Stipula Majestic Limited Edition
by Len Provisor

What a pleasure it was to review and use this pen. The Stipula Majestic an excellent representation of a vintage Italian celluloid pen as they were made in the golden days of the 1930’s. This is a modern pen that has the feel and the look of vintage as if it has just jumped out of a pen book by Letizia Jacopini.

FPH Stipula LE

Light weight in hand with a very responsive 18K nib, the line variation is what you would expect from Italian nibs with modest conscious pressure. I especially like the slim waist of the tapered section which gives my fingertips a very sensitive touch and control, rather than the feel of threads and rings. This is a full size pen at 5 5/8” long capped with the barrel measuring 9/16” at the threads. The cap diameter is 5/8”. In spite of this comfortable full size appearance, the insignificant light-weight of about 1 ounce literally makes this pen disappear into the hand. There is no counter weight or balance to even consider as you would expect with larger oversize pens. It’s amazing to think that a product weighing in at a mere one ounce can be so designed to give such a comfortable utility.

The celluloid is brilliant. The color is gorgeous. The feel of aged celluloid on finger tips speaks Italian. The variation of blue/grey stripes on cream is a real beauty. One could roll this pen over many times and gaze at an endless pattern of change depending on the light. The cream celluloid actually has that vintage depth that sparkles with the blue and gray striped variations. Given the great variety of celluloid patterns and colors, I really have to say that the beauty of a cream base with this variated stripe pattern was a beautiful choice for this Fountain Pen Hospital Limited Edition.

FPH Stipula LE

Here is the story of the inspiration for this beautiful color pattern.

In the words of Renzo Salvadori, the founder of Stipula: "It was an extraordinarily hot day in Jaipur, India, one of the few countries where mystery and magic can still be sensed, and the bus was overloaded with people, bags, and chickens. After a two-hour trip, the bus broke down. From a small group of houses, I saw a young woman advancing in our direction, holding a heavy water jar. Dressed in a cobalt blue sari, she moved with grace and sweetness, uttering few words, and smiling back to those who thanked her. When she got closer to me, I noticed she was wearing a strange pendant, such as I had never seen. It had the shape of the sun, and the colours of light and night. She told me that she had received it from her husband on their wedding day. He didn't know the material either, but was sure it was precious and unique, and had her swear she would always wear it as his keepsake." In memory of the enchanting meeting with this beautiful and kind girl, Renzo Salvadori has reproduced the colours of that jewel matching the gold of the sun with the dark blue of the sky of the Indian nights, in a celluloid as precious as the love the pendant was given and received with.

The Majestic is an exclusive limited edition for Fountain Pen Hospital. Stipula's most representative design, Etruria, with its gentle and sinuous lines, is matched with the precious brightness of true celluloid, cured for over 300 days. All the trim is made of vermeil (gold plated sterling silver).

The hand-crafted pen is equipped with a cartridge/converter filling system and is offered in various 18KT gold nib widths: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, and Broad.

The Majestic is available in a limited series of 100 fountain pens and 50 capped rollerballs. Each pen is individually numbered.

FPH Stipula LE

© 2004 Len Provisor.