Chatterley Montegrappa Legacy Extra Large Caramel Celluloid Limited Edition Fountain Pen
This pen has been used with care; it comes with its box and documents. It features an 18-karat gold nib in "fine" size (Fine) and uses a "Power Push" filling system.
This is the limited edition "Montegrappa Legacy Extra Power Push". This collection is available in 24 varieties of celluloid, many of which are now completely sold out or discontinued.
A word about celluloid, a rare material highly prized by collectors: although it has been used in pen manufacturing for over a century, it is no longer produced today. The conditions required for its manufacture and maturation make its production impossible. This material is highly toxic to work with and extremely flammable; even if a manufacturer capable of producing the large quantities required could be found, the costs would be astronomical. The minimum quantities required for a single model or color are such that they would allow for the manufacture of thousands of pens. Furthermore, celluloid must undergo a maturation phase in the form of sheets—a process that can last several years, with no guarantee that the result will be optimal. Premature cutting would ruin the material, and the celluloid would risk warping shortly after the pen is shaped.
Once the celluloid has matured, it is cut into bars, then shaped into different parts. These components must then undergo another maturation phase: at Montegrappa, for example, the parts are placed in a low-temperature oven for at least one year to ensure perfect quality and exceptional durability. It therefore takes about 3 to 4 years—and a substantial financial investment for a single color—before one can hope for a return on investment, and even then, only if the entire maturation process goes correctly. This is why, unfortunately, no one produces genuine cellulose nitrate anymore. The existing stocks are therefore all that remains.
Below you will find a photograph of the maturation oven at Montegrappa, taken during our visit in April 2019. As you can see, the celluloid is left to mature there for years to achieve impeccable quality.
This collection is a tribute to the beauty of celluloid!
The pen is equipped with a "Power Filler" filling system, which differs from the classic piston mechanism found on the "Extra" model. You access the "Power Filler" system through the central part of the section, as illustrated below.
Each celluloid variant features, on its clip, a tastefully engraved emblem—reminiscent of a class ring—and is adorned with an elegant stone matching the color of the material. This engraving indicates the year as well as the name of one of the most remarkable and prestigious pen models for which this celluloid was used. Each celluloid edition is limited and numbered, with only 10 copies available.