Montegrappa Tertio Millenio Adveniente fountain pen
Nib: fine 18k 750 two tone
Condition: New old
Tertio millennio adveniente (Latin for 'As the third millennium approaches') is an apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II, promulgated on 10 November 1994, concerning preparation for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. In the letter, the pope addressed bishops, priests, deacons, religious and all the faithful.
Montegrappa commemorates this with their Tertio Millennio Adveniente Limited Edition Fountain Pen. This one is #1058/1912.
The barrel is constructed of beautiful, pearlescent celluloid, which gives one the impression of Renaissance-era parchment. Atop it lies the sterling silver and enamel overlay.
The sterling overlay is a combination of Montegrappa's low relief (background texture engraving) and high relief angels, clouds, and window frame. The centerpiece is a representation of the slightly elliptical stained glass window. It has an outer frame of high relief sterling, and inner frames done in the same manner. In the center is a white-enameled dove representing the holy spirit with radiating rays and overlaid with incredible enamel work graduating from a golden yellow center to a deep reddish-orange at the outer edge. Around the centerpiece, angels hover amongst the clouds filled in a combination of white and sky blue enamels, playfully basking in the radiant light.
The cap ring is a representation of the windows of St. Peter's Cathedral. The key-shaped clip is a masterpiece, the key of St. Peter, the symbol of the Vatican. The top is a dome of sterling silver, capped by a red carnelian cabochon.
Italy's first pen manufacturer, Montegrappa, began manufacturing pens in 1912 in its factory in Bassano del Grappa - a picturesque town along the Brenta River, which flows through Alpine foothills in northeastern Italy. Utilizing natural celluloid and precious metals, Montegrappa combines traditional methods such as die-casting with more recent innovations as low-relief engraving to form their precious art objects. Whether they use colors reminiscent of the master painters or ornamentation suggestive of Baroque palaces, the Italian heritage and romance is infused into each product.
COLOR, Black, Blue, Cream, Gold, Orange, Red, Silver, White, Yellow