A (Montegrappa) Symphony In Two Parts.

[jar]

Among the really nice Montegrappa pens that have unfortunately gone away but fortunately can still be found is the Symphony. It is a celluloid and Sterling Silver pen that came in five different colors from bright yellow to bright red, from turquoise to a deep blue black and a cream like parchment.

 

Today let's sit back and enjoy two Montegrappa Symphonies, one in bright red, the other a more subdued parchment, but with a twist.

 

The Montegrappa Symphony would fall in the large fountain pen segment, about the same size as the Pelikan 800 or Montblanc 146.

 

http://www.fototime.com/B09C3CCAE02DDE6/orig.jpg

Like many Montegrappas the body has a threaded end cap for sure and secure posting and when posted the pen is considerably longer than either the Pelikan 800 or the Montblanc 146.

 

http://www.fototime.com/B00A400BFDC2485/orig.jpg

It fills using standard international cartridges or converters.

 

The 18K gold nib and ebonite feed itself is just slightly larger than the Montblanc 146.

 

http://www.fototime.com/D5DE61E12DA2E94/orig.jpg

I fear my pictures do not do it justice, the celluloid really has a remarkable depth and changes color under different light, the pearl swirls throughout catching and reflecting the light in ever changing patterns.

 

http://www.fototime.com/DD064DCFEA470A2/orig.jpg

The wide Sterling Silver cap band is engraved in a simple script with Montegrappa and the year of founding, and the cap top repeats the theme.

 

http://www.fototime.com/D91182E2EE0AAD8/standard.jpg

What sets this particular pen apart though is its marvelous wet luscious factory stub nib.

 

http://www.fototime.com/7731F04F6319C03/orig.jpg

Where the parchment Symphony is subtle and subdued yeilding its special character only when used, the red Symphony is "in your face" assertive even while still in your pocket.

 

http://www.fototime.com/2E69DE22F451EA6/orig.jpg

This is one pen that is impossible to ignore.

 

http://www.fototime.com/F3FB65BB3C5BB37/orig.jpg

Like all Symphonies it is designed to be used posted yet retains its balance whether used posted or unposted. Since the cap takes about three brazillion turns I'll admit that sometimes I use them with cap firmly in hand.

 

http://www.fototime.com/52903DDBCE8C303/orig.jpg

As with all Montegrappas the nib (a medium in this case) is wet and trends towards the fine end of the spectrum.

 

http://www.fototime.com/ABA85A361C612D2/orig.jpg

Although the Symphony is discontinued, you can still find NOS examples at a relatively bargain price compared to other celluloid pens out there so if you get a chance, this is one to consider.

Edited February 3, 2012 by jar

[humblescribbler]

Thanks jar! :clap1:

The parchment is especially beautiful IMHO. Reminiscent of the 19th c. bone dip pens I've had the pleasure to see at shows and vintage shops. Translucent.

[Toolattack]

Thanks Jar. Not a big Montegrappa fan normally, but I love the look of both of these and might look at Montegrappa again with newly opened eyes!

[bugmd]

Beautiful pens jar. I have the charcoal and the yellow one. Very similar subdued v. in your face that you describe.

 

 

 

 

Crappy photo to compare the nib from a Symphony to an Extra.

 

[Ghost Plane]

I'm jealous of that stub.

[raging.dragon]

Are the red, yellow and turquoise the same celluloids used in the current Miya? These are beautiful pens and I'll be adding the three bright colours to my wishlist.

[jar]

Are the red, yellow and turquoise the same celluloids used in the current Miya? These are beautiful pens and I'll be adding the three bright colours to my wishlist.

 

Celluloid is very much batch specific and so it varies considerably over the life of a fountain pen model. But the Miya and Emblema celluloids look very similar.

[PatientType]

Nice post. I've got this one in red and it is just as you describe. The red is so brilliant that it seems to glitter when you turn the pen. For all the silver and celluloid the pen actually serves very well as a serious fountain pen. On the heavy side but well balanced...

[jar]

Nice post. I've got this one in red and it is just as you describe. The red is so brilliant that it seems to glitter when you turn the pen. For all the silver and celluloid the pen actually serves very well as a serious fountain pen. On the heavy side but well balanced...

 

I have several red pens but this one is RED. The other day I was sitting in a booth at Chili's sketching some design ideas for a website I was changing and had the YoL Grand Victorian with blue ink, the Montegrappa large Privilege Deco with PR Gray Flannel and the red Symphony with some Diamine Poppy Red ink in it but the only pen that elicited a comment was the red Symphony.

[raging.dragon]

The RED is attention grabbing in photographs. It's probably even moreso in person.

[ArchiMark]

You really captured the spirit of these Monte's very well, jar....

 

Thanks for sharing...

 

[JazzDoc]

Fabulous glimpse into the world of Montegrappa celluloids - thanks. Loved the review(s)! When an objective review makes you really desire a pen, you've done well.

[Thier.]

I have an eye on a symphony parchment ending soon on ebay and still at very reasonnnable price ....... Let´s hope that the price will not reach too much .......

[Scribblesoften]

Great review with,as always, very nice photographs. For me, the Symphony is one of those pens that has the combination of size, weight, and nib performance that makes an every day pen. The addition of a beautiful array of celluloid colors makes them even better. I have never been a fan of metal sections as they can be slippery but that has never been an issue with my Symphony. I would also like to thank Jar for helping me identify my pen as a Symphony vice the very similar Harmony. Thanks Jar.

[inkstainedruth]

Wow.

I always associated Montegrappa with the (current) batch of tacky "tribute" pens. Of which the Chaos Pen is a prime example; to borrow OcalaFlGuy's terminology: OOGLIE.... But that red pen is sweeeeeet. And the yellow one is very nice too -- I like bright yellow pens.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[jar]

Wow.

I always associated Montegrappa with the (current) batch of tacky "tribute" pens. Of which the Chaos Pen is a prime example; to borrow OcalaFlGuy's terminology: OOGLIE.... But that red pen is sweeeeeet. And the yellow one is very nice too -- I like bright yellow pens.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Wander over here for an introduction to Montegrappa's pens Ruth.

[Thier.]

I have an eye on a symphony parchment ending soon on ebay and still at very reasonnnable price ....... Let´s hope that the price will not reach too much .......

Yes !!!!!! Got it !!!!! Still have to wait fot the postman in a few days, now ..........

[jar]

Yes !!!!!! Got it !!!!! Still have to wait fot the postman in a few days, now ..........

Without pictures it don't exist.

[Thier.]

Without pictures it don't exist.

Here it is ..... Ebay item. 291159641185

[jar]

Here it is ..... Ebay item. 291159641185

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