Classic Pens CP8 Murelli Pen Flamme Sterling Silver LE Fountain Pen, 2008

The eighth limited edition in the Classic Pens CP series was the CP8 Murelli Pens Flamme and Vannerie. This series resulted from a collaboration between Classic Pens, Aquila Brands, and Murelli, and launched in 2008.

The CP8 series used the Classic Legend 766L full-size fountain pen and 762L full-size roller/ball pen as its canvas. The pens were manufactured in Italy by Aquila Brands, following Classic Pens’ specifications. The Aquila family, well known and respected in the pen industry, previously owned and manufactured the Montegrappa brand and later the Tibaldi brand. They gained particular fame for their sterling silver limited editions.

The CP8 series honored the Murelli Family. Mr. Robert Murelli, a master craftsman in guilloche engravings, founded Murelli R.S.A.R.L. in 1949. Over the years, the Murelli Company built a reputation for working with international pen manufacturers such as Parker, Waterman, Sheaffer, S.T. Dupont, and Cartier, creating exquisite guilloche engravings for fountain pens and lighters.

While modern guilloche engravings could be produced with advanced linear engraving machines and computer technology, the Murelli family maintained their treasured old machines in impeccable condition. These machines formed a museum-like collection, preserving both the art of engraving and the Murelli tradition. 

The partnership between Classic Pens and Murelli began in 1990 with the CP1 Sheaffer Targa, the first series of the CP Collection. Mr. Robert Murelli worked alongside his wife Gilda, an expert engraver, and their son Marc Murelli, who eventually took over as head of the company. Marc’s wife, Agnes, joined the company at sixteen and continued to contribute to the family tradition.

To honor their heritage, the Murelli family enthusiastically reactivated vintage engraving machines from their museum to create unique designs for the Classic Pens CP Collection, producing results that modern technology could not match. The time spent developing CP collection patterns left a lasting impression on Classic Pens, who appreciated the warm and passionate atmosphere of the Murelli workshop, as well as their commitment to perfection in every guilloche pattern.

The CP8 Legend Murelli series comprised 500 pens worldwide—250 Flamme and 250 Vannerie designs. The silver casing wall thickness was 0.55 mm, noticeably more substantial than the usual 0.4 mm found in most quality pens. This gave the CP8 pens a pleasing heft and excellent writing balance.

Each cap featured bold, elegant wide bands, laser engraved with the Classic and CP8 logos, the pen name, and its individual limited edition number. For each design, 175 fountain pens and 75 roller/ball pens were produced.

These exclusive patterns reflected the most advanced concepts in guilloche design and showcased the fruitful collaboration between Murelli and Classic Pens.

Classic Pens Limited, founded in England in 1987 by Andreas Lambrou and Keith G. Brown, set out to create exclusive fountain pens for enthusiasts worldwide. Their efforts culminated in 1990 with the launch of the Classic Pens CP collection of limited editions

The CP series featured flagship models from international manufacturers, fully covered in sterling silver and customized by Classic Pens. Each model was carefully selected for its quality, history, pedigree, design, and writing performance.

The CP pens offered unique and exquisite guilloche engravings, elevating them beyond mere writing instruments to objects of beauty—precious as jewelry and destined to become future heirlooms. They stood as a testament to the imaginative originality of Classic Pens, the meticulous craftsmanship of Murelli, and the technical expertise of international pen makers. With every addition, the CP collection grew in diversity and prestige.

Lambrou and Brown discussing the progress of their CP series of Limited Edition pens