Umberto Nobile (1995-1978) was one of the key figures in the history of flight. A General in the Italian Royal Air Force, Nobile designed air ships (dirigibles, also known as “Zeppelins”) all over the world, but he is mostly known for having flown across the North Pole twice. The first time was in 1926 at the request of Norway with the airship NORGE, which he designed and commanded. The second time was in 1928 on an Italian expedition aboard the airship ITALIA, the namesake for this pen. You can read more about how that all ended up here. Yikes.

The size and shape of this pen make it quite comfortable to write with. Also, if you invert the pen, it looks exactly like an airship.

With a comfortable, ergonomic shape reminiscent of the airship for which it was named, the Nobile Italia ballpoint and mechanical pencil allows the user to swap out a Schmidt Easyflow ballpoint refill or Schmidt .7mm mechanical pencil insert. A twist mechanism both deploys the ballpoint refill for writing and extends the mechanical pencil lead (the latter of which I haven’t experienced before on a mechanical pencil and which I’ve enjoyed). Both the ballpoint and mechanical pencil inserts are included with purchase, and Mazzuoli conveniently includes three different Schmidt Easyflow refills in blue, black, and red. The Mazzuoli Nobile Italia is available in four different finishes: Polished Chrome, Matte Chrome, Black, and Aviation Blue.

All Giuliano Mazzuoli pens are made in Italy. I’m pleased to offer the Nobile Italia in the T.G.S. Curated Shop in all four finishes, priced at $120. While all of these pens/pencils are great looking, that “Aviator Blue” version looks absolutely outstanding.