Retro 51 Smithsonian - Corona (National Museum of African American History & Culture) Rollerball

The first design in the Smithsonian collection by Retro 51 is the Corona twist-top rollerball pen. Its deeply etched barrel echoes the ornamental bronze-colored metal lattice that adorns the exterior of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Lead designer David Adjaye honors the intricate ironwork crafted by enslaved African Americans in Louisiana, South Carolina, and other regions through this design. Each rollerball pen is numbered on the top ring, featuring matte black nickel accents, and is presented in a commemorative Smithsonian NMAAHC tube.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum dedicated exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this pen will support the Museum’s educational mission, which explores what it means to be an American and illustrates how American values like resiliency, optimism, and spirituality are reflected in African American history and culture.