May Style: Fortitude in a Fountain Pen

Stylizing anything from a business deal to a credit card slip is possible with a beautifully crafted fountain pen.

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Stylizing anything from a business deal to a credit card slip is possible with a beautifully crafted fountain pen.

Continuing a tradition established by JFK, U.S. President Barack Obama used 22 sleek, black 
rollerball pens to sign his landmark 2010 health care bill into law. One of these will join his gold-plated inaugural 
signing pen (also manufactured by A.T. Cross) in Obama’s presidential archives, while the other 21 were gifted to lawmakers who helped push the bill through both houses of Congress. A stylish writing implement can make signing a credit card slip for the pizza guy as much of a pleasure as closing a multimillion-dollar deal – or a law that affects 300 million people.

From top:

Montegrappa celluloid shaft, $495 from Charals, charals.com


Graf von Faber-Castell sterling silver and pernambuco wood, $500 from Charals, charals.com


Tiffany & Co. sterling silver and blue enamel, $305, tiffany.ca


Cartier Diabolo sterling silver and gold plate India Inspiration, $760 from Charals, charals.com


Conklin multi-colour resin fountain pen, $165 from Charals, charals.com


Montegrappa Gea limited edition 2001 gold and sterling 
silver fountain pen, $2,650 from Charals, charals.com