what will be the ultimate result. Here is a link to a table with indicative pricing, for all pens.The Vote for the FPN 2011 LE Passaporto can be found by clicking here. Do make sure you read the instructions first, please - once done your vote is final.2) Stipula Modello T Azzurrite FPN LE.The next category of pens is the Modello T, which Stipula will make available to us in a variety of options, provided we order a minimum of 100 of each. Basically, it will be a pen using the Azurite resin again, where we can have the entire section but the cap threads in azurite, which is not only preferred by pen enthousiasts the world over, as section trim at the nib end tends to get corroded with time, but it will also be the #1 exclusive feature distinguishing it from any standard Azurite Model T. Furthermore, the standard for the little clip jewel is mother-of-pearl, but that we can have in azurite, probably stone, too, another exclusive feature. Finally, rather than the standard palladium trim, we could also opt for gold coloured palladium trim, with the titanium nib treated in a similar fashion, making it a very exclusive pen indeed if all of those options are combined.This is a C/C pen which may be used as an eyedropper filler as well, and it does come with an eyedropper in the package again. It comes standard with the T-Flex titanium nib (as mentioned in standard (titanium) colour or as titanium with special gold colour treatment), but there also is the option to have a gold nib mounted. Just like the Passaporto, it makes this a very expensive option, and again for each nib type at least 100 pens have to be ordered as the nib has to be made especially for this pen. Available, if so required, in 14K or 18K.To remind you, these are some of the options, although we don't have all pricing options - those present should give a good idea, however. And here are the possibilities once more.Palladium trim, MOP clip jewel, palladium section end:gallery_17_12_56736.pngPalladium trim, MOP clip jewel, azurite section end:gallery_17_12_62692.pngPalladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, palladium section end:gallery_17_12_47710.pngPalladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, azurite section end:gallery_17_12_91772.pngGold coloured palladium trim, MOP clip jewel, gold coloured palladium section end, gold coloured nib:gallery_17_12_85129.pngGold coloured palladium trim, MOP clip jewel, azurite section end, gold coloured nib:gallery_17_12_41191.pngGold coloured palladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, gold coloured palladium section end, gold coloured nib:gallery_17_12_59092.pngGold coloured palladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, azurite section end, gold coloured nib:gallery_17_12_66389.pngVote for your version of the FPN LE 2011 Modello T by clicking here. Do make sure you read the instructions first, please - once done your vote is final.3) Stipula Etruria FPN LE.Finally, there is the Etruria, which also is available in a variety of options, again provided we order a minimum of 100 of each. First of all in azurite (Azzurrite), in two trim options, namely silver and vermeil, the former standard with 14K, rhodium plated nib and the latter with 18K duotone nib, and either could be had as C/C pen or as piston filler. C/C pen and piston filler will look exactly alike, just that what looks like a piston knob will have no real function, obviously, in the C/C version. IOW, there will be a silver or vermeil ring in either case at the top of the barrel.For a closer look at the azurite version look below.Etruria in azurite, silver trim,14K rhodinated nib, either C/C or PF:gallery_17_16_20651.pngEtruria in azurite, vermeil trim,18K duotone nib, either C/C or PF:gallery_17_16_86863.pngThe Blue Celluloid variety would be made from the same celluloid as used for the Novecento Elettra LE, about 5 years ago. This has never been used for any other pen, and it is extremely handsome and unique. Those who have seen the Elettra in the flesh, will agree with us.Etruria in blue celluloid, silver trim,14K rhodinated nib, either C/C or PF:gallery_17_16_80357.pngEtruria in blue celluloid, vermeil trim,18K duotone nib, either C/C or PF:gallery_17_16_83366.pngOne more time, click here for the indicative pricelist.To vote for options and your preferences on the FPN LE 2011 Etruria, click here. Do make sure you read the instructions first, please - once done your vote is final.Of course, we cannot guarantee that these pens look exactly like their mock-ups, but if anything they are likely to look better in real life than in these made-up images, although they all look very, very promising. Therefore, our thanks go once more to Ruaidhrí for creating these fantastic images for us.Warm regards,The FPN Admin Team

26 Comments


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I've a question.What payment options will we have to pay for these pens? Will we have to have a PayPal account or will we be able to pay with debit/credit cards, too?

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@Delphideo:As far as I know you can pay with credit card via paypal, without having an account there.But I have a question, too. Will they be sent from the EU (as the payment has to be in Euro)?

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Yes, they will be sent from the EU. The reason for payment is in Euro is that the contract will be in Euro too.Shipping cost to countries within the Eu and to the US will be 10 €, or roughly $ 14. Other countries still have to be worked out.Payment options indeed is PayPal, and the FPN account will also accept debit/credit cards via this PayPal account.HTH, warm regards, Wim

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GreenVelvet

Posted

I don't know what a T-Flex nib is, but I'm very curious. Is this a flexible nib?Edit: I'm doing my own searching on the forum, and discovering that it's a sort of complicated question. Softish, maybe? Anyway, I'm intrigued!

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I don't know what a T-Flex nib is, but I'm very curious. Is this a flexible nib?Edit: I'm doing my own searching on the forum, and discovering that it's a sort of complicated question. Softish, maybe? Anyway, I'm intrigued!
It's a titanium nib, newly developed by Stipula, which is as flexible as a an old-fashined flex nib, and first applied in the Modello-T line of pens. Because of its features, it is a one size fits all type of nib.HTH, warm regards, Wim
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Oh this is unbelievable! Well done WIM: Writing Instruments Master :D

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I have question about the pricing.There are prices shown for a 100 and for a 200 run.Will prices go down only for a full 200 run, or will a 150 run be inbetween?And will this be an order now or never, or would there be some additional pens made for people who come into the money later and decide they will have (another?) one after all?D.ick

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Hi D.ick,As it stands now, a full 100 run and a full 200 run, although we will negotiate there and then when we stop collecting votes. We may order a few extra ones, but literally only a few, as in, 1 or 2 - buying a few extra eats away resources (read: money) very quickly, and we can't really afford to do so. With the earlier FPN Pen we had a similar situation, where we sold all out very quickly. There were 13 extra pens produced at the time, because there was a little extra material left. However, they were all spoken and paid for, before final payment was due, to make a total of 113. On any extra ones, shipping will be much more expensive, we assume, as they would have to be shipped twice.Warm regards, Wim

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These questions apply to all the models, so I'll just post them here. Better to address these now before assumptions are made.Since these are being ordered/received by FPN, how would any warranty service that was needed work out? (Do we have options for service within the USA?) How long is warranty from workmanship defects? Do we get stuck having to pay for shipping it back to Europe if a defect appears? What method of shipping to the USA and other non-European countries (in terms of type of shipping/insurance/tracking)? Are they going to be individually inspected before shipping by FPN?How about getting replacement nibs/ink converters? (From where, compatibility, pricing?)

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I am hoping the offering decided upon will be within my budget. I am hoping that a 'converter', (even if only as an addition charge option), will be available when the orders are placed.Questions, (which might have been asked and answered in another thread):1. When will orders be taken? And how long will the order window be open?2. Is there a preliminary sign-up list to facilitate notification of the Pen(s) to be offered when the decisions are reached? (Besides the fear of finding out that the pen chosen will be out of my price range, I also fear that I will be too slow in finding my way to the right place to get my order in and paid for.)I will be looking forward to learning the answers to these questions, and any further information that will be helpful. Thank you, Lou

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These questions apply to all the models, so I'll just post them here. Better to address these now before assumptions are made.Since these are being ordered/received by FPN, how would any warranty service that was needed work out? (Do we have options for service within the USA?)
That'll be handled by Stipula. I don't know how that'll work in the USA.
How long is warranty from workmanship defects?
I would expect the warranty would be according to legislation, presumably a year in the USA.
Do we get stuck having to pay for shipping it back to Europe if a defect appears?
I don't know how that gets handled normally, to be very honest. I'll ask. Normally if you contact Stipula, they provide you with a code etc.
What method of shipping to the USA and other non-European countries (in terms of type of shipping/insurance/tracking)?
DHL most likely - I will ask about insurance and tracking.
Are they going to be individually inspected before shipping by FPN?
I don't think so - it would add quite a bit to the cost of shipping that way, because they would have to be shipped first to one of the admins. I expect we can quite safely rely on QC at Stipula.
How about getting replacement nibs/ink converters? (From where, compatibility, pricing?)
Any international size converters should work, provided they fit the particular model. You'd need very short converters for the Passaporto, but that really is a cartridge or eyedropper pen. The Modello T is an eyedropper or C/C pen, the Etruria very likely a PF pen - so no C/C in that case. Even if for the Etruria we do end up with a C/C pen, it'll still be international size, just like any other C/C Etrurias.Nibs: depends on what you would like as a replacement or addition. I can't give you a price list, because it really also depends on the retailer where you would get an additional one, and neither do I know what Stipula would charge you. We are still working with Stipula to see what other options there are. Do note that FPN is not a pen retailer. We are only an enabler :D :D.We never handled any of this with the first pen either, BTW, although we did mediate with the cap glue problems some people had (yellowish glue used, which actually would lose the yellowish colour again after a while).Warm regards, Wim
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I am hoping the offering decided upon will be within my budget. I am hoping that a 'converter', (even if only as an addition charge option), will be available when the orders are placed.Questions, (which might have been asked and answered in another thread):
Yes, in all of them actually, about the ordering process anyway.
1. When will orders be taken? And how long will the order window be open?
The order window will open in approximately 2 weeks time, when we know how many pens we need to order, and how much of each one, and have established what those members, who voted for a pen not present in the final selection, would like to order instead.The order window will stay open until all pens to be ordered are sold, i.e., are paid for. We think that'll take about three weeks, hopefully less.
2. Is there a preliminary sign-up list to facilitate notification of the Pen(s) to be offered when the decisions are reached? (Besides the fear of finding out that the pen chosen will be out of my price range, I also fear that I will be too slow in finding my way to the right place to get my order in and paid for.)
If more people want to buy a pen other than those who indicated they'd want one, we will see if we can order more in the same production run. We will also keep a tally of those who voted for a pen, and try to contact any people who didn't order yet before closing the order window. The announcement will also be linked to in the sidebar, so I doubt you will miss it, taking all of these measures into account.The initial sign-up list effectively is the three polls we have set up already. If you voted there, you will be notified, likely by PM and/or email.
I will be looking forward to learning the answers to these questions, and any further information that will be helpful. Thank you, Lou
HTH, warm regards, Wim
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Chris Chalmers

Posted

Thank you wimg!I have one question which I may have missed in all the discussions.....and that is - if the prices include 20% VAT within Europe, will all non-European purchases be 20% less than the stated price, and then have shipping added?Thanks again for such amazing work!Hugs,Chris

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Hi Chris,Unless we have to charge some VAT or GST or whatever, because of shipping from Europe, yes, indeed - check the $ prices in the price list, those are quite a bit lower when converted to euros than the euro prices are.And thank you for your kind words!HTH, warm regards, Wim

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Scriptorium Pens

Posted

It's hard to tell from the mock-ups exactly what the Azurite looks like. Is it translucent, or is it just a dark, solid, flat blue color?  

Thanks!

Tortoise
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OK, I think I have already messed up. Are we supposed to only choose ONE pen overall or which of each we would buy. That's what I thought you wanted. Argh. Mea culpa if I have misunderstood.

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I already replied to your question in the voting topic :headsmack:.Warm regards, Wim

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It's hard to tell from the mock-ups exactly what the Azurite looks like. Is it translucent, or is it just a dark, solid, flat blue color?  

Thanks!

Tortoise
It is slightly translucent, and depends on the thickness of the material.Warm regards, Wim
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Wim,Hi, I voted for the Modello T, but I found out that my Paypal account is having problems, and I won't be able to fix it for a while. Can I possibly pay by check/money order, or will I have to rescind my vote? Thanks!

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Wim,Hi, I voted for the Modello T, but I found out that my Paypal account is having problems, and I won't be able to fix it for a while. Can I possibly pay by check/money order, or will I have to rescind my vote? Thanks!
You can also pay by credit card... :DHTH, Warm regards, Wim
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Can we order now? I thought that the decision had not been made yet. I want to be sure to buy one! Thanks for the answer oh great mods!

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I just realized that the FPN model T is actually cheaper than a normal model T. I can't wait to get it!

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JonB55198

Posted

When will we be able to buy one of these? How do we do so? Thanks.

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agchristie

Posted

If you entered a vote in the appropriate poll it means that you are ordering a pen and as soon as the votes are closed we will recieve a message with payment details. This is as far as I understood from the post above and the relevant topics. If you want to order more than one pen you should send one of the mods a PM.

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