History of Visconti

The name Visconti has been for the past twenty years a synonym for writing instruments of extraordinary beauty, historically and technologically studied.

Dante del Vecchio and Luigi Poli had long identified themselves with the world of writing instruments before they founded Visconti in Florence in 1988. These collectors, with far-reaching knowledge of the market, made it their task to produce and market fountain pens made of celluloid.

The Visconti Pen Factory in Tuscany / Italy

Although celluloid made from plant material was no longer used at the time by established manufacturers, it was nevertheless still sought by collectors. That several manufacturers of this rare material recommenced production is thanks to the persistency of the Visconti founders. The next step was to find machinery. Del Vecchio and Poli succeeded in attracting experienced employees with a passion for writing instruments. Two years after the first collection, Visconti managed an archeological triumph and thereby the breakthrough into the world of writing instrument collections: the presentation of a numbered and certified series of writing instruments, made of celluloid from the 1950s.

Visconti has meanwhile advanced to become the world's biggest manufacturer of celluloid pens. Several inventions have also been patented, including the Double Reservoir Power Filler Alhambra (1995) with a filing system consisting of a double ink reservoir. Further creative ideas are the Crescent pump filling system, the Syringe piston system, the standard piston converter, as well as blotting papers with laminated surfaces. In addition to celluloid, the company is similarly competent in the use of ebonite, acrylic, lucite and antique ivory.

Located in a 15th century villa, Visconti keeps being stirred by intellectual flurry, the study of ancient models and of modern techniques in a constant dialogue and exchange of innovative ideas.

Visconti regularly pays tribute to anything which has left a mark in Man's civilisation. Some of the inspiring themes include the Forbidden City, the ancient knights, the Alchemical Opus, but also Manhattan, Wall Street, Homo Sapiens, Divina Proporzione and Giacomo Casanova.

Visconti Jung Alchemy LE Pen & Stand

Because Visconti pens bear stylish character and undying charisma, they were selected for such history-making events as signing the NATO-Russia Summit on May 28, 2002, which marked the end of the cold war, and as a present for the twenty-five signatories of the European Constitution in 2005.

The inspiration for an individualistic style known as "Squaring the Circle" came from universal and transcendent concepts such as sky, earth, movement, stability, and perfection. The Wall Street model, for example, reflects these core thoughts in that the pen is neither round nor angular, but rather a combination of both. The harmonious proportions of cap size to shaft volume, the particular form of the clip and its well engineering mechanism, round off perfectly this model made from celluloid, as this material's special finish invokes the night-time of the Manhattan skyline.

Visconti Wall Street fountain pen in 4 different celluloid colours

In addition, Visconti has distinguished itself from other manufacturers through unusual designs and ideas, such as lava material for pen bodies, magnetic systems that allow for immediate pen customizations, and so on.