Writing Instruments

The Montblanc Sale of the Century at Bonhams & Butterfields

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 1st 2010 at 8:00AM

On Feb. 15 in Los Angeles Bonhams & Butterfields will present an auction exclusively dedicated to writing instruments from Montblanc, makers of fine pens with the famed "snow cap" motif. The sale, timed to coincide with the annual Los Angeles International Pen Show, will contain more than 130 lots of exceptional models from several of the major Montblanc categories including rarely seen examples. Highlighting the auction is one of the most sought after Montblanc pens ever produced, the Magical Black Widow Skeleton limited edition fountain pen (above), estimated at $18,000 - $24,000. Encased by a web of white gold, the instrument features a filigree spider studded with black diamonds on the clip.

Also on offer are the Diego Rivera limited edition fountain pen, crafted from white gold with a partial black lacquer finish in Aztec design, a cap overlaid with a white gold windowpane with elaborate Mexican etchings and a black sapphire set in the clip, estimated at $12,000 - $18,000; the Thomas Jefferson fountain pen, decorated with solid gold rings, petrified wood inlays, and a clip bearing a mandarin garnet, engraved with a portrait of the former president and estimated at $21,000 - $24,000; and a diamond studded Greta Garbo model crafted from solid yellow gold with mother-of-pearl inlay, estimated at $14,000 - $16,000.

Tags: Bonhams Butterfields, BonhamsButterfields, Diego Rivera, DiegoRivera, fountain pen, FountainPen, Los Angeles, LosAngeles, Montblanc, pens, Thomas Jefferson, ThomasJefferson

Bugatti Pen by Ferrari da Varese

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Jan 18th 2010 at 11:02AM

Paying a million-plus euros for a car may seem like a bit much to some, but for those who have it, you can bet it's not the only expensive item they'll be splurging on. So it's little wonder that Bugatti themselves have commissioned some very enticing luxury items to accompany their most exquisite of motor vehicles.

The latest is this pen, crafted by a company (presumably unrelated to the rival automaker) called Ferrari da Varese. It's crafted of aluminum, and then coated in nickel, sterling silver, palladium and platinum for what looks to be a very deep luster indeed. The nib is make of 18-kt gold and coated in rhodium, and the barrel features a sapphire glass window. Designed by Luigi Trenti, the pen weighs a solid 95 grams, and comes in a leather and aluminum case. Only 499 roller balls and 499 fountain pens will be made, each selling for a suitably Bugatti-like $15,000.

Gallery: Bugatti pen by Ferrari da Varese

Tags: bugatti, bugatti pen, BugattiPen, ferrari, ferrari da varese, FerrariDaVarese, fountain pen, FountainPen, rollerball

Dempsey & Carroll's January Sale, New Valentine's Designs

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) — Jan 10th 2010 at 2:02PM

Last summer, my colleague Jared noted that stationer Dempsey & Carroll was stepping in when Mrs. John L. Strong closed up shop. It seems that despite the ubiquity of electronic communication devices, there are many who still put pen to paper. If you are one of these people, or have resolved to be in the new year, you should know that Dempsey & Carroll is offering its annual January Correspondence Card Sale, with its greatest price reductions of the year and never-before-offered engraving options.

Quantities of 100 personalized and engraved Correspondence Cards, in Dempsey & Carroll's most popular size, are on sale for $225, a 40% savings on its regular price of $375. The sale price includes a new name plate, if desired. Customers may choose from four typestyles, five ink colors, and white or ecru card stock. Borders, motifs, return address plates, return address engraving, envelope liners, and other options are available for an additional charge. New for the sale this year is the Deluxe (4-ply) and Opulent (6-ply) stock, also for an additional charge.

But maybe you're not quite ready for a hand-written note. Why not start on Valentine's Day? Dempsey & Carroll is a very traditional company, but for the first time they are offering modern designs for Valentine's Day (see the gallery, below). What a nice way to send, or receive, a love note.

Gallery: Dempsey & Carroll's January Sale, New Valentine's Designs

Tags: Dempsey Carroll, DempseyCarroll, paper, stationer, stationers, stationery, Valentine, Valentines Day, ValentinesDay

Vertu Launches V Accessories Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Dec 10th 2009 at 2:01PM

Vertu has come out with a new range of stylish, high-tech accessories created to complement the brand's pioneering range of luxury, handcrafted mobile phones like the new Constellation Ayxta.

First previewed at Baselworld, the inaugural collection features a luxury Vertu V Bluetooth Headset and Vertu V Memory Card reader together with contemporary versions of the traditional ballpoint pen and a collection of small leather goods.

The Vertu V Bluetooth Headset (right) for $730 is made from stainless steel and high quality resin. The resin combines low weight and high strength properties in a scratch resistant material with an ability to be hand polished to achieve a lifetime lustrous finish.

The Vertu V Memory Card Reader for $490 is a discreet USB memory stick with the ability to expand its memory capacity via a micro SD card. A three stage connection process also enables users to easily transfer data between a Vertu handset and computer.

The Vertu V Ballpoint Pen for $330 has a masculine look in black and steel. With a perfectly tuned twist mechanism it's ergonomically balanced. The small leather goods collection completes the range with its matching accessories cases made from Vertu's highest quality black saddle leather.

Tags: Bluetooth, mobile phone, MobilePhone, USB, Vertu

Dunhill Fighter Provenance Fountain Pen

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Oct 2nd 2009 at 10:01AM

The new Fighter Provenance Fountain Pen from London-based luxury goods firm Dunhill does not take its name in vain: the limited edition writing instrument is made from the original aluminum engine casing taken from the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine of the legendary World War II Spitfire MK1 fighter plane. Produced in very small numbers due to the scarcity of the material, the pen's details also reflect this iconic aircraft - the bolt and rivet effects in the original aluminum; the tapered edges echoing the aerodynamics; and a window feature on the side of the barrel displaying level of ink and even the pen clip design directly references the shape of the spitfire propeller. The cap is also created using plexiglass which is exactly the same material used for the bubble canopy of the late 1930's and early 1940's fighter planes. The pen nib is 18 carat gold with rhodium plating and the instrument is presented in a lacquered Alfred Dunhill display box.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Dunhill, fighter plane, FighterPlane, Fountain Pen, FountainPen, London, plane, Rolls-Royce, Spitfire, World War II, WorldWarIi

Is Montblanc's Gandhi Pen In Poor Taste?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Oct 2nd 2009 at 3:00AM

Recently Montblanc unveiled their latest pen in Mumbai. One of Mohandas Gandhi's great-grandsons (Tushar Gandhi shown above) was in attendance as the golden pen was unveiled in time for the 140th anniversary of the birth of the Mahatma . The beautiful pen has angered some who say that a luxury good from a foreign company does not honor Gandhi's legacy and don't see the connection between their beloved icon and a bauble for the rich.

The pen is available in two editions. The Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 241 is an 18K gold pen that depicts Gandhi setting off on the salt march of July 1930 and is priced at 17,000 euros (around $24,000). Another addition is available in fountain and rollerball versions for around $3000-$3500. Only 241 commemorative gold fountain pens will be sold, the number refers to how many miles he walked during the "salt march," a protest against salt taxes levied by the British. The pens are decorated with Gandhi's signature and a saffron-colored opal. The pen also comes with a 26-foot golden thread which can be wound around the pen and is meant to recall the spindle that Gandhi used to weave simple cotton cloth. The pen comes in a luxury box with a booklet of Gandhi quotes.

The good news is that Montblanc is donating some money to Indian causes. Montblanc chief executive Lutz Bethge gave a check for 100,000 euros to Tushar Gandhi, for a foundation that works to improve child nutrition and education. The foundation also gets more money (approximately $200-$1,000) for each pen sold. Tushar Ghandhi made news earlier this year when he protested Antiquorum's auction of Mahatma Gandhi's glasses, sandals and pocket watch. He has also asked Britain to return the Koh-i-noor diamond to India.

UPDATE: According to the Gulf Times, Dijo Kapen, from the Centre of Consumer Education in Kerala's Kottayam district has filed a petition in state high court challenging Montblanc's right to market the pens.

Tags: gandhi, montblanc, pen

Davidoff Welcomes S.T. Dupont

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) — Sep 21st 2009 at 11:03AM

Last week, Davidoff Madison Avenue celebrated the launch of its new S.T. Dupont "shop-in-shop" concept. Guests were hosted by general manager Michael Herklots to wine and hors d'oeuvres as they walked through Manhattan's upscale tobacconist and perused the latest accessories from the Parisian luxury goods company. In attendance, and offering a few words, was Alain Crevet, CEO of S.T. Dupont Paris, who celebrated the partnership.

"There's been a wonderful synergy and working relationship for a number of years between the Davidoff stores in New York and S.T. Dupont," said Herklots. "We're excited to take this next step with our two brands. Our beautiful Madison Avenue flagship store has always maintained a selection of the finest cigars and good life accessories including those by S.T. Dupont. This new collaboration with S.T. Dupont allows us to offer our customers an even greater range of unique merchandise, in keeping with what they've come to expect from Davidoff of Geneva in New York City."

The shop-in-shop corner within the store is packed with an extensive selection of S.T. Dupont merchandise. Though the company's products are not new to Davidoff Madison Avenue, the build-out offers a unique venue in which to enjoy the Dupont experience. In a tough market for cigars and cigar accessories, the expansion of the Davidoff/S.T. Dupont gives cigar smokers a reason to be excited.

Watch an interview with the Herklots after the jump.

Gallery: Davidoff and S.T. Dupont Event

Davidoff Madison Avenue and S.T. Dupont Launch

Tags: cigar, cigars, davidoff, manhattan, new york, new york city, NewYork, NewYorkCity

Continue reading “Davidoff Welcomes S.T. Dupont”

Felissimo 500 Pencils Subsription Delivers More Color Every Month

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Aug 15th 2009 at 9:01AM

Whether you're an artist looking for an unparalleled selection of colors or a home decor aficionado looking for an unusual visual display, you're likely to be intrigued by Felissimo's "500 Pencils" service. Not unlike other "of the month" clubs, Felissimo will deliver another set of 25 colored pencils to your home for 20 months until you've got all 500. The service costs $33 per month, a they each come in an acrylic holder that you can mount on the wall or arrange in any number of whimsical shapes.

[Source: Felissimo via Acquire]

Tags: 500 pencils, 500Pencils, colored pencils, ColoredPencils, coloured pencils, ColouredPencils, felissimo, of the month, OfTheMonth, pencils, subscription

EXCLUSIVE: Vertu President Perry Oosting's Ten Essential Luxuries

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Aug 12th 2009 at 10:02AM

Click above to see Perry Oosting's 10 Luxuries

Welcome to our new feature, "10 Luxuries." For each installment a notable figure in the world of luxury, tastemaker or stylish personality will tell us about the 10 necessary luxuries they simply cannot do without. Related quotes and images of each item can be found in the gallery.

Perry Oosting became president of Vertu, the world's leading luxury mobile phone manufacturer, earlier this year. He joined the company with extensive experience in the luxury industry via senior roles held at several blue chip brands including Bulgari, Prada, Gucci and Escada.Vertu uses the finest materials from the world of watchmaking, automotive design, aeronautics, and jewelry to create truly unique mobile phones of unparalleled craftsmanship and exclusivity, such as the new Ascent Ti Carbon Fiber. Vertu is also the only phone in the world to ever receive a hallmark from the Swiss Assay Office, the organization that guarantees the quality of the world's finest watches. In the gallery, Oosting reveals his 10 essential luxuries, from his favorite hotel, watch and car to shoes, wine, writing instrument and more, and tells us what makes them a must.

Gallery: Vertu President Perry Oosting's 10 Luxuries

A good vintage Bordeaux St Emilion from France or Brunello from Italy

Tags: Boucheron, CEO, Churchs, Italy, Maserati, mobile phone, MobilePhone, Mont Blanc, MontBlanc, Perry Oosting, PerryOosting, Prada, Tiffany Co., TiffanyCo., Vertu

The World's Most Expensive Lighter for $79,000

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Jul 20th 2009 at 3:02PM

The venerable Parisian luxury goods firm of S.T. Dupont has come out with the world's most expensive lighter (right) priced at $79,000.

The Ligne 2 Champagne lighter, part of Dupont's Prestige Collection, is made of solid 18-carat white gold embellished with 468 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Also available is a matching fountain pen in solid 18-carat white gold as well with rhodium finished trims and 502 brilliant-cut diamonds for $74,000.

S.T. Dupont, founded in Paris in 1872 by Simon Tissot Dupont, made bespoke pieces for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Windsor . Daniel Craig also carried Dupont accessories as James Bond in Casino Royale.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: diamonds, Duke of Windsor, DukeOfWindsor, fountain pen, FountainPen, gold, James Bond, JamesBond, lighter, Paris, S.T. Dupont, S.t.Dupont, white gold, WhiteGold, worlds most expensive, WorldsMostExpensive

Space Pen Maker Commemorates Moon Landing

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Jul 20th 2009 at 11:02AM

The 40th anniversary of the moon landing of Apollo 11 is today July 20 and Fisher Space Pen Co.has made 1,000 limited edition AG7-40LE Space Pens to commemorate the event. The pen is designed as a replica of the historic anti-gravity model pen that was invented by company founder, Paul C. Fisher, in 1966 and flew aboard the Apollo missions. The 40th anniversary pen features a piece of "Kapton" foil, used as protective thermal insulation on the Apollo 11 Command module, Columbia, which carried the astronauts to the moon and back. The tiny piece is mounted in an acrylic dome sealed into the pen's cap.

The presentation case has a resin casting of the Neil Armstrong's famous footprint on the moon inset into the hinged lid. A magnetic pedestal allows the pen to sit on its own "launch pad" for display when the lid is closed. The sides of the case features a band of plated stainless steel engraved with a timeline that tells the moment-by-moment story of the mission's key events, from launch to splashdown. The pen is finished with black titanium nitride and engravings inlayed with 24-karat gold show the pen's sequential serial number, the names of the Apollo 11 crew and the image of an astronaut planting the American flag into the lunar surface. The limited edition ball-point pen and display case is $800 and is available on the Fisher website.

Tags: apollo 11, Apollo11, moon landing, MoonLanding, space

Montblanc to Auction Celeb Portraits for Charity

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Apr 21st 2009 at 11:01AM

Montblanc, makers of fine pens with the famed "snow cap" motif (above), will auction off a series of celebrity portraits to benefit UNICEF in September. On Friday, May 8, they're hosting a benefit at Sotheby's in New York to announce the World Exhibition Tour of the photo project honoring the involvement of 12 great actresses and their efforts to "support UNICEF's fight against inadequate education and illiteracy". Sienna Miller, Eva Longoria, Christina Ricci, Emily Blunt, Marcia Cross, Andie MacDowell, Helen Hunt, Lauren Hutton, Milla Jovovich, Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon and Mira Sorvino are featured in a series of signed portraits by photographer Roger Moenks.

The portraits will be on display from May 6 - 13 at Sotheby's New York before traveling to London and then Los Angeles where they'll be auctioned off to benefit at a charity gala dinner on September 8th, International Literacy Day. Based on an original concept by Signature International, a cultural and artistic charitable initiative, each actress was photographed "portraying her favorite literary heroine in celebration of the art of writing." Each portrait will be presented to the winning bidder accompanied by a limited edition Montblanc writing instrument covered in the finest diamonds and sapphires.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: celebrity, diamonds, Eva Longoria, EvaLongoria, Lauren Hutton, LaurenHutton, Marcia Cross, MarciaCross, Montblanc, photography, Sothebys, UNICEF

Girard-Perregaux Launches New Pen Line

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 23rd 2009 at 10:02AM

Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux has been making fine timepieces for well over 200 years, but 2009 marks the first time they've manufactured a writing instrument. The firm, founded in 1791, is debuting a luxurious new line of pens based on their famed Three Bridges gold tourbillon watch. There are three models of writing instrument, adorned with precious metal engraved with delicate guilloche work, based on a vintage 1945 Three Bridges Tourbillon, a famed Girard-Perregaux model. The clip on the caps is double-arrow shaped, like the bridge on the watch.

Three openings on the pen body showing the ink level refer to the timepiece's power reserve indicators. Fountain pens come equipped with an exclusive high-capacity double reservoir system preventing leakage. There are three models available: a piston fountain pen in guilloche silver and resin (above), limited to 999-pieces; a piston fountain pen in guilloche pink gold and resin, limited to 99 pieces; and a rollerball in guilloche silver and resin, limited to 999 pieces. A matching set comprising the silver fountain pen and rollerball is also available in an edition of 199 pieces.

Tags: Fountain pen, FountainPen, Girard-Perregaux, Pen, Swiss watch, SwissWatch, switzerland

A New World's Most Expensive Pen?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 12th 2009 at 3:02PM

It's probably not the best time to be selling a diamond-covered pen. Luckily only one is for sale per year. The Aurora Diamante contains over 30 carats of De Beers diamonds on a solid platinum barrel. It has a two-tone, rhodium-treated, 18KT solid gold nib and is personalized with a coat of arms, signature or portrait. Aurora Pens says it is the only over 30 carat pen in the world. It is believed to be worth around one million euros which would make it more expensive than the Van Cleef & Arpels Mystery pen.

Gallery: Sublimely Ridiculous Uses of Diamonds

[via Pens from Heaven]

Tags: aurora, diamonds, pen

The Surefire Pen

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Oct 14th 2008 at 5:00PM

Here we have a pen for those who want a writing instrument that's top notch but still masculine and, most importantly, durable and functional enough for regular use. It's the SureFire Pen, from SureFire (of course), and among its list of features you'll find that it has a sleek, aerospace-grade aluminum body, a "virtually indestructible" stainless steel tip, and a tail cap that's designed to function as a window-breaker in an emergency. And how does it write? The SureFire pen is fully adjustable to accommodate almost any of your favorite ink cartridges, but to make things even easier it comes standard with its own easy flow cartridge featuring high-performance Schmidt® Technology.

A perfect gift for that hard-to-buy for guy on your holiday shopping list! $125

Via acquire

Tags: gift, gift ideas, GiftIdeas, gifts, pen, pens, surefire, surefire pen, SurefirePen, writing instrument, writing instruments, WritingInstrument, WritingInstruments

← Previous Page|Next Page →

Writing Instruments

Featured Galleries

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular

Also on AOL