A Closer Look at the $57,000 Visconti Alchemy HRH Fountain Pen
Those who have a fondness for the finer things in life and a passion for precision luxury writing instruments will appreciate the qualities of the $57,000 Visconti Alchemy H.R.H Fountain pen. This rare collector’s item is handcrafted and made from premium materials to satisfy the yen of those with discriminating tastes who prefer to surround themselves with a bit of extravagance with a practical application. The understand why anyone would gladly render the asking price for this classic pen, we take a closer look at the Visconti Alchemy H.R.H. fountain pen and the elements that make it a good value for the cost.
The unique aesthetics of the Visconti Alchemy HRH
This exquisite pen is a work of art as observed even at just a glance. The base color is a bright candy apple red with elaborate ornamentation that immediately catches the eye and holds the gaze. Upon close examination, one can see how intricately the dragon-themed design swirls around the red resin body of the pen. The trim is made from the finest 18 karat gold and silver vermeil. There are two caps and one features silver trim, and the other is gold. To complete the luxurious design and elaborate expenditure of the best precious metals and stones, a part of the adornment includes 4-carat diamonds and rubies.
Other materials and features
The Alchemy HRH limited edition fountain pen is made with dual gold nibs and reservoirs for the ink. The purpose behind the two gold nibs is to ensure that this pen delivers the highest performance for practical purposes in its intended use as a luxury writing implement rather than just a display piece. When one nib runs out of ink there is another in reserve to ensure minimal interruption. In addition to offering a more generous supply of ink, the two nibs each allow for a different writing style, providing double benefits by virtue of design and ingenuity. The Visconti Alchemy HRH fountain pen is in the Atelier line. The nib color is a two-tone in palladium and gold. The filling for ink is via the eyedropper method. The multiple extravagant attributes of this unique fountain pen set it apart from other luxury pens.
The manufacture
Each of the 83 examples issued in this strictly limited edition pen has exclusivity because they are not mass produced, but rather handcrafted. One solid bar of red resin is used to lathe the pen body completely. after this treatment has cured, two filigree overlays made of 18kt solid gold are applied as the design with one filigree in yellow gold and the other in white gold plating to provide an attractive and nicely contrasting two-tone effect. This design theme is a direct tie in with the name of the pen Alchemy because it gives a nod to the alchemical boards of Leonardo da Vinci which were recovered and maintained in the Medici family’s Laurenziana Library. There is a great deal of symbolism found within the carefully researched and applied design. Even the filling of the ink reservoirs with an eyedropper is symbolic of the methods employed in alchemical operations during Da Vinci’s time. The reason for the two ink reservoirs is to accommodate two separate types of ink if desired, making this stylish and exquisite fountain pen highly functional, practical and also versatile. When purchased new, the pen comes with a pen stand which also serves as an inkwell and an attractive and sturdy box for storage when the pen is not in use.
The 83 limited Alchemy H.R.H. Fountain Pens were released in 2003 by the Italian penmaker Visconti. They are considered to be among the most expensive pens on the planet. The cost of $57,000 is not an auction price, but rather the MSRP and set price for each example. The 83 pens represent the total number that will ever be built and released for sale to the public and it is for this reason that they are considered to be in an elite class of rare and collectible writing instruments. Once the supply is gone from the vendor stock, the cost for a used pen could either go up in price or down, depending on the condition and the current demand.
The value
Visconti pens are handmade versus mass production. Because of their limited edition status, each of their lines offers prestige and exclusivity, thus increasing their worth to pen enthusiasts. This also applies to those who love to collect unique and rare examples.
Final thoughts
The $57,000 Visconti Alchemy HRH Fountain Pen is becoming one of those rare finds and if you’re looking for a pen that is likely to be the only one of its kind in your vicinity, the odds are good of achieving that goal with this pen. They’re very expensive, but when you consider that some luxury pens have gone for millions, it doesn’t make the price of under $60k seem so bad after all. This is a high-end luxury pen that is attractive in appearance, but it’s also comfortable to use and it is designed for high performance as a useful and practical writing tool that feels comfortable in your hands. This offers you the best of both worlds when it comes to form and function, which we’re told follows any great work of art. The Alchemy HRH is truly a masterpiece, bathed in precious metals, rubies and diamonds. To the trained eye, the value of this collectible is immediately evident. For those who are not pen enthusiasts or lack the ability to discern quality, it’s just a very attractive and unique accessory. It’s not difficult to conclude then, that the Visconti Alchemy HRH Fountain pen is worth every cent of the asking price in terms of real and perceived value.
