Maker: Delta.
This pen is one of a sort I’m not a great fan of– the intended collectible. Rather than becoming collectible through natural scarcity derived from poor initial sales or high rates of breakage, it is scarce through a purposeful limitation of production. Delta is not the only maker to pull this trick; Montblanc does it pretty regularly, and it is well known to Delta’s fellow Italian makers.
Named for the famous English physicist, the pen came in four trim levels; the Limited Edition with vermeil trim (gold plating on silver), the Special Limited with solid silver trim, the Celebration with solid gold and a different sort of Celebration with platinum. The Celebration version had a diamond mounted at the top of the cap, while the other two suffered along with mere sapphires. There were 1,642 of each of the lesser trim levels produced, reflecting the date of Newton’s birth, while there were 85 of each Celebration to mark the years of his life (unless you believe he died at age 84, like some people).
Also tying in with Newton are some items of decoration on the body of the pen. His name is written on the cap, although not actually in the style of his signature. Elements of his universal gravitation equation appear on the clip, in slightly random order, too.
Taken as a pen, this is not a great work. The point is good enough, although my contact with this pen comes from correcting a flow issue which is suggestive of some quality control concerns. Holding the pen to bring the point onto paper is not a great experience, the chunkiness of the body and the poor balance when posted making for a lot of frustration. Clearly, it was not meant for regular use as a pen; admiration rather than application seems to have been in the mind of the designer.
Production Run: 2000.
Cost When New: Depending on trim, $550, $685, $2,300, or $3,200 (for more current value, try this calculator).
Size: 14.4 cm long capped, 17.1 cm posted, 13.3 cm uncapped.
Point: 18K gold.
Body: Resin.
Filler: Lever, capacity approx. 0.8 ml; it seems that the “base model” Limited was a cartridge pen, capacity approx. 0.6 ml or 1.4 ml (international pattern). A converter is also supplied, capacity approx. 0.8 ml.
Delta Isaac Newton; as a pen, it’s a great example of the properties of inertia. It’s very happy to just lie there.
If you are relying on the preceding information to win a bet or impress a teacher, you should read the site’s scholarly caveat. Remember, this is the internet, and it’s full of bad information.