Fpn Pen 2011 - More Info, Preliminary Pricing And Polls

Entry posted by Admin March 31, 2011

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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 Pens Poll for the FPN LE 2011 Passaporto Poll for the FPN LE 2011 Modello T Poll 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):Passaporto in azurite resin, gold colour trim, stainless steel nib (F or M):As 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:Palladium trim, MOP clip jewel, azurite section end:Palladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, palladium section end:Palladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, azurite section end:Gold coloured palladium trim, MOP clip jewel, gold coloured palladium section end, gold coloured nib:Gold coloured palladium trim, MOP clip jewel, azurite section end, gold coloured nib:Gold coloured palladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, gold coloured palladium section end, gold coloured nib:Gold coloured palladium trim, azurite (stone) clip jewel, azurite section end, gold coloured nib:Vote 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:Etruria in azurite, vermeil trim,18K duotone nib, either C/C or PF:The 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:Etruria in blue celluloid, vermeil trim,18K duotone nib, either C/C or PF:One 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