Retro 51 Smithsonian Collection: “Corona” Tornado Rollerball Pen

The Retro 51 Smithsonian Collection is an officially licensed line of fine writing instruments that are educational as well as artistic. They make great gifts for graduations, holidays and birthdays. Combine your love of fine art with your passion for writing!

The Retro 51 Corona Tornado rollerball pen is the first design in the Smithsonian Collection and features a Bronze-plated Stainless Steel pen with Matte Black Nickel accents and a deeply etched barrel that takes its inspiration from the ornamental bronze-colored metal lattice that covers the outside of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) building in Washington, D.C.. The barrel, which has a snug, yet springy pen clip, slowly tapers towards the pen tip from a knurled top cap, which has the Smithsonian logo on the top disc. “Smithsonian by Retro 51” is engraved around the top metal band in a tornado-esque font. Twist the knurled metal top cap to reveal the rollerball pen tip. The Retro 51 Tornado comes with a Retro 51 Black rollerball ink cartridge, but is compatible with Easy Flow 9000 rollerball ink cartridges and any Parker-style ballpoint refill if you want to turn your Tornado into a ballpoint pen. Every Retro 51 Smithsonian Collection Corona Tornado rollerball is numbered on the top ring and comes packaged in a commemorative Smithsonian NMAAHC graphic tube that can double as a pen stand.

NOTE: These pens are individually numbered, but not limited in quantity.

About the Retro 51 Smithsonian Corona Design

Lead Retro 51 pen designer David Adjaye pays homage to the intricate ironwork crafted by enslaved African Americans in Louisiana, South Carolina, and elsewhere through the use of this design. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only National Museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this pen will support and further the Museum’s educational mission on what it means to be an American, and to share how American values like resiliency, optimism, and spirituality are reflected in African American history and culture.

Rollerball Pen Specifications

Length: 5”

Diameter: 0.5”

Weight: 1.0 oz

About Retro 51

Retro 1951 is on a mission to bring fashion, fun and value to the world of fine writing instruments. Known for bright, cool colors and unique themes, Retro stands by their mission, "Life is too short to carry an Ugly Pen!" Retro 51 pens merge the fashionable colors and designs of today with the vintage, quality ideals of "the good ol' days." Every Retro 1951 pen is designed with that nostalgic, early Americana-dream. Retro 1951 started in 1990 with a focus on producing unique gifts with an emphasis on fine writing instruments. The pen is not a pen, but instead a vehicle to an end - a way of showing who you are. The pen is a perfect gift that will last for years and serve as a token of achievement or fond memories.