Simply Abu Dhabi XI

2 9 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Giuseppe Aquila, CEO of Montegrappa, says, “There can be no greater validation of the Genio Creativo Pen in honour of Salvador Dalí than authorisation and guidance from the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí.” Another Montegrappa series which gets a suitably ‘superstar’ update is the popular ‘Icons’ range of pens – which pays tribute to globally-recognised individuals who have achieved greatness in a variety of fields, including music, movies and sports. Following in the enormous footsteps made by Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee and Frank Sinatra comes the one and only Elvis Presley. This series of Elvis Presley pens, licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, is another celebratory marker for Montegrappa’s second century in business. Elvis Presley was a seminal figure and single- handedly transformed popular music midway through the 20th Century, becoming one of the most important figures in the history of recorded music in the process. Four new models from Montegrappa will represent important phases in the great singer’s career from 1954 to 1977. The number ‘4’ recalls the legendary ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, the pioneering Sun Records artists who met for one occasion only, and the date on which it occurred, December 4th, 1956. Each pen possesses a resin body in a color suggestive of the era, with silver accents also representative of the period. The fountain pen nibs are engraved with the full-height profile of Elvis at the microphone. Special details and packaging for each pen denote the specific stage of Presley’s career and are also accompanied by a CD of Elvis’ Greatest Hits. Aqua was selected to represent the 1950s, a hue that would have been found on two-tone automobiles and early electric guitars. Its pocket clip recalls a period jukebox. As 1956 was the year that Elvis hit the big time, Montegrappa will release 500 fountain pens, 500 roller balls and 956 ballpoint pens. For the gold edition, there will be seven of each type – fountain pen, roller ball and ballpoint – equaling 21, his age in 1956.