(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)
For any of us who were a wee bit nervous about Retro 51 entering its new era under new owners, I think we're all very relieved. And very broke. The breakneck releases of beautiful pens has not flagged. It maybe even got more overwhelming, which isn't a complaint, except for the fact that I can't possibly have all the ones that I want. But some of them are truly irresistible, for me. Like this one.
You know how you get all your friends Retros for their wedding gifts all the time? (I know I'm not alone in that.) Well, I popped into Anderson Pens to get a coworker a set of wedding Retros, and somehow I left with three Retros instead of two, and this third one really made my week.
If you haven't fallen down this particular rabbit hole yet, here are the basics: Retro 51 Rollerball pens are metal-bodied with a nice solid feel in the hand. They have a knurled twist mechanism at the top that deploys the tip of the pen. For many editions, the top of the pen has a picture or logo in keeping with the theme of the pen, and the body is decorated with awesomely fun pictures and artist's works. The Met series specifically features artworks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and this specific pen features the enchanting work of William Morris—specifically his Blackthorn design. The brass accents of the pen compliment the gold tone of the vines in the design, and the effect is stunning. All of The Met series designs are stunning, but this one is my favorite.
Beyond its fabulous looks, the Retro 51 Rollerball is a good pen. The twist mechanism is sturdy and reliable, and the Retro 51 Rollerball refill is one of the best out there. It is juicy, saturated, and writes like butter. It's a broad tip, and the writing leaves a bold black line. It's very smooth with no skipping or hard starts, though the wet ink will bleed through on some paper. Paper that's good for fountain pens is generally also good for the Retro 51 Rollerball ink.
Though they are heavy for their size, they're well balanced, and the smooth ink makes for a very pleasant writing experience. I can write for hours with one and not have any fatigue or discomfort.
The danger of the Retro 51 is that, whatever you are interested in, there's a Retro for it. And if you're interested in a lot of things, you're going to need a lot of Retros. That's why they make such good wedding gifts. And if you're out shopping for wedding gifts, you should probably treat yourself.
The Met editions are a bit more pricey than a standard Retro 51 Rollerball. This edition sells for $78 at Anderson Pens. I resisted it for months in numerous online ads, but seeing it in person was a mistake I'm glad I made. That's a lot for a rollerball. Most Retros fall around the $50 mark, which is about right for a "nice gift pen" cost. The Met set is officially licensed, though, which naturally increases the price--and some of that total goes to support the museum. In my experience with Retros, you find the one or three or twelve that are right for you, and then you try not to look at the three or ten or fifteen other Retros that came out that week.
In short, these are my favorite pens to gift, to others, and to myself. They're fun to collect and fabulous to write with. The Met series is beautiful, perfect for art lovers, and this William Morris print is up there with my favorite Retro designs of all time. I keep saying I don't need more Retros, but Retro 51 keeps proving me wrong. I'm glad.
(This pen was purchased at Anderson Pens at regular retail price.)
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