Montegrappa “Skanderbeg” is a luxury writing instrument, unique in its kind, exclusively produced for the country of Albania. Named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg, this remarkable piece was created to honor his legacy in his 550 death anniversary.
2017 was proclaimed as “The Year of Skanderbeg”, by the Albanian government.
George Castriot known as Skanderbeg was an Albanian nobleman and military commander, who served the Ottoman Empire in 1423 – 1443, the Republic of Venice in 1443 – 1447, and lastly the Kingdom of Naples until his death. After leaving Ottoman service, he led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in what is today Albania and Macedonia. Skanderbeg always signed himself as Lord of Albania and claimed no other titles but that in official documents.
A member of the noble Kastrioti family, he was sent as a hostage to the Ottoman court, where he was educated and entered the service of the Ottoman sultan for the next twenty years. He rose through the ranks, culminating in the appointment as sanjakbey (governor) of the Sanjak of Dibra in 1440. In 1443, he deserted the Ottomans during the Battle of Niš and became the ruler of Krujë, Svetigrad, and Modrič. In 1444, he was appointed the chief commander of the short-lived League of Lezhë that consolidated nobility throughout what is today Albania. Despite his military valor he was not able to do more than to hold his own possessions within the very small area in northern Albania where almost all of his victories against the Ottomans took place. Skanderbeg's rebellion was not a general uprising of Albanians, because he did not gain support in the Ottoman-controlled south or Venetian-controlled north. His followers included, apart from Albanians, also Slavs, Vlachs, and Greeks. For 25 years, from 1443 to 1468, Skanderbeg's 10,000 man army marched through Ottoman territory winning against consistently larger and better supplied Ottoman forces, for which he was admired.
Enriching the body of every pen is laser-cut contrast of Skanderbeg on his horse. In keeping with the most important images of national hero, the signature clip is forged into a sword, while the cap is further embellished with blood-red enamel accents. As a finishing touch, the cap top has been personalized with the two-headed eagle logo, which is also used in the national flag of Albania.
A limited edition of 20 fountain pens, 40 rollerball pens and 40 ballpoint.
