Retro 51 20th Anniversary Pen Where Is the Number

Author	Topic: Retro 51 space-theme Tornado rollerball pens
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 06-24-2015 12:01 PM Retro 51 Tornado Popper Lift-Off Rollerball Pen Capturing the imagination of the world back in the 1960's and 70's, the Apollo missions took mankind to the Moon on July 20th, 1969. The latest edition (Summer 2015) of Retro 51's limited edition Popper series is inspired by the Saturn V rockets that launched intrepid astronauts into space. This twist-top Tornado rollerball pen has a stainless steel barrel that has been printed in multiple colors, complimented by stonewashed pewter accents. Each piece is numbered with an engraving on the top ring and is packaged in a special, commemorative Retro 51 packaging tube. Limited to 500 pieces world-wide.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 07-04-2015 12:13 AM It appears that all 500 of this pen's limited edition has now sold out.
James913 Member Posts: 305 From: Houston, TX Registered: Oct 2004	posted 07-06-2015 02:21 AM Robert, thanks for the heads-up! Very nicely made pen at an excellent price. Until I received it and started looking around the house, I didn't realize that I had a space pen collection...
fredtrav Member Posts: 1778 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010	posted 07-09-2015 04:38 PM Number 28 touched down today.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 06-18-2017 11:07 AM Retro 51 has released another numbered-edition, space-themed Tornado rollerball pen, the Apollo Tribute. Just as it is named, these writing instruments are a tribute to our heroes and their amazing achievements. Each pen has been finely crafted using several techniques to make the rollerball pen before you. We all have the power to make a positive change in the world or the people around us. We hope these pens will inspire such feats of accomplishment and to "go where no man has gone before." Each pen is numbered on the top ring and packaged in a custom tube.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 02-17-2018 05:18 PM Retro 51 has released (and now sold out of) another numbered-edition, space-themed Tornado rollerball pen, the Mission to Mars. For decades NASA has sent orbiters and rovers to gather intelligence that will help us learn about Mars and the ability to land a manned mission. The latest Tornado Popper, Mission to Mars recognizes the imagination that first started in the pulp comics of the 30s to 40s to the reality it has become less than a century later. This Tornado barrel is printed with graphics reflective of the future rocket that will launch this mission complete with logo top disc and numbered top ring. Limited Edition of 730 pieces (significant to the appropriate number of days it would take for a mission to Mars).
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 09-21-2018 12:00 AM collectSPACE Astronaut Scholarship Foundation launches exclusive Retro 51 pen A new collectible pen comes with a unique feature: the ability to help underwrite the future of U.S. space exploration. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) has partnered with Retro 1951, the maker of the popular Tornado-line of rollerball pens, to offer a new writing instrument in support of the foundation's "On the Shoulders of Giants" campaign.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 11-27-2018 10:00 AM collectSPACE NASA's 'Space Race' rockets relaunched as collectible Retro 51 pens They became iconic by powering some of NASA's most historic missions and now the rockets that lofted the first astronauts into space and boosted humans to the moon can help launch your next letter, school assignment or office memo. Retro 51, maker of the Tornado-line of collectible rollerball pens, has announced its Space Race Series, a trio of writing instruments that are styled after NASA's early astronaut launch vehicles. The pens, issued in partnership with the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, are in celebration of next year's 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.
Larry McGlynn Member Posts: 1356 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003	posted 11-28-2018 11:03 AM The new pens are now up on the Astronaut Scholarship foundation website. You can buy them in a set or individually. Each pen comes with a photo signed by either Charlie Duke, Jim Lovell or Al Worden. And part of the purchase goes towards the foundation's continued goal of providing scholarships to the nation's best engineering and science students. So buy them all.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 12-04-2018 01:19 PM My trio arrived today. Here they are with Retro 51's earlier space-themed pens:
Jonnyed Member Posts: 524 From: Dumfries, VA, USA Registered: Aug 2014	posted 12-04-2018 08:21 PM Robert, cool collection! Of the Retro 51s, do you have a favorite pen and why is your favorite?
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 12-04-2018 10:25 PM I don't know if I have a favorite, but before the Space Race Series, I was partial to the Lift Off and Mission to Mars pens' style. Among the new pens, there is something about the Mercury-Redstone which really lends itself to the format.
Jonnyed Member Posts: 524 From: Dumfries, VA, USA Registered: Aug 2014	posted 12-05-2018 07:38 AM I like the look of the "push-down caps" — and the all-black one on the Mercury-Redstone is way cool.
TLIGuy Member Posts: 219 From: Virginia Registered: Jul 2013	posted 12-06-2018 03:52 PM Gemini #623 just landed and what a fantastic looking pen. I wish I had taken the opportunity to buy the others but I'm thrilled to have at least one since they seen to be sold out at most retailers now.
Tallpaul Member Posts: 209 From: Rocky Point, NY, USA Registered: Feb 2012	posted 12-08-2018 04:24 PM I was able to secure one of the ASF sets. Set #27 arrived yesterday.
Larry McGlynn Member Posts: 1356 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003	posted 12-08-2018 05:34 PM My ASF set arrived yesterday. It is added to the ASF "On the Shoulders of Giants" pens that help support the foundation's scholarship program. I got in early and got lucky. #2 arrived here. And I really liked the Mercury/Redstone pen.
desey9 Member Posts: 16 From: Registered: Sep 2017	posted 12-12-2018 11:58 PM Just received my set from ASF as well. I much prefer to purchase from and support ASF whenever possible.
fredtrav Member Posts: 1778 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010	posted 01-08-2019 07:24 PM Just got my boxed set in from backorder. Nicely done.
Constellation One Member Posts: 119 From: Lorain, Ohio, USA Registered: Aug 2008	posted 01-18-2019 01:11 PM I received my backordered boxed set yesterday. They are a nice looking set!
yotlu Member Posts: 49 From: Austria Registered: Apr 2017	posted 01-25-2019 09:06 AM My set arrived today after it was stuck in Austrian customs for two weeks. #0941
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 07-02-2019 11:19 AM Retro 51 release Retro 1951 Tornado "Apollo" Limited Edition Fountain Pen In 1957, the Soviet Union grabbed the attention of the world with the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. Not to be outdone by their Cold War rival, the United States established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. The contributions of 400,000 Americans led to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spaceflight programs, declaring victory in the "Space Race" with the first humans landing on the Moon on July 20th, 1969. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 mission. Retro 51 celebrates this momentous accomplishment with the Tornado Popper Apollo limited edition fountain pen. The fountain pen body and cap has printed graphics of the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo 11 mission. The pen is finished in rose gold appointments. The limited edition number is engraved on the top ring. A graphic moon footprint is visible on the top disc of the cap finial. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, to honor and support the brave men and women who continue to reach for the stars This edition is limited to 1151 pieces worldwide (Significant for Apollo 11, and Retro 51). We cannot guarantee any requests for edition numbers, as we're not sure which numbers we will receive from the manufacturer. The Apollo fountain pen is fitted with a #6 size Jowo stainless steel nib in extra fine, fine, medium or 1.1mm stub nib sizes. It fills by international ink cartridge or converter (both included). Place your pre-order today to hold your place for the Retro 1951 Tornado "Apollo" Fountain Pen when they ship on Wednesday, July 10th. In case the shipment from Retro 51 is delayed, we might have to ship on Thursday, the 11th at the latest. These pre-orders tend to sell quickly, so be sure to secure your Apollo pen before they rocket out of here!
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 08-13-2020 09:50 PM Retro 51 has a new series of Smithsonian-licensed pens, each representing objects in the institution's collection. One of the pens is styled after space shuttle Discovery at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 09-01-2020 11:34 AM Retro 51's new Tornado "Escape" limited edition rollerball pen is inspired by NASA's ACES (Advanced Crew Escape Suit) or "pumpkin suit," as worn by space shuttle astronauts. The pen will be released on Sept. 8, 2020, but is available for pre-order from retailers now.
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2754 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006	posted 09-01-2020 01:50 PM Just went to the site and it states "Out of Stock" (9-1-20, 2:45pm EDT).
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 01-15-2021 10:15 AM Unfortunately, I learned of this release too late and it is already sold out, but for reference, Pen Chalet partnered with Retro 51 to exclusively offer this Retro 51 Hubble rollerball pen. Stylized after the Hubble observatory, the first major optical telescope to be placed in space, this pen's design mimics its namesake's momentous contributions by breaking a few boundaries of its own. The Pen Chalet Exclusive Retro 51 Hubble Rollerball pen is the first to combine three specific design elements: The etched design on the pen's stainless steel barrel lends texture and depth to the Hubble observatory details. Glow in the dark design elements light up the celestial bodies. And the different colored pen tip takes you from the famous observatory straight into outer space. In April 1990, the Hubble Observatory was placed 547 kilometers above the earth beyond the distortions of earth's atmosphere with an unobstructed view of the universe, so this iconic pen is limited to 547 pens (each individually numbered).
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 09-21-2021 11:00 AM collectSPACE Retro 51 rolls out space shuttle Enterprise limited edition Tornado Forty-five years after it made its public debut, NASA's space shuttle Enterprise is being rolled out again, this time as a rollerball pen. Retro 51 on Tuesday (Sept. 21) announced its new Space Shuttle Enterprise Tornado, the latest in its line of collectible writing instruments. The limited edition pen extends a collaboration that since 2019 has inspired some of the Retro 51's space-themed designs while supporting the next generation of explorers.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 47486 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 12-03-2021 02:29 PM Pen Boutique partnered with Retro 51 to release an exclusive Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) set of pens. The Pen Boutique exclusive Apollo Soyuz Retro 51 set commemorates this iconic moment in the history of space exploration in spectacular fashion with a fountain pen, rollerball, mechanical pencil, and matching pen sleeve. The sky blue upper section of the bodies represent the Soyuz capsule, with its two distinctive blue bands. The bottom section's minimal markings, bare metal finish, and cross-shaped R-4D attitude control thrusters represent the exterior of the Apollo CSM, the same craft which carried the crew of Apollo 11 to and from the moon just 6 years prior. Bridging the two sections representing each spacecraft is a grey section representing the APAS, the most concrete example of the hurdles facing this mission and the inspiring efforts taken to overcome them. This is a limited edition of only 575 sets, so act quickly if you want to own this beautiful tribute to international cooperation in space! The three-piece collector's set is available for $195. Also available is a standalone fountain pen for $109, and both single ($21) and double ($29) pen cases. Pen Boutique also released a standalone Tornado Popper rollerball pen but that has since sold out.