Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 522

I thought it only fitting to post this recent acquisition of Christopher's today, on 8/8 (August 8th) 😃. Hope you enjoy his review of this modern classic fountain pen!

(text and photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)

"To really appreciate the Italian Pen Company Aurora’s legendary 88 fountain pen, the clock has to be turned back to this pen’s inception in 1946. Back then, regarding the first model in a long history, I definitely think the company was hard after a Parker 51 market share. This was most evident regarding the Aurora’s hooded nib and it being a dead ringer for the 51 section. Still, the 88 did not have the Parker 51 Vacumatic filler, but was equipped with a excellent working piston filler. 

 Moving right along, there were a number of incarnations of the Aurora 88, which brings me to the company’s last kick at the 88 fountain pen can. In 1989, and more of a tribute to the 88, Aurora brought out the very last model. Although it looked, for all the world, like an 88 capped, when this cover was removed, it exposed a totally open nib. Gone was the hooded 51ish section, but this quite large nib was well worth exposing. The newly developed grip which sported this high quality nib was extremely well designed for being held to write. The barrel could well be in part mistaken for a Cuban ‘Montecristo cigar’, but with a jet black finish. At the filler end -separated with a thin 14K Gold plated tassie- is the rounded filler knob, while covering the business end of this pen, at least in my case, is an exquisite and very well designed 14K Gold plated cap. This cap is chased vertically down its main section with countless lines that, at the bottom, stop for a branded matching cap ring. This ring sits on top of a very thin cap end ring that finishes the trip down to the open end of this cap. At the top of this covering is quite a large rounded 14K Gold plated clip screw. The matching clip it is securing is extremely elegant and tapers to a good sized ball end.

Still, as attractive as this fine writing instrument is, the way it lays down ink on paper is just brilliant. So smooth and consistent, it truly is a joy to write with. My thought is that as good as the Italians are at producing amazing cars, I think they also deserve credit for manufacturing incredible fountain pens. Needless to say, this Aurora 88 from the late eighties really deserves a place of distinction in my vintage pen collection." 

What a gorgeous fountain pen --our thanks to Christopher for the review and photo!