Montegrappa

The Company's name is indicative of the location of the manufacturing facility. ELMO is the Italian interpretation of the name of one of the Founders who was of German origin, Eng. Heinrich Helm. MONTEGRAPPA is the name of the famous mountain which rises to a height of 1775 meters and dominates the Bassanese landscape.

The manufacturing facility was housed in a most impressive building which was formerly an ancient location of a Thermo-Electric Power Plant and was suitably adapted to the needs of the creative minds of the two partners. Even today MONTEGRAPPA is enjoying the fruit of its labours in the same building. At the beginning production was concentrated mainly on the manufacture of gold nibs with iridium and the processing of ebonite and precious metals culminating in the introduction of piston filling pens. ELMO-MONTEGRAPPA was one of the pioneers in the manufacture of writing instruments made from galalith and celluloid and their endeavours enabled them to become leaders in their domestic market. 

Close to the ELMO-MONTEGRAPPA factory was situated the Villa Azzalin, which during the conflict. was converted into a field hospital. Two volunteer ambulance drivers for the Italian Red Cross at that time were the famous writers Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos, both of whom spent many happy hours visiting the factory and experimenting and testing various MONTEGRAPPA fountain pens. and availing themselves of the Company's "after-sales service". In 1921 the Marzotto family acquired a majority interest which gave them control of ELMO-MONTEGRAPPA, and their marketing activity resulted in wider distribution, public awareness and appreciation of the quality and design of MONTEGRAPPA Pens. During the Second World War the Bassano del Grappa area was subjected to considerable military activity precipitating the loss of valuable raw materials. Records show the difficulties involved in obtaining certain metals which necessitated the manufacture of glass nibs. In 1946 a fire in the celluloid store caused the complete destruction of an entire section of the factory where records of co-operation with WATERMAN and other large companies were kept. 

Following the fire, the management decided to discontinue the use of celluloid and concentrate their efforts using precious metals i.e. gold and silver. 

From the hands of MONTEGRAPPA‘s technicians exciting new models were introduced which were acknowledged from competitors for their originality. 

The introduction and worldwide acceptance of the revolutionary ball point pen from the USA. severely affected the sales of Fountain Pens; not only MONTEGRAPPA's but many other famous makes. The progressive decline in the demand for MONTEGRAPPA products depressed the Marzotto's shareholders to such an extent that a decision was made to dispose of the Company. Although this was MONTEGRAPPA's darkest period the entrepreneurial Aquila family purchased the Company. The new proprietors brought a new stimulus to the company and it was unanimously decided that the best way to restore the reputation of MONTEGRAPPA was by relaunching the original models which had made former generations proud owners of MONTEGRAPPA writing instruments. In I983 the first reproduction version of the 1915 MONTEGRAPPA Reminiscence was successfully introduced to the market. 

At that time the company became a market leader in the fervent world of writing, being the first to suggest the revival of pens which had enjoyed favour in past epochs. 

The classical design and exquisite taste coupled with its variety of models enabled the subsequent Reminiscence range by MONTEGRAPPA to penetrate not only the domestic market but also many export markets. 

In 1992, to commemorate the 8oth Anniversary of the foundation of MONTEGRAPPA, a limited edition fountain pen of only 1,912 pieces was produced for worldwide distribution in 1993. The 80th Anniversary fountain pen typified the craftsmanship of MONTEGRAPPA writing instruments from Italy's oldest pen factory. This signaled the beginning of the production, on an annual basis, of numbered limited edition pens appealing especially to a more exclusive and discerning audience.

This is why writing with a MONTEGRAPPA is a privilege, “THE PRIVILEGE OF A LIFETIME".

My Montegrappa Fortuna, a gift from my wife on our 25th wedding anniversary...