General
Montegrappa was founded under the company motto: “Manifattura pennini d’oro e penne stilografiche” (“Maker of gold nibs and fountain pens”) circa 111 years ago in 1912. Its products are still manufactured in the original factory in Bassano del Grappa (Monte Grappa) – not far from historic and industrial town of Vicenza, in the North – East of Italy.
Features
Montegrappa Cortina Vintage Fountain Pen was manufactured well over 50 years ago and certainly bears no resemblance to the current range of the company products. It is of a very simple design, finished in its dark burgundy celluloid colour, being also equipped with the efficient piston filler in its standard configuration. There is a lot to say about its simplicity and its stainless-steel semi flexible nib with the iridium tip. There is no decorative trim included and its steel clip is chrome plated and of fixed design type. The pen is very light at only 11.2 g and deserves four stars for its smooth writing ability.
Comment
Our own Italian pen expert friend and especially Montegrappa expert stated, that there is no more such simple design coming out of their current Bassano factory. The Winter Olympics, officially known as Cortina d’Ampezzo, was a multi-sport winter event held in Cortina and perhaps the Cortina name of this simple pen is linked to it somehow.
Ink used: Parker Quink Blue, France/UK
