Stipula Amber options

[nvbrennan]

I suppose the title is a little melodramatic but I'm really thinking about a Stipula in the Amber which looks lovely but I'm trying to understand

 

a) what current options there are in this pen - mainly with regard to trim and filling system

 

and

 

where the best place to buy would be from?

 

I'm a bit confused by talk of a 'vintage' one. Ideally I'd like one in the amber with gold trim, piston filling and a two tone ef nib.

 

I generally like Pilot F nibs so am presuming EF is the best bet.

 

Melpens seem to have them at a good price, lower than others I look at by around $200ish, but i think theirs are in silver trim.

 

Can someone give me some advice on some of these things

ie the combinations of trim and filling system, nib sizing, and where to get from.

 

I'm out of CONUS if that helps for sourcing.

 

All help much appreciated

 

Nick

[Deirdre]

The gold trim is an older model that was an LE and long sold out.

[FredRydr]

Just last weekend, I held in my hand three versions of the Stipula Etruria Amber with the desirable 9 karat solid gold band and clip, all of which had celluloid sections, not metal (a must in my book).

 

The first was my Grande piston filler, the second was a friend's smaller cartridge/converter version, and the third was an Etruria I picked up in DC or Ohio that is also cartridge/converter but even thinner and with a long section.

 

I should've taken a photo of them side-by-side.

 

Fred

[FredRydr]

P.S. I swear, my Etruria Grande Amber is the sexist pen I own.

Edited January 26, 2010 by FredRydr

[LLB]

I found an amber Etruria with 9K gold trim as NOS on eBay just this past summer (at a decent "Buy it now" price). Keep your eyes peeled. I also found one of the ones with the mixed metal trim and single leaf on the clip (also NOS, decent "Buy it now" price) about a month later. Needless to say I bought them then, thus crashing through the gates of pen buying restraint in a big way! But well worth it.

[Deirdre]

I have one of 'em as well. I paid full list for it.

[wimg]

Hi Fred,

Just last weekend, I held in my hand three versions of the Stipula Etruria Amber with the desirable 9 karat solid gold band and clip, all of which had celluloid sections, not metal (a must in my book).

 

The first was my Grande piston filler, the second was a friend's smaller cartridge/converter version, and the third was an Etruria I picked up in DC or Ohio that is also cartridge/converter but even thinner and with a long section.

 

I should've taken a photo of them side-by-side.

 

Fred

Is the third an Etruria Media? With a smaller nib?

 

And which model is your friend's? I have never seen one with a gold band and being a cartridge converter unless it was a Media. I am talking solid gold band, not like the Amber that replaced the Grande, with the big piston converter.

 

TIA!

 

Warm regards, Wim

[FredRydr]

Is the third an Etruria Media? With a smaller nib?

 

And which model is your friend's?

 

My slim model has the number "801" engraved below "Etruria" on the barrel. A photo of it (bottom) and the Grande (top) is below. Sorry about the quality, but it is a flash photo.

 

http://www.leizl.com/mbroadster/Etrurias.jpg

The pen described in the earlier post as "the second" pen is sized between these two, with a section that is shorter than the Etruria at the bottom of the photo.

 

Fred

Edited January 27, 2010 by FredRydr

[wimg]

Is the third an Etruria Media? With a smaller nib?

 

And which model is your friend's?

 

My slim model has the number "801" engraved below "Etruria" on the barrel. A photo of it (bottom) and the Grande (top) is below. Sorry about the quality, but it is a flash photo.

 

http://www.leizl.com/mbroadster/Etrurias.jpg

The pen described in the earlier post as "the second" pen is sized between these two, with a section that is shorter than the Etruria at the bottom of the photo.

 

Fred

Thank you Fred!

 

The second one does look like a Media indeed. I almost bought one once, and only decided against it because of its size - too small for me -, and its price - same price as the Grande -.

 

801 is the serial number, actually, but I don't know whether that is the serial number for the Media version, or for the Etrurias in general. With the exception of the LEs, all Etrurias have consecutive serial numbering, whatever the (sub)model is. The Media was made in a silver and a gold trim Amber version, and a silver trim Nera (Black) celluloid version, and this series ran concurrently with the Grande, production wise.

 

Of course I am extremely curious now as regards the second Etruria you mentioned, your friend's one....

 

Warm regards, Wim

[girlieg33k]

Of course I am extremely curious now as regards the second Etruria you mentioned, your friend's one....

Wim, the second Etruria that Fred is referring to belongs to me. It's also a Etruria Media (with the gold band). The main differences between my Etruria Media and Fred's are:

 

• The size of my Etruria Media is bigger (length wise and girth wise) than Fred's; the size difference is fairly noticeable between the two. My Etruria Media falls in between the Etruria Grande and the one that belongs to Fred.
• The section of Fred's Etruria Media is prominently tapered; my Etruria Media section is shorter and slightly tapered. Also, the section of mine has a "lip" similar to the sections of the smaller Stipula Florentia (c/c version).
• The barrel of Fred's Etruria Media is also prominently tapered (as shown in his photo); the shape of the barrel of mine is more like the Etruria Grande's barrel.

I don't have a ready-photo of mine uncapped that shows how my Etruria Media section differs from that of Fred's -- but here's a photo of my Etruria Media (7th pen from the left) that will at least show the size difference:

 

http://girlieg33k.googlepages.com/stipula_partial_various.jpg

 

I had planned to photograph the two Media versions, side by side, but never got around to it. I think Fred's Media is an older version; the version that I own, though still a Media, was perhaps a later incarnation. At some point, I hope to take photos of all three pens together -- the Etruria Grande next to both versions of the Media -- and send it off to Stipula, or Susanna at Giardino Italiano. They may be able to provide more information on the two versions of the Media.

[wimg]

Of course I am extremely curious now as regards the second Etruria you mentioned, your friend's one....

Wim, the second Etruria that Fred is referring to belongs to me. It's also a Etruria Media (with the gold band). The main differences between my Etruria Media and Fred's are:

 

• The size of my Etruria Media is bigger (length wise and girth wise) than Fred's; the size difference is fairly noticeable between the two. My Etruria Media falls in between the Etruria Grande and the one that belongs to Fred.
• The section of Fred's Etruria Media is prominently tapered; my Etruria Media section is shorter and slightly tapered. Also, the section of mine has a "lip" similar to the sections of the smaller Stipula Florentia (c/c version).
• The barrel of Fred's Etruria Media is also prominently tapered (as shown in his photo); the shape of the barrel of mine is more like the Etruria Grande's barrel.

I don't have a ready-photo of mine uncapped that shows how my Etruria Media section differs from that of Fred's -- but here's a photo of my Etruria Media (7th pen from the left) that will at least show the size difference:

 

http://girlieg33k.googlepages.com/stipula_partial_various.jpg

 

I had planned to photograph the two Media versions, side by side, but never got around to it. I think Fred's Media is an older version; the version that I own, though still a Media, was perhaps a later incarnation. At some point, I hope to take photos of all three pens together -- the Etruria Grande next to both versions of the Media -- and send it off to Stipula, or Susanna at Giardino Italiano. They may be able to provide more information on the two versions of the Media.

Hi girlie,

 

Thank you! Your update here is very much appreciated.

 

This particular Media looks almost as big as a standard Etruria. Just slightly thinner and shorter than the 991 on the right . Of course, that is the smallest full blown Etruria Stipula made, at least, compared to all the others. It does look like it is made of the celluloid that was used for the Amber Grande Convertible. If that is indeed the case, it must be a later incarnation. They stopped using the celluloid the Amber Grande was made of when production of the Amber Grande Convertible began. These celluloids are slightly different in look.

 

This means of course that I have to update my list of known Etrurias . Ok, had to do that anyway with the two new ones last year .

Thanks again!

 

Oh, before I forget: how does the size of the nib compare? At the time of the introduction of the Amber Grande Convertible, Stipula actually was using 3 different sizes of gold nibs, with the (smaller) Media sporting the smallest nib, which they changed to two only later. Does yours have a nib size in between the two by any chance?

 

I see you have a very nice collection of Stips now, and 7 of these are Etrurias, wow!

 

Warmest regards, Wim

[AEntreri0]

Of course I am extremely curious now as regards the second Etruria you mentioned, your friend's one....

Wim, the second Etruria that Fred is referring to belongs to me. It's also a Etruria Media (with the gold band). The main differences between my Etruria Media and Fred's are:

 

• The size of my Etruria Media is bigger (length wise and girth wise) than Fred's; the size difference is fairly noticeable between the two. My Etruria Media falls in between the Etruria Grande and the one that belongs to Fred.
• The section of Fred's Etruria Media is prominently tapered; my Etruria Media section is shorter and slightly tapered. Also, the section of mine has a "lip" similar to the sections of the smaller Stipula Florentia (c/c version).
• The barrel of Fred's Etruria Media is also prominently tapered (as shown in his photo); the shape of the barrel of mine is more like the Etruria Grande's barrel.

I don't have a ready-photo of mine uncapped that shows how my Etruria Media section differs from that of Fred's -- but here's a photo of my Etruria Media (7th pen from the left) that will at least show the size difference:

 

http://girlieg33k.googlepages.com/stipula_partial_various.jpg

 

I had planned to photograph the two Media versions, side by side, but never got around to it. I think Fred's Media is an older version; the version that I own, though still a Media, was perhaps a later incarnation. At some point, I hope to take photos of all three pens together -- the Etruria Grande next to both versions of the Media -- and send it off to Stipula, or Susanna at Giardino Italiano. They may be able to provide more information on the two versions of the Media.

 

What an amazing collection! When I see piles of pens like this on these boards I only think 'how do you decide what to use for the day?' Then I cry a little. Really, though, I love Etrurias and I'd give an arm and a leg for an old production gold-trim amber grande.

[girlieg33k]

Oh, before I forget: how does the size of the nib compare? At the time of the introduction of the Amber Grande Convertible, Stipula actually was using 3 different sizes of gold nibs, with the (smaller) Media sporting the smallest nib, which they changed to two only later. Does yours have a nib size in between the two by any chance?

Wim, my Media has a two-tone 18K nib, and it's much smaller than the nib on the Grande. The nib on mine is not friction fit; it screws out of the section. Fred's Media had a single-tone gold; I cannot remember if it's 14K or 18K nor can I remember if the nib on his pen is the same size as mine, or whether the nibs are even interchangeable. Fred probably would have had a mild heart attack if I began to yank at his nib.

 

I'll definitely take a closer look at all three versions, when I have chance -- and will take comparison photos (and post it here) of the section/barrels/nibs.

[wimg]

Hi girlie,

Wim, my Media has a two-tone 18K nib, and it's much smaller than the nib on the Grande. The nib on mine is not friction fit; it screws out of the section.

In that case production must have started approximately around the same time the Convertible started production, as a replacement for the old Grande, because that was the time when they switched to the new threaded collar design. It also explains why the celluloid looks slightly different.

Fred's Media had a single-tone gold; I cannot remember if it's 14K or 18K nor can I remember if the nib on his pen is the same size as mine, or whether the nibs are even interchangeable.

I think they are. The solid single-tones are 14K, and in principle the same size as the older Media.

Fred probably would have had a mild heart attack if I began to yank at his nib.

I did that recently to somebody's new pen with an ill fitted nib; same result. But after fixing it the guy was really happy . It used to leak ink all the time, not anymore .

I'll definitely take a closer look at all three versions, when I have chance -- and will take comparison photos (and post it here) of the section/barrels/nibs.

Looking forward to that!

 

Warm regards, Wim

[wimg]

What an amazing collection! When I see piles of pens like this on these boards I only think 'how do you decide what to use for the day?' Then I cry a little. Really, though, I love Etrurias and I'd give an arm and a leg for an old production gold-trim amber grande.

Did you know there also is a silver trim Grande, which was produced along the gold trim one? Exact same design, just fitted with silver trim rather than gold.

 

There also was a black one, celluloid (!), with silver trim.

 

Warm regards, Wim

 

P.S.:

Yes, I own all three

[georges zaslavsky]

my ambra says hi:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/georges2/dcp_0429.jpg

Edited January 29, 2010 by georges zaslavsky

[AEntreri0]

What an amazing collection! When I see piles of pens like this on these boards I only think 'how do you decide what to use for the day?' Then I cry a little. Really, though, I love Etrurias and I'd give an arm and a leg for an old production gold-trim amber grande.

Did you know there also is a silver trim Grande, which was produced along the gold trim one? Exact same design, just fitted with silver trim rather than gold.

 

There also was a black one, celluloid (!), with silver trim.

 

Warm regards, Wim

 

P.S.:

Yes, I own all three

I don't suppose you'd be willing to trade one. You know, to share the wealth?

[wimg]

What an amazing collection! When I see piles of pens like this on these boards I only think 'how do you decide what to use for the day?' Then I cry a little. Really, though, I love Etrurias and I'd give an arm and a leg for an old production gold-trim amber grande.

Did you know there also is a silver trim Grande, which was produced along the gold trim one? Exact same design, just fitted with silver trim rather than gold.

 

There also was a black one, celluloid (!), with silver trim.

 

Warm regards, Wim

 

P.S.:

Yes, I own all three

I don't suppose you'd be willing to trade one. You know, to share the wealth?

Nah .

 

I am still missing 4 in my collection of OS Etrurias .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[nvbrennan]

As I'm looking around at Etrurias on the web (I'm still deliberating), I sometimes come across this image.

 

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/vv228/nvbrennan/macro_410042_etruriaambra.jpg

 

Often the description still sounds like the most recent Etrurias but this is obviously not the standard sterling trim. Is this the captive cc one? Are they still around?

 

I like this much more than the sterling silver but am wondering whether I should give up on one of these or the 9k ones coming up in my price range (sub $500). In fact I'm looking for a piston fill anyway so ...

 

Any ideas on this?

 

PS I think this is the one georges has in his review as does handlebar

Edited February 2, 2010 by nvbrennan

[wimg]

That is the Amber Grande Convertible, i.e, piston filler with a very, very, very large custom converter, which works with the piston filling knob.

 

It is called the Convertible because the PF mechanism can be removed very easily and a cartridge or converter fitted as well. A converter cannot be operated by the PF knob, however, and you have to be careful when you reinsert the PF mechanism: it will only fit properly in 3 positions.

 

This pen essentially was the Etruria Amber Grande prior to the introduction of the current series; there was no C/C version being manufactured of the Amber Grande during this period, but then, that wasn't necessary with this design .

The celluloid blue one, the Ocean Blue, essentially has a similar design.

 

Warm regards, Wim