About This Model

The Aurora 88 model line is one of the more reliable and elegant fountain pens ever made. It heralded the reawakening of the Italian fountain pen industry after WWII, its design inspired by the Parker 51 in so many pockets of American soldiers in Italy for the reconstruction of Europe. However much its gold cap over a black barrel/hood instead of a traditional gripping section and partially hooded nib looked like those of the 51, under the surface lay an all-Italian piston mechanism and workmanship.  And, as Parker issued 51's in gold and Lustroloy caps, Aurora did as well it the 88, adding the cap called Nikargenta, a silver/nickel alloy. The Nikargenta caps have not held up as well as Parker's Lustroloy; every one I've seen has pitting. The original 88 sold from 1947 until it was succeeded by the 88K in 1953 and the 88P in 1958, some 3 million sold pens later. The 88 line was one of very few pens that carried a serial number, which recent research has pinned down to years of manufacture and made it possible to identify each pen's age. 88s were sold until the 1970s, and are generally regarded as the most sold Italian fountain pen. In modern years, after 2005, Aurora began reissuing the 88, in an all-resin-bodied pen, with, after 2015, a wide variety of nibs. They are excellent pens.