The Purple Ink Of Enzo Ferrari

[Opooh]

Being an aficionado of the great Enzo Ferrari and even more of his cars, I read several books about him and his company. The man used a fountainpen, but even in those days he always had that same purple ink, which is mentioned in his biographies. Alas, nearly everybody knows he used purple ink, but no one seems to know the brand. Not in the museum, not in nearby penshops. A bit strange since Maranello is nearby Bologna, Firenze where the great Italian pens are made. Knowing the merchandising of Ferrari it's even stranger they didn't commercialise a " Enzo Ferrari " purple ink.

My question: is there anyone who knows the brand of purple ink Enzo used?

[carlos.q]

No I do not know the brand. But check out this site: http://www.museocasaenzoferrari.it/en/il-mito-enzo-ferrari/il-colore-viola/

Though they do not name the ink, the origin of the ink is mentioned:

"Every year, from the stationery shop Olivieri in Maranello, he used to receive a liter of purple ink as a present, that he used for his fountain pen.."

Maybe an italian FPN member can check out the shop and solve this mistery!

 

P.S. A Google search will find a "Cartoleria (Stationery) Olivieri" at Via Claudia 95 in Maranello...

Edited June 19, 2013 by carlos.q

[amberleadavis]

Ooooo how cool. I hope we have an FPNer who can stop in and let us know.

[fourseamer]

Curious if it has a brand or label or if it was just a formulation done in the back of the shop. If they still sell that ink, I'd shell out for at least a sample!

[inkstainedruth]

Interesting. Especially since Ferrari cars (or is it just the Testarossas?) are generally only made in red, yellow or black -- I did once hear about some woman who special ordered a pink one, but that was a very unusual case.

I wonder what it was that made him only use purple (and why that's not a color for the cars). I'd be curious as to whether it would be a bright purple or a dark one. Are there any samples of his correspondence available (say, online) that someone could make some educated guesses about the ink based on the color?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[da vinci]

This is an interesting topic!

 

if you look at the website in this post:

 

No I do not know the brand. But check out this site: http://www.museocasaenzoferrari.it/en/il-mito-enzo-ferrari/il-colore-viola/

Though they do not name the ink, the origin of the ink is mentioned:

"Every year, from the stationery shop Olivieri in Maranello, he used to receive a liter of purple ink as a present, that he used for his fountain pen.."

Maybe an italian FPN member can check out the shop and solve this mistery!

P.S. A Google search will find a "Cartoleria (Stationery) Olivieri" at Via Claudia 95 in Maranello...

And scroll the pictures to the right, it looks like he used a mb 146 or 149.

 

There is a writing sample but i suspect it is difficult to ascertain the original colour from this, due to fading with age?

 

I have never used a purple ink - but what is good for Mr F is good for me and i would certainly be interested in trying a sample if the ink is ever identified.

[WOBentley]

If this is still available I'd want some! I love purple ink and am a big fan of the cars too.

[carlos.q]

According to Google Maps street view this should be the place:

 

 

 

 

[Opooh]

At least I already found the reason why he used purple ink:" Violet ink tied Ferrari to his past. Ferrari explained that “my father wrote with a copying pencil, because in those days the use of a letter-book was mandatory. My faithfulness to this memory will tell you why I use violet ink.” His father wrote with purple lead."

Found on the site of Reckless Historians.

[fabri00]

I knew he used mont blanc bordeaux.

I do not remember who told me that; probably my father as he was customer of him in the late '60.

[Mkim]

What a cool thread...!

 

PLEASE someone! investigate this further!!!

 

I am much like Mr. Enzo a huge purple ink fan and try to sneak it in any opportunity I can.

 

There are construction drawings with purple ink mark-ups out there...

I think even a couple of cheques...

loads of personal letters...

 

many stained with purple inks lol!

 

Lets put this search into motion people! Spread the word!

[enricof]

Guess I have to plan a business visit in the area...

[carlos.q]

Guess I have to plan a business visit in the area...

Please do! I believe many FPN members will appreciate if you can solve this mistery.

[Vendome]

I hope it's Waterman purple, as that's the one I use.

[enricof]

Could be a good occasion to try this.

Edited June 20, 2013 by enricof

[carlos.q]

Could be a good occasion to try this.

Oooooohhhh.... That is awesome! Now I'm really envious...

[OcalaFlGuy]

He was The Commandatore.

 

Purple seems perfectly fitting to me.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL-but certainly not any of that washed out Waterman foolishness

[sarahfar]

I guessing it is a vintage mb violet, j. herbin, or an italian special make, but I believe it is technically a violet vintage ink.

[Opooh]

I know my granddad used a purple pencil to set patterns on metal sheets. We could notbtouch them, because it contained the poisonous Aniline. Afterwards it has been forbidden to use aniline. Knowing Italians ( everyone makes it's own wine etc.), it could be possible it was a home brand of this cartoleria.

[enricof]

No luck.

 

The lady who currently run the shop is too young and the only thing she knows is the factory does not exist anymore.

 

Her father (the original owner) probably knows better, but was not in (I'll try again).

 

Got a nice bottle of blue Quink BTW, alas no time for the Museum.

Edited June 21, 2013 by enricof