PenAndCo blog

Friday, October 16 2009

Delta:Amerigo Vespucci

By Un carnet on Friday, October 16 2009, 16:08 - DELTA

Amerigo Vespucci (Florence, March 1454 – Seville, February 22, 1512)

Famous navigator and known as a very passionate student of the seas. During its travels explored great part of the oriental coasts of South America. It was among one of the first supporters of the idea that a new continent had been discovered and not a western route by sea to the Far East.

It is one of the five most famous Italian navigators and many great geographic discoveries of that age. In Seville meet Christopher Columbus.

In the 1499 joins forces with Alonso de Hojeda, who had received from Spain the assignment to explore the South coast of the continent discovered by Columbus.

In 1508, King Ferdinand made Vespucci chief navigator of Spain and commissioned him to found a school of navigation to standardize and modernize navigation techniques. Vespucci trained pilots and cartographers in the use of the quadrant and astrolabe.

Amerigo Vespucci – The Ship

Designed by engineer Francisco Rotundi, lieutenant colonel of the Navy Corps of Engineers, was constructed entirely in the shipyards of Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) in 1930 and launched on February 22, 1931. The ship design was inspired by the last flagship (the Monarch) of the Royal Marine of the kingdom of the two Sicilies. On October 15, 1931, in the port of Genoa, the ship received the flag of combat from the hands of its first commander, Augusto Radicati di Marmorito. Its task was to place the ship side by side with another ship, the “Cristoforo Columbus” in training activity. Besides being used in the last decade mainly for training, the Vespucci has been often an ambassador on the sea of art, culture and Italian engineering, in the most important ports all over the world and in such special occasions as in; Auckland in October 2002 in occasion of 31st edition of the America's Cup, Athens in 2004 for the Olympic Games and in Portsmouth in 2005 for the commemoration of the battle of Trafalgar where it had a prominent role.

The Amerigo Vespucci ship maintains alive old traditions.

The sails are still in canvas, the tops are all of vegetable material, and all the maneuvers are rigorously executed by hand; every onboard order is given by the Commander, through the boatswain, with the weasel. The boarding and the disembarkation of an official takes place with honors and in accordance to its rank. The characteristic black and white color emphasizes a recall of the past: the white bands with respect to the bridges of battery and corridor recalls in fact the two lines of guns of the nineteenth-century vessel from which the ship’s planner got its inspiration. The ship’s prow carries a golden bronze figurehead representing Amerigo Vespucci. A characteristic of the ship is the décor of the prow in wood covered by gold leaf.

“Not who begins but who prevails”

The motto of the ship, made official in 1978 is: “not who begins but who prevails”, and expresses its vocation to the formation and training of the future officials of Military Navy. The previous mottos were: “for the native land and the King”, replaced in 1946 with “firm in the fury of the winds and events”.

__The Limited Edition_

Delta presents Amerigo Vespucci, a collection of writing instruments dedicated to the famous navigator and the Italian military Navy ship named after him, and transformed into a school-vessel for the training of the future navy officials.

A project developed thanks to the accessibility of the Navy, and it is to the Navy and to the many lovers of this ship, that Delta renders homage by producing this limited edition collection.

Every single instrument carries Amerigo Vespucci’s soul... a soul made of passion, fascination, style and tradition. Thanks to the Defense Ministry and Military Navy it succeeds to guard and keep a piece of our history.

To hold an Amerigo Vespucci pen actually means to hold close the precious ship, because every piece of the collection is realized with original wood from the boat, worked by hand by the craftsmen of Delta.

Keep in mind that since wood used in these pens is from the ship frame no two pens will be alike and a single pen may offer different vein pattern, different tones or color shades. Small imperfections are the guarantee of the wood’s authenticity source, thus resulting in a unique and precious piece.

Moreover, a detail of a cleats cover shapes the top of the cap. The ropes wrap the cylinder, and on the body the words “Amerigo Vespucci” are engraved using the same font used in the ship’s label. The central ring is also engraved with the “Amerigo Vespucci” words. The clip is shaped as the boatswain weasel; every hiss, every note, every pause, onboard, has a distinct meaning. The precious wood, used for the making of every cap merges seamlessly with the special resin of the body.

The collection Classic in the form, very exclusive in the characterization, “Amerigo Vespucci” is offered as a limited edition of only 931 pieces in each version.

Also available a very exclusive version limited to only 4 unique pieces celebrating each one of the ships helms (steering wheel). This ship is the only one in the world with 4 helms. This exclusive version, celebration, offers particulars in 18 kt solid gold.

Made from authentic wood from the famous school ship and special hand turned resins in pearled Ocean blue (versions 1KS and R/2S) and night black (versions 1K and R/2). Both the RS and R rollers are easily convertible into ball pens.

Cap Made from the ship’s wood worked by hand using old crafting techniques and finished by hand using bee and carnauba waxes for the final polishing. Every piece of this collection is unique and unlike any other in the collection, thus offering a true guarantee of the wood’s authenticity. The trimmings are in solid sterling silver with an aged finish. The clip is in solid sterling silver in all versions excluding that of the celebration, which is in 18kt solid gold.

Body In special resin turned by hand from solid bar, in either pearled blue or black, depending on version. Offers also a band in solid sterling silver engraved with words “Amerigo Vespucci” and a small ring also in silver resembling the top of the ship. Both rings are in 18 kt solid gold in the celebration version. Filling system The celebration and1ks versions offer the famous and nostalgic push button filling system The 1k version offer a double system, either threaded converter or cartridge

Nib In 18 kt gold, rhodium plated, personalized and available in the following grade: EEF-EF-F-M-B-OM-BB-OB-OBB-STUB

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Visconti: The Knight Templars

By Un carnet on Friday, October 16 2009, 14:39 - VISCONTI

About 700 years ago with an infamous charge of heresy the Order of the Knight Templars was outlawed, the knights killed and their fortunes confiscated.

The Order, founded around the year 1118, ows its name to the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic sanctuary located in the whereabouts of the Biblical Temple of Jerusalem; the Templars used to call this Dome ‘‘Templum Domini’’

The Knight Templars are remembered for the economic and cultural development they had brought throughout Europe and they are still cited today as shining example of honesty utter devotion and faithfulness.

In the common iconography the Knight Templars represent the right thing that can only be destroyed by mere economical interests. This fountain pen has been inspired by the legendary white robe with the red cross the Knight Templars used to wear.

Since they were a military order the metal trims of the pen were inspired by the iron and the steel and have been duly aged.

The seal bears a significant historical weight as well: it portrays two knights, symbol of poverty and of the duality monk –soldier.

Main Features:

Limited edition to 312 fountain pens Material: ivory-colour resin Artwork: aged filigree Filling system: Double Reservoir Power Filler Nib: bi-tone 23 ct 950 palladium

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Tuesday, October 13 2009

Montblanc and le Louvre !

By Un carnet on Tuesday, October 13 2009, 21:06 - MONTBLANC

The spirit of the age of the mightiest rulers of France and the architectural beauty of centuries come together in what is arguably the greatest museum in the world: the Louvre, built at theend of the 12th century as a royal fortress on the banks of the Seine. By the time of the French king and patron of the arts Francis I., the Louvre was already home to an extensive art collection. In 1515, he commissioned the rebuilding of the Louvre into a grand royal residence and almost every one of his successors continued his work in the Renaissance and Classical Baroque styles. In 1682, the work came to an abrupt end when the court was suddenly moved to Versailles, and it was to be more than 120 years before Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte resumed the building work.

In 1793, the National Assembly decreed that the royal treasures should be made accessible to the public for the first time. The removal of the French government to the Elysée Palace in 1873 finally ended the Louvre’s role as the centre of political power in France, and it became the most famous gallery of art and culture of our time The “Grands Projets” initiative begun by President Mitterrand in the early 1980s was intended to give Paris a more modern face and to take the capital into the 21st century. Alongside the Grande Arche in the district of La Défense and the new National Library, the Louvre is far and away the greatest testament to Mitterrand’s bold plan. As the result of his vision of a “Grand Louvre”, what had been a classic art gallery has become a completely new “universal lyceum”.

The reconstruction of the Richelieu wing saw its exhibition space doubled in size to 60,000 square metres, and a modern conference and shopping complex was created beneath the Place du Carrousel. From then on, the new underground entrance hall of the Louvre would be covered by a glass pyramid 22 metres high, a structure which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2009. Controversially disputed by Parisians at its official opening in 1989, the pyramid – designed by visionary architect Ieoh Ming Pei – with its 793 glass segments soon became the new symbol of the “Grand Louvre”. Every year, more than 8 million visitors pass through its glass doors to marvel at major works of art from ancient times, theRenaissance and the modern era, including the Venus de Milo, Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”,the Winged Victory of Samothrace and AlbrechtDürer’s self-portrait. However, it is also the Louvre building itself whose magic attracts people from all over the world: a present-day witness, carved in stone, of times long past; a cultural monument that intertwines the beauty of centuries-old buildings with the visionary architecture of modernity.

            Click to enlarge, thank you.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic symbol of the Louvre, the glass pyramid by stellar architect Ieoh Ming Pei, Montblanc is honouring the famous museum in the heart of Paris with a precious skeleton fountain pen made of 750 solid white gold. The design entrances the beholder with its unique interplay of elements from both classical and modern architecture; the filigree skeleton cap reflects the glass segments of the breathtaking pyramid. The barrel, the rings and the top of the cap are decorated with patterns from the Renaissance and Classical Baroque. The name of the edition is engraved on the rhodium-plated 18 K gold nib,accompanied by designs modelled on motifs taken from the Louvre’s outer façade. The shape of the black hematite on the clip echoes the pyramid, and the Montblanc emblem in mother-of-pearl rounds off a unique Limited Edition that expresses in every detail the allure of the most magnificent museum in the world: the Musée du Louvre.

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Interview of Daniel Barth Managing Director Premium at Faber-Castell

By Un carnet on Tuesday, October 13 2009, 15:48 - FABER-CASTELL

Interview Pen & Co (D. Barth)

We would like to thank the Faber-Castell team and Mr Barth for their kindness.

Do not hesitate to click on all the pictures of pen to enlarge them.

1) How would you introduce yourself?

My name is Daniel Barth. I am Managing Director Premium at Faber-Castell and as such in charge of the global premium business – in particular the Graf von Faber-Castell brand as well as for German exports to the North/Latin American and Asia/Pacific markets.

2) When we asked a Parisian fountain pen reseller to summarize in one short sentence the importance of writing for him, he gave us this answer: “Qui scribit, bis legit” (the ones who writes read twice). What would be your own?

Writing is forever.

3) For Faber-Castell AG, how would you define your premium range of products, what are their specifities?

Faber-Castell created the “world of pencil-writing” as an alternative to the “world of ink-writing”. The Graf von Faber-Castell Collection was introduced in 1993 with the concept of creating exclusive lead writing implements and accessories, which helped the pencil to a new value-added level. The success of this premium range is due to the fact that we concentrated on our core competence: wooden writing instruments and an excellent standard of craftmanship. It was self-evident to not immediately enter into competition with existing producers of fountain pens, but to develop the luxury pencil, the so called Perfect Pencil, made of wood and precious metals: It features a platinized extender with built-in sharpener and a smear-free eraser beneath the cap. A variety of prestigious writing desk accessories and top-end leather goods completes the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection – a range that has, in its design and material selection, remained unique throughout the world until today.

4) Do you agree that there is a “special Graf identity” on your range of pens?

Yes – the collection represents an elegant, timeless design. It embodies an awareness of quality and craftsmanship represented by a harmonious combination of selected materials, excellent functionalism and appealing aesthetics.

5) How did you get the idea of launching a Pen of the Year?

On the occasion of the 240th anniversary of Faber-Castell, we launched a limited edition for the first time – a fountain pen made of 240 years old olive wood. In 2003, we presented our first Pen of the Year – and the culmination of the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection was born: a range that represents the claim of high quality and craftmanship par excellence. Each year since 2003, an exclusive pen has been produced for just 12 months, combining materials such as snakewood, amber, Galuchat, mammoth ivory, petrified wood, Indian satinwood and horse hair with elaborate craftmanship. Each Pen of the Year, much sought-after by collectors, is individually numbered and presented in an exclusive case with a certificate guaranteeing that the edition is strictly limited.

6) How long does it take to create a Pen of the Year? What are the different steps?

Each creation is an elaborate process, involving hundreds and thousands of steps. Corresponding to the selected materials used for each Pen of the Year, the creative process may take several years, starting from the first idea to the final product launch.

7) For your Pen of the Year 2009, how did the story begin?

The natural beauty of the mane- and tail horse has inspired us to create the Pen of the Year 2009. Since the end of the 18th century, horse hair enjoys a high status as an elegant material for chair coverings. Due to its natural properties and to sophisticated processing, it is today used for extravagant furnishings and luxurious fashion accessories. The entire spectrum of fascinating options offered by horsehair is achieved only by people who have mastered the traditional art of weaving by hand. There is just a single such expert in Germany: Dorit Berger. Even for her, horsehair presents a special challenge. The hairs are relatively stiff and short and therefore cannot be woven in the conventional way.

So as to create the filigree pattern of the Pen of the Year 2009, the hairs first have to be carefully selected for colour and uniform thickness. Then roughly 70 hairs are interwoven individually for each centimetre of fabric (175 per inch). That is extremely time-consuming. Hair by hair, a weave comes about with changing texture, light and dark, that contrasts delightfully with the cool platinum-plated metal parts of the pen – so that each one brings out the finest nuances in its own way.

8) What was the most difficult pen to manifacture and why?

Each Pen of the Year is a unique work of art. All natural materials, especially woods, are extremely hard and durable, and correspondingly difficult to work. Therefore, procurring the materials alone is quite a challenge year after year. For example, to obtain top-quality fossil ivory for the barrel of the Pen of the Year 2006, it was necessary to undertake adventurous expeditions to the north coast of Siberia.The manufacture is entrusted to recognized masters of their craft. __ 9) Are your products 100% manufactured in Germany?__

Yes, the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection is exclusively produced in Germany. Being an international company with German roots, ‘made in Germany’ is a fundamental element of the Faber-Castell philosophy. We are striving in the eight generation to continue to produce in Germany in the ninth, and we are aiming to safeguard the know-how over many generations and to guarantee the brand name’s anchor in Germany. However, production in Germany must also be profitable. Therefore, we have to concentrate on products that are associated with high added value and special know-how. Life-style products demonstrating traditional skills are highly regarded, especially in the industrialized countries. Our premium products are exclusive, functional writing implements with a claim to perfection, and they have good sales chances in the most important foreign markets, such as the Far East, Europe and the USA, where “made in Germany” is a guarantee of top quality. Our target groups there are looking for this kind of traditional luxury quality that stand out from the masses.

10) What are your three favourite pens (in the world)?

My three favourite pens are part of the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection and they are as follows:

Pen of the Year 2005 Pen of the Year 2009 Classic fountain pen grenadilla 11) What is your personal nicest recent memory about writing?

These memories are quite personal but they all have in common that a letter – a written piece – is the best way to relive people, moments and episodes. This is how I treasure the bits and pieces written by my son.

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Sunday, October 4 2009

Sheaffer Flat Top

By Un carnet on Sunday, October 4 2009, 22:36 - VIRTUAL MUSEUM

A museum? The idea is simple...to write an article with a fountain pen lover and to upload our own pictures. Here is the first trial.A HUGE HUGE thank you to Andrea Caligaris (Diplomat on FPN) for its help and knowledges for this article.

How does it work? After a description (we are open to any changes) you will find pictures, on each picture you can click two times, the first click will lead you to the page of the pen and you can comment it if you want , with the second click you will get a closer view of the pen. We need your help ! it simple and fast.

How?: If you have a Sheaffer flat top, just email its picture and a comment, we will upload it or them (contact@penandco.com)

In the early 20th century, the hard rubber was one of the main materials used for the manufacture of fountain pens barrels and caps. The use of the hard rubber prevented the release of the heat (originated from the hand) to the pen barrel which is the main reason behind the leaking. Sheaffer started producing fountain pens in 1912: they were nothing fancy, mainly black flat top pens in hard rubber in different sizes.

WA Sheaffer came as a latecomer in a growing market. But in a few years he was able to put its product on the map thanks to a number of innovations and commercial success: - The lever filler, patented in 1908 and evolved to a more efficient double bar in 1912 (produced from 1913); Sheaffer Fkat Top clip - The lifetime warranty on nibs: by increasing the amount of gold and of the tipping (iridium) used on the nib the “Lifetime” nib was guaranteed for the life of the first owner. Lifetime pens were launched in 1920 at a price of 8.75$ when the regular pens sold for less than half than that; - The plastic pen: in 1924 Sheaffer marketed (not first, but definitely first in being successful) the so called Radite, a name for the nitrate cellulose (Celluloid). A material that provided more durability and finally the ability to have new fancy colors (the first to be used by Sheaffer were Jet Black, Jade Green, Black&Pearl, Coral red) ; - The “white dot”: a market symbol for the Lifetime models appearing on the top of the cap from 1924;

The Sheaffer Flat Top name is now used to group all the models produced by Sheaffer’s from the beginning since the 1929, when a new shape model, the Balance, was put on the market. However the FT models remained on the market well into the 30s.

Here is the review of a FT specimen from Andrea Caligaris,from FPN.

Sheaffer’s early pens had a number of selling points, we should agree: they were an icon of their times, they introduced innovation after innovation every five years or so from their first year, they were produced in various trim and colors, and finally they were made to last.

A simple filling system, quality materials, high quantity of gold used on nibs: everything concurs. It’s difficult to find a specimen of Sheaffer’s that is not possible to restore and transform in an everyday user.

After reading so much about the FT on FPN (especially the beautiful review made by QM2), finally few months ago I took the decision to hunt for one of these beauties.

Now: I live in Italy. Notwithstanding many among our members on FPN will say that this is a good fortune (and this is arguable, at least from the point of view of the writer), there is an undisputed drawback: the supply of Sheaffer’s fountain pens from the 20s and 30s is kind of limited. This pretty much explain the “few months ago” story. Waiting for the good occasion to rise on FPN (thanks mr. Brandt!) waiting for the delivery to cross the ocean… and finally this Monday the pen hit the door.

Now, the first thing I was curious was: how old is it? One thing I learnt here about the early Sheaffer’s models is: there are no strict rules to define or categorize the pens. Since the production was industrial but still largely based on manual finish and assembly, and since they were made with interchangeable parts (nibs, sections, caps, barrels, clip) it’s difficult to exactly date them or to compare a specimen with another. Let’s take the previously mentioned QM2’s pen. Compared to this model we note: • My FT has a straight clip, which should date it earlier; • It has the ring retained lever, QM2 has the pin retained lever; Then by this parameter my FT should be of later production. • Mt FT has a barrel imprint which match the ring retained lever. It’s the later “Patented in USA”. (though I don’t know about QM2’s); • It has the lifetime nib without serial number, which is present in QM2’s;

A “Frankenpen” then? Possibly yes. They are not uncommon at all.

But if you had the patience to read until this point, you will have understood that this exercise is pointless: uncertainty is the queen here.

Nevertheless, you can’t make a mistake with a Black FT: they will stand out in between a thousands other FP nevermind which detail they may have. It’s a timeless design, beautiful for simplicity and understatement. I've been using the FT for a whole week at my workplace. It was treated like all my other pens: in the pen pouch of the bag, then extracted and carried along in my breast suit pocket. Used several time a day to take quick notes and entries on my agenda. I had a problem just one day: I opened the cap and some ink leaked from the nib to the section. Possibly it was upside for the whole night. Anyway I wiped away the excess of ink and started using it.

It's a marvelous workhorse. Take the rudeness very well. Always wet, always ready to write. The point is firm and soft, it's a quick writer. I used to write some cards to our members too.

And now, to the votes.

Appearance/finish 4/5 Design/Size/Weight 5/5

The OS is the same size and girth of a Pelikan M800. The weight is considerably smaller though. That is no surprise because the mechanics is really simple. That was one of the strength of the pen at the time of its introduction and still is. It’s amazing to think that this pen is around 80 years old. The celluloid is an outstanding material, scratch resistant, brilliant and luminous as the first day of use. The brass in this pen is limited on small tads over the ball. The cap band, clip and the lever are good. Nib Design and Performance 4/5

Ok, you have to give up the flexy of the vintage nibs, that is. But on the other hand you have a durable and smooth nib that stand the passing of time. In addition to that the nib is huge, classic and beautifully engraved. A beauty to look at.

The Filling System 4/5

While I prefer the piston filler mechanism for its reliability and complexity, I see the advantage of a lever filler. It’s one of the reason why these pens are still usable and affordable nowadays. It’s a simple mechanism that is easy to fix and maintain (I did my sac replacements on some other Sheaffer’s). The major drawback comes when time come to clean the pen. To get a clean water out of it, you have to risk your fingernails!

Cost 5/5

It’s black and it is lever filler: you can have it for less than you think! The color is the most common (but still the most usable in any environment at our days), the simplicity of the filling mechanism says that it’s cheap to restore. It’s a great value in the vintage world of fountain pens.

Conclusions 22/25

It’s a great pen, no question about it. Sturdy, classic and always ready to write. If you are looking for a vintage pre WWII pen to be used as a daily writer, this may be the one you are looking for. Don’t be fooled by the three point missing, I am always demanding in life wink.gif They are there to remember that the finish is really simple, the nib can be disappointing because too stiff, and the pen is hard to flush. Really minor things if you think about it.

__SO, now if you have a Sheaffer Flat Top, please send us its picture and your comment, we will publish in the museum: here is the mail address: contact@penandco.com__

Thank you to Jon Rosen

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Wednesday, August 26 2009

Montblanc and Unicef

By Un carnet on Wednesday, August 26 2009, 18:49 - MONTBLANC

Montblanc Meisterstück ‘Signature for Good’ Special Edition World Premiere – 2009, Montblanc unveils the first Montblanc writing instrument that has been especially developed and designed for Montblanc’s longtime support of the children’s aid organisation UNICEF to benefit their worldwide education and literacy programmes: a precious and lovingly enhanced version of the legendary Montblanc Meisterstück, that comes since 85 years as timeless design icon, the Montblanc Meisterstück ‘Signature for Good’ Special Edition.

We met Violante Avogadro Di Vigliano, RP and Media Montblanc France, to learn more about this great operation.

How did this partnership with Unicef start ?

Montblanc has supported Unicef and the fight for literacy for years, Deeply bound with the activity of writing, our establishment commited to contribute to the education of children around the world through literacy programmes.

What is your favourite aspect of this partnership ?

I believe that what really matters nowadays is the ability to express oneself. Reading and writing are fundamental needs for each individual. To be able to help children do this thanks to our action, this is what I prefer !

What were the difficulties or obstacles that you had to overcome ?

There was no real difficulty nor obstacle. All the people we met had a strong interest for the education of children. We worked together closely with Unicef representatives as well as various stars and well-known people who came to support this beautiful project.

What are the first outcome and fallouts of this operation ?

The product sells well and feedback is very positive : we hope to collect at least $ 1.5 Million, and whatever the results, we have commited to give this amount to Unicef by March 31st 2010 when the operation will come to an end !

Do you plan to have other similar projects in 2010 ?

This project will continue during the first three months of the year 2010 and then, who knows… we will surely find another wonderful idea to help children in need !

The Montblanc Meisterstück ‘Signature for Good’ Special Edition pays special homage to this icon of writing culture on its 85th anniversary: The Meisterstück Classique version is designed with 14-carat nib and golden inlay in the distinctive shape of the olive bush from the UNICEF logo and a precious blue sapphire in the top of the cap in order to link this special writing instrument to the hallmark of UNICEF. Every single nib is perfectly crafted in 35 individual stages, and is ground, polished and tested by hand, to ensure absolute writing perfection, in the Meisterstück tradition since 1924. The new version of the Montblanc Meisterstück comes as fountain pen, roller ball, ballpoint and mechanical pencil in the versions ‘Le Grand’ and ‘Classique’. The Montblanc Meisterstück ‘Signature for Good’ Special Edition will be available from June 2009 in Montblanc Boutiques worldwide. The purchase of each writing instrument will benefit children without proper access to education.

This first launch of the ‘Signature for Good’ collection is part of a one year charity initiative to the benefit of UNICEF’s education and literacy programs. Montblanc will be donating 10% of the retail price from each of this Meisterstück ‘Signature for Good’ Special Edition with the overall aim of raising at least US$ 1.5 million in the next 12 months through various global fundraising initiatives.

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Sunday, August 9 2009

Your pen tailor made by Penandco !

By Un carnet on Sunday, August 9 2009, 21:36 - PENANDCO TESTS

if you are a fountain pen writer, you know for a fact that your pen is a very personal and intimate object and that you would not lend it too anyone.
Our Penandco team has come up with the most daring idea ever...............
To create your own bespoke and therefore unique fountain pen
not only by resorting to exclusive quality craftsmanship but also and above all by taking your wishes into account.

Concept

Everything is possible, you have “carte blanche”: you can choose engraved initials, write text, have an engraved drawing, sign, pattern…no limit to your creativity! We would like to emphasize the fact that the pen will be created according to your wishes. It will be a unique pen, a genuine bespoke creation. You can therefore design the pen of your dreams or offer an exclusive and unique gift for any special occasion that should be remembered (18th or 21st birthday, wedding, any anniversary / celebration, bar-mitzvah , retirement, contest award, token of friendship…). Once you have the idea of the kind of pen you wish, all you have to do is to contact us and our calligraphers will come up with suggestions to make your project come true.

Here is an example, made for one of our customer about Noa and Jonas.

Le stylo plume sur-mesure

Fine quality work

You can choose between an entirely solid silver engraved pen and a partly solid silver engraved pen – in this case, only the cap will be engraved. Right after the work of the calligrapher, a second craftsman will now carry on the work by etching the pen in order to obtain the desired drawing. This engraving technique has existed for centuries and numerous painters used it. The pen and/or its cap in solid silver are entirely covered with a protective coating material that the artist will then engrave with patience, without touching or damaging the metal. He will then use nitric acid to bring out and engrave the patterns or the drawing in the silver. Several days of work are required in order to obtain such a result. We consequently recommend that you take the design, engraving and shipping delays into consideration when you wish to make an order and encourage you to contact us for further information.

The pen: A Parker 51

The pen:a Parker 51 fountain-pen, with new writing pieces from the 50ies (such as the nib for example) A few lines about this mythical Parker fountain pen, a MUST for pen collectors. At the beginning of the 30ies, due the economic crisis, the competition among pen manufacturers was getting tougher and tougher. Parker had the idea to focus on technological advantage, first launching to market a revolutionary ink that would dry instantaneously, the Quinck (for quick ink)…At that time PCs did not exist and the use of fountain pens was as compulsory as the use of blotting papers. To pursue innovation in writing instruments, the company invested nearly a million dollar to create the Parker 51 pen, a revolutionary pen, the shape and concept of which required almost 23 different pieces, 238 operations in the assembly line – that included 42 manual ones. Its design was very innovative for a 1940 pen. Parker was indeed greatly inspired by aviation: the Lucite, a highly shock resistant material used to manufacture the pen, was also used for some mechanical pieces of aircrafts. Its half-protected/covered nib was especially designed for a longer moisturised use and for an immediate writing. Kenneth Parker, a great advertising man employed by the company, had the idea to name the pen by looking at a “U.S. 51” signpost/board through the window of his office.

In 1939, when the concept is ready, the company celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Using a number for the name does not jeopardize the branding of the company.
It can be used worldwide.

This model was first tested in Venezuela and in Colombia in extremely severe conditions of heat and moisture. The use of people and VIPs such as Harry Truman, Byron Nelson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Norman Rockwell, was instrumental/helped/played a key role in the rapid soaring of the sales. In 1940, when the pen was launched on the market, success was immediate; especially as Parker organised sales challenges where its top salesmen could even win Cadillac cars! Since its launch on the market, this fountain pen has gone through numerous changes (such as: different filling techniques, use of gold, steel, silver…)

To start your pen...just contact us

contactez-nous

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Sunday, July 19 2009

Montblanc 333 1/2 from the 1940's fully restored !

By Un carnet on Sunday, July 19 2009, 00:00 - MONTBLANC

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Sunday, March 22 2009

A german pen show :Köln 2009

By Un carnet on Sunday, March 22 2009, 12:37 - PLACES

In 2009 we are really happy again to come back to this nice event in Köln. We will travel over there this coming Saturday with our friend Carlos Sanchez Alamo and we will try to let you know better. We will bring us a camera, a netbook ...in order to share with you in live this event ( if we can catch a mobile network over there !)

Beside interviews,comments and pictures, we will try also to propose rare vintage german pens.

Do not hesitate to post comments before or during the event. Thank you in advance ! You can click on each picture to get a full size picture

Hello again from Köln. Great news, we have found network here and we will try to post pictures of this event. For the moment, the pen show will be open in 10 mn so we have to wait a little in the pub ( nice place to wait around friends and meals ). We have already found friends from Pentrace and FPN. Here are the fist pictures of the surroundings. The pen show takes place near a tennis courts place, in a rowing club near the Rhin.

For 2009, 60 sellers mainly coming from european countries were there ( from Spain, Italy,France,UK...) with about 100 pens each...so...6000 vintage pens ! This pen show started about 20 years ago with 10/15 sellers at that time.For us the pleasure was really the same as for the previous years for many reasons. The first one is about the place, not too small, not too big..and with a pub where you can drink, eat and of course talk about pens. The second one is about the real friendly relationships with the sellers, even if you are not an expert in vintage german pens..you will always find people over there to explain you all you want to know about those pens. The third one is the huge choice of pens, not only Montblanc, Pelikan but also many others manufacturers such as Matador, Kaweco,Luxor,Fend,Geha,Markant,Soennecken...........

__We will put the pictures and comments during this week, do not hesitate to contact us about mistakes (sorry for the english ones ! ) or if you want us to add certain comments. Thanks for your help__

Pelikan 100N Lizard pattern 1938__

Some Montblanc safeties from the 20's

Montblanc Octogonal safety 1930's

Montblanc piston fillers from the 40's and 50's. At that time, Montblanc manufactured a piston filling system working like a periscope increasing significantly the ink capacity.

In 1913, Simplo Filler Pen Co. opened its subsidiary Excelsior.The purpose of Excelsior was to manufactured Simplo pens under different retailers names such as this Reflex .

Beside Montblanc and Pelikan, Köln pen show was a very great place to enjoy other georgeous pen such as this Kaweco Overlay ( Italian style ? )

The Montblanc 139 is a very nice vintage model with its clip and silvered rings.

From 1947 up to 1957, some Montblanc pens were produced in Denmark ( most of the parts were made in Germany )

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Monday, March 2 2009

Interview Waterman CEO

By Un carnet on Monday, March 2 2009, 21:52 - WATERMAN

Do not hesitate to click here to read this interview in english Thank you

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Saturday, February 28 2009

Pilot M90 Test review

By Un carnet on Saturday, February 28 2009, 18:29 - PENANDCO TESTS

First of all, i would like to thank Kevin Moore,from FPN for his review about this great pen and to have allowed us to publish it there also Do not hesitate to click on each picture to get a huge large close view.

The Pilot MYU was a classic pen of the 1970s, and it still looks ahead of its time. Modern Japanese pens tend to be conservative in design, but the M90 revives the MYU series, and harks back to a time when Japanese design was at the cutting edge. The M90 is a limited edition of 9000, and was released to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the company.

There has been some controversy over a couple of aspects of the new design, based on the early, very low resolution images of the pen, but seeing it live, they are really not a problem. There is a clutch ring at the join of the section and barrel, which provides an excellent and positive grip on the cap when posted. Visually, this is hidden by the cap, and since this is a pocket pen, it is designed to be used posted. To my mind, this design reduces the idea of a pen down to its essence, providing a sleek shape with no distractions. The model name is discreetly placed at the top of the cap, and the company name is embossed in very small letters on the back side of the cap, near the rim.

The M90 comes in a commemorative box, with a screed of Japanese marketing, the usual guarantee cards, and a cartridge of ink. One of the punishments for learning Japanese is that you can read the marketing bumph. There was a CON-20 converter, as well. None of Pilot's larger converters will fit, so the CON-70 is not an option, alas. The CON-20 is a fairly tight fit in the M-90. Some people have been surprised by this: some firmness may be necessary to fully insert the converter.

The nib itself is quite stiff. Mine is a fine point, and as you'd expect from Pilot, it runs finer than most fine points from western manufacturers. The writing in the photos was written with this pen, using Mont Blanc blue ink. Another writing sample below:

I paid $112.68 for this pen through Ujuku. It's a good price for the pen, but they currently have a long waiting list. The M90 is a limited edition of 9000, but it's hard to obtain at the moment. I'm hopeful that Pilot gets a good response to this limited edition, and sees an opportunity to release another MYU-style pen in the not-too-distant future.

Conclusion Most commemorative pens are expensive, over-decorated, and doomed to a life in a display cabinet. Pilot released a couple of those for the 90th anniversary, but this is the one that people will remember. To their very great credit, the M90 is a resonably priced version of one of their iconic pens: an excellent way to commemorate their 90th anniversary. There is a long wait for this pen, but the wait is worth it.

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Friday, February 20 2009

Montegrappa Extra 1930

By Un carnet on Friday, February 20 2009, 22:36 - MONTEGRAPPA

EXTRA 1930 BLACK & WHITE

Montegrappa’s Extra 1930, with its graceful lines and sensual proportions is testimony to Italy’s rich aesthetic heritage and tradition of craftsmanship. As for all models of the collection, the new Black & White colour is faithfully inspired by original pieces belonging to Montegrappa’s museum. The new Black & White celluloid pattern is added to the existing Turtle Brown and Bamboo Black colours, and is available in two versions: Solid Silver (fountain and rollerball pen) and an exclusive Red Gold and Diamonds fountain pen version.

SOLID SILVER VERSION - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Barrel and cap in Black & White mother-of-pearl celluloid
Solid silver fittings
Cap ring decorated with Greek fret
Clip with typical Montegrappa rotating sphere
Silver disk with 1912 logo on top of cap
Fountain pen with piston filling system and 18K white gold nib (8mm nib; EF, F, M, B size
Special packaging: ash wood box with Montegrappa (Fountain pen version with inkpot)

RED GOLD & DIAMONDS VERSION - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

Barrel and cap in Black & White mother-of-pearl celluloid
18K red gold fittings
Cap ring decorated with Greek fret embellished with 210 brilliant cut diamonds
Clip with typical Montegrappa rotating sphere
18K red gold disc with 1912 logo on top of cap
Piston filling system and 18K red gold nib (8mm nib; F, M size)
Special packaging: ash wood box with Montegrappa inkpot
Authenticity Certificate
Delivered with black ink

In the near futur, one of our reader will test here this pen.

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Saturday, January 10 2009

AA Waterman Modern in mottled hard rubber, middle joint eye-dropper fountain pen, c.1910

By Un carnet on Saturday, January 10 2009, 11:12 - PICTURES

A.A Waterman

Click on the picture.

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Friday, January 9 2009

Waterman 452, 1925

By Un carnet on Friday, January 9 2009, 23:07 - PICTURES

Click on the picture.

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Wednesday, January 7 2009

Montblanc: Visit of Montblanc factory

By Un carnet on Wednesday, January 7 2009, 22:38 - MONTBLANC

CAS Visit to the Montblanc Factory

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Napoléon: Amazing collection of manuscripts

By Un carnet on Wednesday, January 7 2009, 22:33 - PLACES

An incredible atmosphere reigned under the majestic dome of the Invalides just a few meters from the tomb of the Emperor Napoléon in Paris yesterday. The event was organised by the société Aristophil, the army museum and the Napoléon Foundation, which reunited more than 500 manuscripts, that is to say nearly 1500 pages covering his career from the beginning at the Ecole Militaire de Brienne until his exile on St Helena.

This private collection is the most important ever devoted to Napoléon I, and is now part of the patrimony of France. In order to accomplish this the société Aristopil acquired these unique documents from an American collector (who spent 30 years bringing them together). Altogether it took 3 months to prepare this exhibition, with the arrangement of this prestigious location adding to the difficulty. Projectors had to be lifted on special harnesses, putting in place made to measure showcases for the conservation of the documents. There were also military men in the uniforms of the period to immortalise the moment.

Napoleon Invalides Exhibition

Napoleon was not only a man of the sword but also of the pen. For him the glory of a nation was not measured only by force of arms, but also in the genius of the language and its writers. This collection shows us a man who never stopped writing, dictating, noting the events taking place. We of course find a military leader precise in his commands, attentive to the smallest details, politician, lover, financier…….

Info:

open every day from 10h 00 to 17h 00 with late opening on Tuesday 21h 00

Closed 1st Monday of each month, 25th Dec and Jan 1st

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Visconti: The Bible Limited Edition

By Un carnet on Wednesday, January 7 2009, 22:30 - VISCONTI

Visconti has always been very attentive in giving importance with its creations to aspects and themes that have impact, change or describe our life: this Limited Edition fountain pen collection is dedicated to all religions of the world and the name chosen to describe it is (not by chance) MYSTIC PENS.

The Bible, the most read and printed book of the world will give the start to this collection with two editions that reflect the two great religions linked to it: The Christian and the Judaic.

THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE

This pen is turned into single resin ivory (coloured) bars and the cap has the same dimensions of the pen shaft. This choice reminds us to the partition in Old Testament (the pen body) and New Testament (the cap). In the shaft our artist has represented the story of the Old Testament according to its most significant scenes: Adam and Eve, Noah’s Arch, David and Goliath, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the Decalogue, while on the cap we find scenes of Jesus’ life: His Birth, His Baptism, the Last Supper, and the Ascent to Heaven. The head and blind cap, with their 10 lateral facets, remind us of the Decalogue- their form and the engraving in Hebrew on the blind cap recall the two stone tablets. The Holy Graal is hidden inside the blind cap and has the function of activating the Power Filler.

Painting Technique: entirely made in Florence and inspired by Dürer’s xylographies, it’s a PAINTED SCRIMSHAW which has never been performed before on a pen and it’s very rare on other objects being a very difficult technique. According to this technique, resin is drypoint engraved, and then filled in with calcography ink and finally coloured, thanks to the fine artwork of CLAUDIO MAZZI.

Limited Edition to 999 pens in vermeil silver (black painted scrimshaw) Limited Edition to 199 rollers in vermeil silver (black painted scrimshaw) Limited Edition to 99 pens in antique 750 gold (painted sepia scrimshaw) Material : Ivory coloured resin Pen Nib: 18 kt 750 with ivory feeder Filling System : Power Filler Artwork : Scrimshaw painted by Claudio Mazzi

THE JEWISH BIBLE

The basic characteristics of this pen are naturally identical to the Christian Bible pen: the materials, the metals employed and the engraving of the Decalogue in Hebrew on the blind cap are the same. The Christian edition is more Renaissance- related according to its painted designs, while the Jewish edition has a more ancient shape, in a way more solemn, in one word, more orthodox. Here we have matched the vermeil gold to the sepia colour, the antique gold to platinum and silver to classical grey lead. The engraving technique is a typical SCRIMSHAW- firstly, the resin is dry engraved and the spaces are filled by calligraphy ink. After the drying phase the exceeding ink is removed with a very fine glass paper and then hand polished. The entire work is entirely done internally by our best engravers. In the shaft our artists have represented the story of the Old Testament with its most significant images: Adam and Eve, Noah’s Arch, David and Goliath, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the Decalogue, while on the cap we have represented the prayer in front of the Wailing Wall, a very important spiritual moment. The Temple, is so sacred to the Jewish people, is hidden inside the pen. You can find it by unscrewing the blind cap and it has the function of activating the filling system.

Limited Edition to 999 fountain pens in sterling silver (black scrimshaw) Limited Edition to 199 rollers in sterling silver (black scrimshaw) Limited Edition to 99 fountain pens in antique gold 750 (sepia scrimshaw) Material : Ivory coloured resin Pen Nib: 18 kt 750 with ivory feeder Filling System : Power Filler Artwork : Classical Scrimshaw

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Montegrappa PAULO COELHO Limited Edition

By Un carnet on Wednesday, January 7 2009, 22:18 - MONTEGRAPPA

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

These words came to life through the sensitivity of a great author: Paulo Coelho. A Master of the written word and of stirring up emotions, Coelho could not help being won over by the historical name of Montegrappa because Montegrappa, the first Italian pen manufacturer, has always been the instrument and the expression of the true enthusiasm for writing. It is this collaboration that breaths life into the Paulo Coelho L.E.: because the journey amid the heart of writing deserves a cherished fellow traveller.

In every detail the Paulo Coelho L.E. is a tribute to the personal and artistic journey of the great writer. 1947 limited editions were created; recalling Coelho’s date of birth (24th August, 1947). In the collection, this number consists of 1,000 fountain pens in silver, 900 rollers in silver and emeralds and 47 fountain pens in yellow gold, emeralds and diamonds. In every model of this limited edition, the shaft and the cap are manufactured using the technique of metal perforating. This technique serves to highlight the contrast between the black pearl resin and the enveloping sheath in precious metal. “The pen is a musical instrument. Its sound can be heard when it touches paper”.(Paulo Coelho)

Enhanced with the engraving of a butterfly; another symbol the author is keen on, the nibs are made of 18 carat white gold for the silver fountain pen and in 18 carat yellow gold for the gold version. The shaft pays homage to an important experience of Coelho’s: his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The route covered by the author is plotted out in precious black lacquer in the silver model and in diamonds in the gold one. At the top of the pen, together with the historic Montegrappa logo, is the figure of a compass; recalling Coelho’s artistic symbolism. The author’s autograph adorns the cap and the lines of the clip represent the lines of a sword – referring to his masterpiece “The Pilgrimage”.

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Interview of french Montblanc CEO Michel Adé

By Un carnet on Wednesday, January 7 2009, 22:14 - MONTBLANC

The interview is available on Penandco site

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Germany: CAS Collegium Ars Scribendi

By Un carnet on Wednesday, January 7 2009, 22:04 - WORLDWIDE PENS CLUBS

The CAS Collegium Ars Scribendi (Latin for Council of Art of Writing) is the biggest active German collectors club, established in 1996 with around 130 members not only in Germany but also in other countries worldwide. Members receive a monthly e-mail newsletter (in English and German), once a year we publish the CAS magazine Ars Scribendi. We have several meetings places in Germany where we meet fellow collectors regularly. CAS supports the German pen shows in Hamburg, Cologne, Nuremberg and the Tilburg Pen Show. The organizers of the shows in Hamburg, Nuremberg and Tilburg are CAS members

Number of members is increasing rapidly thanks to our website www.cas1996.de launched in 2007. Membership fee for active members is EUR 35,EUR 50 for financial supporters. Included in the membership fee as well is the German Pen magazine "Schreibkultur" issued three to four times a year. Its a vivid community all collectors are enjoying very much. Once a year we organize a trip for our members (previously to Aurora, to Pelikan, to Montblanc, to Faber-Castell, to Omas).

Pen Show Cologne - Füllfederhalterbörse Köln

Web site

Contact: t-junge@web.de

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Delta:Amerigo Vespucci

Visconti: The Knight Templars

Montblanc and le Louvre !

Interview of Daniel Barth Managing Director Premium at Faber-Castell

Sheaffer Flat Top

Montblanc and Unicef

Your pen tailor made by Penandco !

Concept

Fine quality work

The pen: A Parker 51

Montblanc 333 1/2 from the 1940's fully restored !

A german pen show :Köln 2009

Interview Waterman CEO

Pilot M90 Test review

Montegrappa Extra 1930

AA Waterman Modern in mottled hard rubber, middle joint eye-dropper fountain pen, c.1910

Waterman 452, 1925

Montblanc: Visit of Montblanc factory

Napoléon: Amazing collection of manuscripts

Visconti: The Bible Limited Edition

Montegrappa PAULO COELHO Limited Edition

Interview of french Montblanc CEO Michel Adé

Germany: CAS Collegium Ars Scribendi

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