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http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-15_zps0394feb5.jpg Czechoslovakian fountain pens are maybe not very well known among collectors and users but they should be for sure pointed out very loudly because of their high quality, beauty and really wonderful writing skills. The communism time brought a nationalization to the Czechoslovakian pen industry, so all private manufacturers had to decide if join a new "company" Centropen or just desapear. So, actually Centropen used ideas and design of few great manufacturers, among them the best was Ripet, Barclay, Penco. First Impression (10/10) Is just ... WOW! This particular pen I am happy to have with original box, so after opening the box, literally, it's just WOW! The pen at once is going to catch your eye and push you to take it into your hands. Appearance and Design (10/10) For all of you who appereciate the most Italian vintage, celluloid pens, Centropen might be like "one of a kind" Anyway, it's very well made of impressive colorful, shiny celluloid. Cigar shape is a classy one, we all know that, so no dissapointment at all. Both top sides of the barrel and the cap are finished with transparent, acrylic or celluloid part which gives to the pen lightness and very modern look. In addition three rings on a cap and well thought clip. Alltogether, really, really NICE pen! http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-11_zps6f9ff83e.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-1_zpsa30fff99.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-10_zpsa748785e.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-9_zpsf7f92d3c.jpg Weight and Dimensions (10/10) It's a quite big pen, so all "oversize" lovers will not be dissapointed. Those who loves "standard" will find this pen also very comfortable. pen with the cap screwed on: 13,3 cm / 5.25 in pen without the cap: 11,8 cm / 4.65 in pen with the cap posted: 14,4 cm / 5.66 in diameter: 1,2 cm / 0.47 in Nib and performance (10/10) Centropen used usually steel, gold plated nibs but also 14 ct gold nibs by Ripet or just Warranty. This one comes with semi-flexible M 14 ct Warranty 1st Quality nib that is really great. At least for me who really love vintage, flexible and semi-flexible nibs. It's not the smoothest one and I don't like those nibs that when writes you don't feel it all and don't hear it all, so for me this nib is 10 but for "SS" lovers (silence&smoothness) it might be around 5-6. Ebonite feed works very well with the nib. http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-16_zps44b5f8da.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-5_zpsc0513b4f.jpghttp://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-2_zpsf0a67c84.jpg Filling system & Maintenance (8/10) The filling system is easy to use, and holds a lot of ink. It's a piston-converter integrated with the section. Easy and nice. Also quite good to clean, it's just to remove feed and nib and then it's very easy, if not removing, like in other piston fillers - in an out water http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb420/memopens/alle%20photos/alle%20photos051/centropen-10012-518-8_zps22b3c07f.jpg Cost & Value (10/10) I do not regret any penny I put on this pen. And of course it's vintage and in this particular color - very rare. So, this one is not cheap and other celluloid colors and solid silver pens from this period are right now quite expensive but if you got one with similar condition I got mine, you will not regret, too ... any penny Conclusion (10/10) A beautiful piece of European history - well made, well thought with great gold nib. What to want more!