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Visconti Emerald Green

Visconti Aquamarine

Visconti Black

Visconti Sepia

Visconti Ruby Red

Visconti Van Gogh

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Visconti Van Gogh Maxi

Color: Evergreen
Material: Enalem over brass
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. 2008
Nib: M Steel, custom ground to stub
Working? Yes

This is one of the first set of VanGogh pens, before they were based on specific paintings, and personally, I liked that series better than the newer ones. It’s a solid, hefty pen, with a shimmering finish. Plated nib, but still an excellent writer, especially now that it has been given the famed Pendleton Point ‘Butter-line Stub’ treatment. Shimmering green with golds and browns – no photo will do it justice. Nice weighty feel in the hand, and holds loads of ink. Fantastic spring-loaded clip, too.

Visconti Rembrandt

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Visconti Rembrandt

Color: Orange
Material: Resin
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. 2015
Nib: Steel Flex / Steel Italic
Working? Yes

Have I mentioned I love orange pens? So when the Rembrandt calligraphy kit showed up in my inbox in one of FPH’s ‘special sales,’ I leapt. Boy, am I glad I did! I know Viscontis get a lot of flak, but I adore them, and this is no exception. I will say the flex nib isn’t all that flexy, especially in contrast to a genuine vintage flex nib, but it’s a nice nib for practicing. And the italic is fantastic! Much better flow than any calligraphy italic I’ve used. Nice solid piece, with a nifty magnetic click-lock cap.

Visconti Opera Club

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Visconti Opera Club

Color: Red & Black
Material: Resin
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. 2008
Nib: M 18K
Working? Yes

Ah, Visconti, how I love thee! The fact that I am a bit of an Italian history buff just adds to my love for these pens. (Sidenote: in the Middle Ages, the Visconti coat of arms was a basilisk devouring a child. (see it here) Ghastly, right? But even today, you can see that greedy serpent on the front of any Alfa Romeo. True thing, go look up the Alfa Romeo logo if you don’t believe me!) But back to the pen: This pen is pen lust embodied. Crimson marbled with gleaming gold, a big, engraved nib that writes like silk… It’s love! I think the Club series was a limited edition, and I have only ever seen one other like it for sale. I keep this one inked up with my other Italian love, Dante Alighieri, the ruby red ink from De Atramentis, although I have found that with the Noodler’s Eel ‘Rattler Red,’ I get even more expressive writing from it.

Visconti Opera Fire

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Visconti Opera Elements 'Fire'

Color: Red & White marble
Material: Resin
Filler: Cartridge/Converter
Date c. 2010
Nib: M 18K
Working? Yes

Do I need two Visconti Operas? Well, sure! These are just such stunningly luxurious pens, they seem almost decadent to own, never mind use! Still, I use them often, because they just feel so darned good in the hand. This is from the “Elements” collection, and is much like its cousin below. However, this one features a nifty ‘twist-click’ cap mechanism that I really like. And naturally, a dream to write with!