Italian manufacturer of luxury writing instruments Montegrappa has introduced a new limited edition pen that pays homage to one of the most iconic movies – Frankenstein. The 1931 American pre-code science fiction horror film and Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel it’s based on have served as an inspiration for many writers. Crafted entirely in Italy, the Frankenstein L.E. is made from period materials and highlights the company’s unmatched ability to combine inventive engineering and theatrical staging. Claiming it to be their most imaginative and animated design ever, the mechanical writing instrument is handcrafted from antiqued brass, with detailed craftsmanship to reanimate the horror icon.
The brass body uses custom, lost wax casting to recreate design elements like rivets and sutures. According to Montegrappa, dark ruthenium electroplating is used to provide the body with a beaten, cast-iron luster. The brass and resin grip section is laser engraved with lightning bolt effects, further adding to the drama. The pocket clip features a spring-loaded design that looks like an insulator rod with a brass ball at the tip.
A pair of electrodes at the neck activates the cap release, revealing the 18k gold nib engraved with the face of Frankenstein’s monster. Furthermore, the writing instrument features a gyro fidget mechanism and a handwheel-operated curio chamber that reveals Frankenstein’s Monster embedded within the cap.
The fountain pen is equipped with Montegrappa’s supercharged Power-Push filling mechanism feeding a custom and comes with a bottle of green ink. Each pen comes with a product display and custom accessories that are designed to look like Frankenstein’s laboratory. It includes an operating table or pen display, meters, and a working plasma ball. The edition is limited to 230 examples of fountain pens and rollerballs as a reference European standard voltage. It has been developed in close collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences. It is also the first luxury writing instrument to be inspired by Universal Pictures’ legendary Universal Monsters archive. Available at select boutiques worldwide, the rollerball is priced at € 8,795 (~$9,500), while the fountain pen can be yours for € 9,495 (~$10,200)
