The Retro 51 Blog

To the worldwide fans of Retro 51 and beyond,

In early 2020, George Kartsotis announced that after 30 years he and the Retro 51 brand would be retiring. How could we let Retro end?  The answer is… we couldn’t. 

We are now under new ownership with the same outstanding team members. We are thrilled to announce that Richard, our Lead Designer for 20 years, is staying with us.  You will also still be hearing from Dan in Sales, as well as our front-line Customer Service experts. Thank you to this team for their dedication throughout the unknowns of 2020.

Additionally, George and Vickie will stick around a little longer to share their 30 years of experience and insights. We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank George for working with us and helping us put this team together.  We are honored to be the new custodians of Retro 51.

There will be more details to come, but rest assured we are 100% committed to continuing the high level of quality, unique designs, and exceptional customer service everyone has come to expect and love about Retro 51 products.  We are fans, collectors, and yes…we walk among you.

We can’t wait to get popping!

Adam, Jeff & Joe

Greetings, 

About a year ago I let you all know I was going to retire. 

After many conversations with loyal fans, collectors, well-wishers, and prospective owners an agreement has been made, a deal formed and completed. 

First, I want to thank you all for your support, business and personal, your purchases in funding our endeavor, and your passion in spreading the RETRO 51 message to all of our fans. 

Second is to say a little about the future. 

The new owners are fans and collectors, as well as accomplished business professionals. There will be some minor changes to come but with the guidance of the existing staff the basics will be the same. 

For now: 

Vickie will continue dealing with the existing factories and the products will not change. 

Richard will remain as design guru so the hits will keep on coming.

Dan will train the new sales team as he winds down into retirement. 

Customer service will continue with the same passion for excellence it has so rightfully earned. 

And I will be available with my opinion for at least one year. 

For the future: 

In the interim, I expect a shortage of standard items but the pipeline is up and running and will be back at full force quite soon. 

As my buddy Dan says…
Thanks for workin’ 

George

The year ends with one last Tornado Popper… Tuesday!  These UFO’s have searched the galaxy for fine writing instruments and they’re taking them and office supplies. Hurry up and grab one of these latest Popper designs before they vanish. This vibrant rollerball has a shimmering blue metallic barrel with printed yellow fluorescent design that also glows in the dark. It’s topped with friendly alien and each one is engraved with its limited-edition number in a series of 1951 pieces. After all, Life is too short to carry an Ugly Pen!®

Please check your favorite Retro Dealer for availability. Here are just some of that will be selling them online:

Fahrneys Pens, Goldspot, Pen Chalet, Airline International, iPenStore, Pen Boutique, Santa Fe Pens, Pen and Pad, Goulet Pen Co., Hyatts All Things Creative, Pen Place, Pen Lovers Paradise, Vanness Pens and many more…

If you would like to join the Retro Rat Pack to get the latest news and special promotions, please submit information* through the link below. You will be entered into a chance to win one of these special Elvis stamp Tornados and future giveaways. This pen was a prototype that we never sold but you can win it by just signing up here: http://eepurl.com/ha6bIf

Rules: One entry per person. Please do not use multiple email addresses for additional entries. Entry closes on Wednesday 10/28 at 11:59 PM and a random number generator will be used to select the winner from this list on Thursday 10/29. Thank you!

UPDATE: The winner was Amy M. from Oregon… Congratulations Amy!

*This information will not be sold or shared with anyone outside of Retro51.

Ludwig Van Beethoven is one of the most famous composers of classical music and his music is recognized around the world. By the start of the 1800s he was so well known as a musical virtuoso that he was nicknamed “the Emperor.” This new Tornado rollerball celebrates his musical artistry with the piano sheet music of FürElise printed on the barrel that is complimented by antique brass trim and topped with Beethoven himself. Each pen comes within a tube that includes a print of his “Heiligenstadt Testament,” a letter he wrote his brothers in 1802. They are limited to 722 pieces. 

Only available at these three dealers:

Email INK: penstore[at]gmail.com

iPenStore.com

Vanness Pens

To hear the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfF0zHeU3Zs

W A N T E D !

If you need help finding a dealer please email customer service[at]retro51[dot]com or head to our social media channels and send us a direct message.

M A R C O. . . P O L O . . . you just discovered the new Tornado Popper! Marco Polo was known for being an explorer, merchant and writer traveling the Silk Road trading for rare and exotic goods he would take back to his country of Italy. He even wrote a book of his epic travels in The Travels of Marco Polo. This limited edition ballpoint is printed with the world map complete with stonewashed pewter trim and compass on the top disc. Pick one up and start planning your next epic adventure, just don’t do it during your Zoom meetings or school classes.

Purchase through a Retro dealer of choice or DM or email us (customerservice[at]retro51[dot]com) for help finding a dealer. Do not stress. There are 957 of this design with “57” significant for 57 million square miles on Earth.

Exploring new frontiers…

It all started thirty years ago walking into store with a tray of pens and coming out with an order. Retro didn’t even have an office until July of 1990 when the lease was signed for 1500 square feet in Dallas, Texas. It’s hard to believe that thirty years has flown by but here we are. We thank you our fans because we could not be here without you!

To celebrate three decades of fine writing instruments we bring you this special release of the Pearl Anniversary Tornado. The barrels are made from cellulose acetate in a marbled white and pearl blend that has been finished with polished rhodium accents. Choose from the twist ballpoint, capped fountain or 1.15 mm pencil. A total of 1951 pieces have been produced with each one engraved with it’s LE number on the top ring.