Montegrappa Premieres "Italia" Pen to Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Italy

LOS ANGELES, March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Montegrappa, Italy's most revered manufacturer of fine writing instruments, today announced the introduction of a new set of commemorative pens to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the company's home country which will premiere this week from March 24 to March 31 at Baselworld, the world's largest and most important event in the watch and jewelry sector which is held annually in Basel, Switzerland.

Known as a land of great antiquity, Italy possesses a glorious history that encompasses Etruscan civilization and the Roman Empire.  It played a major role in the Renaissance and its landscape is dotted with man-made structures which predate the dawn of Christianity.  Despite this illustrious history, 2011 marks Italy's 150th anniversary of its unification.

Known in Italian as "il Risorgimento," or "The Resurgence," this political and social movement united the disparate states in a campaign that began in 1815.  It created national heroes that include Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi.  Through their efforts, Victor Emmanuel II would ascend to the throne on 17 March 1861, to become the first king of a united Italy, a title he held until his death in 1878.

Marking the century-and-a-half since his coronation is a Montegrappa pen in the colors of the definitive symbol of the united Italy, the Bandiera d'Italia which is affectionately known as "tricolore italiano" or Italian tricolor.  These colors have come to signify Italy.  When one sees three vertical stripes of green, white and red, regardless of the context, thoughts turn to Italy.

These colors adorn the commemorative pens based on Montegrappa's iconic Extra 1930, fashioned in resin and running the length of cap and barrel.  The 150th Anniversary "Italia" pen will be issued in a limited edition of 1,500 fountain pens and 1,500 roller balls with silver trim.  Complementing the silver edition will be and additional 150 fountain pens and 150 roller balls finished with 18K solid gold trim.

For more information about Montegrappa and to preview the company's new luxury offerings, please contact Amanda Bialek at [email protected] or (310) 854-8151.  Attendees to Baselworld may also visit the Montegrappa booth located in Hall 4.1 (Hall of Inspirations), Booth #A19.

Editor's note:  High resolution images are available upon request.

About Montegrappa

Since 1912, Montegrappa has been manufacturing high-quality writing instruments in the same historic building in Bassano del Grappa, North East Italy.  Please visit www.montegrappa.com to learn more about Montegrappa's hand-crafted fine pens and authorized U.S. retailer locations.

U.S. Media Contacts:
Rogers & Cowan for Montegrappa
Amanda Bialek / Sallie Olmsted
310-854-8151 / 310-854-8124
[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Montegrappa