Manu's Pen Nebula

The Pen Family represents Emmanuel Caltagirone's personal journey. Let's take a short trip through time and space.

- BARRY GABAY

At one time, people were called Renaissance men and women for knowing a great deal about multiple areas of learning. The opposite is specialization: extensive knowledge in one aspect of medicine, law, engineering, or visual arts. Having come to know Emmanuel “Manu” Caltagirone in the past year, I am still not sure which he is—a Renaissance man in the world of writing instruments or a true specialist in the field of writing instruments. Join me in getting to know Manu, and decide for yourself.

Manu was born in Paris, France, into a pen family. His father worked for several leading French companies: Waterman, S.T. Dupont, and Cartier, primarily in research and development. Not only did his father’s career arc influence his son, but also the methodology whereby he worked day to day, year to year. His father conducted in-depth research and never completed his procedures until he was completely satisfied with the best possible solution.

The father’s lessons guided the son. As a marketing student, later when entering business, and still today, Manu conducts endless mental experiments in his analysis of the writing instruments industry. He has embraced all aspects of the pen realm. Today he is a designer, manufacturer, distributor, online retailer, and most recently, the manager of a famed brick-and-mortar pen shop, Fountain Pen Hospital.

Several years ago, Manu’s pen business evolved into the Pen Family, and today it could be called the Pen Nebula because it truly embraces all aspects of the glowing stars of writing instruments. Manu’s life and work are a universe of pens.